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Old 06-06-2010, 08:44 PM
 
12,115 posts, read 33,612,872 times
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take for example a 73 and 78 Ford LTD, what would the 78 LTD buyer have gotten that the 73 LTD buyer did not get, assuming that the cars were comparably equipped. Any ideas? A better, safer car?

Same for a 73 Dodge Coronet and a 78 Monaco(nobody's fooled, it's the same as the Coronet).

I realize the 78's may have gotten better gas mileage due to converters and mandates, but did the 78's last any longer than the 73's?
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Old 06-06-2010, 09:13 PM
 
Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
11,155 posts, read 29,238,414 times
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the 73 would of had a bigger motor option more HP better compression ratios the later 78 would be choked down with smog equipment and have less HP but would have 3 point seat belt as a standard option and better bumpers that can take a 5 mph hit
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Old 06-06-2010, 10:39 PM
 
2,023 posts, read 5,303,940 times
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The 1978 would have a better ignition system and some unnecessary weight removed from the car and a wider range of engine options from the 302 to the 460 and a four wheel disc brake with hydroboost option which is a great brake system. A smaller and quieter ac compressor and better air intake setup that gets cooler air from infront of the radiator core support too. Ford already had many good options in place in 1973 and it seems like with the Caprice that GM had a larger increase in improvements during those years.
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Old 06-06-2010, 10:44 PM
 
946 posts, read 2,599,287 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlrl View Post
take for example a 73 and 78 Ford LTD, what would the 78 LTD buyer have gotten that the 73 LTD buyer did not get, assuming that the cars were comparably equipped. Any ideas? A better, safer car?

Same for a 73 Dodge Coronet and a 78 Monaco(nobody's fooled, it's the same as the Coronet).

I realize the 78's may have gotten better gas mileage due to converters and mandates, but did the 78's last any longer than the 73's?
A stellar ride in the 74--heavier front end. Worse gas mileage. A front seat like a couch. In the 74, a C6, easy to build and a real tough.
I own a 1974 and it is the beast, I mean best, car I have owned, and I have owned literally hundreds.

Holds 4.67 pounds of R12 and will give you frostbite.
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Old 06-06-2010, 11:00 PM
 
2,023 posts, read 5,303,940 times
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Yeah these 1970s Ford ac systems are very cold from every one I have seen. The c6 was still available to the end of that style though. Very nice cars from beginning to end.
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Old 06-06-2010, 11:01 PM
 
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In the 70s era plenty reduced to smaller motor options. In the late 80s it started to reverse back to bigger motor options. Same with convertible option.
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Old 06-07-2010, 08:18 AM
 
Location: Pikesville, MD
5,228 posts, read 15,244,189 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlrl View Post
take for example a 73 and 78 Ford LTD, what would the 78 LTD buyer have gotten that the 73 LTD buyer did not get, assuming that the cars were comparably equipped. Any ideas? A better, safer car?

Are you discussing particular cars, or ANY car that carries over for long production runs, such as the E38 7 series BMW that ran from '95 to 2001? Or the Fox-chassis Mustang that ran from '79-93? Or the VW Beetle that ran from '47 to '79 in the US (and up until only a couple years ago in Mexico)?

in all cases, including the ones yuo mentioned, it's about incremental changes, both mechanical and in optional equipment and often styling. Sometimes the earlier car is more desirable, and sometimes the newest version is the most desirable. Depends on the car and options.
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Old 06-07-2010, 07:47 PM
 
Location: Earth
4,237 posts, read 24,737,647 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlrl View Post
take for example a 73 and 78 Ford LTD, what would the 78 LTD buyer have gotten that the 73 LTD buyer did not get, assuming that the cars were comparably equipped. Any ideas? A better, safer car?

Same for a 73 Dodge Coronet and a 78 Monaco(nobody's fooled, it's the same as the Coronet).

I realize the 78's may have gotten better gas mileage due to converters and mandates, but did the 78's last any longer than the 73's?
I don't know, but I figured the way it works is if a certain car is popular they'll continue to keep making it until sales drop off a little, then they'll give it a minor face lift in an attempt to reboost sales and try again and will continue on until they see a huge drop in sales, then they'll totally re-design the car. I could be wrong though.

However some cars such as the 1978 Monaco you are referring to....not sure but I think that had something to do with Chrysler wanting to get rid of their land barges since that was the time the big 3 were downsizing for economy reasons.....so instead of designing an all new car, they picked one that was a current hit and slapped the name on it. Sort of like how Pontiac slapped the GTO name plate on a Ventura in 1974...or how Plymouth slapped the Road Runner on a Fury in 1975 and then later on a Volare in 1977 or 1978.
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