Cadillac Brougham

1988 Cadillac Brougham 1990 - 1992 Cadillac Brougham
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1987–1992
Assembly	Arlington Assembly, United States Detroit Assembly, United States
Predecessor	Cadillac Fleetwood
Successor	Cadillac Fleetwood
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	D-body
Engine	5.0 L L02 V8 5.0 L Chevrolet V8 5.7 L L05/LLO V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	121.5 in (3,086 mm)
Length	221.0 in (5,613 mm)
Width	76.5 in (1,943 mm)
Height	1985–89: 56.7 in (1,440 mm) 1990–92: 57.4 in (1,458 mm)
Curb weight	1988: 4,114 lb (1,866 kg)

Cadillac has used the Brougham name since 1916. The term Brougham referred to a type of horse drawn carriage with an enclosed body.

In the 1950s, the name appeared as the four-door variant for the Eldorado. The Eldorado Brougham protoype model appeared in 1955, then as a limited production model from 1957 through 1960. The name was used in connection with the Fleetwood model from 1965 until 1986, and eventually, the Brougham was a separate model from 1987 through 1992. This was the last Cadillac to be produced with no airbags.

Fleetwood Brougham

In 1965, the Brougham name reappeared as an option package on the Fleetwood. The next year, the car became a separate model, splitting the Fleetwood line into the Fleetwood Sixty Special and Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham. This continued through 1971. For 1972, the Sixty Special name was retired, and the Fleetwood Brougham soldiered on as Cadillac's most luxurious owner-driven large sedan model through 1986.

1987–1992

Although the vehicle was identical to the 1986 model, the former Fleetwood Brougham - the last remaining rear-wheel drive Cadillac - was re-named in 1987 to "Brougham". The Fleetwood name went onto a new, smaller breed of front-drive Cadillac in 1985, and the confusion over the Fleetwood name being applied to two very different vehicles prompted the name change for 1987. As it had been since the late Seventies, the optional "d'Elegance" package offered even more luxurious appointments, including tufted-button seating and rear-seat reading lamps.

1989 six-door limousine by Superior

The rear-wheel drive Cadillac Brougham, in addition to rival Lincoln's similar Town Car, was popular among coachbuilders who manufactured stretched limousines on the Brougham's architecture.

Construction of the Cadillac Brougham was performed at the Clark Street Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan from 1985 until 1987; some early model year 1988 Broughams were produced there in late 1987. Beginning in 1988 and continuing through 1992, Broughams were produced at Arlington Assembly in Arlington, Texas. The 11th digit of the VIN indicates plant assembly. A "9" as the 11th digit indicates a Detroit Brougham; a "Y" indicates an Arlington Brougham.

VIN "9" Broughams actually produced in 1988, although rare, can be found as "commercial chassis" vehicles, and generally have a higher output Oldsmobile 307 LG8 Engine and different transmissions, depending on the use. Generally speaking, minor differences between 1987 and 1988 (VIN 9 and Y) can be found, such as carburetor assembly. While these cars all used Rochester Quadrajet Electronic 4-Barrel Carburetors, differences include an electronic (Detroit) versus vacuum (Arlington) Idle Load Compensator, as well as an electronic (Detroit) versus climactic (Arlington) choke system.

The Brougham wore a cross-hatch grille in 87 & 88 which was an identical re-cast of the 1981 grille. The Brougham received a new vertical-slat grille for 1989, which was similar to the 1980 grille. The 1980 grille had 5 horizontal sections, the 89-92 had 3 horizontal sections. A 1990 freshening (the first one since 1980), was necessitated by a re-bodied Town Car from rival Lincoln. For 1990, Brougham received a new digital dash cluster inside, and composite headlamps, contemporary taillamps, flush bumper moldings, and an optional Chevrolet 350 V8. Door-mounted automatic front seatbelts became standard, as no driver's side airbag was available.

Brougham used the 121.5-inch (3,086 mm) wheelbase D-body platform, and the 5.0 L Oldsmobile, 5.0 L Chevrolet and 5.7 L Chevrolet V8 engines.

The Fleetwood name returned to the RWD model with a major redesign for 1993, and Brougham again was an option package, as it had been in 1965. By its various names during these years, it was the largest standard Cadillac model.

"Premiere Roof" option

1987–1989 Cadillac Brougham with Premiere Roof option

Owing to the Brougham's heritage (Fleetwood Brougham), a vinyl roof covering was considered a sign of a formal and luxurious automobile. In 1988, the "Premiere Roof" option was available giving the standard Brougham a very formal look. Though costly at US$895, it altered the overall appearance greatly. It included a vinyl covering of not only the entire roof of the car but also the rear quarter window surround. This option was availalble in 1988 and 1989 until becoming a part of Brougham's 1990 restyling.

Powertrains 1986–1992

Engines:

• 1986–1990 5.0 L (307 in³) L02 V8, 140 hp (104 kW)
• 1991–1992 5.0 L (305 in³) Chevrolet FI V8, 170 hp (127 kW)
• 1990–1992 5.7 L (350 in³) L05/LLO FI V8, 175 to 185 hp (131 to 138 kW)

Transmissions:

• 4-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R automatic with Oldsmobile V8
• 4-speed 4L60 automatic with Chevrolet V8s