1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Stretch Limo. Aug 09

As you may have already guessed, this vehicle was a hire car, and has been operating in tandem with a '59 Cadillac Series 62 Deville convertible - also in pink - that's currently for sale at Joe's Golden Gasoline, too.
Depending on your perspective, the bright pastel pink duco is a tragedy or a masterstroke.
I tend to favour the latter, actually. Think about it - there's a hell of a lot of black/white/silver limos out there, so you need something different to stand out from the pack, right? And stand out this car certainly does. The pink paint is complemented by a padded white vinyl roof, whitewall tyres and wire wheel-look hubcaps.
Inside, there's rich burgundy velour upholstery and deeper burgundy carpet. It's a bit of a 'Pimp's Palace', but it's certainly in keeping with the exterior. Gold Cadillac logos stitched into the face-to-face seats and door cards remind you what you're travelling in, that is when you're not watching the DVD screen or listening to the impressive sound system. The stretch means there's adequate room for up to eight passengers, although six is probably a more practical carrying capacity. There's also a built-in bar, drink holders, separate air con, and all the luxuries you'd expect from a vehicle of this type. Some of the interior trim could do with a little refurbishing, but overall it's in very good condition, as is the exterior chrome and trim.
Presidential Coachbuilders in Victoria completed the stretch and RHD swap, as part of a full, frame-off resto, in 2004. 1980 model Fleetwoods like this one were fitted with a 368ci 6 litre V8 as standard, so substituting in a stronger 425ci V8 from a '79 model (on petrol/LPG) was a smart move that gives this car extra grunt - just the thing for hauling around a load of debutantes! Auto transmission, power steering and front compartment air con make things more comfortable for the driver, too.
Currently running non-transferable SA Hire plates, this Fleetwood is ready to go to work, should an accredited operator wish to do so. This one actually started life as a family vehicle before it joined the '59 Caddy as a hire car, and would still make a good - big - family cruiser today, but I've had another idea. With 2009 marking the 50th Birthday of the world's most famous blonde - how about using it for 'Barbie parties' (I'm sure they exist!) - as the ultimate Barbie Dream Car!
Seriously, though, despite the economic downturn, there will still be weddings, deb balls, hen's nights and funerals (yes, stretch limos are used by the funeral industry - maybe just not pink ones!), and those occasions still require a limo, so the smart buyer should be able to make this vehicle pay for itself. And you've only got to look at it to see it's got that special 'something' that a lot of other limos don't!
Mike Ryan

WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW MUCH
Model: Cadillac Fleetwood Custom stretch limousine
Year:1980
Dealer: Joe's Golden Gasoline
Classic Imports
357 Martins Road,
Parafield Gardens, SA, 5107
Ph: (08) 8281 5759

Price:$29,950
0-100 kph:What's the hurry?
Best point:It's pink
Worst point:Did I mention it's PINK?!
Recommendation:Ultimate "LOOK AT ME" car!
Trivia:'Pink Cadillac' was the title of not one, but two songs. The first was recorded by Sammy Masters in the 1950s, while a second, more famous tune was written by Bruce Springsteen in 1982, partly in homage to Elvis Presley, who owned a distinctive pink 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood.