I have noticed that the Fleetwoods of this era are usually in much better condition and are cheep as dirt. I was thinking that it may be a good alternative to a Caprice.
Take this for instance.
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/3155462944.html
There are many more under 3K that are arguably in better shape but this was the first that I stumbled on.
I had several early 80s Fleetwood's and loved them. It is like riding in your living room. The kids could be killing each other in the back and you would never know it. And the trunk capacity was more what than most modern mini vans can hall with the rear seats removed.
It just got me thinking.. . .
jrw1621
PowerDork
8/5/12 10:07 p.m.
Look up Buick Roadmaster sedans and wagons also.
Technically the Fleetwood is a D-body while the Caprice is a B-body, but AFAIK you can play Upgrade Lego as much as you want.
To answer your original question: yes.
Wheelbase is slightly longer, but other than that, they're the same. Built on the same Arlington, Texas assembly line as the B-body Caprice, Roadmaster, and Custom Cruiser.
they are a Caprice with a longer wheelbase and all the associated unnecessary electronic complexity that makes it into a Caddy.. simply from that standpoint, i'd go for a Buick Roadsmasher or Caprice..
Agreed. Longer wheelbase, but same basic car. You'll find that the clockspring for the variable assist power steering is a constant failure and expensive/difficult to replace, but otherwise its a Caprice with leather and fancy options.
Take advantage of the luxo-depreciation and get one. B- and D-bodies haven't changed much since 1971, and the BOP variants are pretty much the same back to 1964. Chassis parts are cheap, its a full-frame car with V8 and RWD, and most guys (like me) hate GM for stopping their production.
curtis73 wrote:
Agreed. Longer wheelbase, but same basic car. You'll find that the clockspring for the variable assist power steering is a constant failure and expensive/difficult to replace, but otherwise its a Caprice with leather and fancy options.
Take advantage of the luxo-depreciation and get one. B- and D-bodies haven't changed much since 1971, and the BOP variants are pretty much the same back to 1964. Chassis parts are cheap, its a full-frame car with V8 and RWD, and most guys (like me) hate GM for stopping their production.
the B/D chassis was pretty much the same from 77-96, and it was essentially the same chassis as the 73-77 A bodies..
so, yeah, there are lots of parts that you can throw at one to make it do whatever you want..
The Caddies had significant frame bracing that the Caprices did not have.
really the only thing you need to remember when doing bolt ons is that the exhaust pipes are longer so a system for a caprice/impala works but needs made longer in the middle, and that you can't throw a b body driveshaft in one.
when i had my 78 i had a late model chevy truck aluminum driveshaft cut to fit. and it had impala SS springs, sway bars, 3.08 posi disc brake rear end, shocks, etc... fun times.
i'm always partially looking for a 93 fleetwood, because it's the only year of that body with the simpler old 350 tbi instead of the LT1. one day i'll get one, probably.
because simplicity, it would be a driver. and the L05 is plenty adequate for that. heck i was happy with my 305 wagon.
Craigslist Caddy Seller said:
asking 2500 or beat offer
I think you should make him a beat offer on this car. I'd start out at $20 and see if that's beat enough for him.
pages wrote:
because simplicity, it would be a driver. and the L05 is plenty adequate for that. heck i was happy with my 305 wagon.
My feelings exactly re the power. It is a luxo cruising barge. No matter what motor you put in it it will be slow. But you don't get one of these for off the line speed.
I like that is basically a Chevrolet motor. My Fleetwood (early 84 or late 83) Had a huge all aluminum V8 that only had cooling to the heads. I think it was called the HT4100 You could see the sides of bores on the block. It was a weird thing but it was a torque monster and it scooted that 6000 lb boat around with out a problem and got decent millage for what it was. The problem was it kept braking flex plates and this in turn screwed up the bolt hols in the crank. I finally just welded it together and when it Broke again I scrapped it.
Here is a marvel of Americana engineering a 500 CID motor that makes 190 HP in the 76 Cadillac
1976
S
66E,Q
500
190 hp (142 kW) @ 3600 rpm
360 lb·ft (490 N·m) @ 2000 rpm
4.300 X 4.304
8.5:1
35
