8K Miles Of D’Elegance: 1990 Cadillac Brougham
“D’Elegance” – a name that may sound a tad pretentious, but it’s not just any edition; it’s an upgrade to the revered Brougham model. All that aside, the 1990 Cadillac in question is a truly elegant luxury sedan, impeccably preserved with a mere 8,300 miles on the odometer. We stumbled upon this regal Cadillac listed in Holliston, Massachusetts, available on Craigslist for $39,500, thanks to the keen eye of Zen.
By 1990, Cadillac had largely embraced front-wheel drive, but the Brougham remained an exception. It adhered to the traditional body-on-frame design, with an imposing 221-inch length and a 121.5-inch wheelbase. Under the hood lay a longitudinally mounted V8 engine, still connected to a rear live axle. This platform served as the foundation for the limousine variant and occupied the pinnacle in Cadillac’s 1990 lineup. The D’Elegance package, as the name suggests, bestowed additional luxury and trim elements upon this automotive masterpiece.
One can hardly find fault with this Cadillac, except for the somewhat ostentatious “gold package” added by the dealership. With a mere 8,300 miles and diligent storage, this Caddy remains in a near-new condition. The exterior, adorned with its stainless trim, silver-painted rocker panels, and chrome-plated wire wheels (an optional upgrade over wire wheel covers), exudes a classic charm. Even for those not typically fans of vinyl roof coverings, the one gracing this Brougham is tastefully done and perfectly complements the sedan’s black finish and formal, squared roofline.
Under the hood, you won’t find Cadillac power; instead, it’s Chevrolet’s 175 net HP, 350 cubic inch V8 engine, paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic 200-R4 overdrive automatic transmission. According to Cadillac’s 1990 documentation, this engine was only available with the inclusion of the trailering package, as indicated in the listing. While there’s no mention of this Caddy’s driving characteristics, there’s little reason to suspect any issues. It’s worth noting that in 1972, a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch engine with a single exhaust generated 175 net HP, and nearly two decades later, in this specific instance, there hasn’t been a noticeable improvement despite advancements from carburation to indirect injection.
The interior is pure early ’90s Cadillac, with plush tufted leather upholstery and an abundance of faux wood trim. The entire ambiance evokes the atmosphere of a gentlemen’s social club smoking lounge, exuding an air of timeless sophistication. Every detail is in impeccable condition, mirroring the exterior’s splendor. The only potential concern might be getting too comfortable on the interstate and inadvertently drifting into a 70 MPH snooze.
Historical research reveals that this car originally cost around $24,000 in 1990, but the current seller is asking nearly $40,000. While this Brougham is undeniably in magnificent shape, it may not be considered a collectible classic. So, the question lingers – is the asking price justified, or is it just a bit too ambitious?
