Posted on 09/11/2014 8:12:13 AM PDT by Phillyred
Remember when roads were as smooth as a calm sea, cars were long as boats, and you felt like the captain of your land yacht? We do. Here's ten great land yachts.
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 9.) 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600
Suggested by LuckyChuck takes the racing line when he walks
Why It's So Smooth: Who says land yachts are limited to the U.S.? This 18-foot long , 5700 pound German cruiser was driven by Jeremy Clarkson and he promptly proved the car was designed to cruise in a straight line. So, sit back, grab a glass of champagne, and let the chauffeur do all the work. I guarantee you won't spill a drop of that Dom Pérignon.
Photo Credit: Ed Callow
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 8.) 1975 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Suggested by War2d2: Secure In His Own Manhood
Why It's So Smooth: Measuring 19 feet in length, this coupé offered more interior space than some New York City apartments. You kind of start to wonder why this car was so long if it was meant to be a coupé… but then that goes out the window as soon as you sink into the driver's seat and feel the road roll pleasantly beneath you.
Photo Credit: RUD66
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 7.) 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Coupé Convertible
Suggested by John Carter
Why It's So Smooth: The 1959 Ninety-Eight was completely redesigned, as was the entire Olds lineup, and was offered with 371 cubic inch Rocket V8 and Jetaway Hydramatic Transmission. It just sounds so velvety, unless you mashed on the accelerator causing a jerk when shifting from first to second gear. So be gentle and you'll be effortlessly yachting on the sea that is America's road.
Photo Credit: ConceptCarz
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 6.) 1973 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham
Suggested by Rusty Van Horn
Why It's So Smooth: Let's take this up a notch, BAM! The New Yorker Brougham sported Chrysler's Fuselage styling and was a full 18 and a half feet long. Power came from a 440 cubic inch V8, though power was reduced to meet stricter fuel and emissions standards. I know Rusty said 1972, but he pictured a 1973 and I know he didn't say Brougham, but I know he meant to. Either way, this land yacht is a leather upholstered, silky smooth dream to ride.
Photo Credit: Alden Jewell
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 5.) 1975 Mercury Marquis Brougham
Suggested by I can be stig?
Why It's So Smooth: You get the bonus points! Your prize is recognition! The name Brougham was originally used for a sedan that was bodied as a coupé but later on it was used to distinguish between the more luxurious and standard version of a model. In 1976 a consumer survey was conducted and it was found that the Marquis was preferred to the Olds 98 and Buick ELektra. The following year the Grand Marquis was selected over the Cadillac Sedan de Ville, demonstrating the luxury, comfort, and overall classyness of this land yacht.
Photo Credit: Alden Jewell
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 4.) 1971 Cadillac Eldorado
Suggested by Spiegel wants a large farva
Why It's So Smooth: The Cadillac Eldorado, named after the mythical land of gold, is the car of crazy Texas oil-men, purple-suited player haters, and Mafiosos. At 18 and a half feet, the Eldorado offered up a 500 cubic inch V8 for your yachting pleasure. It served as the pace car for the 1973 Indy 500, but that's the closest it will ever get to any form of motorsport. Best keep this lancha in a straight line.
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 3.) 1972 Buick Riviera
Suggested by ZeroOrDie
Why It's So Smooth: The Riviera is where you park your yacht. The Buick Riviera is a yacht! This boat-tailed land yacht just grew longer and longer that by 1973 it was almost 19 feet long. Its Corvette Stingray-inspired rear window and coupé body meant that you were cruising in style and the 455 cu. in. V8 provided silky smooth torque throughout the rev range. Just listen to that burble.
Photo Credit: Alden Jewell
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 2.) 1973 Imperial LeBaron
Suggested by Buster Brew
Why It's So Smooth: The 1973 Imperial LeBaron was the longest non-limousine production vehicle at a whopping 21 feet. The LeBaron's styling was described as the Fuselage Look by Chrysler and this particular year's styling was an evolution of the Fuselage look. What does this all mean? Even more classy and stylish faring.
Ten Great Land Yachts EXPAND 1.) 1961 Lincoln Continental
Suggested by rawtoast
Why It's So Smooth: The '61 Conti was a new design, but it was 2 feet shorter than its predecessors, although still 18 feet long. However, Ford used the "compactness" of this Continental as its main advertising point by having a woman parallel park the car to show how easy it is. This Continental was the first to have suicide doors and was considered the epitome of Lincoln styling. Sadly, this is the same car that John F. Kennedy was riding in the day he was assassinated.
Actuallly, the A pillar is the first pillar by the windshiled. A coupe (like the 1975 Coupe De Ville) had no traditional B pillar. Sedans have the B pillar.
That is sweet!
we filled them up for 35 cents a gallon back then.
” A sedan has an a-pillar behind the front doors.”
B
1995 Olds Regency Elite. 94,000 on the odo. Nearly 30 MPG on the open road!
We had a 1973 Buick Electra 225. It got hit by a motor home, and the motor home sustained more damage than the car.
I apologize for the mistype. Obviously, you got the idea. The roadsters and convertibles are missing the a-pillar.
My stepson just bought a BEAUTIFUL ‘61 Conti hardtop. White. Those doors are too cool. It’s my personal favorite of all of the land yachts, but I’d like it in a convertible.
“The writer doesn’t seem to know what the classic definition of a coupe is. A sedan has an a-pillar behind the front doors. If there is no pillar, it is not a sedan. “
Earlier models were true coupes. The 1975 appears to be a sort of hybrid.
Loved the headlights on those.
Still the name, at least amongst my thicker-skinned brethren.
reliable? How much in the city?
Then, I assume you got your insurance with this "big girl"?
I like the Olds at the back with the old-style whip antenna mount on the rear deck. Those were as bullet-proof as the cars. Took some serious sheet metal to be able to mount and support one of those which is why they’re rarely seen these days.
Correction: not Mercuries, but Cadillacs.
The origin of this goes back to Henry Ford being such as nasty Hitler supporter and the resulting refusal of Jewish people to drive a Ford product as a result.
My in-laws would still pick a German car over a Ford product (and now drive Land Rovers and Jags).
"Alternatively, a coupé is often distinguished from a two-door sedan by the lack of a B pillar to support the roof. Sedans have an A pillar forward at the windscreen, a B pillar aft of the door, and a C pillar defining the aftermost roof support at the rear window."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup%C3%A9
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