Dream Car Giveaway

 

1996 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD

Cadillac bills its Fleetwood and companion Fleetwood Brougham as "traditional" luxury cars, which means they're aimed at buyers who like big, rear-wheel-drive cars with conservative, upright styling. "A perennial favorite of diplomats and heads of state the world over." Primary competition comes from the equally traditional Lincoln Town Car.

At 225.1 in., the Fleetwood is the longest production passenger car available in the United States. By comparison, the largest Mercedes-Benz sedan is some 20 in. shorter. Such size not only endows Fleetwood with the "commanding presence" that Cadillac says Fleetwood customers demand, but makes it quite functional. Passenger compartment volume measures an impressive 124.9 cu. ft., while the trunk measures a huge 21.1 cu. ft.

Underneath Fleetwood's skin is a solid-axle rear suspension and a Chevrolet-derived 5.7-liter V8 engine making 260 horsepower and 330 ft.-lb. of torque. A 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes and all-speed traction control bring this behemoth time machine into 1996 -- its last year.

Inside, the Fleetwood coddles occupants with standard leather upholstery, automatic climate control with rear-seat heat ducts and a 6-speaker cassette sound system. Both models feature 6-way power adjustable front seats, while the Brougham adds articulated headrests and driver's-seat-position memory for two drivers. An "antilockout" feature prevents the doors from locking if the owner forgets to remove the keys from the ignition.

Equipped with the optional towing package, the Fleetwood can handle up to 3175 kg (7000 pounds) -- more than many sport/utility vehicles.

  • In its final year of production, the revisions to the Fleetwood sedan and optional Brougham package model were mainly "creature comfort" in nature.
  • Fleetwoods were again powered by the Gen II 5.7-liter V-8 paired with the 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.
  • Final drive ratio for Fleetwood was 2.56:1 while the Brougham's was 3.42:1.
  • Inside, the Fleetwood received "Electro-motor" electronic cruise control and a new center armrest with dual cupholder, coinholder and CD/cassette storage.
  • Fleetwood models were also prewired to accommodate the optional Dual-Mode cell phone.
  • Also new was a six-speaker entertainment system that could be upgraded with the factory-installed, trunk-mounted CD changer.
  • Again, the Fleetwood could also be ordered as the V4U Coachbuilder Limousine Package.
  • B9Q Funeral Coach Package, or RIP Heavy-Duty Sedan Package with heavy-duty components required for continuous commercial service.
IDENTIFICATION
Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
DW5W694-dr. Sedan36995446115,101

ENGINE
FeatureFleetwood
Engine90-degree, overhead valve V-8
ConstructionCast iron block and cylinder heads
Displacement350 cu . in. (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48 in
Compression ratio10.0 : 1
Brake Horsepower260 @ 5000 rpm
Torque330 lb-ft. @ 3200 rpm
Valve trainRoller hydraulic valve lifters
Fuel supplySequential-port fuel injection
Spark plugsDual-platinum tipped
CoolantDEX-COOLTM long-life corrosion-inhibiting with "limp-home" engine coolant loss protection

CHASSIS
Wheelbase3085 mm (121.5")
Length5717 mm (225.0")
Width1982 mm (78.0")
Height1451 mm (57.1")
Front tread1568 mm (61.7")
Rear tread1542 mm (60.7")
Curb Weight2017 kg.(4447 lb)
Luggage Capacity588 liters (21.1 cu ft)
Fuel tank capacity87 liters (19.2 Imp. gal) (23 US gal)
Fuel Economy City/Hwy13.8 l/100 km - 9 l/100 km (20.4/31.2 mpg-imp) (17/26 mpg US)
Basic Warranty, Months/Distance48/80,000 km (50,000 miles)
Standard TiresMichelin P235/70R15.

TECHNICAL
FeatureFleetwoodBrougham
Transmission4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic (includes torque converter clutch) with electronic shift control and altitude compensation
ATF"Filled-for-life" Dexron® III automatic transmission fluid
SteeringPower-assisted recirculating ball, speed sensitive. variable assist
Front SuspensionIndependent with short~iong arms, coil springs, direct acting shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionFour link, coil springs w~automatic level control, direct acting shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Final drive ratio2.56 : 12.93 : 1
BrakesPower assisted front disc~rear drum w/Bosch anti-lock braking system
Body ConstructionSeparate body on frame
Trailer Towing Package final drive ratio3.42 : 1
Fuel Tank23.0 gas.
0-96 kph (0-60 mph)8.5 seconds
Top speed175 kph (109 mph)
DriveRear-wheel drive
FrameFull body frame construction
Front SuspensionShort/Long Arm
Rear suspension4-link
Level controlRear electronic level control
SteeringSpeed-sensitive power steering
BrakesPower front disc, rear drums
ExhaustStainless steel exhaust system
Standard wheel15" x 7" cast-aluminum
Optional wheel15" x 7" chrome finish cast aluminum
Standard Fleetwood tiresMichelin XW4 P235/70R15 all-season whitewallGoodyear Eagle GA P235/70R15 all-season whitewall

SAFETY & SECURITY

FeatureFleetwoodBrougham
Dual front air bagsStandardStandard
Rear door child-security locksStandardStandard
Programmable power door locks with anti-lockout protectionStandardStandard
Remote keyless entry system includes central door unlockingStandardStandard
Illuminated entry systemStandardStandard
Audible theft-deterrent systemStandardStandard
PASS-Key II personal security theft-deterrent systemStandardStandard
Daytime Running Lamps and automatic light control includes Twilight Sentinel with delay featureStandardStandard
Brake/transmission shift interlockStandardStandard
Bosch ABS5 4-wheel anti-lock brake systemStandardStandard
Bosch ASR5 full-range traction controlStandardStandard

EXTERIOR

FeatureFleetwoodBrougham
2-sided galvanized steel body panels (except roof)StandardStandard
Clearcoat paintStandardStandard
Solar-Ray tinted glassStandardStandard
Composite tungsten-halogen headlamps with flash-to-passStandardStandard
Front cornering lampsStandardStandard
Dual heated power remote mirrorsStandardStandard
Power antennaStandardStandard

INTERIOR

FeatureFleetwoodBrougham
Prestwick cloth interiorStandardStandard
Dual comfort divided front seats with 6-way power adjusters and power reclinersStandardStandard
Sunglass storage compartmentStandardStandard
Automatic climate control systemStandardStandard
Rear floor heat ductsStandardStandard
Leather-wrapped steering wheelStandardStandard
Tilt-WheelTM adjustable steering columnStandardStandard
Variable delay windshield wipersStandardStandard
Cruise controlStandardStandard
Digital instrument clusterStandardStandard
Message telltale centerStandardStandard
Power windows with driver express-down and rear window lock-out featuresStandardStandard
Retained accessory powerStandardStandard
Electrochromic inside rearview mirrorStandardStandard
Illuminated visor vanity mirrorsStandardStandard
Front and rear carpeted floor matsStandardStandard
Electric rear window defoggerStandardStandard
Power remote fuel filler door releaseStandardStandard
Power remote trunk release with pull downStandardStandard
Cargo convenience netStandardStandard
Trailer towing package, with 3175 kg (7000 lb.) capacityOptionalOptional
Full-size spare tireOptionalOptional
Power astroroofOptionalOptional
Full padded vinyl roofOptionalOptional
Solar-reflective front windshieldOptionalOptional
Sierra-grain leather seating areaOptionalOptional
Universal 3-channel garage door openerOptionalOptional
Dealer-installed cellular phone with hands free and voice recognition (fixed model)OptionalOptional

OPTIONS

Security Pkg. $360 Theft Deterrent Syst. $295
Astroroof $1,550 Garage Door Opener $107
Coachbuilder Pkg. ($755) Funeral Coach Pkg. ($910 credit)
Brougham Cloth int. $1,680 Brougham Leather int. $2,465
H.D. Livery Pkg. $150 Leather Seating (Fleetwood) 3785
Sungate Windshield $50 ETR AM/FM Stereo Radio w/CD & Cassette 3200
Full Vinyl Roof (Fleetwood) $925 Full-size Spare $95
Chrome wheels $1,195.

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NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac Seville
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NEXT: History of the 1997 Cadillac
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May 11, 2000; March 8/03