The Massive American Cars of 1970

[Lannis]

Not toyota,

https://youtu.be/RJc5NxtoGAQ

That's interesting .... My Mom drove until she was 80, and the car she had the longest was a 1965 Mercury Comet 404 2 door sedan with the 289 engine.    She loved that car, and when she finally sold it with about 220,000 miles on it and no major work ever done, she cried as it went out the driveway.

It did have rust in the fender corners, the pivot pins on the column shifter had broken, a couple gauges had failed, but it still drove well and you KNEW there was a motor under the hood when you kicked it down a gear to pass ...

Lannis

[ScepticalScotty]

Its a modern car, but my 2007 Focus has proved pretty good at 150,000 miles so far. Wished I had bought a station wagon version though - just more practical.

[Bulldog9]

Not an American piece of Iron, but to Date, my highest Mileage car was my 1982 SAAB 900. Bought it in the mid 90's with 225K and when I sold it in 2004, it had 513K miles on the original engine and turbo, and was on it's second transmission. In the background here, can't seem to find other pics.

[sidmonsters]

I'm not a hardcore car guy (or even motorcycle guy, for that matter) but just finished reading David Halberstam's The Reckoning and really enjoyed it despite my ignorance.  Talks about the Ford family heritage, the competition from the Far East, Lee Iaccoca, etc...great writer and really recommend the book if the land yachts are big in your memory.  We'd go 5,000 miles every other summer in the old Ford station wagon, back seat flipped down, big Igloo cooler in the back.   It and us three kids were missiles if anything ever went south...don't remember even any scares.  My mom (an RN)  smoked and drank while I was gestating.  The norm back then...and maybe explains a few things about me!
Steve

[Two Checks]

Quote from: ScepticalScotty on Today at 02:07:12 PM

This is like a reunion - I too had a Honda Z, the Z360 which was very underpowered the 600 would have been more like it. Though, as compensation it was like brand new condition when I bought it...apart from a blown engine. So Dad bought a N360 that was rusted and we swapped engines. I once had 8 people in it, well I was 17. I think I had it up to 55 once, downhill.

And to continue the theme I replaced it with a 1968 Fairlaine with a Cleveland 302 that I never should have sold. The boot was big enough to put a couple of shortboards in. You could sleep on the bench seats. The steering was a little vague.....And we once scraped up 98c for petrol.....I had ideas for the car, but rust attacked a critical area and I sold it to my Uncle Maurice for very little....

68 302s were Windsors. The 335 series heads didnt come till later.

UNLESS you were in Oz.

[s1120]

Me with my Moms car when it was new..  69 Sport Fury convertible. I loved that car, and so upset when she traded it in in '76. Grew up in big cars.. 

[LongRanger]

The fuel tank on the Ford Pinto was precariously located just ahead of the rear bumper. These cars would meet a violent, cataclysmic end if rear-ended with any kind of force.

I was reminded of this a few days ago when I spotted a lime green Pinto cruising down the freeway. It was missing a hubcap, one of the taillights was broken, and the rear bumper was bashed in like it had been hit by a Mack truck. It must have been a dud.

[Gliderjohn]

Back in those days a family in our area lost both parents and two out of four kids (other two weren't along) when their Pinto was rear ended and ruptured the gas tank.
The other Pinto sad story was concerning a female I knew that much of the time was one step from homeless. She finally got a full-time job and found and bought a Pinto for $200. Two weeks later it was stolen. Poor gal just could not get a break.
GliderJohn

[cliffrod]

Me with my Moms car when it was new..  69 Sport Fury convertible. I loved that car, and so upset when she traded it in in '76. Grew up in big cars..

It was probably around 1976 when my aunt's brother-in-law Phil stopped at the farm with his early 70's red Fury convertible.  My brother and I were used to the TR3B as the all-summer-long convertible perspective that was very open but pretty spartan & intimate  in that small sports car.  It wasn't ever a cushy ride on VT roads, either. 

Uncle Phil's convertible was so big & luxurious and it felt like we were floating.   I'm almost certain we had all 8 grandchildren in the car plus Phil driving.  The only rules were no feet on the seat, sit down and behave.  It was a perfect warm sunny VT summer day.  That is still one of the most memorable car rides of my entire life. 

[DesertPilot]

Those 1970s leviathans are what I learned to drive on.  It was rather like driving an oil tanker... which I suppose is what they were    And may be why I switched to small zippy roadsters -- preferably English but I wasn't picky -- my senior year in college.

Looking back on it all, I cannot help but wonder if that ancient but innocent-seeming 3-main-bearing MGB I picked up for $200 back in 1975 might have been the gateway drug to Moto Guzzis...

[s1120]

It was probably around 1976 when my aunt's brother-in-law Phil stopped at the farm with his early 70's red Fury convertible.  My brother and I were used to the TR3B as the all-summer-long convertible perspective that was very open but pretty spartan & intimate  in that small sports car.  It wasn't ever a cushy ride on VT roads, either. 

Uncle Phil's convertible was so big & luxurious and it felt like we were floating.   I'm almost certain we had all 8 grandchildren in the car plus Phil driving.  The only rules were no feet on the seat, sit down and behave.  It was a perfect warm sunny VT summer day.  That is still one of the most memorable car rides of my entire life.

Ya, nothing like thumping down the highway.. Gliding along, with the sun shining, and top down. My love of the full size convertible was locked in with that car, and I still have it..  My 72 LTD I have now keeps that alive, but its been off the road for WAY too many years.

[Texas Turnip]

When I was 14 in 1957 we had a neighbor that bought a new red '57 Chev convertible with a continental kit. Talk about LUST!.
Now it is 63 years later and I still can't afford a '57 Chev. I've dun good in life, huh?

I had a '66 Caddie with fold down foot rests in the back, I don't know how many ash trays and sucked gas like a team of toilets flushing. 10mpg. The man that bought it from me wanted to know how long it was 19' 6". His garage was 20'. I don't know how much it weighed.

Tex

[cliffrod]

Ya, nothing like thumping down the highway.. Gliding along, with the sun shining, and top down. My love of the full size convertible was locked in with that car, and I still have it..  My 72 LTD I have now keeps that alive, but its been off the road for WAY too many years.

I feel the same way about my Galaxie. The Galaxie is as much of a point of reference in my life as my V7 Sport. Got my old white 67 two days after I turned 18.  Even though it's not the same car, it's like an old friend.  This one is getting closer to being back together, but it's just a car.  life is life. 

LTD convertibles like yours have always seemed very rare, at least around here. I've chased Big Ford stuff locally since the mid 80's and only seen 2-3.   The last decade has made many convertibles and rare equipment cars seem more plentiful as they emerge from hiding while others died from actual use.

[s1120]

I feel the same way about my Galaxie. The Galaxie is as much of a point of reference in my life as my V7 Sport. Got my old white 67 two days after I turned 18.  Even though it's not the same car, it's like an old friend.  This one is getting closer to being back together, but it's just a car.  life is life. 

LTD convertibles like yours have always seemed very rare, at least around here. I've chased Big Ford stuff locally since the mid 80's and only seen 2-3.   The last decade has made many convertibles and rare equipment cars seem more plentiful as they emerge from hiding while others died from actual use.

There were VARY few full size convertibles made in the 70's. 72 was the last year they made a full size one. Production in 72 was just over 4000 units.. in 71 there were just over 5000 units. Im not sure of 69-70 numbers, but I dont think it was a huge amount more. You really gotta go back to 65-66 before the numbers became anywhere close to a level to make the cars common. Really though... I think today your more apt to find a 71-72 convertible, then a station wagon ... The normal wagons, 4 doors and the like were ran, used, and worn out.. the convertibles were kept out of weather. Drove on nice days, and taken care of..  SO they live on.

[Ncdan]

My first car was in this category. When I was 16 I took all my tobacco money and bought the new 1969 Dodge Cornet Super Bee, 383 magnum with a hurst 4 speed, 140 MPH out of the box. Total lost it a couple years later.
I tried to add a picture but for some unknown reason it keeps turning the picture sideways, never encountered that here.

[Gliderjohn]

Concerning lust over 57 Chevys...There is a now elderly black gentleman living in Wichita that has an extremely well kept 57 2-door with the high output 289 carb motor (except for expendable items all is original including having the window sticker and bill of sale) that he bought new in Texas at the time. He said that he loved the looks and just felt that he had to have it. Looks like he made a good investment. The only downside was that he was a black Master Sargent in the AF with full cash money in hand and still had to go to six different dealerships before one would sell him the car.
GliderJohn

[Lannis]

Concerning lust over 57 Chevys...There is a now elderly black gentleman living in Wichita that has an extremely well kept 57 2-door with the high output 289 carb motor (except for expendable items all is original including having the window sticker and bill of sale) ....
GliderJohn

That original window sticker wouldn't have had any number like "289" on it, though ... 235 Blue Flame Six, or a 265 or 283 V8 for positive sure ....

Lannis

[Gliderjohn]

From Lannis:

Brain fart on my part, meant 283.
GliderJohn

[Lannis]

Maybe the modern kids do the same thing and I don't even know it, but back in my day, I could spot any brand of car from a quarter-mile away.   You might not be quite sure if the oncoming car was a Dodge or a DeSoto, or a Nash or Rambler after they merged, but there was NO doubt whether it was a Ford or Chevrolet or Plymouth or Dodge, or Packard or Pontiac or Studebaker or Cadillac, or Chrysler or Mercury or Lincoln or Buick or Olds.   They were all SO distinctive, their grills and body-style so different, and you knew what sort of engine was in them, from the flathead six in a mid-50s Dodge Meadowbrook to a 392 (still beloved of drag racers to this day) in a big Chrysler.

Today, any aerodynamic egg-shaped wonder has to get within name-badge distance before I can tell one from another.   Again, maybe modern 12-year-olds know the difference, but I sure can't tell despite having actually BOUGHT Subarus and Toyotas and Mazdas and Fords in various conditions over the years ....

Lannis

[JJ]

Maybe the modern kids do the same thing and I don't even know it, but back in my day, I could spot any brand of car from a quarter-mile away.   You might not be quite sure if the oncoming car was a Dodge or a DeSoto, or a Nash or Rambler after they merged, but there was NO doubt whether it was a Ford or Chevrolet or Plymouth or Dodge, or Packard or Pontiac or Studebaker or Cadillac, or Chrysler or Mercury or Lincoln or Buick or Olds.   They were all SO distinctive, their grills and body-style so different, and you knew what sort of engine was in them, from the flathead six in a mid-50s Dodge Meadowbrook to a 392 (still beloved of drag racers to this day) in a big Chrysler.

Today, any aerodynamic egg-shaped wonder has to get within name-badge distance before I can tell one from another.   Again, maybe modern 12-year-olds know the difference, but I sure can't tell despite having actually BOUGHT Subarus and Toyotas and Mazdas and Fords in various conditions over the years ....

Lannis

The same for me...   Nowadays, all the SUV's look alike...and I have to look at the logo to see what brand it is!

[wymple]

Maybe the modern kids do the same thing and I don't even know it, but back in my day, I could spot any brand of car from a quarter-mile away.   You might not be quite sure if the oncoming car was a Dodge or a DeSoto, or a Nash or Rambler after they merged, but there was NO doubt whether it was a Ford or Chevrolet or Plymouth or Dodge, or Packard or Pontiac or Studebaker or Cadillac, or Chrysler or Mercury or Lincoln or Buick or Olds.   They were all SO distinctive, their grills and body-style so different, and you knew what sort of engine was in them, from the flathead six in a mid-50s Dodge Meadowbrook to a 392 (still beloved of drag racers to this day) in a big Chrysler.

Today, any aerodynamic egg-shaped wonder has to get within name-badge distance before I can tell one from another.   Again, maybe modern 12-year-olds know the difference, but I sure can't tell despite having actually BOUGHT Subarus and Toyotas and Mazdas and Fords in various conditions over the years ....

Lannis

X 10

[Green1]

Laughed when i read the thread title.My first car was a 1970 Pontiac Parisienne,i called it Das Boat,had myself and 7 friends in it often,4 in the front 4 in the rear,lots of fond memories.
 

[drbone641]

I've had this since 1977. 1973   351 Cleveland isn't really strong even with the smog stuff removed. Sounds great and handles a lot better now than when new. 

[steven c]

 I just saw this on BAT. The heck with SUV's this car rocks!
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1975-honda-cb400f-super-sport-6/

[Two Checks]

Way overpriced.
That bike was nothing really special. It had a 4 into 1 pipe from the factory. Aftermarket makers had already taken care ofnthat on all the fours. It had a six cog tranny. So did the CB 360.

[ScepticalScotty]

Yep, Cleveland 302 as yes I am 100% Aussie.  Falcons, Fairmonts, Fairlaines and LTDs made at the Broadmeadows plant in Sydney I believe. The great days of Aussie V8s, including the fabled GTHO Phase 3 Falcon, Torana, Monaro, even the Commodore.

[Lannis]

Yep, Cleveland 302 as yes I am 100% Aussie.  Falcons, Fairmonts, Fairlaines and LTDs made at the Broadmeadows plant in Sydney I believe. The great days of Aussie V8s, including the fabled GTHO Phase 3 Falcon, Torana, Monaro, even the Commodore.

AND the Last of the V8 Interceptors ....





Lannis

[cliffrod]

If I was buying a 70's big car and had the budget, I would be bidding on this real P Code 429 police car-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Ford-Galaxie/333821028148?hash=item4db948a734:g:tnQAAOSwPjZf0nws

[Lannis]

If I was buying a 70's big car and had the budget, I would be bidding on this real P Code 429 police car-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Ford-Galaxie/333821028148?hash=item4db948a734:g:tnQAAOSwPjZf0nws

Not a bad deal, that, if it's as nice as the ad says.   I had that engine in my '72 Thunderbird and it was a monster ....

Lannis

[cliffrod]

Not a bad deal, that, if it's as nice as the ad says.   I had that engine in my '72 Thunderbird and it was a monster ....

Lannis

We had a 69 429 TBird for years..  Lots of fun.  After it died but before it left, I kept the 2.80 Traction Loc 9 3/8" rear end with 31 spline axles.  The chunk is going to replace the open 2.80 9 3/8 chunk that's original in my 428 Galaxie now.  A 9" is arguably better, but 9 3/8" is what typically came as original equipment in most original 428 & 429 big cars.