There is nothing finer than the road trip. Get in the car with just enough luggage to live comfortably for a few days at a time and enough music to enjoy yourself and go. There is even a type of car that is ideally suited for the job: a grand tourer. But what makes a good grand tourer? For starters, it’s not because it says “GT” on the car somewhere. A grand tourer should have been designed from the ground up to be a GT car and not just a sporty version of something more mundane, must be able to run at the upper limits of speed comfortably with no issues or drawbacks, should be able to “transport at least two in comfort with their luggage and with room to spare”, should be a driver-centric car, and the chassis and suspension should be capable of handling all routes. In other words, most of Aston Martin’s lineup qualifies as GT cars.
But here in America, we have used and abused the GT moniker for so long that it’s almost a joke. So, in the spirit of bringing some kind of credibility to the term, we went looking for a couple of options that, more or less, fit the spirit of a grand tourer. We really didn’t set a criteria other than V8 powered and rear-drive, just so that we could guarantee that no matter what year of a car we found, there was hope. We wanted a useable budget car that you could pay cash for and drive off, and we (for once) weren’t looking for basket cases in desperate need of adoption. We ended up locating two 1980s gems. Both cars have their fans, both cars have a muscular variation that would be a no-brainer sell, but both cars are the regular version. No turbochargers, no swoopy bodywork. On their own, we’d take either one. But which one would you pick if you had to choose? Read on, then make your selection in the comments section!
1. 1988 Lincoln Mark VII
Ford’s “Aero-” look was paying off dividends in the late 1980s, a solid lesson learned from some of the missteps that were made at the beginning of the decade. In 1988 the Ford Taurus and it’s Mercury Sable twin were the focal point for buyers, but the three Fox-based personal luxury coupes, the Ford Thunderbird, the Lincoln Mark VII, and the Mercury Cougar, were still something special. We are fans of the fairly-hot and aggressive-looking Lincoln Mark VII LSC, but the base model Mark wasn’t a bad deal either. The 225 horsepower 5.0L “H.O.” V8 was standard fare across the lineup, so unless you really missed the more menacing look and analog instrumentation of the LSC, getting into a standard Mark VII wasn’t a real loss. This white and blue version has been well-cared for, the interior looks barely worn in, and best of all, it hasn’t been ragged-out to death like a lot of Lincolns from this era have been. A genuine three-owner Lincoln with the bones of a Mustang and the cushiness of a Lincoln? Many bought into it new, but what about twenty-eight years on?
2. 1985 Buick Regal
It’s not all-black, it’s not turbocharged. And while we suspect that it’s powered by a Buick V6, the seller doesn’t say for sure and we can’t completely confirm by the picture. But do you care? This is one of the cleanest G-body Buicks that we’ve seen in quite some time, and honestly it’s refreshing to see one that hasn’t been cloned into Lord Vader’s personal boost therapy machine. The white walls and wire hubcaps deal aren’t exactly sporty, but there is no doubt that the ride will be comfortable over long distances, and that the bench front seat probably sits like a well-padded sofa. If some of the capability of a grand tourer is missing, remember two points: it’s a GM G-car, which means there is plenty of aftermarket support for whatever your heart desires. Just please, resist the urge to mess with the interior or exterior. Turbocharge the six, tweak the suspension, but let it look 95% stock. It’s refreshing.
Anytime you find a clean 25+ year old car, its a win! I like them both and would change the wheels, work the suspension, and add a little more power. That’s it and have fun!
Mark 7 please. Need the LSC for the wheels fog lights etc..,had an 88 model that I still regret getting rid of( although it was to get a 97 LSC). There is nothing wrong with a Mark 7 that a Kenne-Bell S/C won’t fix. I’m sure there is another LSC in my future.
I can think of two expressions that suit these cars down to the ground.
“Mutton dressed as lamb” and “Fur coat and no knickers”.
Save your money for a real GT and pass on these hunks of shit…
I think I’d hold out for the Mark VIII over the VI. Still a great value and a much better car.
Im for the lincol that 5.0 could be built cheap and make an awesome sleeper
Think about a Mark VII LSC with a Coyote…
Those mark viis are sweet highway cars. I was never really much of a fan of those regals.
I’d go for the Lincoln – less work needed out of the box to have fun with it. The Regal could be an interesting sleeper with enough work.
I had a ’90 LSC many years back and still regret selling it, so I think you know my answer 🙂 .
I’ll take a late 80’s LSC with lace wheels..
It tis what the t-bird should’ve been
make mine a Lincoln
I’m amazed that GM silver paint from the 80’s looks that nice! There’s a reason why G bodies have tons of aftermarket support and Lincolnshire don’t.
You’re right, there’s totally NO support for the Fox chassis. Nope. None. Not at all.
The Lincoln hands down. The Regal is a good looking piece, but between 80’s GM build quality (the door rattles alone would be enough to send me over the edge) and the serious lack of oomph of the V6 are the deciding factors. Very mild tweaks will find another 20-30 hp from the Lincoln, but the Buick is a dud even with a 305, let alone a V6 of that ear. Have you ever tried to run an honest 75 with a 305 from this era in one of those? Oh, you can do it. But you’ll feel like you were putting the spurs to it every mile of the way at the end of the day.
The Lincoln will happily cruise down the interstate at 80+ and not wear you out doing it.
Having had more than a few mid to late 80’s f/m/l products.. their build quality was job 1 only in the ad’s, the real product was a different thing all together.. g.m. was no worse …
The regal, with it’s silly highway gears and the softest ride of all the g body’s would not wear you out driving down the highway..
Wasn’t the linc much costlier vehicle also??
and not by just a little either..
Both are very cool,,,, but if I’m going to the blue oval dark side I want a late 80’s early 90’s LSC…
without the failure prone air bags..