Though they are sometimes derided as “Yank Tanks,” traditional full-size American sedans are as much a part of U.S. car culture as the V8 engine and Interstate travel.
Of course, the big sedan is now pretty much a thing of the past. For the 2017 model year, you can count all the American-brand large sedans on two hands–and have fingers left over. Here’s a list:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Cadillac CT6
- Cadillac XTS
- Chevrolet Impala
- Chrysler 300
- Dodge Charger
- Ford Taurus
- Lincoln Continental
That’s it. As the American new-vehicle market has evolved, shoppers have turned away from cars in general, and large cars especially, in favor of crossovers and SUVs. Turn the clock back 27 years, however, and the big 4-door American sedan still comprised a significant chunk of the new-vehicle market.
The 5 Most-Expensive American Wagons of 1969
If you look at the ten most-expensive American sedans of 1980, we find that all but three of those vehicles fall squarely into the full-size category. The real outlier, a compact, boasted a special set of features to help justify its lofty base price.
As always, we ask that you share any stories you might have regarding any of the vehicles on this list. The place to leave comments can be found just below the last image.
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Lincoln Continental Mark VI: $21,424
Base Engine: 129-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($273)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $364
The 5 Most-Expensive American Convertibles of 1969
Cadillac Seville: $19,662
Base Engine: 125-horsepower 5.7-liter diesel V8
Optional Engine: 145-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 ($266 credit)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $480 (includes 8-track tape player)
High-End Haunches: The Luxury Bustlebacks of 1982
Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham: $14,927
Base Engine: 150-horsepower 6.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: None
Price of Optional CB Radio: $480 (includes 8-track tape player)
Model-Year Madness! 10 Luxury-Car Ads From 1979
Lincoln Versailles: $14,169
Base Engine: 130-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: None
Price of Optional CB Radio: $364
Convoy Madness! 12 Classic CB-Radio Ads
Lincoln Continental: $12,802
Base Engine: 129-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($273)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $364
The 5 Best-Looking Cars of 1970
Chrysler New Yorker Brougham: $10,459
Base Engine: 120-horsepower 5.2-liter V8
Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 5.2-liter V8 (no cost)
Optional Engine: 130-horsepower 5.9-liter V8 (no cost)
Price of Optional CB Radio: Not offered
Singular Stretch: 1979 Phaeton Chrysler New Yorker Limousine
Buick Electra Park Avenue: $10,383
Base Engine: 125-horsepower 4.1-liter V6
Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 4.9-liter V8 ($295)
Optional Engine: 155-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 ($425)
Optional Engine: 125-horsepower 5.7-liter diesel V8 ($930)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $533 (includes power antenna)
America’s Last Manual Transmission Vehicles
Oldsmobile 98 Regency: $9742
Base Engine: 154-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: 170-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 ($130)
Optional Engine: 125-horsepower 5.7-liter diesel V8 ($860)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $533 (includes power antenna)
Mercury Grand Marquis: $8139
Base Engine: 130-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($269)
Price of Optional CB Radio: $337
AMC Eagle Limited: $8048
Base Engine: 130-horsepower 4.2-liter six
Optional Engine: None
Price of Optional CB Radio: $386
10 Most-Expensive Japanese Cars of 1992
