If there is one thing that people think of when it comes to the 1970s it’s the aesthetic of the decade. The colors, the overwrought size of stuff, the gilding of otherwise ugly stuff to make it “special” and the list goes and and on. As cars tend to be a reflection of the culture at large, it makes sense that all the same stuff that was happening around the country and world came roaring into the automotive world. The designer editions of 1970s cars have a fun an interesting history and it is well told in this video.
The most bizarre twist in the story from where we’re sitting is the fact that stodgy, boring, AMC actually started this whole thing. Lincoln may have latched onto it the hardest and for the longest time, but little ol’ AMC got hold of Gucci to start with and launched a speciality package that was designed to extract a few more bucks out of the pocket books of customers.
We’re going to be honest, the Cardin interior in the Javelin still kind of looks totally awesome.
From Bill Blass to Versace, here’s the history of 1970s designer themed special package cars. Some are weird, some are good, and some are just downright beyond words.
