Opera Lamps on a 1970 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham

[Greg Powers]

I am looking at  a 1970 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham, a very low milage original car, that has opera lamps mounted on the vinyl top just behind the rear doors. I know that this was not listed in the optional equipment for 1970 but was an available option on the 1971 Fleetwood. What are the chances that Cadillac offered this early?? I am just curious as I have yet to purchase the Cadillac. Has anyone seen this on another 1970 Fleetwood? - Greg

[Bill Young]

The 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood came in two separate models for the last time The Fleetwood Sixty Special they sold only 1,738 and the Fleetwood Brougham they sold 17,000 of. There was no place to mount a side light on the thin B pillar of the 1970 models which were mostly a hold over of the 1969 Cadillac's. The all new body of the 1971 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham has the side pillar lights You want, 15,200 were sold due to the strike that happened that Year. They sold 20,750 for 1972. So You should be able to find a '71 or '72. I hope this helps.

[35-709]

"I am looking at  a 1970 Fleetwood Sixty Special Brougham, a very low mileage original car, that has opera lamps mounted on the vinyl top just behind the rear doors."

From the way I read it he is already looking at a '70 WITH the opera lamps, not on the "B" pillar but behind the rear door window.  If Cadillac did not offer them in that location in 1970 (someone will know) then maybe they were added later, low mileage original or not.

[jagbuxx #12944]

Not offered to my knowledge til 1971.

[David Greenburg]

I've been a fan of those Fleetwoods since my mother set me loose in a Cadillac showroom in 1970, and have never seen or heard of a '70 with opera lamps.  My guess is that a PO felt the '70 was out of date and tried to update the look by adding the lamps.  They were all rage in the 70's, along with opera windows.

[Scot Minesinger]

The opera lamps were not an option on rear pillar in 1970 that I know of.  If they are already installed and tastefully done, then it was likely the result of an update on or around when the car is newer to resemble cars a few years newer.  Unless you are extremely concerned with authenticity, I would leave them alone if the look good, because will be expensive to change back. 

In 1986 my 1985 Caprice became outdated mainly because it did not have the high mounted center rear brake light, so I added that in myself.  That made it safer and did not identify it as a 1985 or older car.  The Caprice changed little in the mid-late 1980's and so this one thing made it more current.  The 1970 Fleetwood owner probably thought the same thing in 1972.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Agreed - someone added opera lamps to the car at some later date.