The 1970s was an unforgettable decade for many reasons—disco, bell-bottom jeans, and, well, some of the most bewildering American cars ever produced. While the world was recovering from the oil crisis, the American car industry seemed to go in the opposite direction, delivering oversized, over-engineered, and overly ridiculous vehicles that continue to baffle and amuse car enthusiasts to this day.
A Personal Review of the 2007 Lexus IS350 by MartyIf you’ve ever wondered what it was like to drive a car that felt like navigating a 94-foot-long yacht through city streets, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re looking back at the quirks, flaws, and fascinating characteristics of late 1970s American cars, the era where bigger was better, andpracticality took a backseat—quite literally.
Big, Bold, and Totally Bizarre: The Design
American cars of the late ’70s were colossal in size and almost absurd in design. Imagine walking up to a “town car” that is nearly 94 feet long, powered by a V8 engine—right after an oil crisis, no less! The fuel consumption? Let’s just say you’d probably drain an entire petrol station with one fill-up.
One of the most iconic things about these cars was their straight-edged design. The entire body of the car seemed to be drawn with a ruler and an HB pencil—sharp lines, square angles, and a look that could only be described as… boxy. It’s as if the designer spent sleepless nights trying to figure out how to make every part of the car square.
From the square dials on the dashboard to the square body, these cars truly embraced the angular aesthetic. The only thing that broke this boxy pattern was the steering wheel, much to the frustration of the designers, I’m sure. As you can imagine, someone out there was probably losing sleep over the fact that they couldn’t figure out how to make the steering wheel square!
The Suspension: A Ride to Remember
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to share a water bed with a baboon drenched in itching powder, you’d get a pretty good idea of how it felt to drive one of these cars. The suspension was, to put it mildly, a disaster. Every bump in the road felt exaggerated, and the overall ride experience was one of unpredictable swaying and bouncing.
With the size and weight of these cars, you’d expect some level of comfort, but instead, you got the sensation of being on a floating mattress—constantly shifting and swaying with each movement.
Interior: The Pinnacle of Man-Made Materials
The interiors of these cars were a celebration of man-made materials—plastic everywhere, with not a single real animal hide or piece of wood in sight. It was as if the designers looked at golfing trousers for inspiration and decided to replicate that polyester vibe inside the car.
Everything from the dashboard to the seats screamed “synthetic.” You’d half expect to find an interior lamp filled with colored oil and bubbles, adding to the already eccentric design choices. Despite the space and size, the interiors were oddly claustrophobic, with their artificial feel and lack of natural materials.
Driving Experience: When Brakes Were an Afterthought
Now let’s talk about the driving experience. The brakes? Barely there. A gentle blow on the pedal was all it took for the front wheels to lock up—making stopping a tricky and sometimes terrifying task. The throttle, on the other hand, needed a lot more effort. That was probably a good thing, considering the car’s safe top speed seemed to be around four.
Combine that with questionable craftsmanship, and you’ve got a car that was unpredictable, to say the least. It wasn’t uncommon for buyers to find surprises like a tuna sandwich left under the seat or a Coke can rattling in the door, courtesy of the assembly line workers. These cars were often rushed through production, leading to a build quality that was, well, less than stellar.
Final Thoughts: A Quirky Legacy
While the late 1970s American cars were far from perfect, they hold a special place in automotive history. Their sheer size, ridiculous design choices, and questionable engineering make them fascinating relics of a bygone era. Today, we can look back and laugh at the absurdity of it all, but back then, these cars represented a bold (if misguided) attempt to keep the American auto industry alive during tough economic times.
If you’re curious about experiencing one of these land yachts or want to see these quirks in action, head over to our channel and check out our latest video on classic American cars!
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