1980 Lincoln Versailles
With a base price of $14,169, the Lincoln Versailles was the fourth most-expensive American sedan of 1980.

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.

Listen to the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

 

Lincoln Continental Mark VI: $21,424

1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI
1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI

Base Engine: 129-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($273)

Price of Optional CB Radio: $364

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Cadillac Seville: $19,662

1980 Cadillac Seville
1980 Cadillac Seville

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)

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Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham: $14,927

1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

Base Engine: 150-horsepower 6.0-liter V8

Optional Engine: None

Price of Optional CB Radio: $480 (includes 8-track tape player)

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Lincoln Versailles: $14,169

1980 Lincoln Versailles
1980 Lincoln Versailles

Base Engine: 130-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Optional Engine: None

Price of Optional CB Radio: $364

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Lincoln Continental: $12,802

1980 Lincoln Continental
1980 Lincoln Continental

Base Engine: 129-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($273)

Price of Optional CB Radio: $364

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Chrysler New Yorker Brougham: $10,459

1980 Chrysler New Yorker
1980 Chrysler New Yorker

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

1980 Electra Park Avenue
1980 Electra Park Avenue

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

1980 Oldsmobile 98 Regency
1980 Oldsmobile 98 Regency

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)

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Mercury Grand Marquis: $8139

1980 Mercury Gran Marquis
1980 Mercury Gran Marquis

Base Engine: 130-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Optional Engine: 140-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 ($269)

Price of Optional CB Radio: $337

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AMC Eagle Limited: $8048

1980 AMC Eagle
1980 AMC Eagle

Base Engine: 130-horsepower 4.2-liter six

Optional Engine: None

Price of Optional CB Radio: $386

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