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1988 Cadillac

Brougham Sedan

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Body Color
Light Blue
Stock
4665
Engine Size
5.0 Liter
Transmission Type
4 Speed Automatic
Vin
1G6DW51Y4J9718832
Miles
1,718
Drivetrain
RWD

1988 Cadillac Brougham Sedan

1988 Cadillac Brougham Sedan

When Joseph Bramah patented the hydraulic press in 1795, it's doubtful he foresaw the invention's glittering debut in a Rolls Royce Phantom for Snoop Dogg and Pharrell's “Drop it Like it's Hot” some 309 years later.  But these things are hard to predict.  Hydraulics began as a modest, utilitarian piece of engineering, the same tech still used today by planes, cranes, bulldozers and other varieties of get-er-done heavy machinery.  Things got a little more interesting in the late '50s early '60s, when the post-WWII economics fomented the rise of lowrider culture.  These makes were abundant, accessible and easy to swoop up, spawning a “low and slow” cult following that was especially popular in Southern California.  The first fella to raise 'er up was Ron Aguirre, with his 1955 Corvette XSonic.  A sight to see, and also one of the first American bubble cars in existence.  All electric and controlled by a remote, Aguirre installed a premier auto hydraulics system to avoid scraps and speed bumps.  In the process of raising and lowering the vehicle for being-a-good-boy purposes, though, lowrider enthusiasts started to notice that the car could bounce, lift and shift from side to side.  They further noticed that doing this was rather enjoyable, for drivers and onlookers alike.  (The cops, however: not so keen on the trend. Vehicle Code 24008 was shortly rectified, stating it thereby illegal to operate any car modified so that any part was lower than the bottoms of its wheel rims.  But you know what they say about rules and breaking them.). Thx to Insidehook.com

When we say we never know what's going to come through the doors to our Hallowed Halls we really mean it!  Case in point is the first of it's kind, a once luxury highway cruiser built and designed to one-up the Jones' but now taking the form of a "jumper and thumper" all in 1988 Cadillac Brougham elegance.  Bathed in blue with a white painted top and chrome looking good in its square and rectangle sharp edged design.  In need of some TLC on the cosmetics but a functional entry level way to garnish all the attention one could want just by "hittin the switches".  Spark a fattie and slam this biotch, let's roll before the 5.0 calls in a 24008 on our asses!

Exterior
Bathed in a repaint of light blue, straight steel panels with nicely molded gaps form to create this square and rectangle design exterior.  Paint shows as faded chipped and worn for both the light blue lower body and the white roof.  Neoprene bumper fillers are looking good in front and rear behind the bumpers although some sections have been replaced white black and white parts.  Chrome remains nice as to all the exterior trimmings.  This Brougham wore a cross-hatch grille in 1987 and 1988 which was an identical re-cast of the 1981 grille.  Dual horizontal lined up headlights are on either side, a wide trimming is around the egg crate, and in an outward “V”  format.  These front trimmings are all in good shape and condition. The white painted roof shows some chipping as it covers the passengers and the fairly clean glass.  For the back of the car, vertically oriented taillights are within large styled chrome bezels and a long clean bumper is below.  Shades of yore models for these tail lights, nice Caddy crest badging, and some white accent pinstriping have this cruiser all buttoned up and looking overall very nice.  Add some 13" wire chrome wheels, (they could be 100 spoke Daytons, but frankly I can only count to 21 without any assistance), and are wrapped with 155/80R13 rubber  all around and we have the perfect vision of the now decimated 6th street bridge in East LA.

Interior
As we swing open the door for our entry and great get away, we are greeted with wide door panels that have plenty of padding under soiled burgundy velour coverings.  Chrome trimmings separate some of these panels, and for the split armrest/door pull, wood appliqué and chrome mix to make the housing for the power windows, locks, seats and mirrors.  Slipping inside we rest upon tufted and crest embroidered maroon velour wide seating with buckets upfront, and a large bench with lots of legroom in the back.  The seats are aged and show some soiling and wear to the velour but it definitely adds character because they are not perfect, just nicely aged.  Plenty of wood appliqué for the dash front, particularly in front of the driver and passenger's sides with the gauge cluster in front of the driver, and glovebox the passenger.   A central main control panel is where the climate controls and radio (Sony AM/FM/CD) are.  Just below is the main attraction...a CCE Hydraulics 10 lever switch panel to control each corner of the car independently as well as front, side, seesaw and pancake positions...the suspense for the driveability is killing me, I hope it lasts.  Maroon carpeting, slightly worn at the thresholds, floods the floors, and it's just bare steel above where the headliner used to reside.  Also, of note a string of warning lights and readouts stretch across the dash top right above the bottom of the windshield where it meets the dash top, all providing pertinent info for the driver whilst making a slow and low pass down the busy LA streets.

Drivetrain
Under the long hood is a 5.0 liter V8, in original's condition, with slight corrosion, dust and dirt and some patina.  It is topped with a single 4-barrel carburetor and has a 200R4 transmission in 4-speed automatic configuration on the back.  A 10-bolt 2.73 gear rear axle slides this long car smoothly down the road.

Undercarriage
A nicely preserved undercarriage with slight surface rust and solid frame construction is noted.  As are independent hydraulics upfront, and a 4 link with hydraulic controls on the back.  Power disc brakes are reserved for the front, and power drums for the rear.  A Stainless Works Muffler system is on now.  Looking good on the preservation front, underneath save for the left rear hydraulic cylinder that our consignor states leaks at full extension.

Drive-Ability
The part I've been waiting for....a quick starter, and off to the cruise test track for a drive.  This car does have a bit of a rough ride, which is normal for a build of this sort.  Smooth acceleration and bias free panic stopping were noted during our drive.  All comforts were working just fine save for the windshield wipers, heater blower, and sadly the batteries for the hydraulic pumps are discharged.  So there was no hittin switches and chasing bitches for me.

The basics are all there and overall the car presents well.  Some TLC on both the exterior and interior and some juice back in the batteries and you'll be the star of your own slow parade down Main St.  Where's my bandana and my blunt...it's time to cruise!

1G6DW51Y4J9718832

1-USA
G-General Motors
6-Cadillac
DW-Brougham
5-4 Door Sedan
1-Manual Belts
Y-5.0L V8 4bbl 140hp
4-Check Digit
J-1987
9-Detroit, MI Assy Plant
718832-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.