The Big Boys-Large Cars

[Falcon Ranchero]

I have an undying interest in those big Land Yacht cars, like the full-sizers from the 60s-70s and of course the Space age figher jets with the fins. If it were up to me I'd get my paws on a large car from the Malaise Era since they are pretty abundant and cheap. I know gas milage goes out the window but those big cars, man they're cool to me. 

In fact the first classic car I came into contact with was a mid '80s Cadillac Coupe DeVille owned by the old lady across the street from our original house. That was in 2007-09 era. I would regularily run across the road to see it and also was let in the back seat once. That car put me onto the big ones. Even my friend's younger brother has a pretty mint 1969 Chrysler Newport, big green four door he bought himself for $4000. the kid doesn't even have a full license to drive yet.

So I guess when I have my own place I'm going to buy a large car. A question I guess I have would be; how is it to manouver such long machinery; I'm sure it's not like terribly hard but I know in Europe those cars are like fish outta water (video below). Around here they'd be significantly easier to drive but I have never been behind the wheel of anything longer than 208 Inches (my dad's truck)

 

[peteski]

To me the large fin era (and overabundance of chrome) was mid-50s to early-60s.  After that fins were pretty much history. No appreciable fins on 70s cars.  But some cars retained some hit of fins even into the 21st Century.  My '85 Caddy Eldorado still has a hint of fins at the edges of the rear fender (and actually the front fenders too).  That continued (in even more subtle way) all the way to the last Eldorado model in the early 2000s.  After all the fin "thing" was started by Cadillac. Those early fins looked more like bulges with taillight in them, but then taking cues from the contemporary jet airplanes the fins got thinner, taller and more streamlined.

[Big_John]

1 hour ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

I have an undying interest in those big Land Yacht cars, like the full-sizers from the 60s-70s and of course the Space age figher jets with the fins. If it were up to me I'd get my paws on a large car from the Malaise Era since they are pretty abundant and cheap. I know gas milage goes out the window but those big cars, man they're cool to me. 

In fact the first classic car I came into contact with was a mid '80s Cadillac Coupe DeVille owned by the old lady across the street from our original house. That was in 2007-09 era. I would regularily run across the road to see it and also was let in the back seat once. That car put me onto the big ones. Even my friend's younger brother has a pretty mint 1969 Chrysler Newport, big green four door he bought himself for $4000. the kid doesn't even have a full license to drive yet.

So I guess when I have my own place I'm going to buy a large car. A question I guess I have would be; how is it to manouver such long machinery; I'm sure it's not like terribly hard but I know in Europe those cars are like fish outta water (video below). Around here they'd be significantly easier to drive but I have never been behind the wheel of anything longer than 208 Inches (my dad's truck)

 

IMHO, that guy can't drive.  That's his  big problem.  I think that I could take that car through most of the stuff he was struggling with and do it at speed....  

I learned to drive in my Dad's 1968 Chrysler 300, so big cars are second nature.  You have to swing the car out a little wider and get it straight before entering that parking garage.  A modern pickup truck is roughly the same size, but I know they aren't as popular in Europe as they are in the US.  Going forward is easy... If the car is straight, as long as the front will fit, so will the rear.  Parking is a little more challenging, but if you are driving something nice, you'll want to park away from everyone anyway.  

Some people just don't like driving big cars, but once you get a few hundred miles under your belt, it becomes just another car.  

My '65 Chrysler 300L driven at the local high school "Crystal Ball Cruise" where we take seniors to their senior ball.  

[stitchdup]

34 minutes ago, Big_John said:

IMHO, that guy can't drive.  That's his  big problem.  I think that I could take that car through most of the stuff he was struggling with and do it at speed.... 

i challenge you to do that in the local town of stromness, of course of you dont care about the car it makes it much simpler, lol

[TarheelRick]

I have been driving for 60 years and have driven some fairly large vehicles, of late primarily school buses. I have put them in places that I wonder how I got it in, but worse how am I going to get it out again. So far there have been no extra scratches on any of them.  That being said my daily driver is a 2022 F-150 4X4 Crew Cab and I thoroughly despise parking garages.  Open lots are no real picnic, but garages were not built for vehicles this long. It never fails I have to see-saw back and forth to get centered in the spot, even then the other cars are so close I can barely get my door open. Once I do get it in place the rear-end sticks out enough to make other cars have to drive around it, of course it might help if I were to remove my bumper hitch. Bigger, longer vehicles ride much better because of the length, tight handling is the trade-off.

[Big_John]

35 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

i challenge you to do that in the local town of stromness, of course of you dont care about the car it makes it much simpler, lol

I've read that the UK has a lot of  very narrow streets that aren't big car friendly.  In fact, just today, I read on a 1:1  Chrysler forum about such issues, including 6'6 width restrictions where you have to  fit between some poles to proceed down the road. 

If it's too narrow, then yea, it's too narrow...   But c'mon... In the video, getting that car through the entrance in the parking garage was nonsense.  

Edited December 24, 2024 by Big_John

[Falcon Ranchero]

2 hours ago, Big_John said:

IMHO, that guy can't drive.  That's his  big problem.  I think that I could take that car through most of the stuff he was struggling with and do it at speed....  

I learned to drive in my Dad's 1968 Chrysler 300, so big cars are second nature.  You have to swing the car out a little wider and get it straight before entering that parking garage.  A modern pickup truck is roughly the same size, but I know they aren't as popular in Europe as they are in the US.  Going forward is easy... If the car is straight, as long as the front will fit, so will the rear.  Parking is a little more challenging, but if you are driving something nice, you'll want to park away from everyone anyway.  

Some people just don't like driving big cars, but once you get a few hundred miles under your belt, it becomes just another car.  

My '65 Chrysler 300L driven at the local high school "Crystal Ball Cruise" where we take seniors to their senior ball.  

That '65 is absolutley gorgeous; Tried to convince my dad a few months ago on one just like it, a little more darker in that same colour also with a black vinyl top, as it was pristine at $9,000 but one, it was too far away and two, he's dead set on a muscle car. I like all cars for sure, but the big guys are where I'm at. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

I’ve always had a soft spot for big cars, especially Mopar land barges.

Some of the earliest that I remember from when I was a kid were a series of early ‘70s Mopar wagons that my mother drove, a ‘59 Plymouth Savoy that my dad had when I was around 6 or 7, a ‘61 Plymouth that my dad bought for my brother to drive when he turned 16, and a ‘72 Fury for me when I got my license.

I remember being basically “gifted” a ‘68 Newport by my brother when I was a junior in high school, and shortly thereafter, I bought my own first car, a 1967 Chrysler 300 sport coupe.

Loved that car!

Had several other makes of big cars over the years as well.

A few that come to mind were a ‘73 Buick Century, a ‘64 Dodge 880 Custom, and a ‘58 Cadillac 62 series coupe.

 

 

 

Steve

[Russell C]

12 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

.. always had a soft spot for big cars, especially Mopar land barges .....

I'm bad that way, too, where I'd love to sink into the seats of this one ... but I'd add extra ponies just to give it a bit more zip that it might have been a tic short of at the factoryL https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-chrysler-new-yorker-brougham-3/

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 minutes ago, Russell C said:

I'm bad that way, too, where I'd love to sink into the seats of this one ... but I'd add extra ponies just to give it a bit more zip that it might have been a tic short of at the factoryL https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-chrysler-new-yorker-brougham-3/

Yeah, ‘77 was quite a few years beyond my interest.

Partially because of the “power” question, but mostly styling.

I pretty much lost interest at exactly the time when rectangular headlights came into favor.

Just my opinion, but they pretty much destroyed the appeal of everything.

 

 

Steve

 

[Bills72sj]

I like the big ones too. My dad had  67 Chrysler 300. A buddy in High School got us around in his mom's 75 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. I've owned a 71 Ford Country Squire station wagon. Woodgrain and all. Most all of my adult rides have been 71-72 Pontiac Grand Prixs. While not the largest car, I actually had to reject houses when my wife and I were house hunting because it would not fit in the garage.

[Bucky]

I learned to drive in my Dad's 1959 Chevrolet BelAir. I was about 9 years old. I have owned a '69 Pontiac Bonneville, '72 Chrysler Newport, '77 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham, '90 Lincoln Town Car, '95 Lincoln Town Car, about 8 different full size pickups. I definitely feel more comfortable driving large vehicles. I've also owned several midsized cars from the 60's and '70's that are actually bigger than the so-called large cars of today. I currently own a 1968 Imperial Crown convertible. It's probably the smoothest riding car I've ever driven. I think once you become accustomed to driving the big cars, it doesn't even require a second thought. 

[Big_John]

8 hours ago, Russell C said:

I'm bad that way, too, where I'd love to sink into the seats of this one ... but I'd add extra ponies just to give it a bit more zip that it might have been a tic short of at the factoryL https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-chrysler-new-yorker-brougham-3/

I had a '76 New Yorker Brougham years ago....   I bought it from a friend who ran a shop.  The car really needed to be painted, and his brother was going to paint it if I helped prep and mask the car.  I was finishing the masking and his brother showed up very drunk.  The car was supposed to get painted that night, and I figured he would just pass out somewhere and I'd have to wait another day.  He painted the car.... and it looked like a drunk painted it.  I have never seen that much orange peel on a car.  It was all one color though, and looked good from about 40 feet. 

 

[Falcon Ranchero]

I remember an old photo from the 70s where my grandfather was sitting a a picnic table in the park and in the background was a 1969 two door Cadillac Coupe Deville, red with a black vinyl top, hauling a huge airstream trailer. Those big cars must’ve been extremely powerful to tow such heavy weight

[W-409]

I used to have a '74 Malibu Classic Station Wagon as a daily driver here in Finland before I updated it into a '64 Rambler American that I have had as my daily driver for a few years now. The Malibu was a pretty big car, but I never had any issues with it. Sure, it was a tight fit sometimes in parking garages, but I was always able to park and leave with no problem and with no scratches.

Now during the summertime I also drive pretty much with a '60 Impala, which is also a pretty big car. But haven't had any issues with it either, even here in Europe. So, if you want a land yacht, go for it! They often have the best ride quality.

[Can-Con]

I took my license road test in our '74 LeSabre 4 door sedan.  My first car I could really call "mine" was my '73 Buick Centurion 2 door. I've also had a '76 Caprice Classic, '75 Pontiac Parisienne, '70 Olds 88 and a few other "large cars" as daily drivers, never had a problem driving them.  ,, now keeping gas in them was another matter.

To me, Chevelles  Malibus, Centurys, Regals, etc, are not "large cars. LOL. Sorry.

One thing I find funny though is how a lot of people who think anything bigger then a Camry or Accord is too big but think nothing of plunking themselves down in a modern 4 door pickup without another thought, not caring how big it is. 

This '68 Electra was bought by my grandfather in about '74 and is still in the family. Big car? ,, "HUGE CAR" !! Guess what?, it's actually 1/2 a foot SHORTER then my bosses '24 F-150 Tremor .

[DaveB]

On 12/24/2024 at 11:20 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

I’ve always had a soft spot for big cars, especially Mopar land barges.

Some of the earliest that I remember from when I was a kid were a series of early ‘70s Mopar wagons that my mother drove, a ‘59 Plymouth Savoy that my dad had when I was around 6 or 7, a ‘61 Plymouth that my dad bought for my brother to drive when he turned 16, and a ‘72 Fury for me when I got my license.

I remember being basically “gifted” a ‘68 Newport by my brother when I was a junior in high school, and shortly thereafter, I bought my own first car, a 1967 Chrysler 300 sport coupe.

Loved that car!

Had several other makes of big cars over the years as well.

A few that come to mind were a ‘73 Buick Century, a ‘64 Dodge 880 Custom, and a ‘58 Cadillac 62 series coupe.

 

 

 

Steve

I'm with ya there, we had a bunch of Chrysler land yachts when I was growing up, 73 Plymouth Fury wagon, a Chrysler Newport of about the same vintage are 2 that I remember.

[johnyrotten]

70's land barges littered my childhood, mom had a big caprice (73-76) when we moved here to New York in '88. Also a dodge sportsman van. I still remember holding the choke closed to help start that junk as a kid. She also had a Vista Cruiser,  I would love to own that today. I grew up in those cars, anytime I see one, is like "visiting my old neighborhood". 

[Falcon Ranchero]

On 12/27/2024 at 5:34 PM, Falcon Ranchero said:

I remember an old photo from the 70s where my grandfather was sitting a a picnic table in the park and in the background was a 1969 two door Cadillac Coupe Deville, red with a black vinyl top, hauling a huge airstream trailer. Those big cars must’ve been extremely powerful to tow such heavy weight

Found the pic I was reffering to in this quote above. Cropped it out of the whole photo. Pretty sure it's a Caddy, could be wrong though.

 

[Carmak]

12 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

Found the pic I was reffering to in this quote above. Cropped it out of the whole photo. Pretty sure it's a Caddy, could be wrong though.

 

That is a 71 or 72 Buick Electra. I had an all black 72 Electra 4drHT in the 90's.

[RSchnell]

Biggest car I owned had to be the '62 Galaxie convertible 390/401hp tri-power 4spd car I had. It wouldn't fit in the barn-when my grandfather designed the shop he built it for Model A's, not 60's tanks. I could pull the car in but wasn't able to shut the garage door as it hung out the door opening about a foot. LOL Had to keep it up at my grandmother's house where the garage was big enough to park it. 

Runner up would be the '77 Caprice 4dr I drove to high school. The 305 laid an egg and my dad & I slid in a 327 & 4spd. I put a set of those 80s Cadillac wire wheel covers on it and lost more than one giving the 5.0 Mustang boys a fit. This was back in the mid 90s when it seemed like everyone had a 5.0 fox body Mustang.

[Carmak]

For 8 years in the 2000's I daily drove this 65 Pontiac Star Chief 4drHT (in Iowa) and put 20K on it. Both of my kids learned to drive on it. I only parted it out because of extensive rust (it actually had extensive rust when I started driving it) and the ball joints were starting to make cool noises.

[Carmak]

I love adult size sleds from the 50's and 60's. My wife and I have collected a few over the years.

In a world full of pickups these cars easily fit wherever I need to get them.

[sfhess]

I had a 71 LTD, similar to this one, for a couple of years back in the mid 70s

[rattle can man]

I've driven everything from a Festiva/ 121/ Pride all the way up to 6K gallon fuel trucks.  It is all about spacial awareness. Learning where the corners of your car are and it's turning circle. From there it's just paying attention to the road. But not everyone has that awareness, as evidenced by so many people going into the left lane to turn right in just average vehicles. Can't tell you how many times I've been questioned on how close I've gotten to something.