American cars | 1970s Cars | Pontiac | Chrysler | Lincoln continental | Drive in | 1978

[@warmstrong5612]

A Lincoln Continental Town Car in triple brown is the quintessential 70's luxo-barge, god I want one.

[@incompetentdiplomat3716]

i got once of those chunky fellas, its like riding on your own stormcloud

[@Lawyerboyleslie72]

My car in high-school in 1990 was a 1975 Lincoln in all white with red leather.

[@incompetentdiplomat3716]

@@Lawyerboyleslie72 mines from 71 and is one of those golden anniversary specialties saved from a junk heap.

[@retroguy9494]

I had two of them. But NOT in triple brown. Having had several 1970's cars I hated the popular colors of the day which were, as we used to call them in my college fraternity, piss yellow, puke green and shit brown! LOL!

[@retroguy9494]

@@Lawyerboyleslie72 Mine was a 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo. Just like the one sitting next to that Lincoln which I believe is a 1973. My mother had one of those. Same color and everything. Mine was burgundy in and out with a white landau top! That was my mothers as well and I got it when she got a new one.

[@nodak81]

There is no better car for a long-distance road trip than a 70's era car with a V8. I remember going to Yellowstone in some giant car we rented. I don't remember what model it was but it was wonderful.

[@adelaidejones2346]

"if they could make one as good as the Americans..." Gosh, that's an indictment of the British car industry in the 70s if ever I heard one!

[@npet6842]

To give you some price comparison : the first car here is GBP10k , whilst a basic spec Jaguar 4.2 six was 12 grand . My neighbour bought a Tornado at this time , but when the front window screen was smashed , the replacement took five weeks to source and ended up being air-lifted in from the USA . The vehicle was too big to park and couldn't get into numerous multi-storey car parks with narrow access . He ditched it at a great loss within 10 months and bought a Granada Ghia . I saw many compact US cars at the PX compound in Woodbridge Suffolk in the early eighties , brought in for US flyers at the air bases of East Anglia . Even the little ones ( Granada sized ) were so full of accessories that that made a British car look like a Russian tractor !

[@paulparoma]

The guy hit he nail on the head.

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

@@npet6842 Russian Tractors were way better build than British cars!

[@R33Racer]

To think 70s American cars weren't exactly the last word in quality, and yet it was still miles better than our offerings. We didn't deserve a car industry.

[@TheMELTDOWN911]

@@R33Racer sad but you are right... thanks to internet I´ve learned plenty of 70 and 80 UK cars and they awful quality, design and... well everything about them was bad... sorry to say that.. Im from Mexico.. (yes I know we don't even have our own cars) but back in the late 90´s early 00´s I saved a lot of cash to buy a Rover 75 .... one of the few for sale in Mexico ever, Thank God I didn't buy it, I still love the way it looks but as far as I understand from other owners an awful quality car

[@hutchcraftcp]

Most large American cars from the 1960's and 70's were like a lounge on wheels. You didn't feel the road and with the window up you didn't hear much from the outside world. Days gone by.

[@MrMenefrego1]

It was a glorious time!

Right! My '73 Pontiac Grand Prix feels like I'm floating lol

[@c.d.c9425]

Which also meant they handled like boats on roller skates, and every time you braked, half the car would nose dive face first into the asphalt

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@c.d.c9425 Back in The Day, we Americans loved massive, grand-looking elegant automobiles which isolated us from the outside world; we had no interest whatsoever in 'Road-Feel', after all, we weren't race car drivers. We were just driving them for relaxing pleasure and wanted the quietest, most comfortable driving experience possible. They were so easy to steer that you only needed one finger with which to do so, and they rode as if the car were floating on a cloud. We called them 'Luxo-Boats', among other things. I have a small collection of four antique Lincolns and two Cadillac Fleetwood's, awesome and purely American automobiles. Sadly, that 'Personal Luxury Car' era is now just a fond American memory.

[@c.d.c9425]

@@MrMenefrego1 Well for most of us non-yankees, (at least in the developed world where car culture is a thing), driving a boat with zero feedback or engagement is NOT relaxing on our twisty roads and bends. A relaxing car is one that engages with the driver, is satisfying to drive and easy to throw around bends with minimal effort while some tunes play on the radio. Probably something that's quiet and comfortable on the inside (thats one thing that's universal), a nice satisfying gearbox to work with, responsive steering with plenty of feedback, and more importantly suspension that keeps you nice and planted in a relaxing fashion without diving you into the ground everytime you try and move the car. That's pretty effortless for us. A yank mobile would be pretty difficult to drive in our conditions

[@MsSteve70]

Hi Shaw. This is Mr Herpman of the Isle of Man! So glad to hear that I've won after all these years. My address is 43 Chrysler Ave, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 BE. I'm now 103.

[@moran68]

Congratulations ! Lucky dog 😊

[@AtheistOrphan]

MrSteve - Enjoy your flip boards (whatever they are).

[@manofthehour6856]

Oh dear, Mr. Herpman, alas, Shaw Taylor has passed and as the prize went unclaimed at the time of his passing, we had to give your prize to the runner up, Mrs. Thomas of Swindon. We can, however, offer you the eight-door 1975 Buick Estate Wagon ex-US Air Force with 200,000 miles. It's not exactly in new condition, but it is a prize. It is on its way to the Isle of Man and should be parked across your driveway first thing tomorrow morning. ENJOY!

[@MsSteve70]

@@manofthehour6856 Hahahahahahh!

[@smorris12]

The 1975 Pontiac lasted until 2000, the 1972 Lincoln only until 1984. The 1931 Chrysler is still on the road.

[@JJVernig]

Maybe the lincoln was exported.... 12 years seems not much.

[@smorris12]

@@JJVernig Could be. But accident damage or a large MOT failure could see it excessively expensive to repair too.

[@nlpnt]

@@JJVernig 12 years of road salt was about all they could take in America too and the parts were cheap here. At least, the basic engine and service ones, once the luxuries broke they usually stayed broken.

[@tomanderson6335]

Pity about the Trans Am, they've gotten to be worth a fair bit of money, particularly the 455 powered ones like that.

[@smorris12]

@@tomanderson6335 It's rarity that gives them value, of course. That one must have looked like the 21st century on 70s UK roads!

[@jasonmoskowitz246]

The bit at the end with the limo was funny. The 70s Trans Ams where the best handling old muscle cars, not that that's saying much. But even modern Rolls-Royce can't compare to the pillow-comfort of old American luxury. Shame what Cadillac and Lincoln have turned into...

[@MrMenefrego1]

As an American I have to agree, vintage American cars are indeed the best, especially Lincolns!

[@paulparoma]

Back when Brits had some dignity to them, spoke and dressed well and were smart enough to appreciate the Great American Automobile.

[@manofthehour6856]

It does go both ways, though. In the US, I get better respect at the car showroom in shorts, a polo shirt, and sneakers than I would in business casual button down business shirt and trousers. I would guess that the assumption is knockabout clothes are for wealthy people of leisure and nice formal clothes are of the working class.

[@paulparoma]

@@manofthehour6856 No, it only means that hardly anyone has any class anymore.

[@retroguy9494]

@@manofthehour6856 Wait a minute. You actually get RESPECT in a car showroom? I haven't been shown that since I was in college!! LO! In fact, the last new vehicle I bought from a dealer, because I negotiated such a good price and knew where the hidden profit was, caused the new car manager to actually say to me "you're a real son of a bitch do you know that?" Of course, that was right after I signed the paperwork and handed him a check.

[@jasonayres]

(0:34) Steven, car dealer, turns and gives Frank, interviewer, a look that transported me, so to speak, back to this era, that my teacher gave me.. And mum.. And that bloke at the corner shop. It's like, "What /now?"

[@chrisl8355]

That's a beautiful Lincoln. 💪

[@crozwayne]

One friend of mine bought a Lincoln Continental in 1983 when he was a 19 year old apprentice, he was going to use it to earn money by using it for weddings etc, he put £5 of petrol in it (1983 prices remember!) And ran out of petrol after driving around 50 miles! Car was a beaut though

[@sagelow3274]

Great video!!! I'm rebuilding 74 El Camino. These cars have a lot of character. My doors are 5 feet long....

[@ATLcentury334]

My grandfather was an executive at Ford in the 60’s and 70’s. I always looked forward to riding with him in whatever Lincoln he had as an executive lease. He had a new Continental or Mark series every year. My very favorite though were the Lincoln’s with suicide doors, those were special cars. He allowed me to play with every button, except the trunk release, LOL. When you rode in these cars, you never felt one bump or hole in the road. He retired in 1976, I remember that year he was driving a dark green Ford Thunderbird, beautiful as well. Now Ford mostly produces silly SUV’s and trucks, that’s when they lost my business. We drive a Mazda6 and a VW Alltrack. Would prefer driving Ford, but that will probably never happen again.

[@pcno2832]

I almost bought a 1969 Continental, the last year with suicide doors and that unique unitized chassis, in 1978 for $400, but was scared away by the fact that it needed a new dual exhaust system. It would have been a cool car, but the 4 door convertible (as seen in Green Acres and the movie Hair) would have been really special; too bad they discontinued that model for '67 or '68.

[@frayjr1970]

It is very sad to watch this and know that American car companies no longer make cars and certainly none big enough to justify calling it a car. In the time when Americans had normal proportions we made cars big enough to seat eight or more (pre safety belt laws); now that Americans are mostly big as whales we make cars comfortable for two 1970s Americans and expect to get a family of five supersized ones in them. Where has logic and common sense gone??

[@21stcenturyfossil7]

The slab sided Lincolns of the 60s were very nice cars. Oddly, they have less interior room than other cars with similar dimensions. My brother had a 68 Lincoln which felt more cramped to me than my 63 Galaxie. His 67 Imperial was noticeably roomier than either car.

[@ATLcentury334]

@@pcno2832 , the convertible was probably, in my opinion, the last of the great American luxury cars. If you look here on youtube, there is a video of Jay Leno and his Continental convertible. He and the technician he has work on the car demonstrate how complex those cars were. It’s very interesting, this guy travels all over the U.S. just to work on and repair these Lincolns. It’s worth the watch.

[@rohanmarkjay]

I love those big American cars of the 1960s,70s,80s and 90s. These big cars seems a bit out of place on the smaller width roads of the UK. But still impressive to look at and its a pure slice of America on wheels. It gives the impression only millionaires can afford it. But actually this car was within reach of anyone of upper end working class or middle class income. I even once saw a phil collins music video from the 1980s, with Mr Collins in Beverley Hills riding in a Cadillac which was long enough to have a mini swimming pool at the back. Only in America at least back then would think big enough and be audacious enought to make cars like that rather fitting for their country and culture and mentality of that period. I think America has mellowed a bit since.

[@perkin2000]

That Kingston showroom was still open well into the '90s. Many, many times when on the 213 bus to/from work I'd have a look at what was on the forecourt.

[@mattmiller6857]

Where was it located in Kingston?

[@perkin2000]

@@mattmiller6857 Just off the main road into Kingston when heading in from New Malden. On the left, probably about half a mile or so before you get into Kingston centre. (As I remember it, been a good twenty+ years since I've been over that way.)

[@jezb9762]

I also Remember the showroom in Kingston, always looking in the window at the American cars as a kid.

[@sivaand.thunderforce2875]

I own a 79 lincoln continental and I just love it!!

[@bazza945]

"Affectionately" known as "Yank tanks". You could park 3 Minis on them; one each on the bonnet (hood), the roof, and the boot (trunk).

[@Thorscauldron]

They'd have the interiors of 1.5 Minis.

[@styldsteel1]

Now that sir was funny lol

[@styldsteel1]

@Stormy D. looks like by the looks of your sentence structure and spelling, combined by your extreme young mental age, you fit the bill perfectly.

[@rkgaustin]

@1:10 that interior looks like a comfy couch!

[@riceboy1701e]

How did the Brits get those tanks through the narrow streets of London?

[@davidallen5776]

There's nothing like a good old land yacht. I, for one, am glad that I took one home!

[@Mike81111]

Contrast between the US cars and cars what you normally saw in the British roads was huge back then. I mean all the equipment, size and luxury was astronomical in the US cars. Just compare something like Morris 1300 to those US luxury cruisers. I almost feel ashamed how bad most European cars looked back then. I come from Finland and I have always loved those US "boats".

[@nkt1]

What nonsense. Plenty of European cars of this era were far more attractive, and efficient, than these oversized, gaudy boxes.

[@Spookieham]

9999 quid was a huge sum of money then for a car so one thing they weren't was cheap

[@Mike81111]

@@nkt1 Matter of personal opinion.

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

They were only comparable to luxury European cars. And there they were not as good. But of course those yachts were cheaper and at most times equipped much more than even the ultra luxury euro brands.

[@Thorscauldron]

Didn't those barges (on-the-whole,) have rather large extremities and smallish interiors?

[@elcamino5145]

I'm chasing a 79 Lincoln Continental Town Car with 40460 on the clock, original owner. Sitting in a garage since 96. I will get it.

[@elcamino5145]

@chief tp no, an airport.

[@elcamino5145]

@chief tp trying to help my daughter buy a house, sorry. I'm having a pint or two now. Fish and chips eh?

[@retroguy9494]

@@elcamino5145 For the price they want for these Lincolns in excellent shape nowadays, you COULD buy a house!

[@Univer3eTwist3ers]

Did you get it?

[@Porsche996driver]

Was in the US Army stationed in Germany and rented an apartment. The owner said “but you can’t park your car in the garage!” Huh? He thought I drove a giant sled. I had a little 320i ha. 🤣

[@retroguy9494]

ROTF LMAO I have a 1976 Cadillac which I can't park in MY garage here in America either! My house was built in the 1950's when the cars were high but shorter before they became lower and longer in the 60's. It sticks out a good foot!

[@PaulTC97]

Dave, I see your comments on crash scene videos from Loudlabs inc, Onscene tv.. etc

[@DIETRICHCICCONE]

2:07 does that brown thing on his head also come with optional extras?

[@reganarnold3003]

You can't beat American cars! In 2010 I used to own a 1967 Chrysler Newport 4 door hardtop, it was huge! Then in 2015 I swapped my MK2 escort 1600 Ghia for a 1964 ford galaxie 4 door hardtop. Can't forget lendrum and hartman and Simpsons of Wembley, they sold American cars new here in England. Love these old vids!

[@seana806]

Did that 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 have the 352 or 390 in it? My guess would be it had the 352 since that was the base big block engine for that car. Not sure if the 289 was an option in ‘64 on the Galaxie 500, definitely know it was an option in the ‘65 and ‘66 Ford Galaxie 500.

[@hcwcars1]

Oil embargo straight ahead, fellows.

[@jamesgallagher1992]

😆😆😆

[@Lianpe98]

Although the first oil embargo (73) had already happened a few years before that was filmed.

[@ljhudsonjr]

That THAMES intro brings me back to Saturday afternoons on Nickelodeon in the 1980's. 🙂

[@FN_FAL_4_ever]

Danger Mouse, Banana Man, and Count Duckula.....memories

[@ljhudsonjr]

@@FN_FAL_4_ever Yes sirrrr!

[@seiph80]

Absolutely!

[@asd36f]

I’ll take the ‘31 Chrysler!

[@moran68]

Shaw Taylor was going for the "America look" on todays episode to fit in with the American muscle cars.

[@nlpnt]

He looks like a stereotypical high school gym teacher/coach.

[@jasonboynton-lee109]

@@nlpnt Makes me think of "Smashie" from Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse doing their "Smashie and Nicey" routine!

[@craigkleber9316]

Shaw Taylor - wearing starter jacket of University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

[@moran68]

With matching hat.

[@Kampfmesser89]

Ski U Mah

[@rob5944]

Not a bad motoring programme, such a nice change to the idiotic nature of the later top gear series.

[@manofthehour6856]

You and me both!!!! Oh how I hate that Top Gear Series, and I feel like a minority who will be ridiculed and taunted in that respect. William Woollard always stands out to me as the perfect host, and his presentation so interesting and informed. It's sad that the change in formula meant a total disregard for cars that aren't Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mclarens or Nissan Skylines. SIGH!!!! (And I'm American!)

[@philnewstead5388]

I agree I've completely given up with Top Gear the presenters are wooden and the dialogue seems forced and it's not been a proper car show since the BBC reclassified it from a factual programme to an entertainment programme. Unfortunately all motoring journalists seem to think that any car not developed at the Nurburgring and not capable of traversing some track at about 300MPH preferably sideways is rubbish. I have to say that when I was buying my Volvo V70 whilst handling and performance was a consideration more important to me was could I get the dog in easily, could I fold the rear seats without needing an engineering degree and could I get all the other things that I regularly need to transport in and out easily.

[@4jp]

This was from 1978. Your only way to learn about cars was reading periodicals, watching television, or seeing them in person. Top Gear is from a completely different era where people could learn everything about any vehicle through the internet.

[@philnewstead5388]

jeff I'm sure the original Top Gear started in the seventies with Raymond Baxter, William Woodard and a lady whose name I can't remember. I think programmes like the modern Top Gear have their place and I did enjoy it in the Clarkson, May and Hammond era but I would also like to see a magazine programme that does real road tests on the type of cars most of us can afford.

[@4jp]

​@@philnewstead5388 Angela Rippon. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rF7cXnmdhM6ehLM

[@jimbrown2044]

Lendrum and Hartman were major GM dealers in London from 1920 until the 1980s,in Mayfair till 1966 then in Hammersmith (king st)they sold hundreds of cars every year some to foreign embassies as well as private buyers.some of the cars were converted to RHD,"motor" magazine tested a Chevy caprice classic in 1979 supplied by them,it cost £11996 RHD and £9900 LHD,the cars were converted by the company.they stopped trading I think in the early 90s.

[@diegosilang4823]

You don't need an oversized cars like the Continental for comfort. You can get a smaller vehicle like a 1970 Chevelle or 1970 Cutlass with similar smooth and quiet ride thanks to body on frame and coil suspensions.

[@kyron2092]

The seats at 1:12 look so damn comfortable 🥴

[@skyscourge5663]

Literally just couches shoved in a car 🤣

[@retroguy9494]

Oh they WERE! I had Cadillacs and Lincolns from the same period and the seats in the Lincoln were MUCH better! Even my Lane reclining chair isn't as comfortable as these were!

[@retroguy9494]

@Stormy D. Oh dude! They STILL are! I have severe back and muscle problems and I have a 2005 GMC Yukon. I can go anywhere in that truck the seats are so good. I bought it new and now it has 212,000 miles on it and its literally running on life support. It won't make it through another northeast winter so I am looking for another. My doctor tells me the seats in the new Yukon are much stiffer and harder than mine (he has had both of them). HE said we will never see captains chairs as comfortable as the early 2000's Yukon again. He is actually suggesting that I get a used Cadillac Escalade because he said they probably have the most comfortable seats for my issues. He said forget a Tahoe because he recently rode in one and the seats even hurt HIS back! I hear the 2018 and up Lincoln Navigator also has awesome seats but hardly any are available used. I seriously don't know what I am going to do. I would think at least ONE American auto maker would make a model with nice soft cushioned seats that have good support like the USED to!

[@dcarbs2979]

@@retroguy9494 The best seats for a European car I've driven would be the XC90 if we're considering ordinary stuff rather than limousines. That said the 2 best/most comfortablke I've sat in or owned are the 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and 1985 Ford Grosvenor (Mk2 Granada limousine) respectively. Not even the Rolls Royces I've travelled in come close.

[@retroguy9494]

@@dcarbs2979 You're right about the 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. My uncle bought one brand new. Black with gray cloth interior. I still remember riding in that car. It was VERY comfortable. I don't think the 1985 Ford Grosvenor was available here in the United States; just in the European market. I've never actually seen one! As an update to my last post, I DID end up getting a 2014 Cadillac Escalade last year. Although its okay, the seats are nothing compared to my 2005 Yukon. Nowhere near as comfortable.

[@mariogiresi6792]

And we love your cars❤️

[@67tomcat]

Great stuff! That 1974/75 Trans AM is a beauty.

[@jamespuckett5547]

1975

[@markross9781]

I had known many friends and their brothers cousins and so on.. Who owned 1975-1981 Trans AM's. One would pump $40.00 petrol and you say in Britain. And cruise around all day, only to put another $40.00, Canadian the next day. Quick fast but you have to have $$$ for petrol to enjoy the Vehicle.

[@theyellowfury]

Steven Oveross went on to become the minister of thinking he's so great.

[@willwontwork]

*ouvaroff, a previously f2 professional driver, he’s fucking cool

[@theyellowfury]

@@willwontwork Is he your dad?

[@willwontwork]

theyellowfury nope i’m 21

[@theyellowfury]

@@willwontwork How about your granddad, is he that?

[@willwontwork]

theyellowfury maybeeeee, well, he was

[@eitanros]

the ending is brilliantly funny -:)

[@jcreed09]

Back in 76, I lived with my Uncle- a doctor- he drove a red Lincoln. Today, I remember his Jerry Vale 8 Track and I would fall asleep in the back- you were floating on that car.

[@Dr.D00p]

I keep expecting Arthur Daley to pop up in these Thames TV car reports...

[@mikemartin2957]

Well he would have been a Thames TV employee / artiste at around the same time as Drive in was in production, whilst filming Minder!

[@rkgaustin]

An appearance on a high profile motoring show would be a nice little earner. Now, I'm off to see her indoors, then to the Winchester club for a vodka slimline. The world is your lobster!

[@garydunn3037]

Yeah, he had one or two American cars on his lot over the series, including a Trans/Am.

[@christopherhulse8385]

2:35 Pontiac Vs a crap Austin 1100 following, no contest!

[@incompetentdiplomat3716]

i own a great big 70s lincoln, its wonderful.

[@plutoniumpie]

Yeah, I know you, you have it permanently parked on flat tyres in the alley behind our building. A wonderful car to dwell in. Please don't shite in our garden again, use our neighbours.

[@incompetentdiplomat3716]

@@plutoniumpie no i drive it, moron, they arent hard to take care of

[@FacuGonz3]

Americans don't know how much we love their cars worldwide..

[@tdtvegas]

Where do you live? What American vehicles do you like today? Trucks? Tahoe?

[@jamespuckett5547]

@John Mitsubishi Correct they are actually better.

[@johnmurdoch3083]

The best looking cars hands down

[@phillipecook3227]

Christ almighty. Driving a Pontiac Firebird on the roads of 1970s Britain would've almost been like flying a Eurofighter across the skies of medaeval England ...

[@checkmateking2854]

I didn't catch what year that Trans Am was. Looks to be a 1975. Could tell better if i could see the rear window. Too bad they didn't offer the 455 SD that year.

[@StuartOliver83]

Yeah and certainly would've had guys mumbling to their wive in their Austin's hahahaaa

[@dweebert]

@@checkmateking2854 The SD-455 was offered in 1973 and 1974; the Trans Am with the 5mph bumper in the video marks this as a 1974.

[@checkmateking2854]

@@dweebert Yes but the 75 didn't have the SD and was distinguished from the 74 by its wrap around rear glass.

[@jamespuckett5547]

@@dweebert This Trans Am is a 1975. Notice the turn signal bezels were located in the grill. in 1974 they were not.

[@therealbettyswollocks]

Shaw with the best West Country accent you’ll ever hear...

[@BokorRider]

haha good old 70's fashion :D great video

[@steler95]

2:04 I do have a British toupee tho. . .

[@dweebert]

5:03 1975 Buick Estate Wagon stretched to 8-door long.

[@101Volts]

That was the "Airport Limousine" version.

[@rjft7003]

Cruise control in 1970s when a simple cigarette lighter or rear window defroster was an option in 80% of European cars.

[@kalaga2k]

Excellent 👍

[@stevesrover]

SD1 in the background there!

[@jamesgallagher1992]

Mmmm sd1🤣🤣

[@S7EVE_P]

0:09 Man I want that jacket.....and I want to go back in time!! Great era

[@moran68]

I'm looking for that Hot tub time machine if you want to look too ?

[@dweebert]

1:48 TV detective Cannon drove the Lincoln Continental, then a Mk III and a Mk IV.

[@retroguy9494]

Oh yea! Frank Cannon LOVED his Lincolns. I used to get a kick out of the way the car would lean to one side when he got in or out of it! LOL

[@rovertaw22]

Had a mobile phone too

[@bennetfox]

I wonder where these cars are today?

[@hondacrx4909]

Maybe abandoned in a barn or got destroyed by recycling centres

[@theoriginalwallace]

The '31 Chrysler is still taxed & is now black!

[@barryroach1980]

2:44 guy driving the Pontiac , Its a give away he's not British he's desperate to get on the right hand side of the road!!

[@AtheistOrphan]

Barry Roach - Yeah I noticed that!

[@manofthehour6856]

Both he and the Lincoln driver have to pass the camera vehicle for an action shot, which is why both cars switch to the right lane.

[@barryroach1980]

@@manofthehour6856 that does not make sense at all. They cannot and would not be passing the camera towards oncoming traffic.

[@unions100]

Made British cars look like dinosaurs

[@jamesslick4790]

Back then though, Cars had "personalities" from their countries. An MGB was as British as a Camaro was American. A Subaru was about as Japanese as it could get, Nothing was as Swedish as a Volvo or as German as a Benz. I miss such variety. Today cars are like "AA" batteries. Doesn't matter where they come from...They are ALL the same.

[@unions100]

James Slick very very true 👍

[@21stcenturyfossil7]

I think the Jaguars of that time were very good looking. I expect there were more but they weren't imported into the US in any volume. The Rolls did have similar lines as a Checker taxicab, though.

[@tonyhancock3912]

Keep em peeled

[@alofarbi312]

The bit at the end with the limo was funny

[@realkilju]

No better cruiser than an american land boat from the 70's

[@DanKirchner5150]

AND bonus -steering wheel's on the RIGHT side

[@rajkumarvpost]

I would love to see the next episode

[@nkt1]

You'd think that, on a Lincoln, the headlight covers would be synchronised properly.

[@Flying_GC]

They are all vacuum operated on old cars none of them were synchronised was impossible

[@nkt1]

@@Flying_GC True. I wonder why Lincoln persisted with the vacuum motors and springs for so long.

[@hugglescake]

@@nkt1 It's a fail safe. The old electric motors would fail and not open so you had no headlights. If you lose vacuum, at least you'd still have headlights.

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

@@hugglescake and when the system gets a bit old, they slowly open as the vacuum leaks out whilst it's parked up.

[@joe6096]

@@hugglescake Even up to the end of the 4th gen Firebird in 2002 they had electric motors. If they broke you could manually turn the lamp gear open until you fixed it. Lincoln could have made that in the 70s. Not hard, not high tech.

[@sandmanjono1239]

Priceless viewing from the 70’s 😆

[@paulhoffman778]

I love that Lincoln, those lights!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

I wanna know where on earth do you park a 70's Lincoln in England??? The parking spaces, even in the suburbs are sized for cars no bigger than say a Toyota Camry.

[@smorris12]

Where? Diagonally across one of the home counties.

[@manofthehour6856]

My guess in the garage at home (drive of the estate), and in the reserved space in the office car park. Or the chauffeur drove it around the block for hours until your appointment was over. I have seen final generation Lincoln Town Car Stretch limousines in London in recent years, which would be worse to park than that mammouth 8 door 1975 Buick Estate Wagon at the end of the film.

[@retroguy9494]

Its really no different here in America. They downsized all the parking spaces when the cars got smaller. You really cannot parallel park one. You can head on park in a lot but the car is going to stick out a good 2 feet or more!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

@@retroguy9494 Depends on where you live. Here in Nashville parking spots on the street and parking lots are plenty big. People never stopped driving land yatchs around here, the shape of the car changed, now its 4 door pickups and Suburbans.

[@retroguy9494]

@@AaronSmith-kr5yf Well, in the New York City metro area where I live, they are pretty small. Tons of people all driving cars so they need a lot of spaces. Not too many Suburbans around here, but plenty of Tahoes and Yukons.

[@pcno2832]

These cars look to be a couple of years older than the 1978 models; I wonder if these customers were disappointed when U.S. cars were downsized starting in 1977. In any case, I hope they took off some of the pollution controls that were added to meet U.S. emissions standards; at these prices, one wouldn't want to get stuck with the sorry performance for which most cars sold in the U.S. were known during the perfect storm of over-regulation we had during those years.

[@jamespuckett5547]

The Trans Am is a 1975

[@21stcenturyfossil7]

US emission and safety regulations are much more strict now than they were in the 70s.

[@MrSentinel1981]

Pontiac Firebird 8 to 10 miles per gallon))))) OMG 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Even if these be American gallons, still .......

[@jurivlk5433]

4.5 liters for 16 kilometers would be more than 27 liters per 100 km which is exaggerated! They don't use more than 16-20 liters!

[@MrPabsUk]

I get 11-12mpg average in my Jaguar XJR on super unleaded! I dont use it daily, but when I do, I make sure I enjoy it!

[@geoffk777]

That's for a REALLY big engine--455 cubic inches. That's over 7 litres. Also, that's the city mileage. On the highway, it probably does 15 MPG or so.

[@MrSentinel1981]

@@geoffk777 I know, my friend) it's 7,5 liters engine. But........

[@Thorscauldron]

If you were up in Scotland or on the IoM and needed glass or a fan belt. I don't see that happening easily.

[@hugglescake]

Rolled-up pantyhose works. It really does.

[@carouselred8994]

The Firebird's a beaut. Glad to hear it ran up until 2000. (in comments)

[@seiph80]

Just curious, how difficult would it be to drive a left-hand drive car in Britain?

[@faznout]

In today's time there are very few "American Cars" on the road now compared to back then. No matter if it's here in the US or anywhere else. All the foreign automakers have taken over in the last 10 - 15 years.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

gotta admire a man that loves Trans Ams as I have had many the past 40 years - PEACE LOVE n HIPPYNESS!

[@ChevyBM]

Oh man I wish the big three were still building full size body on frame rwd v8 cars. Nowadays everything has to be "sporty" and over complicated., gone are the comfortable bench seats, roomy interiors and jet smooth suspensions...

[@moonbeamskies3346]

True. The Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are as close as you can get to them now. Maybe Cadillac still sells a big sedan.

[@tdtvegas]

Democrat emissions standards killed the last of them, like the Crown Vic. Ford had to get a waiver to produce them until 2011

[@ChevyBM]

@@tdtvegas Lets hope that Trump's administration makes good decisions towards car enthusiast.

[@KalOrtPor]

The writing was long on the wall, they simply didn't sell enough anymore and their target buyers were dying off. They stopped retail sales in 2008 and announced the next year they would be closing the plant after 2011, but that plan was already years in the making. There just wasn't enough money in stripped-down, no expensive options, heavily discounted fleet sales. They also didn't want to bother with the time and expense to keep adding modern updates it hadn't been designed to support.

[@skyscourge5663]

Snatch up a later year Town Car while you can,around an 06 or 07 is the sweet spot

[@garydunn3037]

We sold British cars back then, but our cars always looked kind of drab compared to the cars being made across the pond. OK, so they were big and thirsty, but if only we could have made some scaled down alternatives with the style and all the options that US cars had back then, we would have had much better products, than what Austin, Vauxhall, and dare I say it Ford of Europe had to offer.

[@johnwilliam507]

I’d say that Vauxhall were the only ones who came close with the Cresta and Velox.

[@clipstone]

Frank Hayes - my favourite of the "Drive In" presenters. I wonder what happened to Frank.

[@garryburton1544]

Seems to be missing in action no sign of him on the net!

[@moran68]

Tragically knocked over and killed by a Pontiac Firebird shortly after filming 😢.

[@BunnyTsukino1999]

I apologize in advance that this isn’t related to the video at hand, but if possible, the archive should release the series “Dodger, Bonzo & the Rest” if it’s not going on Britbox or DVD. There are a few of us who would love to watch the show & speaking for myself I wouldn’t care whether it was remastered or not, as long as the entire first series of the programme was no longer lost media.

[@josephcostello695]

Cool show . But the British make some outstanding cars themselves. Love the old and new minis and the older xke’s.

[@jeremyelmore4079]

That guy with glasses on looks like Donnie Swaggert, Jimmy Swaggert's son.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Or every villan in the sweeney

[@loveisall5520]

What the Brits couldn't understand back then was the enormous variation in climate between parts of the US. Cars were made to sell anywhere in our nation. Also, it was necessary to be able to drive cross country if desired w/o breakdowns.

[@erickrcisneros]

Fascinating

[@jerbiusha8207]

beautiful

[@davidjames666]

I own a 1996 Cadillac Sedan Deville. as a kid in the 80’s, I can say that car drives like a 70’s car. it is huge with a 8cyl engine. i plan on having the aluminum block time certed to fix the head gasket leak, then once again use it as a long distance car. (seasonal New York - Florida drive). Usa cars in the 70’s had front wheel drive aluminum engines, but were terrible. the Northstar just has 1 fixable flaw. Then I will buy a brown leisure suit for myself to wear for the drive down

[@EricBarbman]

"One wonders : why would an English person want to run a big American car ?". The answer is just all over this sad, sad parking lot...

[@retroguy9494]

How about the ones who AREN'T royals or lords or barons and cannot afford a Rolls Royce or a Bentley.

[@markjanfrancisco5156]

I would ❤to go back in a Time Machine and get that 76 Lincoln Town Car for 10 Grand! 😮 now that’s a deal! For that price I would buy 2 of them!😁

[@hugglescake]

It's neat to watch the opening and closing of the clamshell tailgate of the Buick airport limo the host enters at the end. By the1975 model year, US cars were using catalytic converters. Was unleaded fuel available in GB or Europe?

[@AtheistOrphan]

hugglescake - I don’t think it was available here until well into the 1980s. You had to add an additive.

[@peterbarker6249]

@@AtheistOrphan l had a smog motored 1977 dodge diplomat in the early eighties and ran it on 2 star petrol

[@danielmonahan6195]

I was a baby when this was made. My, how the world has changed since then.

[@CHZ8959]

Love how he says 'radiator' @3:40

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

Something akin to Aussie ponunciation

[@deviantrider9309]

Seams odd seeing shaw taylor doing car reviews for my generation he will always be remembered for his keep em peeled catchphrase, As for the cars give me a 3.0 mk1 granada any day of the week especially a ghia coupe pure class, couldn't see jack regan tear arsing around in one of those barges

[@lindaeasley4336]

Very roomy ,very comfortable, very uniquely styled

[@jerryduhon1075]

THIS WAS A TREAT TO WATCH

[@PRmoustache88]

I thought Cannon drove a Thunderbird coup, because it had wide doors to accommodate William Conrad's wide body.

[@colibri1]

I don't think this is from 1978. The US cars in this are all 1975 models.

[@retroguy9494]

Did it ever occur to you that he is selling USED cars?

[@richardrichard5409]

Amazing to think AMC etc were offering 5 year powertrain warranties back in 1971, you got a woeful 3 months on a BL product.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Thanks for this. The US auto industry in 73 was in its death throes, such magnificent machines that hadn't progressed much technically since the late 50s. Of course, I'd have a pre-bumper Mercury or Buick at the drop of a hat and I would love its excess and decadence but the writing was very definitely on the wall for them back then. Mind you, the British car industry had been standing on a ledge threatening to jump for a good few years too.

[@joe6096]

Was the guy trying to look like Bo Schembeckler, head coach of the Michigan Wolverines college football team then?

[@donsolaris8477]

when the US$ was 2.50 to the pound sterling, someone was making a killing importing these and charging 10 thousand quid back then....(when they cost less than that in dollars)

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

With headlights behind the lids, that white car at first glance seemed to be cruising in reverse!!! Scary for a moment!

[@nlpnt]

Fun fact; those weren't electric, they were vacuum-operated. Or rather they were spring loaded to open and a vacuum system held them shut, so that if they failed they would fail open and you'd still have headlights. If they were parked long enough they'd start to open just a bit, and sometimes an air leak would develop on just one side. As a kid in the '80s I saw quite a few winkin' Lincolns.