Road Trip....Big Heavy Cars

Before IPods, IPhones, YouTube and Google...there was Detroit. The annual new model roll out was eager awaited by young and old. How much horsepower this year, do we get new chrome parts and trim? Should we get a 4 door, or a two door...then will it be a two door post or coupe? What will this years dashboard look like?
Can I get the new V-8 with a four barrel carb...or how about two four barrels...wait, wait..lets get the three two barrel option ( six-pack )
Then
Posi trac rear end with 4:11 gears
Solid lifters
Police interceptor brakes and suspension
Am/fm radio
dual exhaust
4 speed manual transmission ( the rock crusher )
Dual snorkel air cleaner or cowl induction
Genuine Corinthian leather ( Ricardo Montalban lied...there was no such thing )

All the good stuff, no plastic, all American steel and rubber...weighing as much as a modern Hummer, and probably more bullet resistant.
People that drove Datsuns and Toyotas were pitied...they couldn't afford to join in the consumer orgy to go bigger, faster and more glamorous.
If a 72 Cadillac Eldorado broadsided a 72 Toyota Corolla, the driver of the Eldorado probably wouldn't even spill his whiskey sour...I'm pretty sure that was why there were so many hit and runs...the drivers of the Detroit iron never actually felt the impact.

Ah, but it was the age of the dinosaur. This time instead of an asteroid, it was short sightedness and arrogance that killed the big boys. The world changed, but Detroit didn't notice, or care. The import cars that were scoffed at, eventually ended up eating the lunch of all the American major manufacturers. They did this by sipping gasoline and providing a fun, good looking, dependable auto...for the right price.
Lusting for a Lexus?
Hungry for a Hyundai?
Testing a Toyota?
Mad for a Mini?
Veering towards a Volvo?
Feeling the need  for  a Fiat?

Yes, American autos and trucks still exist in the modern world. But the behemoths of the bygone age, have to push and show their way to the trough to compete with Korea, Japan and Europe. The threats that were once inconsequential, are now serious.


Big Iron and big glory...trophies of a bygone era.

Chevy Vegas and Pontiac Astre...A Detroit losing bet on small cars. The hotrodders shoehorned in V-8 engines for drag racing...that worked well, until you needed to stop or go around a corner

I don't think that's what they had in mind when they said "flathead"

Awesome Mercury emblem

Even the corrosion was in bloom

Just goes to show you...you don't have to be pretty to be an icon...I was going to put in a Kardashian joke...but decided not to.

4 door, 6 cylinder Ford Maverick, the text book definition of bland and boring...even with the vinyl roof and mag wheels

I think that the Lincoln designers missed the mark on this model...I'm not saying it's ugly, but it ain't pretty either

AMC Eagle...one of the first SUV's....4 wheel drive. 4 door station wagon...awful gas mileage

Automobile incest

OM

The glory days....early 70's Buick Riviera