Automotive Insights: Why Were American Cars Of the 1980s so Boxy?

[@aldazio642]

Adam I am always impressed by your in depth knowledge of the American automobile industry.

[@josephgaviota]

💯 agree.

[@JimFlanagan4206]

Right after I graduated high school in the early 90s, I bought an 87 Ford Crown Victoria LTD police package car from a local municipality. I loved that car. It rode a bit firmer than the civilian car and had one finger power steering. It had rubber floors, cloth front seats, and a rear vinyl seat. The fuel injected 302 V8 had plenty of power and the limited slip rear end helped a ton in wintertime. It looked just like the car from the first "Men in Black" movie after I had it painted black.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Bring back the Crown Vic!!!

[@pcno2832]

I've noticed that even today, the police-issue Explorers still have hub caps, as opposed to wheel covers. They are about the only new vehicles I've seen in the past 20 years with them. They look infinitely better than the silver-painted plastic fake-alloy-rim-look wheel covers they ship with most entry-level vehicles these days.

[@sombra6153]

I have fond memories of the square body mid 80s LTD Crown Victoria police cars. The ones I drove had the 351Ws.

[@misters2837]

@@sombra6153 With the Miserable VV carburetor! - I put many 4bbls on them!

[@sombra6153]

@@misters2837 my employer had some 85 E350s with the 351W HO. When one that seemed to run pretty well was getting ready to be taken out of service,I tried to get the shop to do an intake/carb swap but not luck.

[@brianc8463]

My dad, a die-hard GM man since 1960, bought a fully loaded Taurus wagon in 1986. What a revolutionary design that was for Ford. It was so radically different, at the time.

[@mark98070]

Adam never ceases to amaze, Incredibly knowledgeable in so many aspects of automobile trivia.

[@khakiswag]

Ford was killing it with the big RWD boxy Lincolns compared to the smaller FWD Cadillacs in the ‘80s. Ford seemed to understand what the market wanted better than GM. They had the swoop, bubbly, aero cars for the Ford/Mercury lineup but kept the traditional big boxy style for Lincoln. Except for the Mark series which offered the most modern tech and aerodynamic design.

[@billyd7882]

The porch chats are very informative. Adam is a great speaker. I can’t get enough of this channel.

[@terencet9785]

I agree Adam is great...cant get enough also

[@eyerollthereforeiam1709]

I always liked the Porch Chats. As much as it sounds like a bad idea, the little whiteboard somehow worked. It made for a simple, honest, no-nonsense discussion.

[@RareClassicCars]

I’ll bring it back

[@adamtrombino106]

My friend's dad was working in Chrysler's interior design dept during the late 70s thru 84. He was told that the reason that so many Mopars were being 'squared off' was that it was cheaper to design molds and stamping equipment that made, well, squares and rectangles. He told me that they were 'told' to draw up sketches of various parts 'using a square approach'. If you look at early K's, certainly there isn't much that isn't a square or a box.

[@12345682900]

Yep! Engineered with T-squares, yardsticks & right-angles!

[@harlequintheserpent7016]

This concept is most obviously embodied in GM interiors, where a switch for the power windows, for example, was literally a square, that could technically be placed arbitrarily anywhere at the door card. However, in 90s they've somehow managed to get everything even more plain an boring than squares with those signature bloated shapes in grey plastic. Just a single look at those late 90s GM interiors instantly starts Nirvana or SDRE in your head, and your day seems nothing, but another King Of The Hill episode.

[@HAL-dm1eh]

@@harlequintheserpent7016 Aptly named the Fisher Price interiors.

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

Maybe, but AT THAT TIME, those various K-Car spin offs were not a joke (like they're considered today), they were the saviour of Chrysler and Detroit, which wasn't oiffering much in the way of affordable, small, front wheel drive cars for northern winter drivers to compete with Japan and Germany. I lived in Auburn Hills at that time, and I thought Chrysler was done after the disasterous "lean burn" and Aspen/ Volare's doldrums. The boxy K-Car was distinctly American, and I remember seeing those huge highway signs for Omnis, Horizons, and K-Cars when Detroit was on it heels due to foreign competition and feeling proud that at least one American company was selling a small, affordable, FWD car to compete with Japan. That is why Lee Iacocca is still considered somewhat of a hero in Detroit. The highly successful stately grills for Continentals and Town Cars were largely Iacocca's idea when he was at Ford. The reputation of Taurus/Sable and even Lincoln was almost destroyed by the disastrous 3.8 V6. Not until the all iron Vulcan 3.0 became the dominant engine in the Taurus/Sable and Lincoln dumped the awful 3.8 V6 did Ford/Mercury/Lincoln begin to recover from the 3.8 V6 stench. In a just world, the executives who green lighted the 3.8 V6 Ford engine for installation in production vehicles would be pilloried on live television. They caused the loss of millions of American jobs.

[@12345682900]

@@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL You're K-car analysis is spot on. Furthermore, at that time, they were considered (and looked) "modern." It seems laughable today, but in the early '80's when practically all other sedans still had RWD, thick chrome bumpers, mirrors bolted to the doors, poor gas mileage, etc... Chrysler K-cars, although boxy, looked fresh & modern with color-keyed plastic bumpers, integrated door mirrors, FWD, decent gas mileage, etc... A few years later, when the convertibles were released, that too was "an event." As a college student, I bought a K-car.....yes, yes, it was boxy & underpowered and was not a "chick-magnet" but NO ONE ever accused me of driving and old (or old looking) car!

[@DSP1968]

An excellent analysis of the cars of the '80s, Adam. As one who was there, I can't emphasize what a difference both the '83 Thunderbird/Cougar and '86 Taurus/Sable had on the market. People were just amazed and wowed, which is why they sold so well, I'm sure. P.S. You are looking quite stylish here!

[@LCR]

I think it's one of the most beautiful styles ever. It's what made me fall in love with American cars as a kid. The very formal look but with very clean lines looks so perfectly balanced. Long, stately hood, long overhang over the rear wheels, formal chrome grille. It all just so stylish. And that style combined with their plush interiors and smooth ride makes them such pleasant cars overall.

[@WangMingGe]

Agreed.

[@davidwatt7663]

Love the porch chats 👍😊thanks Adam I’m such a 1970s Full size car Fan, I’m in the uk and use a vintage 1979 Ford F-150 on the Farm , a very rare truck in the Uk. 🇬🇧🇺🇸👍

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

That's good to hear😊

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, We have gone 210 comments without a reference to 'It's hip to be square'. 😉

[@alanblanes2876]

This was a really valuable historical summary, Adam. I agree that the LH Chryslers were a significant improvement.

[@No_Use_For_A_Name1981]

My man here has total goodfellas vibes . Rocking the sunglasses and slick hair!

[@dustin_4501]

Imagine Adam having a ride with Henry Hill, Tommy DeVitto, Jimmy Conway.

[@No_Use_For_A_Name1981]

I would NOT sit in the front seat with that crew 😂

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

Fuhgedabouddid

[@dustin_4501]

@@No_Use_For_A_Name1981 You will be fine, just don't talk about the Shinebox...

[@michaelwhite2823]

I'd rather look at car photos but whatever turns your crank.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I love the 'Boxy' style of 80s cars. And nothing beats GM velour seats. So comfortable

[@EricResnick]

You are forgetting the Lee Iacocca factor. Lee was a fan of boxy, which also contributed to Ford design during his tenure, and extended to Chrysler once he arrived.

[@eth39232]

Yes, the styling of the 1988 Dodge Dynasty and Chrysler New Yorker, to me, are similar to the 1980 Thunderbird and 1981 Granada, which were probably styled before HF II fired Iacocca.

[@michaelmihalis9057]

Adam, I once owned an 87 LSC Lincoln speed density H O V8.Really woke it up with a high flow air intake.Ate Impala SSs for lunch.The guys driving them would always look at me in amazement.True sleeper.Mike the Greek

[@iancolePRD129G]

Still love the Sevilles, good to see you back on screen too

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

Thank you for mentioning the 1983 Audi 100 / 84 5000. They weren't great mechanically but they were beautiful to look at. The flush side glass was like certain models of Bang & Olufsen audio gear with it's hidden track slides. Just don't look at the leaks from the steering rack.

[@Johnny_Socko]

My uncle bought an 84 5000, and I was so happy about it, lol. All of my other uncles would buy stuff like the Grand Marquis. I just wanted someone in my family to have a car that I could properly drool over.

[@toddbonin6926]

Adam, I’ve said it before. You speak so well!!!

[@freddyhollingsworth5945]

The best car ever imo is an 81 Olds 98, 4 dr, triple burgundy, pillow top velour, diesel engine, light monitors, cornering lamps.....Olds 98 is still square with slightly rounded edges...1980/81 grill is to die for!!! Great video Adam!!!

[@retrounderground1]

Along with OG removable rear fender skirts, which had been discontinued by every other make by 1980. Then came the 1980 Olds 98 wearing them that was more Cadillac-like than a Coupe/Sedan deVille.

[@rlwkid]

Don't forget around '82/'83 - Volvo launched the 760 GLE soon to be followed by the 740 GL etc, - a look very similar to the '85 Olds 98/Electra/Sedan DeVille - in fact when I lived on the East Coast (NYC metro area) - Volvo became the new status cars of the Upper Middle Class/Affluent. Many Olds/Buick/Cadillac drivers traded in their cars for the Volvo 7-series. Love this channel and your videos...would like to see you cover foreign cars of this era - Mercedes, Jaguars, Audi, BMW - these cars were part of the culture and fabric of the 70s/80s and had an impact on the auto industry.

[@craigster1234]

My dad owned a 1982 Lincoln Continental Mark VI Signature Series! And I absolutely loved it. It was a wonderful car. It was quiet and comfortable and incredibly reliable. I wish I owned one now. Boxy suits Lincoln sedans perfectly. The original Seville is also a favorite of mine, although I have never driven one.

[@phillittle9321]

Jack Telnack was briefly a neighbor of ours. Our purchases of a '93 Taurus, and later a 2000 Sable were influenced by a couple of conversations I had with him.

[@captkirk6145]

Keep the information coming. I can't get enough.

[@phillipbouchard4197]

Hi Adam, Great subject matter for this video. Your knowledge for all the different design bureaus as well as the multiplicity of cars of the era is most impressive. I am a product of the 1980's and loved the boxy styling of the full size Ford's and Mercury's of the late 1980's as Ford softened the lines of the Crown Victoria's and Grand Marquis's. I always admired the 1988 to 1991 Grand Marquis body styles as well as the very dependable fuel injected 302 V8 coupled with the four speed overdrive automatic transmission which gave very good highway gas mileage. I was finally able to locate my dream car in January of 2022, that being a 1989 Mercury Grand Marquis LS 50th Anniversary Edition, one of only 250 made with that trim package. I am enjoying the comfortable ride as well as all the compliments I get as I travel around with it. Thanks for the video.

[@captkirk6145]

Had an 1985 Tempo and the handling and looks where nothing like I had ever driven before! 2.3 HSC 5 speed. My first experience with FWD. New learning experience! Went from a 1977 Mercury Comet 2 door that I loved with a 200 inline 6 and 3 speed on the tree. When are you going to cover the Comet, Maverick. From what dad told me they saved Ford then. They had the same problems as Chrysler just earlier? They saved Ford like the K car saved Chrysler. Would love your take on all of this! Also had to learn to drive with the Comet and a 1977 Ford LTD. Told me that if i could drive them I would be able to drive anything in the future. I miss both.

[@jefferysmith3930]

In 1986 I worked at Kmart. Still had an AutoCenter. On of the mechanics convinced me I needed to replace the front struts on my SuperBeetle immediately. I had to drive the few miles home to get some cash. He tossed me the keys to his Ford Maverick sedan. He had to come out to show me how the transmission worked as I couldn’t get it out of the parking space. Growing up in a foreign car family: Honda, Renault, VW, BMW, Mercedes, I had never seen such a thing as a 3 on the tree!

[@hotpuppy1]

The biggest problem was the fact that the sister brands lost their individual identities>>same basic bodies with the same engines. Why buy a Buick when they were essentially the same as a Chevy.

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

I know I've come across "OldsmoBuick" a number of times over the years. As far as I can tell they're usually referring to the 1983-1986 or thereabouts, full size top of the line 4 door Buicks and Oldsmobiles, I'm like yeah, 🤔 those were nice cars, but those 2 looked practically the same, is what I'm getting from the reference. I was too young in the '80s to get it, but I can see it now, how when they reintroduced the Pontiac Parisienne, the first year or 2 maybe (?) it is very much a Chevy Caprice with a few changes, but '85 & '86 (at least) they went back and started stamping out body panels from the 1981 and older Bonnevilles.

[@brianhdueck3372]

Thank you Adam. I always enjoy you concise discussions. I have watched your videos since you had less than 5,000 subs and thankfully you have remained true to your informative style and content. Keep up the great work.

[@RareClassicCars]

I appreciate that!

[@donaldwilson2620]

Many people forget that the Ford "Aero" look actually began in Europe with the 1982 Ford Sierra. It was briefly sold as the Merkur XR4TI in the U.S. from 1985-89.

[@MichaelAMVM]

It begun in the '60s with the NSU Ro 80 witch was bought by VW and merged into Audi. Ford then copied the Audi designs.

[@Johnny_Socko]

I guess you're right, but as far as the US market was concerned, the Thunderbird was 1983, and Mark VII was 1984, so those were the first ones that buyers over here would see. However, the XR4Ti/Sierra was my favorite of those designs, especially with the biplane spoiler. I think that car still looks cool today.

[@TalismanPHX]

Looking good and relaxed, Adam. Really enjoy your porch chats!

[@stevennovember5757]

I have been listening with interest to each of your videos for about a year and a half now. I happen to own a 1977 Seville, black with a red leather interior, the Olds 350 CI V8, and only 44,000 miles. My friend and I used to ride our Schwinn Stingrays to the local Buick, Cadillac and Oldsmobile dealers each year in September to get the upcoming model brochures. We used to sit in the new cars, take in the new car smells and dream of owing them. I have watched your videos on the car with interest, and though I am a Baby Boomer who grew up on Long Island in the 1970’s, and I also own a ‘65 Wildcat Convertible, but love the cars of the 80s and 90s too. You have piqued my interest in owning a 1986-1990 Electra or 98 Touring Sedan. Keep up the great reviews and porch talks!

[@RareClassicCars]

Awesome. Let me know when you tire of that Seville!

[@BillofRights1951]

love listening to your perspective Adam...you're the best...also you're rocking the Pat Riley look very well!! If I had hair that thick...I'd grow it long. Go for it! All the best!

[@RareClassicCars]

Haha. Wish I could coach that well

[@fourdoorglory]

Great discussion and history lesson. Thanks!

[@albertbekassy2709]

Now I understand where Volvo found inspiration for the boxy 760/740 series, introduced in 1982.

[@Johnny_Socko]

I was going to mention that too. In a way, Volvo did GM a favor: Having styles like that come from a European marque helped to "legitimize" the squared-off look. And yes, Volvo may have been one of the more staid European automakers up to that point, but the 740/760 marked a big turning point for them, and were a huge hit. Suddenly the Olds 88 (and later Touring Sedan) had something cool to compare itself to. Another thing is that "square" doesn't automatically mean "poor aero". It's counter-intuitive, but when designed properly, a boxy shape can be aerodynamic. The 760 had the same coefficient of drag as a Porsche 928.

[@albertbekassy2709]

@@Johnny_Socko Thanks! The 700-series was almost finished and tested in 1978 but it wasn't ready for launch until 82. So I guess Volvo were somewhat inspired by Cadillac, but that is my guess.

[@Primus54]

GM may have borrowed the Seville’s formal look to upscale their other lineups, but I think they so overdid it that it lost its luster quite quickly. Back in the mid-80s, I inherited a 1985 Pontiac Bonneville as a company car. It had an anemic V-8 that would sometimes not downshift at full throttle and the interior had a plethora of squeaks and rattles. My next company car was an ‘87 Mercury Sable with the V-6. It was incredibly well built, great interior ergonomics, quiet, and decent acceleration when needed.

[@ralphl7643]

I remember GM said that the B & C body restyle of 1980 was designed to make the cars look larger by making the greenhouse smaller front to back via vertical backlights. It got old fast, but now I'm tired of the pinched bean look of 21st century sedans. The first to offer a formal roof again might resuscitate their sedan sales.

[@MrJayrock620]

I think it was also a lot to do with packaging too. Most of the previous generations had a lot of tumblehome and with the great downsizing in effect, and the most efficient way to get the most space out of the smaller packages was to square them off.

[@JasonFlorida]

I really like this format of video. I appreciate the vast knowledge you bring. My first car was a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL 2dr and in 1996 when I purchased it Oldsmobile was still producing almost the same car with some modifications to the lights. I remember people who I worked with even thought it was my parents car. Thankfully the🎉 Oldsmobile never had one problem and drove perfectly

[@timmcooper294]

I remember the double nickle era..... Lived in fear of the very boxy Dodge Diplomat parked in hiding LOL!! 55 MPH national speed limits didn't require any aerodynamics, though some of these boxy cars had surprisingly low drag coefficients.

[@jcckid1]

So informative and your easy style of speaking makes it all the more enjoyable. Also your access to the concept drawings and designs. Just immensely enjoyable!

[@daviddanglis7135]

I think there are four fundamental reasons why design went so boxy in the late 1970s: 1) 5-mph bumpers - at least the less-expensive solutions - were by necessity boxy. This caused a visual clash when applied to the rounded designs of the early 1970s (see: 1974 Ford Pinto, Maverick). 2) Rectangular headlights - they were a simple way to communicate technological advancement, but they also clashed with more rounded designs (see: 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo; 1978 Chrysler Cordoba). 3) The pendulum swing of design - design had evolved in voluptuous, rounded forms from the late 1960s to the early 1970s; design advancement was readily communicated by going to “shear” forms like those GM adopted for 1977. 4) Downsizing - greater efficiency could be had via those “shear” three-box forms. GM probably doubled down on the boxiness after being stung by their failures when trying to introduce angular forms to boxy basic designs (1978 mid-size Oldsmobiles and Buicks; 1980 Seville). More visual clashes! Ford and Chrysler followed GM’s design leadership at the time - a common phenomenon in industrial design. But maybe Ford was a little too slavish about it, which is most evident with the 1980 Mark VI you highlighted, and their 1980 T-Bird and Cougar designs. Having been stung by these missteps, rounded aero design probably seemed like a worthy risk to take.

[@donaldgilchrist2597]

You do a great job with voice over . I watch your videos for the information about the CARS

[@Sedan57Chevy]

The boxy designs certainly have a very dated look, of that late 70s and early 80s era of malaise. But I've always felt that it's some of the charm to them, just how "of their time" they were, and how there was zero attempt to make these rectangles on wheels "trendy". Just give it a vinyl top and some hidden headlights! I like the Mark VI but I've never claimed to have much in the way of taste. I can't imagine what it would've been like going into a Lincoln dealer in 1984 and seeing the super square Town Car, next to the new Mark VII (another one of my favorites). Must've been a culture shock. Credit has to be given to Chrysler, though, for giving us the boxiest car of all time- the Dodge Dynasty. They were still pushing that boxy look much later than anyone else, between the Dynasty (introduced 1988) and Dodge Spirit/Plymouth Acclaim (introduced 1989). Sure, Cadillac would still sell you their vintage Brougham through '92, but that was an old design that was still in production. For some reason, Chrysler was still introducing totally new (at least in terms of styling) designs well into the 90s, like the final Imperial you mentioned. I have to admit, though, I do enjoy these late Chrysler anachronisms because of how insanely out of place they must've looked on a new car lot. They certainly made up for it with the super round (and handsome) cab forward designs, and even lead the charge on more aero truck designs with the 93 Ram.

[@user-pgchargerse71]

I remember being in a Dodge showroom buying a Daytona in late 1987 and seeing a Dynasty for the first time. Couldn't believe they would come up with something so boxy after the success of the Taurus.

[@lloydandbethbeiler8127]

What's amazing is how quickly the cabin forward went out of style, and IMHO the second generation Inteprid was not nearly as nice!

[@craigbenz4835]

Boxy wasn't new to Chrysler. Look at their '65 - '67 lineup. Boxy as can be, but I loved them.

[@BK-uw2uk]

Well done. Your automotive content is light years beyond some of the other channels and I appreciate the depth of each episode. Now I can see the influence of that Seville looking back through the GM lineup. Even the door cards of many various GM products shared that vertical stitched panel look.

[@kerrybloxham7741]

Great information Adam, I always enjoy your porch chats and your in-depth knowledge of the auto industry please keep the videos rolling.

[@corottolt1]

Enjoy the porch chat. Thank for the GM design info and names that led the way.

[@robh.5242]

Mercedes Benz, with its boxy design and sharp hood ornament, blew up in the US. All the US manufacturers copied the sheer design. Everything got a hood ornament. The 1976 Cadillac Seville was a direct response to Mercedes Benz’s five seat designs.

[@melvinharris7859]

Mercedes design in that period wasn't really boxy at all, in fact it was strikingly round and aerodynamic compared to US cars of the time.

[@rudiknaus4139]

Yea, but originally the first Seville copied the roofline of the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow and yes, the first Seville was a worldwide success! 👍🏼🏁🇺🇸

[@loveisall5520]

The last Imperial wasn't handsome. However, I rented dozens of the Fifth Avenue and Imperial variants on business trips back then and loved them for work. Especially in congested cities, the narrower body was a joy.

[@TalismanPHX]

Soooo many Ultra-Drive transmission failures though. I was a fleet manager for Thrifty at PHL back in the day....

[@markbehr88]

I liked the boxy styling. My Mark VI Lincolns are very boxy. I just wish they had a slightly longer wheelbase - hence I have two four doors. I liked the GM cars too. Having said that I also liked Jack Telnack’s work on the aero cars. I have a 79 Mustang Cobra and 86 Mustang GT convertible plus an aero 86 T Bird V8. Plus, I love the Bustle back Sevilles (I have an 83 Elegante). Variety is the spice of life. Another great boxy car - the 81 Imperial. 👍

[@HowardLewis2]

Glad to see a new porch chat. A nice porch topic would be the GM-10 bodies. What went wrong? I think the cars themselves were good, but their launch was just abysmal.

[@NewEdgeLarryO]

One of my favorite attributes about the Seville is the short overhang in the front, coupled with a relatively long distance between the wheel and the front door. Very 1920s classy and not too common. Separately, I haven't seen a 1988 Cutlass "Phantom" in a while! 😎

[@greggc8088]

Adam-Nice touch with your shirt for the 80"s video. LOL You are the man!

[@EdwardHerman-j4h]

I went from a 78 Cutlass to a 86 Sable back when I was done right after my senior year in highschool. I agree with you that the Sable was a beautiful car. That was in 95. Thanks for the video Adam. There always right up my alley.👍

[@John-wx9oy]

You're correct about how comfortable and plush the interiors of the boxy GM cars were. I was a repo man back in the 80s and had the opportunity to drive quite a few of them. More than any other car brand, it was clearly discernable that GM engineers spent more time and effort on creature comforts and conveniences. A trait which they took over from the 70s Mopars, IMHO.

[@me3333]

An ordinary person spends his life avoiding tense situations. A repo man spends his life getting into tense situations. 😀

[@LanceOsborne-dn3px]

Dude, the Mark VI was a beautiful car, probably one of the best looking of the 80s. I think it looks better than the Mark V which looked too long

[@postmodernrecycler]

The Mark VI seems to be more of an acquired taste. To me, it's a perfect statement in creases and straight lines, counterpointed by the oval opera window and spare tire hump. My uncle said it looked like a Mark V was put in the dryer and shrunk🤷. Panther platform was great on the Mark VI, too.

[@beenbeatenbybishops5845]

The Seville really looked an awful lot like an Oldsmobile. I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about the reason for the boxy look. The box is really efficient, and it is easier to move from a rear to a front drive, getting the powertrain done first, and then over time, put more attention into the exterior style. Good porch talk!

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Ahh yes, the beloved "Cimmarron". Lol! Great porch chat!

[@alanwood5857]

I worked in autobody parts in the 80's and remember the K-car fender was the same for all K-car models. Curb light and trim I think were the only difference.

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam.. The tyranny of boxiness at GM lasted much too long in my opinion.

[@jayweiss4378]

Adam’s knowledge is remarkable 😎

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

The main reason I bought my 1980 Dodge Diplomat was that beautiful square body. It was an excellent car. And that slant six as usual was super dependable and started no problem after sitting outside on those below zero nights.

[@kenkaufmann]

Thank you for this I remember seeing the Taurus wagon for the first time and was wowed.

[@billolsen4360]

That 1976 Seville A-pillar, which was more upright than other Cadillacs, caused the car to give off a high-pitched whistle when it was at highway speeds.

[@benc210]

You could write a book. Very good video. I’d enjoy seeing more of them.

[@chriscallen6897]

I enjoy the porch chats. Please keep em coming Adam. Also, I remember being memorized by the Taurus/Sable when they were introduced in 86. My dad sold Fords that year and I couldn’t wait for the dealership to give him a Taurus for a demo. Anyways always enjoy your videos Adam.

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, Adam. I hope you can do some video's about the trio Aero bird, mk7 and Cougar. Especially the Cougar intrigues me 😅

[@edhale2359]

Wonderful episode! Exactly why I enjoy this channel so much!

[@jamespolcyn8441]

Adam , you are the Google of auto knowledge !

[@domv7]

Thank you Professor Adam I love your class and you're class.

[@woodrow60]

Thanks for this. I’m Australian and North American cars from much of the 70s and 80s tend to look almost identical to our eyes - no doubt our lack of familiarity with particular models means we see what is similar about all the cars. Ford, GM and Chrysler designed and built some great cars in Australia, often borrowing US design cues and often European ideas (and US engines), and coming up with specific Australian designs. Local manufacturing ended about 8 years ago and we now import vehicles - Ford trucks sell very well and Cadillac has announced it’s entering our market. I hired a car in Montana in ‘92 and was upgraded to a Mercury Sable. Very comfortable car in which to tour from Yellowstone to the north of Montana, over the Rockies and back down to Bozeman. Such cars do well in Australia as we have to cover the same distances as Canadians and US citizens.

[@nthused]

Of the Taurus’s and Sables…the station wagons were the most attractive vehicles in my eyes. Beautiful lines from front to back.

[@augie1715]

I love your enthusiasm and knowledge, Adam (and your hair).

[@P.Galore]

One of GM's biggest mistakes was changing the look of the Seville in 1980 to a Louis XV bustle back bordello. Failure snatched from the jaws of victory once again.

[@khakiswag]

GM’s biggest mistake was switching Cadillac to FWD. Luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW and even Lincoln were RWD.

[@motoxdudeNV-UT]

GM has a way of taking a Rolex and turning it into a Timex!

[@arnesahlen2704]

Gen.2 *best yr* ('84: 39,997 sold) nearly 4,000 below Gen.1 *worst* ('76: 43,772). Gen.1 *best yr* : '78, 56,985! Gen 2 *worst* : 1982, 19,998. *Best-yr '78 sold 284% more.*

[@leardvr]

I still think those Louis XV Seville are beautiful. I’ve always liked them. I know that’s not a popular opinion.

[@70sleftover]

I actually liked that design at the time - it became a trend in that segment of luxury cars. Probably this appealed to me because it was an antidote to all the three-even-sized boxes we were being fed by the auto industry.

[@georgewilson1184]

I personally like the Mark 3 &4s not the Mark 5 but I did & still like the slimmer more trimmed down Mark 6 I use to imagine that car being driven by Frank Cannons nephew who served on the LA PD but was more physically fit than his uncle and who would be seen in a gym setting frequently but also liked cooking more healthy dishes than his famous uncle and would cycle around town when not working on a special case but handled high end cases like his Uncle and show up on the scene in a Mark 6 to empress wealthy clients and would retain some of his Uncles mannerisms in a more slimmer athletic physique and the ablity to use judo when necessary and never forget a criminals name or mugshot

[@barrya8981]

The “Fortune” cover reminds me of the Lincoln ad where they made fun of how hard it was to tell GM cars apart. It’s still one of the cleverest and funniest car ads.

[@ProjectFairmont]

I agree about the MkVI. Although I had a neighbor who had a beautiful silver 2-door MKVI with the faux black convertible roof treatment without the oval opera window. Actually quite handsome, and eliminating the oval window mitigated the otherwise odd proportions.

[@JeffFitzgerald-r4m]

Enjoy your porch chats a great deal. I always learn something and so many times you’ll mention something, even in passing, that I had often had that same thought myself. E.g. - Your comments about the K car generation Imperial. In 1987 I had an 87 Thunderbird and my wife had an 86 Sable. Friends bought a fully loaded Olds 88 and it was very comfortable, but looked ancient by comparison.

[@dznr723]

Spoken like a true designer!

[@RareClassicCars]

Ha!

[@david-wilkerson1967]

You are exactly right about the mark six, they tried to replicate the mark five, and it just did not work, they were not able to get away with it, not sure what would’ve happened if the Mark 7 had come out in 1980? It was really more of an in between time, I love the Mark five and the Mark seven even though they are totally different.

[@gettcouped]

You listed some of my favorite looking cars. Lumina Z34. The 90s Seville which when it came out was probably the best looking car in the world. Grand Prix GTP.

[@anthemss]

These are great insights, more porch chats!

[@scottbrown7415]

Adam, you need to interview Jack Telnac! As the lead designer for Ford he was the guy who brought us the 83 Thunderbolt and the spectacular 86 Taurus. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a car show at the Ford yacht club just a couple weeks back. He is definitely a key figure in one of Ford Motor Company’s most successful eras. I doubt that Ford will ever see sales numbers like they had in the mid to late 1980’s ever again. I love your channel.

[@RareClassicCars]

If you have his contact info, email me. I don’t know him.

[@scottbrown7415]

@@RareClassicCars I don’t have any contact info. But I would imagine that you could contact him through Ford public relations. He was a career Ford guy and is spending his summers in the Lake Saint Clare area. He is a very humble man and should get his story on the historical record. He changed the design course of the industry.. your channel is an important historical resource for an industry that is probably changing in ways that might not allow for much historical perspective.

[@Gee_Jay]

#2 / X -- I Love this Question / Topic, and feel that it deserves a much bigger video, or better yet: a Series ! -- caused by an almost a "perfect storm" of factors, converging in the 1980s - I call it the BauHaus decade in car-design history. Vestigial remains of the old wings/fenders, whether called "Coke-bottle" style or not - were passé, everything got straightened out - U.S, Japan & Europe - Except some rake on the hood and windshields, foraerodynamic reasons. -- In Japan, Kei-cars finally became Real cars, that no longer Sucked as Dailys. One Factor ? - Being Boxy, to max space-utilization ... =>

[@terencet9785]

Adam you rock love watching your videos...very knowledgeable...thank you keep up the good work

[@sombra6153]

My grandparents had a couple of late 80s Olds 98s. They were surprisingly preppy with the 3.8 Buicks under the hood. They were roomy and poofy - comfortable to drive or ride in.

[@John-i3t9o]

The Mark VI was a bit pudgy, but the Mark V was a gorgeous car. Your point about the size of the car is pertinent.

[@fericyde]

Do more of these, very insightful.

[@camaro69green31]

So glad I watched your video. Great insight or reflection on design. Alway informative and entertaining. You should create the same type of video on the 4th Gen F bodies from GM. They were such a departure from GM F car design at the time. I still own a mint 94 Z28 at this time. Thanks.

[@emmexfyv]

Very interesting about the wind tunnels! That really makes for a headscratcher. As much as I am a GM Guy that aero Blue Oval stuff musta worked on me because over the years I've also had two T-birds (a Turbo and a V8), a SHO, three Mk VII LSCs and two Mk VIIIs. Oh no- just remembered- also a dark blue TEMPO that I handily forgot Lol

[@Cadillac61]

I agree with you Adam about the 1982 Camaro/Firebird and C4 vette. I believe the Camaro Iroc convertible to be one of the sexiest cars ever made, right up there with the Jaguar E type of the 60’s and 70’s.

[@pdub9925]

My grandfather had an 81 olds delta 88 Royale. I drove it in the mid 2000s for a few years. Wish I still had that car

[@zensclassiccars]

love this one

[@madmike2624]

Great to see you in person Adam!!!!~

[@marko7843]

daviddanglis stated everything that I'm thinking, starting with the 'boxy' rectangular headlights debuting in 1975. I did learn something new again from Adam, I always thought that Ford like GM downsized their big cars the same year... I never realized that the LTD / Marquis came out in 1979 instead of 1980 with the Lincolns. Oh, and I TOTALLY agree about the 1980 Lincoln look. It looks like a Mark V that was washed with too-hot water, and then re-shod with 13-in rims...

[@jefweb5043]

Great feature! I just can't get passed the disappointment and downright betrayal (I was 13-14yrs old at the time) when GM axed the G Body (Monte, Cutlass, GP, Regal rwd models). I didn't like a single part of it... thank you again for doing this feature. Great segment.

[@jenseninterceptors]

I loved the Taurus wagon, it was so cool and ahead of its time, small wonder people loved them!!

[@buick1955]

The late 1980's & early 1990's Pontiac Grand Prix 2 doors were awesome looking cars. The cars with factory dual exhaust had a wicked growl to them. It was the best sounding factory dual exhaust at the time and into current cars.

[@Gee_Jay]

#3 / X -- Also massively impactful was Lincoln's Completely Slabsided 1961 Continental, as You've so often said here. Personally, I believe that car strongly influenced the 1965 RR Silver Shadow, AND a slew of boxy FIAT sedans, from 1966. And the post 1965 Roller was of course of enormous influence on Lincoln's 1969 Mk.III, their 1970 Continental generation, and again, personally, I think Mulliner Park Ward's 1965 RR Silver Shadow coupe, with its little hip-kink, even earlier influenced Lincoln's second, 1966 reworking of the '61 Continentals. And these Royces were still selling strong in the 1970s, in the U.S. especially, when they also had plenty opportunity to be looked at by GM's Seville designers.

[@Terraceview]

Great video, thanks for all the info and good to see your face sometimes.