Vehicle Description
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 onceluxuryhighway cruiser built and designed to one-up
the Jones' but now taking the form of a "jumper andthumper" 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 althoughsome
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 paintedroof 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 andgreat 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 applique
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 applique 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 anddirt 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 ourdrive. 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.