1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V
With a base price of $11,396, the Lincoln Continental Mark V was only the 4th most-expensive American-brand car available in 1977.

 It was the Brits who first used the term “Yank Tank” to describe the cars produced by American auto builders. And, compared to the cars sold in Britain after WWII–around the time the term Yank Tank came into use–the cars of the UK were certainly smaller, better handling, and more efficient than those sold Stateside. It is perhaps ironic then that the most-expensive American-built car in 1977 was, in fact, by definition a compact car.

XXX
All prices listed are as reported in Consumer Guide Auto ’77.

Introduced in 1975, the Cadillac Seville was meant to emulate the best European vehicles by packing a modestly sized car with the latest technology (including fuel injection) and features.

Of course, that’s just the one car. Three of the remaining four cars on this list are proudly of the Yank Tank variety, and among the first American vehicles to cross the $10,000 line.

If you’ve ever spent time with any of these vehicles, tell us about it.

Also check out:

The 5 Most-Expensive Cars of 1972

The 5 Most-Expensive Cars of 1974

The 7 Cheapest American Cars of 1972

 

 

Cadillac Seville

1977 Cadillac Seville
1977 Cadillac Seville

Base Price: $13,359

Cool Option Integrated CB radio ($230)

 

Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

Base Price: $11,546

Cool Option: Signal-seeking AM/FM radio ($156)

 

Lincoln Versailles

1977 Lincoln Versailles
1977 Lincoln Versailles

Base Price: $11,500

Cool Option: Quadrasonic AM/FM 8-Track stereo ($92)

 

Lincoln Continental Mark V

1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V
1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V

Base Price: $11,396

Cool Option: 460-inch V8 with 4-barrel carburetor (replaces 2-barrel 400 V8, $133)

 

Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado

1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado, Most-Expensive American Cars of 1977
1977 Cadillac Fleetwood Edorado

Base Price: $11,187

Cool Option: Firemist paint ($153)

More classic Cadillacs

More classic Lincolns

Follow Tom on Twitter

Share this: