'69 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Cornering Photos

[Fleet 500]

I drove the '69 Cad today (it hasn't been driven since May 29) and took some turning photos at the street I took the pics of the '76 limo.

The '69, being about 1,000 lbs lighter than the limo, did have a lighter feel to it when turning so I was able to go a little faster in the tight circle I was doing... almost 20 mph compared to about 15 for the limo.

It looks like the '69, even though it could turn faster, had a little more lean than the '76 limo. But that is most likely due to the faster turning speed. Anyway, the photos do show me how the car looks when turning which was the purpose of the "experiment."

[Matra et Alpine]

To be useful and for comparisons you really need to know the diameter of the circles you were running at 15 and 20mph for the cars in question.....

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

To be useful and for comparisons you really need to know the diameter of the circles you were running at 15 and 20mph for the cars in question.....

A good point. The turning circle is 44.8 feet for the '69, according to published specs.
To be sure, I guess I could measure the tire markings made in that parking lot.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

A good point. The turning circle is 44.8 feet for the '69, according to published specs.
To be sure, I guess I could measure the tire markings made in that parking lot.

What Matra means is that you have to measure the radius of the corner......not your turning circle, which means you car is on full lock in those pictures I suppose...

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

What Matra means is that you have to measure the radius of the corner......not your turning circle, which means you car is on full lock in those pictures I suppose...

Oh, I get it.
Yes, the cars were on full lock.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Oh, I get it.
Yes, the cars were on full lock.

which is not really what cornering is all about, but we have to wait for your cars at speed...I may be able to do a few shots next week myself. (My car and the UCP photographer just left for Le Mans )

[cmcpokey]

thats a nice lookin car, gotta say. the cornering leaves something to be desired, much like the other, but it looks good doing it.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by cmcpokey

thats a nice lookin car, gotta say.

Thanks, I think so, too. It does get a lot of looks when I'm driving it.

the cornering leaves something to be desired, much like the other, but it looks good doing it.

Yeah, it does serve its purpose (gets around corners) but that's about it. I'm glad it doesn't have the "desperate roll and pitch" (Motor Trend's term) of a 1969 Lincoln.

[LandQuail]

Ah, there's no talking sense into you then. However, now that I've read your profile, I know you're old enough to make your own decisions.

Again, congratulations on your car, and I'm sure you'll have a blast reaping the unlikely benefits of hustling your road-going yacht through the canyon. I would suggest letting the engine do the walking and talking on the straightish bits and leaving the corners to caution, rather than to the (you've got to admit) dubious chassis and brakes.

Again, and I can't stress enough, you've got a fantastic car on your hands. Too many of these have been lost to demolition derbys and similarly careless owners. My hat's off to you for seeing the joy of owning a true American Car.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by LandQuail

Ah, there's no talking sense into you then. However, now that I've read your profile, I know you're old enough to make your own decisions.

Yeah, I guess I am old enough.

Again, congratulations on your car, and I'm sure you'll have a blast reaping the unlikely benefits of hustling your road-going yacht through the canyon. I would suggest letting the engine do the walking and talking on the straightish bits and leaving the corners to caution, rather than to the (you've got to admit) dubious chassis and brakes.

Finding the right curve will take some time. I want one which isn't so tight that I can't go through it at 60 mph, yet I want one tight enough to really test the suspension. I'll probably downshift just before the curves. But I should find what I want without too much trouble- that road has a lot of curves. And it's local which is a big help.

Again, and I can't stress enough, you've got a fantastic car on your hands. Too many of these have been lost to demolition derbys and similarly careless owners. My hat's off to you for seeing the joy of owning a true American Car.

I know... too bad a lot have been destroyed. But there are a lot available at places like ebay, Hemmings and auto trader. And there were a pretty sizable amount of '69 Fleetwood Broughams built. Mine is #15,062 of 17,300.

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by LandQuail

Again, congratulations on your car, and I'm sure you'll have a blast reaping the unlikely benefits of hustling your road-going yacht through the canyon. I would suggest letting the engine do the walking and talking on the straightish bits and leaving the corners to caution, rather than to the (you've got to admit) dubious chassis and brakes.

Now, if I owned a '60s Lincoln instead of a Cadillac, I probably wouldn't try this test.
See what I mean below...?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Fleet 500

Now, if I owned a '60s Lincoln instead of a Cadillac, I probably wouldn't try this test.
See what I mean below...?

just a suggestion for your pictures: try to find a sequence of left and right handers...This Lincoln that you shows "hangs" into a lefthander, and would probably have little problems if that led into a straight. Now the interesting part comes when a righthander immediately follows up, and the body has to cope with hanging to the other side. That is where the suspension really gets tested. (or just send the car through an elk test with pylons if you don't want to endanger your fellow road users.... )

[Fleet 500]

Originally Posted by henk4

just a suggestion for your pictures: try to find a sequence of left and right handers...This Lincoln that you shows "hangs" into a lefthander, and would probably have little problems if that led into a straight. Now the interesting part comes when a righthander immediately follows up, and the body has to cope with hanging to the other side. That is where the suspension really gets tested. (or just send the car through an elk test with pylons if you don't want to endanger your fellow road users.... )

Good idea about a "left" followed by a "right" or vice-versa.
There should be a stretch of road like that where I plan to look.

There should not be much traffic during the week which is when I plan to drive up there. Even on weekends it's never very busy.

[LandQuail]

Originally Posted by henk4

just a suggestion for your pictures: try to find a sequence of left and right handers...This Lincoln that you shows "hangs" into a lefthander, and would probably have little problems if that led into a straight. Now the interesting part comes when a righthander immediately follows up, and the body has to cope with hanging to the other side. That is where the suspension really gets tested. (or just send the car through an elk test with pylons if you don't want to endanger your fellow road users.... )

Elk test? Well, at least it won't fall over; being built like a paving stone.

You might not dodge the elk, but only one car I've ever heard of puts its occupants in danger of actually falling off the road.

A-Class, anyone?

(now that's a joke you can sink you teeth into.)

[henk4]

Originally Posted by LandQuail

Elk test? Well, at least it won't fall over; being built like a paving stone.

You might not dodge the elk, but only one car I've ever heard of puts its occupants in danger of actually falling off the road.

A-Class, anyone?

(now that's a joke you can sink you teeth into.)

It is the A-Class that made the elk test famous......and resulted in the ESP system that virtually all modern cars now have standard....
The last a car failed the elk test and toppled over was when a Dacia Logan was sent through the pylons by a German magazine. Unfortunately these Germans forgot to apply the correct tires pressures, so they had to bury their heads in shame...