1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate
This was the world’s most elegant shooting brake
For the 1975-1976 Cadillac, custom conversions were available as a snazzy pick-up or an elegant shooting brake. Traditional Coach Works LTD out of Chatsworth, California created a beautiful shooting brake called the Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate. These elegant custom conversions remain a mystery. The 1975-1976 Cadillacs were proportioned for custom conversions, there was so much room to work with. There was also a two-door pick-up called the Mirage based on the Coupe deVille platform and remains as mysterious as the Castilian…
The Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate was for the entrepreneur that needed extra space or it could be at home at the golf course or country club….or the classic shooting brake for those weekend hunting excursions. The Castilian Estate was carefully hand crafted by Traditional Coach Works LTD. I searched high and low and to no avail, there is very little information about this coachbuilder nor the Castilian. There are also many different production totals. And for these reasons alone, this elegant shooting brake will appreciate rapidly when the 1975-1976 vintage ages just right. There were so many 1976 Cadillacs built due to their popularity that it will take a while for them to cultivate $$$ interest.
Thanks Jim Hailey for your help!!
Traditional Coach Works LTD made these Castilian Estates during 1975-1976. The Castilian Estate wagon is a re-worked Fleetwood Brougham platform. They were usually equipped with the “Brougham d’Elegance” trim option package. These opulent shooting brakes sold for over $30,000. I have read numerous accounts of the ‘guesses’ there are as to how many actually were made and now exist. This all adds to the charisma, this elegant shooting brake retained its anonymity.
This example is trimmed with the standard Brougham interior
This is how the Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate begins….
The Castilian Estate, as mentioned, was a shooting brake built on the Fleetwood Brougham platform. With the Brougham’s commanding 133” wheelbase, it was the ideal foundation for a vehicle of such capacious dimensions. It was an extremely long and luxurious shooting brake. Most of the examples I have seen were equipped with the “Brougham d’Elegance” option with the contoured pillow-style seating. There were a few upholstered with the standard Brougham style which was equally as luxurious not quite as fancy, more understated with the poised dignity that was the hallmark of every Cadillac. Some Castilian Estates were equipped with the Astro-roof option. At first I thought a Cadillac wagon was kinda creepy looking….sorta ‘hearse-like’ and disarming until my brain finally realized that it is not, it became actually quite elegant in appearance. It looks as though it belongs on a stately millionaire’s sprawling estate or in the UK ready for a Fox Hunt.
If it’s exotic and unusual you will see it on NotoriousLuxury
The bodywork was interesting. It has a C-pillar that travels over the roof. The lift gate had an integrated wind deflector. The conversion makes the already lengthy Fleetwood seem even larger if that is possible to conceive. I wish we could drive the real cars like these again. I am still quite bitter and resentful that we’re now forced to drive elegant puddle-jumpers and death-traps to save $$.
The Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate was powered by the Cadillac 8.2 litre 500 CID 16-valve OHV V8 engine. It used GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic Drive. Nothing was tweaked with the original GM specifications regarding the engine/drive train, or underpinnings, as well as performance ratings.
The elegant Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate shooting brake will be a cherished collectible. Its mysterious appearance then disappearance and sketchy details will add exclusivity to this sleeper. The Castilian Estate was built at a time when Cadillac was a true luxury car. It had all of the charisma of the elegant Fleetwood Brougham and the roominess and character of an opulent shooting brake which adds even more drama….in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”
Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate upholstered as Brougham d’Elegance
Just more superlative-superlatives………in the continuing saga of “As the Standard of the World Turns.”
From the tidbits I was able to gather, Traditional Coach Works was in business only three years and its founder is deceased. James Kribbs was an employee of Wilshire Cadillac in a managerial capacity and got the idea to create elegant Cadillac conversions of distinction aka the Fleetwood 60 Castilian Estate. His son Michael posted some details on the internet but the details are limited. The very first of Kribb’s conversions, the Mirage pick-up was bought by Evel Knievel.
Cadillac Mirage pick-up from Customer’s Car Show for Tru-Spoke Wheels at Motorsport Inc. This pristine example is owned by Robert Winchell.
“As the Standard of the World Turns…..”
NotoriousLuxury 
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I had a1975 Castilian Estate Wagon. It was black with red leather interior. I loved it. Bought it in the year 2000 and had it for 8 years. People used to freak out at it often and I had several people try to buy it. But I just said no way ! I also had 2 1977 Colony Park Wagons. Got them when new and had them for 33 years ! They live now only in my memory and photographs.
Kneivel had a red Cad pickup that was built by Gene Winfield. Did he _also_ have a Mirage?
Amazing things here. I am very happy to peer your post.
Thank you so much and I’m having a look forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?
Hello! Glad you liked the site. I am still updating many of the stories and logistics to make it even better. Out of everything on this site, it’s the classic Cadillac articles that are viewed the most.
Greg
Thank you for all the information on the Cadillac station wagon. I’m reviewing all the possible information that I can find on said automobile. I’ve found one. I can’t come up a price gauge. I surely don’t want to over pay such an automobile that Gergeral Motors never produced. Thank you.
The internet defines shooting brake as a 2 door wagon. I had to look that up. I’ve seen 2 door Chevy wagons, never heard the term shooting brake.
Shooting brake is the European way of saying station wagon. Whatever you call this Caddilac, I sure would like one.