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I think, in American culture, according to To Wong Foo, this is the one and only true land yacht:
You're in an age league that was still big, but tried stupid things like small motors in large cars, and quality went south. You can buy a better car, in better shape, with a Rochester carb set for freeways at over 20 mpg., and dad's last two cars do just that:
1970 big block 455 Oldsmobiles, convertible and four door. 4 door is showcase. Pick one. California cars!!
A Cadillac DeVille/Fleetwood, Oldsmobile 98, or Buick Electra from 1977 until 1984 model year. In 1985 GM downsized that body to a much smaller style. Get one with a regular v8 engine, and stay away from the diesel engines and the 8-6-4 engines as they both had a lot of problems.
A Chrysler New Yorker/Newport or Dodge St Regis from 1979 up until the 1981 model year. In 1982 Chrysler Corp. downsized them to half-sized.
A Chrysler New Yorker/Newport or Dodge Monaco from 1973 to 1976.
Try to find one in good condition with low miles. Keep the oil changed regularly and perform regular maintenance and you should have no problem getting over 200,000 miles out of any of these cars.
I want to purchase a v8 land yacht preferably from 77-84 w/ 4 doors.
I dont want a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis
So I broke it down to this
Buick Lesabre
Chrysler Newport?
Cadillac Brougham/Fleetwood
Lincoln Town car
Pontiac Bonneville
Chevrolet Caprice Classic
Dodge Monaco ( or St.regis/diplomat?)
Plymouth Gran Fury/Fury
Which one of these should I buy...I only can afford one at most for $3500-4500 that is .
I heard that Chrysler had terrible quality control in the 80s(and others say they all did)....and that Pontiac had the best because they were based in Canada? Forgive me for my ignorance ..just trying to find a project car(that may also be used as a daily driver). I would perfer something from late 70s aswell like 77-79 like I dont know why...what are some advantages /disandvantages of these older cars(from late 70s like 77s vs 84) for example
Diplomats and Gran Fury became rather middle sized towards the end.
Where are you researching the availability of these cars?
That being said. Are you mechanically inclined to work on these? Have a mechanic who knows how to work on them?
You're in an age league that was still big, but tried stupid things like small motors in large cars, and quality went south. You can buy a better car, in better shape, with a Rochester carb set for freeways at over 20 mpg., and dad's last two cars do just that:
1970 big block 455 Oldsmobiles, convertible and four door. 4 door is showcase. Pick one. California cars!!
Quite likely. But in that classic movie it's been said:
It's not a car. IT'S LAND YACHT.
I am not aware of any other car endorsed like that. As I said, it's cultural thing. Got to stick to icons.
Lincoln or Caddy if I was doing such project. Try to get a 460 ford or 500 Caddy motor.
Yeah if the OP goes for the 460 swapping in Rebuilt/Reman EFI ODB I 460ci gasser motor from an 1987-1996 Ford F250/F350 would make it alot more driveable and easier to run.
well unless the Op wants to fiddle around having to tune the carb as the seasons/weather changes.
I would go forward in years.
I would skip the non airbag cars. You really do need an airbag for safety.
I would skip the carburetor vehicles. Just require too much tinkering and the later ones were virtually non tinkerable.
So best bet is a 1990's through early 2,000's.
The rear drive Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac, Chevrolet Impala, and rear drive Lincoln.
Plus Pontiac and Oldsmobile.
I would go forward in years.
I would skip the non airbag cars. You really do need an airbag for safety.
I would skip the carburetor vehicles. Just require too much tinkering and the later ones were virtually non tinkerable.
So best bet is a 1990's through early 2,000's.
The rear drive Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac, Chevrolet Impala, and rear drive Lincoln.
Plus Pontiac and Oldsmobile.
If the Op goes that Route then hard to beat a Lincoln MarkVIII with intech DOHC 32-valve 4.6L V-8 from the N/A/ SVT Cobra Mustangs of the same years using the vaunted Teksid block either that or finding a Cadillac Fleetwood or Buick Roadmaster/Impala SS with the Corvette derived LT-1 V-8
Just fast forward to the 90's and get yourself a 94-96 Fleetwood, Roadmaster or Caprice with the LT1. Arguably the best all around, TRUE, full size RWD vehicles to date. They are built on a fairly heavy duty platform (equivalent to a 1500 pickup) and parts are as cheap as they can possibly get compared to everything on the market.
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