1976 Mercury Monarch

A car that looks odd these days because of a boxy front end noticeably longer than the back. But this is moderate compared to some other pre-90s American cars. Ford was trying to make their "small" car fit in. An effort to create a small luxury car, which fell flat on it's face like many of it's contemporaries.

This car is in great shape for a 40 year old. All the original hubcaps, few dents. Some obviously re-painted doors, hood ornament looks like it is from a later Lincoln, rear suspension slowly sagging. But it sits in quiet dignity.

Love the shape of the rear trunk area, the narrow seeming roll-down windows in the rear doors, the skinny little chrome strips around everything, and those bullseye hubcaps.

1976 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

Cadillac has had such fine examples of excess, repeated in endless variation. The condition of this car only heightens its monstrosity. Such amazing trim pieces above and beyond what one would find on it's less gaudy but still impressive Cadillac siblings. I particularly enjoy the third picture for its crazed look. Although the Cadillac insignia is everywhere, the most prominent marking is "E L D O R A D O".

Sadly, due to cramped conditions no profile shot was possible.

Photographing the main attraction inevitably got other interesting cars into the background. These will be in the next post.

1976 Buick Skyhawk

I always liked the Chevy Monza/Pontiac Sunbird/Buick Skyhawk/Oldsmobile Starfire of this era, though I think the execution is somehow more awkward/ugly in the Skyhawk. Which makes it all the more interesting. Why is it less satisfying? It is something about the headlights, and the way they placed the turn indicators directly beneath. Sort of like buck teeth. Or maybe it's the grille. It looks cheap, ugly. A Buick should have something more elegant.

That broad aluminum B-pillar is pretty good though. And the overall outline and fastback is great, belying it's economy car nature. No one would mistake this car for a Vega, though that is basically what it is. With a V6 it was probably pretty quick, and undoubtedly more reliable.

1976 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe 20

Still working after 40 years. Looks like it's been painted a few times, just one dog dish left, but those 8 lug steel wheels are still hanging in.

1976 Volkswagen Westfalia