There have been a few “best of” CC posts the last couple of days, and it’s been neat to see all the other writers’ finds. But this post is a bit different; it’s interactive! For all of the following cars have not yet been written up by me, despite some having been photographed quite some time ago. So for you fellow Broughamites, check out these fifteen Broughams I have here, and let me know in the comments the ones you’d most like to see on CC. Using careful, scientific procedures and criteria, I will decide which ones to run based on how much I agree with you!
I’ve already done a ’77 Caprice coupe, but that was a mint show car. I was very happy to see this more traditionally CC Caprice a couple months later.
Another B? You bet! This ’77 Royale has been in this neighborhood a long time, but is usually partially hidden behind a garage. One day it just happened to be on the street, and my camera was ready.
As a card-carrying Panther owner, of course there will be a selection of them here. This sky-blue LTD Crown Victoria was in really nice original shape, and for sale.
Who doesn’t love a Caddy? This Basil Green Firemist ’79 was spotted on the way home one night, and the next morning I got up extra early to get some pics before going to work.
“Oh no Klockau, ANOTHER post on your Town Car?” No, this is an elusive Cartier L, spotted on Strieter’s lot well before I purchased my own Panther. The long-wheelbase Town Cars deserve a post of their own–a lot of engineering went into the stretch, and both Crown Vics and Grand Marquises received a variant as well, though the Mercury version was never available in the U.S.
How about another Imperial. This one has been sitting in this spot for over fifteen years. It finally disappeared earlier in 2013, but not before I got a nice set of pictures.
My uncle clued me in to this Mark III, as it is apparently driven by someone who works at the big mall in Coralville. Fortunately the day I was in town it was present and accounted for.
And here we have a basket-handle T-Bird. I will always have a soft spot for these, as both my Grandma Ruby and my Aunt Candy had one. Grammy’s was bought new, a ’77 in black with white bucket seats, console and red carpeting and dash. It was really a looker and I wanted it for my first car, but it just wasn’t in the cards.
I stumbled into yet another 1977-79 Bonneville last summer, a beige ’79 coupe. These look so much nicer without the Landau top. I especially dig the razor-edge quarter window and stainless trim on the B-pillar.
Any early ’80s Ninety-Eight is rare, but this one was even more interesting in that it had a factory steel top. It is the first one I’d ever seen without the vinyl roof, and it was in really nice condition to boot!
This second-gen Riviera was sitting in a little used car lot in Rock Island last spring, when I got these pictures. Rally wheels, no apparent rust and those cool hidden headlights were all in its favor. I just wish it wasn’t in white with a black interior–one of my least favorite color combinations. If only the interior had been red or white…
Wait, we need a Buick B-body too! This ’82 LeSabre Limited was in 1982-only Light Redwood. It was in really nice original shape, Oldsmobile wheel cover notwithstanding.
I have to include this ’70 CDV, as I loved the colors–aqua inside and out, with a white top! I love the 1970 Cadillacs.
Finally, a first-gen Toro, this one was at the Coralville cruise night. While not quite as attractive as the first-year ’66 in the nose and tail, it was still a great car to see.
And for those of you not so fond of Broughams who have stuck it out this far, here are five decidedly non-Broughams for your viewing pleasure!
Let’s start off with a real oddball, a Vespa 400. That ’66 Studebaker next to it looks like a Fleetwood Brougham or Electra 225 in comparison!
I saw this 1991 Volvo Coupe at a K-Mart. This was the last year for Volvo’s Bertone-designed flagship, and was simply called “Coupe.” You may know it better as the 1985-90 780.
This generation of Accord is getting scarce in nice presentable condition–a wagon even more so. Other than the telltale Honda Quarter Rust™ this circa-1991 LX was cherry.
For you SUV fans, I need to write up this big, red Suburban. It was a plain-Jane version so may have originally been a fire department vehicle. Most of the Suburbans I saw back then were fully loaded, two-toned luxury liners.
And last but not least, a frickin’ Chrysler Laser! So vote with your keyboard, and I’ll see what I can do in the coming year!
That does it I’m gunna write up my Hillman its as anti brogham as you can get, the 400 Vespa would fit in the trunk of a 225 as a spare Yogi Bear style.
Please do. This is not an auspicious beginning for the year.
They all look interesting. Chalk up one vote for the Toronado. No wait, the Imperial….
The fuselage Imperial please. I’ve never seen one in that stunning shade! What a contrast to the typical of the times black/green/brown hues.
+1 fuselage for me too. The absolute peak of American styling.
That’s not all. I’ve also found a fuselage Monaco and Fury, both 1969 models. Maybe I’ll do a Fuselage Day!
You’re messing with my head.
Sounds like a plan to me! I also like the Toronado and the 77 Caprice coupe.
Imperial for me. I miss my ’72 in baby blue.
I agree, I love me some fuselage Chryslers. Something similar to this Imperial is definitely near the top of my Powerball list.
I just passed through Coralville two days ago, the weather was MUCH worse then! What is the deal with Iowa, we must have seen 30 wrecked cars off the side of the road (I-80) and many of them had been there for at least 4 days when we saw them on our way in. If they are to make travelers be more cautious, I guess it worked for me if not many of those that got caught up in fresh wrecks…
Anyway, if I could have my pick let’s hear about the Crown Vic first, then the Laser, then the Accord Wagon. Followed by the Vespa, then the ’79 Bonnie Coupe, and after that it’s all up to you…Thanks Tom!
Such a good selection, Very hard to choose just one. So I submit a decidedly favorite early Brougham. My own 1970 Torino Brougham hardtop. Complete with brougham badge on the sailpanels. Broughamtastic turbine wheel covers and thin whitewalls Copper and black interior with brougham badging on the door panels. Hidden headlights, GT taillight panel and 351 with FMX auto tranny. This predates even the GRAN Torino Brougham. A fine example from the early years of true broughamification.
My vote’s for the Chrysler Laser. Brings something different to the scene. Plus when else could you get a Dodge Daytona with “Fine Corinthian Leather”?
+1!
Vespa 400!!!!
+1
Oh, so it’s eclectic you want? Then how about this?
Or this?
Or maybe even this!
Is that a Marcos? Never seen one other than pictures before.
Syke, yes it is. It’s the first one I’ve ever seen (well, other than the Corgi models I have) and was really cool. The Heartland British Auto Fest in LeClaire had an excellent show last summer. There was a stunning Elite too:
I love cars with plywood frames.
+2! I’ve never seen one of those before. Now, if we could just transform every brougham out there into one of these . . . . . .
The Suburban reminds me very much of a similar late-80s ‘burb that I often see in the U-Pull parking lot. Super clean, 2WD, and clearly an ex-fire rig. Yet another truck I wouldn’t mind owning.
Looking forward to the Toro and Riv, too!
My brother bought an ex-FD red Suburban just like the one shown for his #1 son to drive when he was going to college. I hadn’t thought about it for a while…wonder what happened to it. He also has a more typical 2-tone rig that’s a daily driver.
The Mark III and suicide-door Continentals always look terrific with modern wheel and tire sizes, one of the few classics that do. That Riv is sure pretty.
At last someone else who dislikes half vinyl roofs.Not a full size fan(though this site is slowly converting me) but would like to see more of the Pontiac,especially one without a vinyl roof,it looks a whole lot better with a plain roof.The Rivieras nice and would like to see that some more,I always liked the earlier “Roadhouse” 1st generation and boat tails and have never looked properly at the in between cars.I do hope the Imperial went to a good home,they’re hugely outnumbered by Lincolns and Cadillacs at UK shows and rarely seen here.
Anything except those dammed sheer looks B/C cars! They get way too much air time as it is.
Amazing finds Tom. All in great shape as well. I’m fascinated by the Vespa, and can’t wait for it. But I’ll vote for the Imperial this time…
Riv, Toronado, Imperial…
Imperial ,Toronado, Coupe deVille
Imperial, Cadillac x2, Toronado, Lincoln and of course Riviera because mine…
Write it up, Otto!
+2!
+1. A co-worker had one in that exact color.
Really?… Do I know you? 😉
any and all Broughams please…but I am partial to the two door 88 as my first car was a two door 79 88 Royale.
I have to go with the ’79 Cadillac and the Coupe De Ville.
Imperials, of course. I’m liking the Toro as well.
One vote for the Laser/Daytona. Very under appreciated cars, a very nice low buck GT.
+1
I hate any and everything that is K-car but those look cool. They were so sexy; IF ONLY THEY WERE RWD!!! Lots of Daytonas around but I cant remember the last time I saw a Laser.
I thought these were pretty good K-Car offspring…
So many great ones to choose from, but you’ve got a whole year
My requests in order are:
1) Imperial
2) ’79 Cadillac
3) Riviera
4) Bonneville
5) Thunderbird
6) Toronado
7) Mark III
8) Laser (Although I’d love if it were a Daytona, but you can’t be picky all these years on:)
Looking forward to more of your wonderful & detailed articles, can’t wait to read them.
Happy New Year to Everyone
I hope you do every one of them. They all look fun.
+1
I love the Olds Royale Coupe. I have seen a few but they were never that popular in Canada, where four doors were much more desirable. This version of the B body was by far the best; there was no wallowy feel to them at all, and they went, cornered and generally drove a heck of a lot better than the sleds that preceded them. The 350 was just as good as the 403, too, and I could never tell the difference when I drove either one.
The Bonneville is my close second. My brother had one for years, a lightly optioned Parisienne with two tone and 305. It drove better than the base Impala as the suspension was a better set-up. His, unfortunately, ate its THM200 pretty early one. The THM350 lasted until the car’s demise. My brother sold it to an old family taxi-driver friend, who drove it from Sydney BC to Victoria every morning at like 4:30 am to drive cab and back in the evening. Round trip it was like 120 km. He did this for like 12 years, when the old girl finally gave in to old age. That was about 1998. The fact it went 120 km a day is all about slow, careful driving, because I doubt the oil got changed every five years!
You really want me to try and pick one of these???
I want to see them all!!!
Of course, I am going to link this over at The Brougham Society 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBroughamSociety/
The Basil Green Firemist Caddy looks fantastic. But I like that Olds Royale, too. The 77 Thunderbird is an interesting car, downsized from the big behemoths before it, but my how this one looks just as big. I haven’t seen one of these in years.
But then you come to that 70 Caddy in that light blue metallic that GM did so very well in this era; what a looker! I like the Riviera and Toronado as well.
So many nice cars here, all worthy.
All of these are great! I will try once again this year to write at least one CC, and hopefully much more, but I’m just stretched so thin. Of these, the fuselage Imperial, ’70 Coupe DeVille, Toronado, Accord wagon, and Chrysler Laser are standouts, in no particular order. I’ve owned a 1st-gen Toronado and have a lot of pics of mine if you ever need them (’70), and I took pics of a 3G Accord wagon or two recently.
Happy New Year!
Oops. I meant 4G (4th generation) Accord wagon. The only 3G wagon was the super cool 2-door not sold in the US.
I vote Vespa — mostly because I want to find out if what’s under that body is actually two of these.
Definitely the Imperials, and the Toro, oh, and the Vespa.
Tom I am begging you – please do a CC on the 1991 Volvo Coupe!
Yes yes yes a thousand times! A plush personal luxury coupe from Volvo sounds absolutely perfect for Tom.
Tom, that gorgeous, blue Imperial is certainly deserving of a write-up. That baby looks to be in outstanding original condition.
Also like the rather rare Honda Accord wagon, which appears to be in really great condition for it’s age. Like the Volvo coupe and the Laser, also. Oh, and I also liked the striking Toronado back in the day. And, I have a soft spot for all the old large cars, especially the Broughamy ones
Imperials Please.
The 70 CDV
1. 4 door Imperial
2. Riviera
3. 2 door Imperial
Thanks for the entertaining site!
The Imperials, the Mark III and the blue Caddy would be my favourites.
My vote is for the 1977-1979 Cadillac DeVille/Fleetwood. Or at least the DeVille. I think these cars had a lot to offer in their day.
1. Downsizing with style. Unlike Lincoln’s 1980 “box”.
2. The first (Cadillac) all-electronic radios. And first available cassette players, too, I believe.
3. The 1978 and ’79 Phaeton models.
4. The fur-like “Tangier” carpeting in the d’Elegance packages.
5. You’ll make “Carmine” happy, too. And you know how he gets when he’s not happy.
Here is my wish list:
Broughams
Imperials up to ’73
Cadillac up to ’66 ex Eldorado and the mid ’70s Talisman
Lincolns up to ’79
Others:
All oddball cars i.e. Vespa, BMW 700…
Volvos RWD only.
Thank You
The pretty blue Imperial, the pretty blue Cadillac and the steel-top 98.
Definitely the ’72 LeBaron. My Great Aunt and Uncle had a white over yellow ’73, and I always thought it stood out from the Cadillacs and Lincolns back then. Also merits a few words on the “2nd gen / 72-73” fuselage C bodies – at first glance they tend to look similar to the 69-71s, but there was a surprising amount of reshaping – and essential character – below the greenhouse – and even some above.
Re: the 98 without a vinyl roof – that’s another interesting one. Had a neighbor who ordered a 77 Electra in dark green with no vinyl roof, and we never had them on our cars. When I went to University in ’83, the President’s old car was a cream 79 town car, also without the vinyl roof. I’m pretty sure in all those cases, by then it was a delete option, so what did people have against them? I know my folks thought they were tacky, but who knows. And of course on some cars, like the fuselage LeBarons, you had to take a vinyl roof since the vinyl, not the sheet metal, created the formal backlight – which may also be true for the 67-68 LeBarons.
Oh, and the 4door Corvair please – my all time favorite American hardtop design.
“Also merits a few words on the ‘2nd gen / 72-73’ fuselage C bodies – at first glance they tend to look similar to the 69-71s, but there was a surprising amount of reshaping – and essential character – below the greenhouse – and even some above.”
Shameless Plug Dept.:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/fender-blades-on-a-fuselage-the-design-of-the-1973-imperial-by-chrysler/
Gracias. And a follow up to my note, confirmed from the brochure that you could get a 67-68 LeBaron without a vinyl roof – but I’ve never seen one equipped that way. That was really an amazing car, all things considered – unique sheet metal below the green house and a unique roof for the LeBaron.
brougham’-ide (n. colloquial) : an argument for the superiority of the North American car industry in the late 20th century.
Riviera, Toronado, Laser.
And for the mega number, Coupe de Ville! That CDV brings back memories.
The early 80’s Ninety Eight is, except for the missing black vinyl top, a twin to the car the crazy neighbor of mine used to drive before he was put into the home for dementia. I sure was happy to see him go, he was obsessed with the delusion that I was taking my 55 pound dog into his yard and letting him crap. Problem was, the logs he claimed my dog was dropping were HUGE, and it was obvious to any sane person that it was impossible for my dog to create them. This obsession got to the point he was cleaning his gun and telling his wife, “I should go over there and shoot him and his damn dog”. That was the beginning of the end for him, as the cops took his rifle away and he soon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and off to the home he went. This deal took almost 3 years from the first accusation to when he was packed up and taken away. The high point for me was when I got pissed off and tossed a nice warm bag of crap into the front seat of his car, and telling him to “Eat it!”. He reacted like the studio head did in “The Godfather”. Shock and a lot of screaming.
Toronado
Riviera
Mark III
70 Cadillac
No particular order.
I wish the owner of the Imperial would either fix the CB antenna or just take it off.
While it would certainly look better without it, the CB antenna stub seems period correct.
Is it just me, or does that Imperial just scream matching white shoes and belt?
Actually, it’s the T-bird that does that….
I can see matching white shoes and belt being worn with either of these cars — but yes, that Basket-Bird even more so than the Imp.
I’ll pick the two Imperials and the blue ’70 Cadillac as my faves. In the second tier would be the Riviera, the Toro and of course that lovely blue LTD Crown Victoria.
Laser, Suburban, t-bird, Riviera, LWB towncar. I would love to see the 70 Caddy and some of the other show cars, but the Caprice coupe taught the lesson to wait for a write up until a legit CC presents itself!
Nice collection, Tom. Sometimes I think I live in a parallel universe, the creme de la creme among all these is the ’70 Coupe de Ville, and second is the Mark III. Guess I’m a sucker for big old luxury iron coupes. Look forward to your broghamy writeups!
That exact white Honda Accord LX wagon was a huge part of my childhood, and a REALLY nicely assembled car. But, as CC-er’s know, lemons come in all shapes and sizes. They got the ONE example of that generation of million-mile-capable Accords that burned up two engines in a year, and swore off the marque forever. The next vehicle was a Plymouth Voyager. What a bummer of a transformation…
Interesting comment about the 3rd generation Accord being rare. Vancouver, BC is crawling with them. Thrifty Canadians hang on to them and many still look pristine. In fact I’ve been collecting pics for he Cohort of all the ones I’ve seen just within a mile of my house!
I’d like to see the Toronado and the red Suburban.
1–The Lazer! I love those G bodies, especially the ’84-’86 models. Sure, the Daytona and Lazer are near identical except for badging but the ones with the sealed beam headlites, ‘real’ grilles and that little bit of blackout trim just really pop. That one looks like a creampuff….could it possibly be a Turbo II and 5 spd?
2–Mark III. Normally I couldn’t give a rip about Linclolns, the suicide door Conti’s aside. But any car with clean lines and owned by someone with the taste to shod it with grey centered coke bottle mags deserves the spotlight!
3–Volvo coupe. Gorgeous and little known car. Volvos are usually known as boxy and safe quirky cars, but this 780 coupe is a timeless and beautiful car.
4–Imperial. Its a Mopar and its a 2-door hardtop. Sold.
5–Tornado. One of the better looking Oldmobiles ever.
1. Blue Imperial
2. Imperial 2 dr HT
3. Oldsy 88 coupe
4. Pontiac 2 dr HT
5 Town Car Cartier L
Then the rest.
Long live the Broughams! I’ve got a plain roof “Broughamer” too! Had my share of others….
I’m partial to the B’s having an Olds 98 and Caprice myself but that ’70 Cadillac is gorgeous. I had an ’83 Bonneville with the same opera lights that Olds has, GM sure loved them back then. They are cool to see lit up in the side views at night, it kind of gives a warmth to the whole driving experience with them lit outside and when you approach the car in the dark. As far as I know GM was the only one still using them on their intermediates in the 80’s, on my ’83, even though I was born the same year, it seemed so ’70s to me! The Cutlass Brougham got them as well. I was about to try de-yellowing them prior to selling the car. I ended up buying a spare pair and painted them white to freshen the look of the car.
Tough call. As the son of a GM dealer, at one time or another most of those have sat in the driveway. When the old man switched to Iacocca’s team in the 80s, I had a couple of Laser/Daytonas. Later, as a Volvo retailer myself, I drove a 780 for a while. So while any of those might be a pleasant trip down memory lane, they wouldn’t necessarily be a learning experience. However, outside of those ubiquitous and inescapable Panthers, my Ford knowledge is weak. And since I only ever briefly experienced one as a rental, I’ll vote for that interesting-looking specimen of a T-bird.
Fuselage Imperial or the Basket Handle T-Bird Please!
There is an identical Imperial that has been sitting for at least the past 15 years on a lot in Tifton, (SW) Ga, so the Imperial gets my vote! . 🙂
I’m late here, but what I’d most like to see is each and every one of them featured. Go on Tom, you know you want to…!