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.
for later
In high school and early college years, a friend of mine drove a 1972 Old Delta 88 convertible. What a yacht that thing was. Even kind of felt like a boat as it drifted across dips and potholes.
Land Yacths.
Double digit MPG’s be dammned. Bring on the Detroit iron with crushed velvet seats, white wall tires and a trunk bigger than your first apartment.
The closest thing I ever owned to a true LY was a 1994 Cadillac DeVille.
But I’m fortunate enough to remember the Mercury’s and Buicks my father owned.
(Ahhh, that 1965 Wilcat with the 425 cubic inch motor!!!)
My folks had a ‘76 Grand Marquis. That thing was a boat, and with a 4-bbl 460 under the hood it would do a nice, smoky one-wheel peel.
1978 Lincoln Mark V. Second choice would be a '72 GS455 Riviera, the wild boat-tailed one, in black.
A high school friend of mine, Jewish, called those cars Jew Canoes. That was back in the pre-PC days when you could make ethic jokes good-naturedly without offending anyone.
I had a 72 Catalina 4 door. She was a big girl.
Before the quad cab F-150's and cammo-wear there was the land yacht and khakis.
I agree with the ‘75 Caddy, mine was a road car.
Most of those cars in their day could not hold $7 in gasoline in their tank. My lawnmower holds almost that much now days.
1973 Buick 225 Electra Custom - Hardtop
oops, my comment disappeard. My folks had a similar vintage electra 225, thing was bulletproof.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.