Driving an original 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood everywhere!

We take a long day of driving a very nicely optioned unrestored and well used 1964 Cadillac Fleetwood hardtop. This particular car is an unrestored example still driven daily today. She shows her age a bit but runs and drives perfectly and with great reliability and thirst for fuel.

[@nomebear]

A family member owned one, and I sometimes drove it as a teenager. It was not a hot rod, but drove like it was on rails. Gasoline was .15 cents per gallon for premium. It seemed like it held close to 35 gallons. Be it a vent wing front or rear, or side windows, they were all power. The power steering seemed like it was variable ratio, and the smooth shifting automatic transmission was a huge improvement over the one preceeding it.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for sharing the story. They were very highly optioned cars back in the 1960's and drove and rode very well. We'd be curious to see how the price back then compares to the price today.

[@ronfuchs248]

I enjoyed hearing that big V-8 roar as you went after the Corvette!

[@classicperformance]

Ha! Just a great driver car and a lot of fun. Never have to worry about anyone stealing it, door dings or shopping carts banging into it in parking lots either. Not the prettiest gal in town but, gets a lot of attention. I feel overall people still enjoy seeing a car of this age still being driven regurally.

[@ronfuchs248]

That car was made to be King of the road! It still has presence! I'm sure it makes peoples jaw drop at the size and inspired style!@@classicperformance

[@classicperformance]

The interesting thing is, everyone knows it's a Cadillac. I was getting gas in a '69 Camaro, and a couple of HS age kids came by to check it out. Thanks an old Mustang isn't it. ha!

[@stex1985]

Best riding and driving Cadillac I ever owned was my 64 Fleetwood. Navy blue exterior and interior. I loved pushing the door locks. Being vacuum operated they didn’t all lock or unlock at once. The truck release was the same way,push the button and wait,finally after a lot of noises of air moving around the trunk would pop open.

[@classicperformance]

This car is a pleasure to drive even as tired and old as it is. You are most correct with the vacuum operated lock system. Did you know BMW and Mercedes used a similar system? One of the reasons is that it was quiet vs the "clunk" of an electric solenoid but overall more problematic and over engineered as they tend to do. Some used vacuum to lock, and stored compressed air to unlock with a secondary small compressor and lots of lines.

[@Robert8455]

Good looking machine. I had a 64 Fleetwood Brougham. Stock muffler makes it super quiet. Good to see the classic getting driven.

[@classicperformance]

Right on!! Thanks Robert. She's pretty much driven weekly.

[@randybock82]

Beautiful car! My dad owned a 64 Cadillac convertible back in the 60s. Brings back memories. Good for you Sir. 8 mpg but who cares? Your styling big time.

[@classicperformance]

thanks for the story and the support. It's just an honest driver and weekly transportation still actually, not a car show car or anything else. We think it has more personality than many people do today.

[@califdad4]

I remember someone in our neighborhood had a aqua blue one about 1966, what a beautiful car, I remember these used back in the 60s were about a thousand dollars more than a DeVille. These had the same trim as the Eldorados then and I still remember the lady driving a emerald green 64 Eldorado convertible around town, that was a gorgeous car

[@classicperformance]

Great Memories!! They were something back then. You really had arrived if you owned a Cadillac. My family never had one, farthest thing from my father's mind. We had the white Chevy Biscaynes and such.

[@califdad4]

@@classicperformance my parents had a 65 mustang. I remember back then not understanding what model this was and wondered why it looked so much better than the DeVille

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for your interest!!!

[@the_tux]

Saw one parked in Cologne, DE a couple of days ago. Just astonishing in all its ways. Must be hard to turn left and right here since our streets are way smaller than in the US. No fancy lane assist, abs or esp.

[@classicperformance]

Yes, these were designed for the vast American open roads. I can't imagine trying to park on on a city metro street against a curb even, anywhere. Glad to hear one made it to Germany!!!

[@ammarhusin4389]

Thanks I'm enjoying video from you

[@classicperformance]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for your interest!

[@williamschoemann4209]

That's a nice car. You're right about beauty and comfort anywhere anytime. You're unnecessarily-deliberately funny when you talk about gas and brakes. Don't add gas a litle at a time. Fill it. I drive two hours/three counties (each way) and back on a fill-up. If brakes don't work firmly and smoothly, or pull, have them fixed. I have. Mine work even on the rare occassions when I have to hit them hard. I have an '85 Cadillac and a '53 Packard. I hope that one gets fixed and enjoyed.

[@choward5430]

I own a '55 and '59 Fleetwood. The '59 is an original 33-K mile car that I restored. The '55 is a 34k-mile original car that still has the original shocks on it. Everything mechanical is being restored. Engine and trans already rebuilt. I like driving a car I can count on! :)

[@classicperformance]

Wow, great luck with those projects! Great cars and once you get them sorted and "get to know them" very dependable and if something does go wrong, easily spotted and fixed.

[@howardgreenman2908]

Always loved the 64 Caddy. Had the most restrained styling of any finned Caddy. This one is real nice a s is. Would be more conventionally beautiful with new headliner, upholstery and paint. But has a lot of originality and character as she is.

[@classicperformance]

I agree Howard. We're working on her with some new interior components. That is why the headliner is out.

[@youtold7727]

Ooooh that baby sounds great!

[@classicperformance]

It does have the "voice" to go along with the length and weight. Unlike Mike Tyson, so to speak.

[@billboyer1244]

I enjoyed your daily driver experience. And, I like hearing the engine noise.

[@classicperformance]

Glad you enjoyed it! She's just a driver in every respect of the definition. Reliable and nothing to worry about when parked among all the stray shopping carts at Walmart. Always attracts a crowd too, amazingly enough.

[@user-fl3ey6pe6k]

I'm glad nobody made a low rider or resto mod of it, but I would put disk brakes on it., it's a beauty

[@classicperformance]

Disc brakes would be nice, but it stops surprisingly well with the power drums. It's really not a problem at all. I do agree, nice to have one not hacked up.

[@adamcampbell8794]

Beautiful. I'm jealous

[@classicperformance]

Just a good old honest, dependable car solid car. She starts every morning. Thanks for your interest!

[@giuseppipiazza6427]

My favorite steering wheel and dash. My dad had a 62 coupe deville when i was a kid. Would love to get one before i die.

[@classicperformance]

classic 60's dash and love that long sweeper of a speedometer. Thanks!

[@pcno2832]

This was the last year before the Fleetwood got the 3" wheelbase stretch with the splice and the B-pillar added, so if you want the hardtop styling, it's the one to get, but if you want the extra legroom and the safety of the extra roof support, the '65 has those advantages. Either way, these are the last American cars made with 4 vent windows and they reek of coolness.

[@classicperformance]

We could only imagine even 3 more inches of wheelbase! Agreed, way cool. Thanks for the info!!!!

[@joehammond2586]

My kind of car, love it.

[@classicperformance]

Thanks, Joe!!

[@japanjack62]

Our neighbor had this one in Dark green, he traded it in for a 1967 Fleetwood Brougham silver with a black vinyl top.

[@classicperformance]

Nice!!!!

[@anthonybianchini5144]

429 = only Cadillac engine in 64.'

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

I had a 1966 Coupe De Ville in the 1980s. Parking spaces have shrunk a lot since then. I bet it wouldn't fit in modern spaces. My Caddy got only 10 mpg. It needed leaded gas too.

[@classicperformance]

All so true! as well, garages, and driveways have gotten smaller among things like fast food portion size and everything else while prices increase! As far as leaded gas, many older engines have been upgraded with hardened valve seats to compensate for the lack of lead in fuels today. With limited driving of collectable cars, I haven't seen any issues with unleaded fuel in original engines from days prior to the removal of lead which took place over a period from mid 70's to mid 80's. However, leaded fuel can be still obtained via AV Gas such as 100LL which still contains tetra-ethyl-lead (TEL).

[@ivorwm2291]

Ultimate luxury

[@GHH-qe2oi]

Very cool car and thanks so much for posting. Very neat to see the cornering lights working at 7:54 when you are making the left turn. Noticed the car is equipped with cruise control - does it still work?

[@classicperformance]

Yes, the cruise control and most all systems still work along with the fender brow lights and cornering lights.

[@GHH-qe2oi]

@@classicperformance Thanks, amazing that a 59-year-old car had something as sophisticated, safe and useful as cornering lights. I believe Cadillac pioneered them in the 1962 model year. Also, love the 3-phase rear lights on Caddies 62-68.

[@classicperformance]

@@GHH-qe2oiyou are correct. Thanks for your interest in the Cadillac. Check out our other Cadillac uploads and we'll have more unique American classics coming this summer!!

[@greeniembush4106]

I'd was six years old and I'd slept in In one when I'd was six years and love the Cadillac .❤😂😂😂😂

[@classicperformance]

yes!!! I most likely did the same!

[@daveo2821]

I love my 64 CdV

[@bobbyheffley4955]

First year for the 429 V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic 400

[@classicperformance]

Yes, thank you. Might have misspoken on this one.

[@ronschwolsky1626]

That headliner tho. 😳

[@classicperformance]

Perfect, ain't it!! ;) it's just a fun driver. The car got flooded up to the dash in the past 10 years, hence no carpet. She keeps on going.

[@youtold7727]

I understand to each his own but comparing to the Lincoln I have to go Cadillac.

[@classicperformance]

Always!!!!

[@MostlyBuicks]

Last year for the Fleetwood pillarless sedan.

[@classicperformance]

Great styling with all the windows down. Thanks for your interest!

[@gormaline1024]

So funny that the gas goes under the license plate. Crazy how much you need for it

[@jayson657]

It was very common with full sized GM cars up until the early to mid 90’s having the gas cap behind the license plate. Had a 1986 Chevy Monte Carlo had the cap behind the licenses plate.

[@jarmelo2006]

Gorgeous.

[@classicperformance]

Thank you! It's a good honest reliable ride. Not a beauty queen.

[@jarmelo2006]

@@classicperformance I heard that. Man I love it. ✌🏾😊

[@olocomeu7137]

Lindo este carro! Maravilhoso, mas aqui no Brasil ( país lixo) a gasolina é artigo de luxo para ricos. Custa uma fortuna!

[@classicperformance]

Gracias por su interés en el Cadillac. Lamento saber que no es posible que una persona promedio tenga uno en Brasil. ¿Tienen algún clásico estadounidense en su país?

[@retroguy9494]

Why does it sound like a screaming Detroit diesel truck instead of a Cadillac? Especially when you first pulled out?

[@classicperformance]

8V71 Detroit swap! Ha, we don't know, actually.

[@penalistaabogadoarg2958]

You speaks so much! Is better if you sharap and let hear the sound of the engine.

[@classicperformance]

Thank you! This is an informative video.

[@irvshaw1798]

I had two sixty three's 😢

[@classicperformance]

Sweet!!!!!

[@erichanson3961]

The 429 was not an option. It was standard. The 390 was no longer installed in any Cadillac for 64.

[@classicperformance]

Eric, yes, you are correct.

[@jamesernzen1485]

Thats a dual range hydromatic. (4 sped) 1964 was the first year for any GM Turbo(400)(3spd) transmission) it was given with the DeVille package with an upgrade on the 62 series body with the Deville package. Cadillac didn't offer the turbo trans on plain 62 series or on fleetwood and commercial bodies

[@classicperformance]

Thanks for the great info and for your interest!

[@anthonybianchini5144]

MPG = should be 12-14.

[@classicperformance]

Anthony, you are #1 with all the comments!!! I had a '68 Mustang with a 302 and it never got more than 14-15 mph around town as well as my new Silverado.

[@anthonybianchini5144]

Brakes shouldn't pull to left/right. Something needs attention, stat.

[@classicperformance]

If you watched the video, everything needs a little attention on this car. It's old... just installed a new master, blend all 4 wheels, tightened up the shoes to the drums...

[@waynemontes2737]

Nice car how much 💵💵

[@classicperformance]

This car is not for sale. Sorry.

[@anthonybianchini5144]

How do you know it's not 209K miles?

[@classicperformance]

The car has been in the family since new. We have all the documentation on it since new including service records.

[@DavidNaquin]

McDonald's! I think not!

[@classicperformance]

It was just for show! I didn't order a thing there. It would take forever and the order would come out wrong. Amazing they are still in business and so popular! Agreed!

[@Killahboot]

It needs a paint job.

[@classicperformance]

and an interior, and front end rebuild, and.....

[@anthonybianchini5144]

Not sure why everyone repeats that tired saying, "passes everything but a gas station." Not exactly the fastest car. Then add in the previous comments about stopping at auto parts stores.

[@classicperformance]

It's just for entertainment sake. Mix yourself a drink, Sir.