Ep. 10 The History of the Personal Luxury Car

[@hammersandnails1458]

When I was a little kid, my parents bought a '66 (gen 1) Toronado. God that car was awesome. The engine could have come from a tank and the body from an episode of Star Trek. Gas was like 35 cents a gallon and the Feds were building Interstate Highways like there was no tomorrow so, what the hell.

[@fman4234]

Yep. That Olds was really neat - first post war front-wheel-drive production car. My folks bought a '67 T-Bird. Both of these were "personal luxury" cars but our 'Bird served our family of 5 just fine - heck, I didn't know any better.

[@americanpride9733]

According to a inflation calculator $0.35 in 67 is $2.82 in 2021

[@RivetGardener]

Your parents were happy!

[@fyretnt]

And the toronado was also the first fwd car

[@dkgreen5458]

⁰000

[@derekguitarmax9140]

How does this channel not have more subscribers? This is one of the most entertaining auto reviewers on here!!

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

I know right I just found it today and subscribed during the video .

[@debuch73]

Because he talks too much and behaves smartass

[@chryslerelectronicleanburn1676]

Ed's Auto Reviews has grown on me. Learned new information and expanded upon information I already knew. Thanks Ed!😃👍

[@marvinracer88]

@@leonardmacaulay9833 x2

[@hypasteve]

It's a great channel, but this video has a pretty euro centric voice.

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

"If you buy a coupe SUV, you're just stupid" THANK YOU!

[@RLT124]

Hahahaha ikr? My parents want to buy a GLE Coupe and I’m like: no no no, please no. I also think the Coupe SUVs look really bad, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t like their designs.

[@dawn7020]

finally someone sees the dumbness of these oversized hatchbacks.

[@RLT124]

@@dawn7020 coupé SUVs are just stupid, even their designs are quite bad. It looks like the bubbled a regular sedan, made it higher and voilà.

[@swisswildpicsswp3095]

@@dawn7020 They're like: here's a BIG, bulky, large car. With no space in the trunk. It will cost you 100'000$

[@TheSektor13]

I agree. Can't wrap my head around this concept at all. Also i think they look out of place and ugly. Just take a look at X6.

[@pokeytrucker5296]

Good lord GM made some downright BEAUTIFUL coupes from the mid-sixties to early seventies, the Riviera, Toronado, Monte Carlo, Eldorado, etc., all of them drop dead GORGEOUS!!!

[@johntechwriter]

The Toronado was the masterpiece of this era.

[@michaelweizer7794]

Pokey trucker Don't forget the Pontiac Grand Prix either!.

[@averyparticularsetofskills]

Facts ALL Facts

[@thelovertunisia]

Yes. It was a great time unlike the dull shitboxes everyone makes today.

[@SuperLeshina]

The 1965 Buick Riviera is, for me, one of the very best looking cars anyone has ever made

[@bartricky5894]

Great! As a single guy I went from the Corvettes to the pony cars to the personal luxury cars then to vans and now SUVs. I want to go back and start over.... Well done, Thanks...

[@MrMenefrego1]

My father, a decorated World War Two Vet, was an American automobile connaisseur. I always marveled at the magnificent cars he brought home, everything from a 1956 Ford Thunderbird to his stately Mercury Marquis and many, many Lincolns. He also bought several offerings from GM as well but was mostly a Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury man. I inherited his love for massive American 'Luxo-Boats' and have owned many American classics in my day. I still have, among others, his 1980 Lincoln Versailles, a wonderful yet much-maligned car. Thank you for this, a fascinating look at the American automobile experience!

[@JTA1961]

Thanks for sharing.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@JTA1961 Thanks for sharing your mock appreciation of my sharing.

[@jackwood2328]

Greetings from England. That was a very rare, relevant and well observed lesson with a valuable, informative conclusion. 100% score. Superior.

[@robertd9850]

Cuz at some point you've kind of seen all the old cars.

[@swabby429]

The original Olds Toronado was truly remarkable for its body and its drive-train.

[@357bullfrog9]

That was the first front wheel drive I ever saw. A man brought one in the garage I worked in back in 77 and wanted chains on the rear wheels . Big snow on and all and we could not convince him it wasn't gonna do no good lol

[@alext8828]

Totally agree.

[@BrowncoatFairy]

i had a 1985 Olds Toronado. It had a 5.7 litre V8 that made about 150 horsepower. It was, admittedly, beautiful inside and out. It had an all-digital dashboard, including the speedometer and fuel guage, and it TALKED. It would say things in a robotic speak-and-spell voice like "FUEL LEVEL LOW" or "DOOR OPEN". The leather was very, very comfortable -- a whole lot cushier than the leather seats in modern cars. Performance-wise, it was about as quick and nimble as a garbage truck, and got similar gas mileage. In those categories, it was very very similar to my previous car -- a Lincoln Continental Mark V. This was an absolutely STUNNING vehicle. Gorgeous beyond words, and very comfortable and luxurious, but a steaming pile of trash mechanically and engineering-wise. THIS car had a monstrous 7.5 litre (460 cid) V8 that got, no exaggeration, about 8 miles per gallon. That engine claimed to make 200hp, but was so achingly slow it seemed like it really might be faster to walk to wherever you were going. Seriously, this thing would be straight dusted by the hypothetical garbage truck i mentioned earlier, and its cylinder heads chronically leaking oil all over the engine block ensured that it smelled just as bad too. Look up pictures of the Continental Mark V, though, it really is one of the prettiest hunks of junk ever crapped out of Detroit during the Malaise Era. Mine was black with a grey quarter-top and porthole window. so, so pretty. (and slow, and crappy)

[@fuktiktok8611]

It's like driving an actual work of art. Beautifully sculpted body.

[@johngalt5205]

And they even made Urban Assault Vehicles out of the powertrain.

[@peterscott2662]

Every time I see the Toranado I am struck by how unique, yet great looking it is. Really Awesome styling Job GM did on this one.

[@Sheboobellach]

The 1st gen Toronado is jaw dropping. The low slung design, sloping truck, massive wheel wells, pointed front... The whole thing is a vision. GM had nice personal luxury cars in to the mid 80s, the Eldorado Biarritz especially. I actually had an 81 Oldsmobile Omega coupe when I was like 19 and it was like a mini PLC, it was so much fun to drive

[@jdnelms62]

Growing up in the 1970's, personal luxury cars were so extremely common that they often outnumbered sedans and pickup trucks. My mom had a turd brown Chrysler Cordoba. It looked like a two door bordello.

[@TSL73]

Did it have fine Corinthian Leather?

[@fman4234]

I remember that color! Turd brown. LOL!

[@RobKeenan826]

I had that in the same turd brown. Worst car I have ever owned

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

Only the finest Corinthian turds were used in the turd brown paint

[@steimystein4368]

I had two Cordobas.... Both three way black. Loved them.

[@davidtucker3729]

I am mostly appalled at what is offered today. My shopping list mostly stops around 1980 for so many reasons. Great video . Thanks Ed!!

[@palco22]

That, is so true ! That is the reason I fell for the "love or hate" Ford Flex ! I'm on my forth one (2019 the last year) .......and I love it ! It's the only one of it's kind, no other vehicle looks quite like it ! Yes sir, back in the day each car had it's own personality that was shared by it's owner !

[@P_RO_]

Today's cars have no 'soul'. They are all simply appliances meant to be driven till used up, then thrown away. Nobody makes a car you can love, cherish, and keep for as long as you want to anymore, and that is by design. I refuse to play that game; I'll always drive older cars.

[@davidtucker3729]

@@P_RO_ I recently bought a Saab 92x. Cool looking little car with 165 hp flat 4 and a 5 spd., all wheel drive of course. It was fun for a day. It looks so bland mostly. It scoots and is fun in the snow. Do i have any desire to "do it up". Naaww. It has no soul really. You are right. looking forward to getting back to my 78 Grand Am and its 4 door sister, 81 Lemans. Just don't want to see them encounter our salty roads.Now if i could find a nice Tempest maybe......

[@no1DdC]

@@P_RO_ The vast majority of old cars were throwaway articles that rusted away after just a few years or became impossible to repair economically. Contrary to what you believe, the average age of cars is going up and higher than ever before in history. There are a number of reasons for this. One is that cars today are more durable, more reliable and higher quality than in the past. Another is increasing wealth inequality, of course, which forces people to stay with or buy older cars not out of choice, but out of necessity.

[@P_RO_]

@@no1DdC I've been driving for over 45 years. My newest vehicle was 18 years old on acquisition and the oldest 42. My ownership and per-mile costs are the lowest I know of because I do all of my own mechanic work save for auto-transmission rebuilds and machine work on engines I'm rebuilding. That's really not hard to do on older vehicles. Nothing built in the last 20 years will be on the road 25 years after it was built but my current vehicle is 30, and with care could do 30 more years economically. I've spent several years working on vehicles for a living too, including newer ones. Today's cars are junk dear heart, unable to sustain major damage and be repaired. Unable to handle poorly maintained roads without breaking and rattling apart. They are no more reliable when compared to a well-maintained old vehicle but therein lies the rub; with the old cars the average person did not maintain them well. Now there is little you can maintain so it all wears out and has to be replaced instead. My 30-year-old still has all the original front end parts complete with grease fittings which get used, and there's no wear in anything. You'll replace every ball-joint and tie-rod end on any new car before half that time goes by because you can't grease them. And of rust, today road salting has been replaced with brining- more effective, easier to apply, cheaper, and far less corrosive to cars. Plus there are better anti-rust coatings such as "Fluid Film". So that has nothing to do with the cars. And of your concept of quality- Lexus is considered to be one of the best with that, yet a person I know just junked his beloved 19 year old Lexus because the cost of replacing several sensors needed for it to pass inspection and a brake job would have exceeded the value of the car once done. After 4 years of ownership and including a transmission rebuild, mine is still worth what I have in it, holding it's value as a classic as well as being practical transportation. I've got some piston-ring wear but otherwise mine still meets it's pollution requirements with it's original equipment. And it has only a couple tiny places where there's surface rust on the body where the paint got chipped. BTW that original paint is still shiny and can be kept that way without a respray for as long as I'll maintain it. I did replace the window seals on the doors to ensure it stays this way; just over $20 in parts and a 5-minute job per door. When I do an engine rebuild (about $2K) I should get another 15 years out of it without any repairs it needs exceeding $150 in parts per episode and by then it will still have at least half the value of it's cost or perhaps exceed that if the market determines it to be a 'collectible'. Not all of the older vehicles are this good, but NONE of the vehicles made in this century are. And not just my current vehicle like this but all that I've owned. The newest ones burned, were crashed into, or were replaced by better ones which would be more economical to keep in the future. Some were driven to the point where they needed to be scrapped after decades of service with major repairs forthcoming. And I killed a few in my youth too. Do yourself a favor and learn, then come back here in 20 years and let's see who is still driving the same vehicle and why, as well as what shape it's in. I already know the outcome of that- you apparently don't.

[@sweettooth5928]

The last bit about suv coups is so true, I can not express it enough

[@magnus466]

You certainly can’t forget the 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix. That was an early version of the personal luxury car. Powerful and sleek

[@paulpeterson4311]

What about the 62-63 GP?

[@jimlubinski4731]

When I saw this title, I thought you were going to have a new subscriber. Being a Thunderbird aficionado, I did not expect the backhanded slap. I have several Thunderbirds, including the "stupid" retro model, which I bought new. My '66 Thunderbird is every bit as unique and handsome as the Buick Riviera (which I also love), and as far as the retro Thunderbird, the sales issue stemmed from the fact that Ford management had a major change and with all the egos involved, advertising and marketing ended because the contemporary management team didn't have a hand in its development. In addition, the dealers tacked buyers' premiums approaching a 100% markup. I do agree that the personal luxury coupe was focused almost exclusively on style, and had little (if any) focus on practicality. I also agree on your evaluation of SUV coupes, but then I really dislike SUVs in general. Call me a dinosaur, but I would really enjoy more emphasis on style than practicality again. Not much style out there these days!

[@marcomoreno8188]

Jim I really loved the '69 tbird landau. Just let me put the 3:55 possi rear end. And then I'm cool.🍒🚗

[@spiff8862]

When my dad turned 54 he bought his first '63 Thunderbird on 12/24/62. Never bought another Galaxie/LTD after that first Thunderbird. For the next 35 years he only bought Mustang GT's ('65 '68) and Thunderbirds ('63 '65 '69). His last car was an '87 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo with a manual transmission. Still had it 11 years later when he passed away at 88.

[@EconomyElk]

I owned a 96 t bird. In fact I’m selling it right now. It’s an interesting car. Slow af though. A school bus would probably out run it. 205 horsepower out of a 4.6 v8 is really poor especially for 1996 there were cars making the same horsepower and similar torque with a N/A v6. No to mention it handles very bad. The brakes also suck. It’s no surprise it didn’t sell very well. Also the 19 mpg city 20 highway is bullshit it’s more like 12 city 16 highway. They completely destroyed the looks in 96. Just look at a 89-90 thunderbird they look like they’re going 100 mph standing still. Even the 95 thunderbird looks cool with the big front bumper vents. where the 96 thunderbird looks like a boring grandpa car.

[@jimlubinski4731]

@@EconomyElk I did like them better before '96, but I liked those, too. Funny yours was so slow. Might have been the gearing. Mine has the 4.6L and has enough torque to keep me from being dissatisfied. I also have not had problems with handling, even after owning Trans Ams before my '94 T-Bird. My mileage has averaged 20 mpg mixed city/hwy. Again, your problem sounds like the way it was geared. Maybe was set up for towing?

[@marcomoreno8188]

@@jimlubinski4731 I did like the '94 tbird SC it was the car I've loved. And had I known, I would've bought that instead the '98 mark viii

[@mrgreen7152]

This was brilliant, right down to the SUV coupe reference. I just discovered your content and am going to enjoy digging in.

[@t.s.9592]

Your channel is one of the most entertaining and informative among my recent KZbin discoveries. And you’re absolutely right about SUV coupés - plenty of this junk driving around recently. I never understood the idea behind it… greetings from Poland !

[@arnepianocanada]

You're right, clearly documented. T-Bird as partly an answer, partly a contrast to Corvette developed classier features, the impetus toward personal luxury cars.

[@edwardedmundson4356]

Excellent video. From my perspective, the genesis of the American Personal Luxury Car was the Letter Series Chrysler 300's. The 57 and 58 models were just spectacular.

[@rubisco]

The final conclusion is simply BRILIANT! Cheers!

[@mrs6968]

I'm 30 years old born and raised in Milwaukee WI U.S.A and no joke I said out loud why did caddy shut down that design concept because that is one sexy s.o.b!!!! Then seconds later you said it as well.... Just more confirmation this is the best auto history channel on KZbin no one ever covers these unique chapters like you. I swear I'm the only one who wants to own a excalibur car or even knows about Excalibur cars amongst my peers. Long story short you are dead right about the American gt McDonalds concept and cant no one get mad at you for it... Thank you for this video and all your love and effort put into it. PIMP MOBILES FOR LIFE!!!!!!

[@michealfigueroa6325]

I have owned 63 64 Riviera, 67Toronado and 70 Eldo in that order. The Buick and Caddy were beautiful and fun to drive, The Olds was a "monster" , a staggering mass of metal and only owned for a short time. The issue of luxury was not at issue it was the styling that drew me to car.

[@tonkingulfyachtclub8111]

Loved my 1970 Eldorado...500 CID/400 HP, 550 ft/lbs of torque.

[@georgerogers1166]

@@tonkingulfyachtclub8111 How on earth that car not yank the steering wheel with torque steer.

[@a.a.p1952]

Excellent video very informative, perfect music, editing, love NO BS approach. Stay Corvid Free Cheers 🇨🇦

[@caulkins69]

_"Stay Corvid Free"_ Stay free of birds in the crow family?

[@hagerty1952]

As a long-time Saab owner, there's an interesting story regarding the Toronado that taught them (Saab) a lesson in hubris. When it was obvious that emission regulations spelled the end of the 2-stroke engine in cars, Saab was looking around for a replacement that would fit under the hood of the 96. They found an industrial Ford V-4 that fit, but it made (gasp!) like 80 HP and the current 3 cylinder in the 96 made about half that. To help develop a beefed-up transaxle to handle that much raw power, they cobbled together "the monster" consisting of two of the 3 cylinder engines (in Monte Carlo trim, no less!) end-to-end that put out on the high-side of 90 HP. They treated it like it was nuclear powered and confidently predicted that no front-wheel-drive car could ever be driven safely with more than 100 HP. The next year the Toronado came out, 400 + cu inches and 350 HP. I'm sure there were some sheepish faces in Trollhättan that week.

[@char1737]

You should do a segment on the Oldsmobile Cutlass

[@nathanaelsnyder372]

The coupe remarks at the end are so spot on, thank you.

[@diviningrod2671]

4:55 Ready Aim .... 5:53 stand down ,stand down Hold your fire !!! Great video series

[@joshuas8258]

The 55-57 thunderbird was incredibly beautiful. I still consider it to be a sports car. Of the genuine “personal luxury cars” the 64 Riviera and 67 Eldorado were the most beautiful of the mass produced but if you’d consider the 53 Buick Skylark and 56 Continental to be the first they are stunning

[@robc8468]

It actually outsold the Corvette in that time period.

[@allan-shephard]

Haha. That video was absolute gold. As an Aussie Ford fan, I'd love you to do a history of the Aussie Falcons. There's one standout car you'd love. The 1971 XY GTHO Phase III Falcon. It will probably leave you shaking your head how they sold basically a race car to the public as a four door grand tourer. 😄 And they're valued at well over a million bucks now. Subscribed and looking forward to more vids. 😁👍

[@JohnSmith-rw8uh]

GM, Ford and Chrysler in Aus even made personal luxury cars in Aus.... all classics.

[@95blahblahhaha]

Glad to be one or the first 10,000 subscribers because this channel is bound to have 1,000,000. Great video!

[@abelstypewriters]

Digging your videos, and digging your voice over work. Keep it up. Your following is on it's way.

[@willcrockett6707]

Hey Ed! Great job on this video series buddy. Thanks for producing them. I grew up in a “car“ family and had many of the Lincoln’s from the 70s in our driveway. I’ve looked at them for years, always liking them of course, but never associated the design keys with the older car styles. The comparison of their mark threes grill to the rolls Royce is obvious now, but I never made the connection. Thanks for opening my eyes young man!

[@wenforhu5099]

.....any photos??

[@teddywoof8538]

I don’t think there is any other Chanel on KZbin where I can consistently re swatch their videos without being bored ever

[@markusjuenemann]

Thanks for clarifying this SUV Coupé thing!

[@landongendur]

Bahaha. I had a 1980 Chrysler Cordoba in high school (early 2000s; my classmates called it the Goldmember car). I cracked up at "model name that's some way related to the Mediterranean coasts". I never thought about that until this video!

[@jmi5969]

Indeed. Me, too, was curious about all these Spanish-style names - but always thought it was a nod to Texas, California etc. Never connected them to the Mediterranean, too, although the Riviera was quite a clue.

[@GunsmithSid]

I don’t think the Ford Ranchero was named to evoke a Mediterranean coast, and yet...

[@kenik2023]

Fine corinthian leather Chicks dug it 😁👍🏿

[@AMStationEngineer]

Ed, you created an addict - as I started with the "'Weird Chrysler '60s....", and now find myself watching an eighth "EAR" video. You certainly did your research, otherwise, "Corinthian Leather", and "New Jersey" would forever remain forgotten, and not-linked.

[@BorisZech]

Funny presentation combined with good information - top notch!

[@dalededen]

eally glad to see AMC included, their influence is often overlooked. But going back in AMC history I think the video leaves out the 1953 Studebaker Commander Coupe and later Silver and Golden Hawks. This is a miss, the 53 was a real PLC. The Commander was style, style, style. Wow! Also, the video misses the 90s TBird (a MAJOR hit and a big influence).

[@nopl8s448]

Ford sticking a Thunderbird in its bicycle spokes just made me laugh !! Love this series, glad I found it !! Keep up the good work, Ed !!

[@edgarribeirodossantos9019]

Love everything Ed! It's a car industry history class indeed topped with hilarious comments. Cheers!

[@GICK117]

Fun to hear a thought process outside of the states. Pretty much a crack up. Thanks you man!

[@leavonfletcher4197]

How am I just seeing this channel??? This is AWESOME!

[@Bayotter]

Really enjoyed the video. Nice job! Loved these cars. Had a 1974 Continental Mark IV. I would add to this category the 1956-57 Continental Mark II and the 1950’s - 60’s Studabaker Hawks and Avantis. Or would the latter be considered sport coupes?

[@steimystein4368]

Also the 50's Chrysler 300 letter series.

[@fredherfst8148]

The Avanti was BOSS

[@hobartw9770]

You strike a great balance of humor in your videos. Lot of fun to watch and informative.

[@neildickson5394]

Absolutely astonishing you consistently focus on GM, FORD. The 63 Studebaker Avanti made the Riviera look like a 10 year old bar of Soap.

[@andrei5364]

You really have a point! I totally agree with the end!

[@slicksebring]

Outstanding video. Brings back lots of good memories. The Lincoln Continental Mark IV was my aspirational car as a teenager.

[@johnsergei]

Very enjoyable and informative. The market in Australia seemed more American than European, but it wasn't really like America either. Most of the American cars in Australia are full size, not 1960s and 70s American compacts and intermediates as Australia already had that market filled. In the early 70s Ford , Chrysler and GM (Holden) introduced new models that were a little larger and heavier than before and were the largest mainstream cars made in Australia (though only by a small margin). There were sedans wagons, utes, & vans and coupes, but the price of fuel was on the rise, and smaller cars were beginning to steal the sales of the big 3. The 2 door coupe suffering the most and and around 1975 Ford and Holden desperate to dispose of the last coupe body shells, introduced limited editions to create em out. Chrysler had more success with its Australian Charger though. Some of the coupe market was taken by the car based panel vans, later in the 1970s, but with ever rising fuel prices, that was over by the end of the decade. Who, but say tradesmen, really wanted a gas guzzler that seated only 2 or sometimes 3 people and had compromised handling. Two Rare (even in their day) Australian PLCs to note are the Ford Landau and Chrysler by Chrysler hardtop. Though not the fastest car in Australia Most of these rare Chryslers have a 360 engine, the largest ever fitted to an Australian designed car & quite a different vehicle to say a Mazda R 100 or a 1st gen Honda Civic hay?

[@AtomicReverend]

Ed, you should have more subscribers! You know more about American cars then most American gearheads.

[@rogergodin6443]

Ed ,great series,going to watch them all,grew up in the 70,s and 80 s running different repair facilities here in Ontario,Canada and can relate to the issues of the big 3 vehicle service issues,thank you ,roger

[@luvr381]

This channel, and Cold War Motors, are must watch for car enthusiasts.

[@atomicdmt8763]

cant.........stop.........watching..........these..........videos!

[@BDUBZ49]

These are great videos Ed. Informative, entertaining, concise. Wonderful graphics/photos, editing and narration. My older brothers had a few of these... '72 Buick Electra, '80 Chrysler Cordoba, '84 Buick Riviera. My buddy had a navy blue '83 Grand Prix with T-tops his junior year in high school. For us it was like the Batmobile. Smooth ride, but no power.

[@rickmillertx]

I love your presentations. Thanks

[@philipancell516]

That Toronado was the beast!! It was GMs first stab at front wheel drive. And what a great driving car!! Couldn't beat it in the snow. My X old lady had one and my first intro to that car was getting it off of a huge set of curbs she ran over!! LOL!!! I met 2 gr8 things that day!!!

[@abdulabdanahib9617]

Just discovered your channel and now I'm going to watch all your videos

[@pawfan]

All three parts...You preached to the choir Really enjoyed your presentation of American Automotive Ingenuity at its most wonderful, and asinine BEST😝 Never fails...Does it🐻 Well done👍😁

[@oneal3224]

You mentioned it! And it's lines! I'm so happy😭

[@crispyB]

Buenos noches, Ed. Just discovered your channel. Laugh out loud awesome! Netherlands I gather? Also, what is the name of the jingle at the beginning?

[@powellmountainmike8853]

I owned a 1984 Chrysler LeBaron convertible. It was one of the later "personal luxury cars." It was really just a glorified K car, but I have to say, it was one of the best cars I have owned, reliable, very comfortable, a great car for long trips. It would sit two adults very comfortably in the front seats, and one adult sideways, or two kids comfortably in the back seat. You didn't even mention the LeBaron. Even the NAME says "personal luxury car."

[@ketoninja]

Loving these videos. Like how you are squaring off the tires. Just wanna say I still think a 1978 Monte Carlo with black t-tops is one of the dopest looking cars ever.

[@holeshothunter5544]

4:30, yeah the grill stuck out a bit and the hood (bonnet) was as long as a football field, but it hid a 455 cubic inch 4 barrel silent monster that was in it's element running from LA to Sacto at159 with the cruise control on...and on I-5 you hardly even have to steer. That road is over 800 miles long. My Continental Mark 3 always made me smile

[@spookyhorn9671]

You're making me self concious, I love the 60s and 70s Continental Mark series! But you're absolutely right, a Lincoln-branded Thunderbird is lame next to GM's ludicrous cars from the 60s, plus the Studebaker Avanti. That the Toronado got dumbed down in just 4 years was a crime. I also wish the US had more interest in GT cars. You can sort of say that's coming to fruition today with seemingly every car needing to be "sporty" and "luxurious", but I always find them to be too stiff and loaded with way too much junk, there's something to be said about a lean, beautiful driving machine that handles neither like a couch nor a roller coaster.

[@RWDY]

The coupe SUV is a crime against sensibility, style and automotive history. No wonder the styleless and affluent flock to it in droves, like their mid market counterparts do to the endless crossovers that plague our roads.

[@andrewgraziani4331]

Hi Ed, do you remember a commercial in the 70's extolling the ride quality of the Cadillac. It showed a Schleifer ( Yiddish for diamond cutter) successfully cutting a precious gem in the back seat of a moving Cadillac. It was an effective add, demonstrative and compelling enough. The funny part is Saturday Night Live spoofed it with a Mohel performing a circumcision in a moving car. Still gets me to smile.

[@ragingthunda4961]

I would love to see you do an episode on the Olds Toranado, Ed. Great car, also the first modern front wheel drive beast of the sixties

[@martinjordan3994]

Pontiac Grand Prix came out in 62... I have one. As well as a 65 GP and a 67 Toronado. Great vid!!

[@erichiatt6119]

But they weren’t models with a unique design. They just rebadged existing models…Tempest, etc.

[@mbryson2899]

When I was 19 I bought a '71 Riviera with an impeccable body and a decent interior for a $1,400 bargain. 455, 4bbl Rochester mated to a TH400 with a crisp shift kit. Buckets and console up front made choosing gear a dream. Power everything, cruise, cornering lamps, A/C and so many other goodies I have forgotten over almost 40 years. It was heavy as hell but had more than enough power to make up for it (the air pump had been bypassed and it there were no cats in '71). I was the proudest wannabe pimp, cruising with a Detroit lean. 😁 An older Riv enthuiast made me an offer I couldn't pass up. I tripled my money in a mere 18 months., Buick nailed the personal luxury concept in that car.

[@cdstoc]

Fun video. I agree 100% with your comment about the 1963 Riviera. Around 1970, as a sixth-grader walking to school, I looked forward to walking past a 1963 Riviera, and a mid-60's Jaguar E-type coupe, both of which I thought were gorgeous. Another neighborhood near mine had a 1964 Studebaker Avanti; I'd get on my bike after school to look at that one, too. I also agree 100% with the stupid SUV coupe trend. Every time I see one I can't believe someone spent money on it, but to each their own.

[@fixitdad1955]

Why am I just now finding this channel?🤯 Great & Interesting Content, Super Funny and Awesome Editing! I am once again neglecting my family to BINGE WATCH more videos!

[@stuartwinter2758]

Ed, you are one of the best you tubers ever. I watch shit I'm not even interested in just because of the way you present it. Love your work. From Australia 👍👌

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

As usual, Ed-- hit the nail on the head!

[@paularcher4607]

Don't forget the Lincoln Mark VII LSC. Beautiful body, luxurious interior, and Mustang GT 5.0 Engine. Had two and loved them.

[@61rampy65]

I loved my 88 LSC. It handled as well as a Mustang, also. The insanely expensive ABS/power brake unit was my cars downfall. I worked at a Ford dealer, and back in 99, it was about $1000 (thats with Employee discount) just for the parts. Then I traded it in on a 99 Escort ZX2. Escort turned out to be the best car I ever owned, had it for 14 years!

[@exafrost]

And it should have be available with the 5 speed manual from the Mustang too. But missed opportunity.

[@joegarcia54]

Most entertaining and informative. ❤️

[@chryslerelectronicleanburn1676]

Thank you Ed! Your channel has grown on me. You have a subscriber now😃👍!

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

I don't really care about cars, but I am a historian, and these are well put together presentations.

[@bhzaddybhzolby1705]

I might just be an old man trapped in a young man's body but even back when I was a little kid I've always wanted to own a big V8 caddy from the early 70's. It's so big and luxurious it doesn't need to be fast. And let me tell you after driving one I figured out why people preferred Cadillac over any other car in America. It's big, slow, and the most isolating car I've ever driven and I finally realized why we drove them. It doesn't need to be fast, it doesn't need to be small and sporty looking. It says "I'm here, I've made it." It doesn't give you wet dreams about going fast, the seats are big and cushy, the hood is so long you can put a Mustang on it and because the engine is so big but the car is so heavy the engine makes for the smoothest acceleration I've ever felt.

[@Father_of_Death]

The stock background music is what makes this entertaining. I love how you use music commonly heard on "SpongeBob"

[@fonziebulldog5786]

Thelma & Louise in their Thunderbird will never ever go away in my mind.

[@retrocorner5737]

You skipped over the very popular 1982 to 1988 cutlass supreme. Monte, Grand Prix and regal. But good video

[@kylesoler4139]

A certified hood classic.

[@tescherman3048]

You're dead on. The '60's Riviera was one singular design. I eventually owned a '73 Maroon & White Riviera with the boat tail. Damn. I swear you could have played a soccer game on that enormous hood. It was a beauty. In retrospect, it was dated by today's standards. But today's standards are pretty conservative. ;) I still think it is strangely (and beautifully) futuristic. And of all the cars I've owned over the last 45 years, this leather-clad oddity still resonates with me as my favorite, even though it died with a cracked engine block.

[@Zneedsmore]

Being the baby of six, it was unusual that my dad chose a silver 1963 Buick Riviera to be our ONLY family vehicle for all of us. My younger sister sat in between the separated rear seats, and I sat on the console between Mom and Dad. The car was loaded - Factory air, white leather seats, power windows, power antenna, remote driver's mirror... just a beautiful vehicle.

[@buckshot6481]

Yes indeed when I graduated college I bought a new 79 LeBaron Medallion coupe! Slow as a garbage truck but lots of chrome and more comfortable than a laz y boy.

[@25Soupy]

Being a lifelong bachelor I've always loved the Personal Luxury Cars. I'd love to have every generation of the Buick Riviera. Of all the car's I've owned my 1975 Monte Carlo was my favorite.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Ahh the coupe SUV - you're right! When my dad was getting older and needed a new car, he chose a 12 year old 1979 Monte Carlo because I think he said it "was totally stupid but looked really nice and I don't need anything more than that".

[@oscarlainz]

Great content! New sub from Spain✌🏼

[@georgecharles941]

from 1972 onward, my father owned two cars...1966 and a 1967 Oldsmobile Tornadoes... They were fast and big.

[@Rhaman68]

IMO, the automobiles post WW I were for the most part, personal luxury vehicles. Thanks for the videos.

[@smittykins]

Great channel, subbed!

[@JustK009]

This channel is 🔥🔥🔥!!! The content is educational and entertaining

[@mattskustomkreations]

5:37. I’ve read that the Riviera design was actually being pitched as a LaSalle reboot model. The remnants remain in the ‘mini-grilles’ at the front corners of the car. Just look at the grilles of a ‘38 or ‘39 LaSalle and you can see it. Those mini grilled were supposed to conceal the headlamps but the kinks weren’t worked out in time. By ‘65 they had figured out how to make them open in clamshell fashion to expose the headlights. Gorgeous car.

[@clintclark-duke5585]

My first car was a ‘92 Chevy Lumina Coupe (replaced the Monte Carlo). I loved it.

[@Theogenerang]

A friend owned an early nineties Mercury Cougar which was basically a Thunderbird with a near vertical rear window and much nicer styling. Wonderful car for touring the U.S.

[@CJColvin]

That 65 T-Bird sure looks beautiful.

[@compassioncampaigner728]

Sadly overlooked and rarely mentioned..... The 1956 Linconln Continental Mark Ii. They just took the Thunderbird....and made it bigger. Rode in one once back in its day. Very cool. Was always disappointed they didn't set the cabin aft more. They put a big trunk in place and that reduced the magical ingredient of leaping-forward-sporty with stately elegance.......but still.......a memorable and moderately rare car to have seen.

[@Johnnycdrums]

The Fordor “Glamour Birds were very practical.

[@a.a.p1952]

I use to go with my Dad every weekend at the dealers parking lots GM, Ford, Chrysler Dodge back in the late 70’s All ways loved the personal luxury cars especially if they where fully loaded. The Buick Rivera was amazing had a 74 Oldsmobile Tornado amazing loved the front wheel drive. The 1977 Pontiac Grand Lemans 2 coup with the fender scoops and the Pontiac mag wheel. That was Hot bucket seats console. My last car was 1985 Cadillac Seville that was a beauty with tufted black leather interior. I still think about buying a 1968 Lincoln Continental MarkIII. Just for Sunday driving That was the once Great American Auto industry all gone done the toilet.

[@cubantoro]

The Pontiac Grand Prix came out in 1962 using the Pontiac Catalina frame with sporty touches like bucket seats and different trim to distinguish from the rest. In 1963 to 1968, it had its own unique roof line, concave rear windshield, and rear tailight treatment. In1967 it was offered as a convertible for that one year only... making them very rare.,

[@robertwalton7307]

Nice series.Certainly were some real dogs be sold.Riding in a Lincoln was always feeling like we were headed to a funeral.

[@hagerty1952]

That "coke bottle" styling was almost invisible in your example. What the Riviera really did was borrow the rear fender "haunches" from Pininfarina. Real coke bottle (i.e. pinched waist) design came from supersonic aircraft of the '50s. It's called the "equal area rule" and is used to cut aero drag when sailing along twice as fast as you can talk.