Early 70s "personal luxury coupes" (fuel, engine, replacement)

[Deez Nuttz]

KevK did your SJ have the 455 in it?

A neighbor of mine's dad had a 72 GP SJ with a 455, I remember him trying to sell it for like $300 like 12-13 years ago. Then his dad went out and bought a nice 72 J model GP with the 400 for $2000 and the son (the guy I knew) picked up a rusted pos 72 J model GP for $600 plus a bunch of spare parts.

[5chevin5]

I voted El Dorado, purely because I have a Caddy fetish, however I do love that dash on the Toronado.
Out of these I would most want to own today the Cougar.

5

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by rlrl

have the electra's dash?

yeah, it's just so odd to drive a car like a grand ville/caprice which has luxurious upholstery and other amenities and having to shift gears manually.

rlrl, yes, the Rivera (at least from 1971-73) had the exact same dash panel as the LeSabre and Electra.

I found out I was originally wrong on the total on the Grand Ville. I was told that only TWO 1971 Grand Villes were manual shift. I wonder if they were the 4dr, 2dr or convertible? I would about bet those two were NOT the 4dr.

[HighPlainsDrifter73]

My favorite would be the Eldorado, followed by the Toronado. I really like the Mark IV, Bill Blass edition also. A friend of mine's dad owned a 1976 Mark IV Bill Blass. That car would just float over bumps. It was probably the best riding car I had ever been in with the possible exception of the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham/60. Wonderful memories.

I had the opportunity to drive a Pontiac Gran Prix with a 455. What a torque monster that engine was.

[stanczyk]

I belive Eldorado's best was til 1970('67-'70 - I love the styling) in 70ties it become "pimp-mobile"..
Lincoln Allways sexy...
..and nobody says about Riviera ..come'n Riviera Boattail is best of the best !
I thing Thunderbirds were allways nice, and early 70-ties Monte Carlos were good looking cars...

where's is this segment gone ..
they were sexy, elegant , pompatic ..they were Kings of the road after Muscle cars decline ..
I would love some retro-designed Monte or Eldorado based on Sixteen concept

modern muscle/personal luxury debate
[email]ernwopr@wp.pl[/email]

[budsvtec]

I have a 73 Cougar with a 351C in it right now....Its blue and white

[pontiaccrest]

I pick the Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 428

[Mopac1980]

Originally Posted by Tennesseestorm

These are highly collectible cars these days... These are from the 1971-73 era.

Chevy Monte Carlo: (1972)



Monte Carlo: (1973)


Pontiac Grand Prix: (1972)



Olds Toronado: (1971)



Buick Riviera: (1971)


Cadillac Eldorado: (1972)




Ford Thunderbird: (1973)



Like the phone???


Mercury Cougar: (1973)


Lincoln Mark IV: (1973)



Plymouth Satellite Sebring: (1973)



Dodge Charger SE: (really cannot think of any other from Dodge in this range) (1972)



Chrysler 300 (only one I can think of only in 2-door only form) and this is a 1970, because I cannot find a 1971 photo and 72 this model was gone I think..



AMC Matador X (WOW!) (1974)

My vote goes to the 1971 Buick Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado, I've always loved those cars.

[teach1234]

No LTD? As a car dealer, my 74 2dr LTD is the only car I've bought and never sold. 13.8mpg too, considering that some current vehicles get less 35 years later, that's not bad. Not good, either, but the ride is worth it. Like sitting on your living room couch.

[stanman13]

My first car was '71 Grand Prix SJ with the 400. It would move along pretty well. It had a very tall rear end, would easily exceed 70 mph in first gear. I loved the dash on that car, but the sideways radio was hard to find a replacement for. Very "cockpit chic" with heavily recessed guages that only the driver could see.

My second car was a '69 Riviera, with the 430. That was one heavy car! A dream on the freeway, though. It had a unique frame, the rails crossed under the center of the car.

I'd have to vote for the GP, if only because I got my first piece in that car.