Over the past four decades, the size of production cars has shrunk due to several objective factors, but for many car manufacturers, length was once synonymous with strength.
From the overall dimensions of our everyday cars to the size of their engines, everything seems to have gotten smaller.
Efficiency and ergonomics have led to intelligent engineering solutions, making cars easier to drive and, more importantly, easier to park – a major selling point for customers living in congested urban environments.
While proportions are a fundamental aspect of development today, there was a time when this was the last thing on the minds of designers and engineers, especially those in the United States.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at the five longest non-commercial production cars ever built in the United States.
1977-1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V
Photo: Mecum
Ford Motor Corporation's Continental nameplate has a long history. It began as a Lincoln model, then became a separate brand, and then returned to its Lincoln roots for the last six generations.
In 1977, Lincoln introduced the last Continental, designated the Mark V. Like its predecessors, it was the division's flagship personal luxury car, intended to compete with Cadillac's Eldorado.
During its two-year lifespan, the luxurious Malaise Era two-door coupe was available in several trim levels and was powered by either a 400ci (6.6-liter) 335 Series V8 or the massive 460ci (7.5-liter) 385/Lima V8.
While trim levels and engine options varied, one thing about the Continental Mark V never changed: its length.
At 5,850 mm (230.3 in) from bumper to bumper, the Mark V remains the fifth longest production passenger car ever conceived.
1974-1976 Pontiac Grand Safari
Photo: Mecum
Introduced in 1971, the all-new Grand Safari became Pontiac's flagship full-size station wagon.
Unlike the Catalina, Bonneville, Grand Ville, and Bonneville Safari station wagon, which were based on the full-size B-body platform, the Grand Safari shared the C-body chassis with GM rivals, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and Buick Estate.
Available with wood-effect exterior trim and a deluxe vinyl-trimmed interior, the model was powered by either a 400ci (6.6-liter) engine or a
455ci (7.5-liter) V8.
The first generation was produced from 1971 to 1979 and during this period it received numerous improvements, which led to different widths and lengths.
The 1974-1976 model became the longest of all Grand Safaris ever built. At 231.3 inches (5,875 mm), the luxury station wagon went down in history as Pontiac's longest vehicle ever and the fourth-longest mass-produced passenger car.
1974-1975 Oldsmobile 98
Photo: Mecum
The original Oldsmobile 98 debuted in 1941 and was discontinued a year later. It returned in 1946 and this time was produced continuously in fourteen additional generations until 1996.
Of all 88 developed during the model's life cycle, the ninth stood out for its size.
This generation was produced from 1971 to 1976, but the 1974-1975 four-door sedans were the longest, measuring a whopping 232.4 inches (5,903 mm) long.
This was due to the mandatory 5 mph (8 km/h) bumpers added to both the front and rear, which increased the overall length by several inches. The 1976 model also had federally mandated bumpers, but they were redesigned and made shorter.
Like all of its ninth-generation models, the 1974-1975 Oldsmobile 98 was powered by the division's largest engine, the 455ci (7.5-liter) Rocket V8.
1973 Imperial LeBaron
Photo: Mecum
Initially introduced in 1926, the Imperial was Chrysler's flagship production car for most of its history.
From 1955 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1983, the Imperial became a separate Chrysler luxury brand, producing only one model.
During its first standalone production run, the Imperial was produced in five distinct generations, the longest-running of which was the fourth, the 1973 Series 3Y-M.
Available as a four-door sedan, the 1973 Imperial was powered by the 440ci (7.2-liter) Wedge V8 engine and, like the 1971 and 1972 models, came standard with a four-wheel anti-lock braking system designed by the Bendix Corporation (abdominal muscles).
However, unlike its predecessors, the 1973 Imperial received larger bumpers to comply with new federal regulations.
Thanks to new bumpers, the car was 235.3 inches (5,977 mm) long, making it the longest postwar production car (non-limousine) and the third-longest production car ever.
1974-1976 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Model
Photo: AutoSL GmbH
For most of its history, the 75 was the limousine offered by Cadillac, so it has always been very long. In fact, we could have filled this list with several generations of 75s, but for the sake of variety, we chose to mention only the longest of them all.
Built between 1974 and 1976, this particular 75 was, like its predecessors, the pinnacle of Cadillac luxury and comfort.
Although a conventional five-seater version was also available, the most imposing was the nine-seater, which was 252.2 inches (6,406 mm) long.
While the five-seater version was more like a conventional four-door luxury passenger car, the nine-seater was primarily used to transport dignitaries and celebrities.
To power this massive car, GM chose its largest engine, a 500ci (8.2-liter) V8. However, because it was built in an era when stringent emissions regulations hindered performance figures, the engine could “only” muster between 190 and 205 hp (net), depending on the specific model year.