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The Seventies have been actually the golden age of automotive extra in America. Whereas at present’s automobiles prioritize effectivity and maneuverability, the disco decade was all about measurement, presence, and making a press release in each parking zone.
Earlier than the oil disaster and altering client preferences downsized every thing on wheels, American automakers have been in an arms race to construct the longest, most imposing automobiles doable.
1973-1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-5: 252.2 Inches
The undisputed king of automotive size was Cadillac’s flagship limousine. At over 21 ft lengthy, this behemoth was designed for heads of state, celebrities, and anybody who needed to make the final word entrance.
The Seventy-5 got here with a proper partition between the entrance and rear compartments, making it really feel extra like a transferring lounge than a automobile.
1971-1976 Cadillac Eldorado: 224.1 Inches
Cadillac’s private luxurious coupe was practically 19 ft of pure type and presence. The Eldorado’s front-wheel-drive structure was revolutionary for such a big American automobile, although most consumers most likely cared extra in regards to the distinctive styling and plush inside.
This was the automobile that stated you’d made it, even when parallel parking grew to become a tactical operation.
1971-1976 Buick Electra 225: 233.7 Inches
Buick’s flagship lived as much as its “deuce and 1 / 4” nickname with practically 19.5 ft of luxurious. The Electra 225 provided a easy, quiet trip that made freeway cruising really feel easy.
Common Motors positioned this because the “physician’s automobile,” in line with websites like Hagerty: upscale sufficient for professionals however not fairly as flashy as a Cadillac.
1970-1976 Lincoln Continental: 232.0 Inches
Lincoln’s Continental was the model’s reply to Cadillac’s dominance within the luxurious phase. At simply over 19 ft lengthy, it featured Lincoln’s signature Continental spare tire hump on early fashions.
The Continental was recognized for its stable construct high quality and distinctive styling that by some means managed to look formal but approachable.
1971-1976 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight: 230.9 Inches
Oldsmobile’s top-of-the-line sedan stretched over 19 ft and represented the model’s “Rocket” period completely. The Ninety-Eight was positioned as GM’s expertise showcase, typically that includes the most recent improvements earlier than they trickled all the way down to different divisions.
It provided luxurious automobile consolation with a barely extra accessible worth level than its Cadillac cousins.
1970-1978 Lincoln Mark IV and Mark V: 230.0 Inches
Lincoln’s private luxurious coupe sequence was designed to compete instantly with the Eldorado, together with fairly related 0-60 speeds, in line with MotorTrend. The Mark IV and its successor, the Mark V, featured distinctive “Rolls-Royce” type grilles and opera home windows that grew to become synonymous with Seventies luxurious.
These automobiles have been favorites amongst entertainers and anybody who needed to cruise in type.
1973-1977 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham: 229.7 Inches
Chrysler’s flagship sedan proved that luxurious wasn’t unique to Common Motors and Ford. At practically 19 ft lengthy, the New Yorker Brougham provided a unique tackle American luxurious with its extra formal, upright styling.
Chrysler consumers appreciated the automobile’s stable development and distinctive design language that set it other than the competitors.
1970-1976 Pontiac Grand Ville: 228.0 Inches
Pontiac’s full-size flagship introduced efficiency heritage to the luxurious automobile phase. The Grand Ville mixed conventional luxurious appointments with Pontiac’s sporty DNA, making it in style with consumers who needed presence with out sacrificing the model’s efficiency picture.
It was primarily a extra thrilling tackle the standard luxurious sedan formulation.
1970-1976 Chevrolet Caprice: 226.0 Inches
Chevrolet’s top-line sedan proved that luxurious may very well be accessible to a broader viewers. At 18.8 ft lengthy, the Caprice provided most of the identical consolation options as costlier automobiles however at Chevrolet costs.
It grew to become a favourite of fleet consumers and households who needed a prestigious-looking automobile with out the premium badge worth. The dealing with? A bit boat-like.
1975-1979 Cadillac Seville: 204.0 Inches
Sarcastically, one of the vital Cadillacs of the last decade was additionally one of many shortest on this record. The Seville was Cadillac’s response to rising curiosity in smaller, extra environment friendly luxurious automobiles, but it nonetheless measured 17 ft lengthy.
This “compact” Cadillac proved that American luxurious might adapt to altering instances whereas sustaining its important character.
Conclusion
These automotive giants represented the final hurrah of American automotive extra earlier than sensible issues took over.
Whereas we would chuckle on the concept of day by day driving a 21-foot-long automobile at present, these automobiles mirrored an period when larger actually was higher, and automotive success was measured in inches as a lot as gross sales figures. They continue to be fascinating reminders of a time when American automakers weren’t afraid to assume massive – actually, actually massive.
