Every one of the Big Three touched on every last bastion of the Malaise era traits: at least one gigantic car that was huge beyond huge; a mid-size class car that was still a monster; poser performance offerings, a strong kick on luxury with value, and this odd air of…yacht rock and everything that comes with it. Performance was out of the door…instead, it was about how comfortable you were for how cheap you could get it, because times were tight and the imports were coming, so buy American. American Motors wasn’t playing the game as much because they couldn’t afford to, and Chrysler had more issues than a college girl having a nuclear-level meltdown at a party. Ford, under the leadership of Henry Ford II and at the time still helmed by Lee Iacocca, seemed to double-down on luxury most and quality just as hard.
All of the commercials you’ll see here are from 1976, and it’s a snapshot of what was possibly wrong with Ford back then. Where do you start…comparing the Ford Granada to a Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC? Proving that the LTD can tow half a ton more than any other car, as if it was a truck? Chintzy sports scenes to try and drum up any kind of enthusiasm for a Mustang II, followed up with the kiss from the hot girl? Hugh Downs in a “news report” scene? Not that the cars were anything to crow about, really, but c’mon…between the “earth toned” set of Mr. Downs’ studio to the constant crowing about how the Elite has tons of Thunderbird cues, it’s no wonder why many people look back on the Seventies and cringe over the cars.
My dad bought a Granda in the ’70s…certain he bought it because I would never ask to drive it…he was right !