America was a great place to live in the early 1970s, representing the golden age of excess for the American automobile industry. This was a time before fuel economy became a thing, the oil crisis made everybody think twice and downsizing mandates cramped the US style. Vehicles back then were tuned to float along an Interstate, and drivers would deal with any curving off-ramp drama whenever they got there. Nobody needed any trick suspension for everyday use and, as the space underneath the hood was so cavernous, manufacturers like Cadillac would routinely fill it with the biggest V8 they could find. So, this was the age of the colossal cruisers, with sumptuous interiors, chrome wherever you looked and zero in the way of aerodynamics. Here are ten of the largest and most luxurious land yachts from the early seventies, as we take a look back at these times of indulgence.For this article, we focused on one 'land yacht' from each of the major manufacturers, and compared their size (length/weight) for each sub-head. The data in the table relate to the most popular engine configuration, net power ratings (apart from AMC) and approximate acceleration figures. Cadillac Eldorado Length: 224 in/Weight: 5,170 lbs Cadillac Eldorado front quarterIn 1971, Cadillac's Eldorado represented one of the ultimate expressions of American personal luxury. It weighed more than 5100 lbs. and stretched for 224 inches, so it was absolutely one of the most imposing cars on the road. Cadillac’s version of the V8 displaced 8.2-liters and gave up to 400 hp with 550 lb.-ft of torque. However, the Eldorado was front-wheel drive, which puts it at odds with all the others on this list. Buyers had a choice of convertibles or coupes, but all of them came with chrome-heavy styling, an interior just like your lounge at home and fluffy suspension. Pristine examples today are collector's favorites, but if you buy one, do expect to get in the way of any rush-hour traffic on I-10. Lincoln Continental (Town Car trim) Length: 233 in/Weight: 4,880 lbs Lincoln Continental (Town Car trim)front quarterThe Lincoln Continental/Town Car was every bit as imposing as the Eldorado, with a curb weight approaching 4900 lbs. Its V8 delivered effortless torque with a smooth drivetrain that made it perfect for highway cruising. The Town Car version featured more formal styling with sharper fender lines. It also had hidden headlamps for that extra executive touch and all together, this was the sedan of choice for celebrities, corporate decision makers, and politicians alike. On the inside, you’d get faux-wood veneers, thick carpets, and button-tufted velour to help you forget about the hectic world outside. And while the luxury sedans of today may focus more on performance than anything else, this Town Car reminds us that size, comfort, and presence were once far more important. Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Length: 235 in/Weight: 5,150 lbs Chrysler Imperial LeBaron front quarterChrysler launched its own land yacht in the shape of the Imperial LeBaron, measuring some 235 inches and becoming the company's undisputed flagship. Its V8 also provided ample torque, but you'd be advised to sample this in a straight line and throttle-off for any sharper bends ahead. On board, you'd find deep pile carpets and tufted leather seats, with a lovingly crafted dashboard. The Imperial also had a stand-up hood ornament and its own style of chrome accents to put it in a class way above Chrysler’s mainstream offerings. Today, well-restored examples remind us of a time when Chrysler was an underdog and dared to challenge Detroit’s more prestigious luxury names. Buick Electra 225 Limited Length: 225 in/Weight: 4,660 lbs Buick Electra 225 Limited front quarterThe “deuce-and-a-quarter” nickname referred to the Buick Electra's 225-inch length and just went to show how these numbers were so important in that competitive land yacht era. Certainly, the Buick wouldn't dare to challenge the Cadillac Eldorado in a hierarchical fight, but it nevertheless had plenty of refinement and came at a reasonable price. It did use GMs familiar V8 engine though to give effortless cruising power, and it had a famously soft ride. On board, there were velour or leather bench seats with fold-down armrests, while outside, the Electra had a sleek and relatively formal presence, to strike a balance between grandeur and restraint. The Electra 225 represents the peak of Buick’s commitment to mass for the sake of it and, for many collectors, this is a cherished symbol of that bygone era. Oldsmobile 98 Regency Length: 232 in/Weight: 4,890 lbs Oldsmobile 98 Regency frontquarterOldsmobile had its own yachting flagship in the shape of the 98 Regency. Underneath, this was quite similar to Buick’s Electra, but it carved out its own space in the market through a blend of innovation and elegance. The 98 Regency had the Rocket V8 engine to deliver effortless low-end torque and perfect capability for the long haul. Inside, you'd get the typical simulated wood grain and plush velour upholstery, with ubiquitous chrome accents wherever you looked. However, Olds did offer some advanced features for that time, including a very high-end sound system and automatic climate control. And altogether, the 98 grew to become one of GM's most loved land yachts, with a strong reputation for comfort, dependability, and build quality. Mercury Marquis Brougham Length: 225 in/Weight: 4,830 lbs Mercury Marquis Brougham front quarterIf you wanted a Lincoln Continental in Town Car trim, you’d have to scrape plenty of pennies together, so if you wanted something similar but at a lower price, the Mercury Marquis Brougham was for you. After all, it had just as plush an interior as the Lincoln and under the hood, you'd get your well-tuned V8 for effortless low-rev cruising. Look for lots of drama on board, as you might expect from anything with a Brougham on the tail. Opera-style windows, deeply padded seats, faux walnut trim, and plush carpets stole the show, and the Marquee became one of Mercury's most popular models from that decade. Today, you may have to hunt for quite a while to find a surviving example, but if you do, it'll be one of the most distinctive land yachts of all. Dodge Polara Brougham Length: 220 in/Weight: 4,200 lbs Dodge Polara front quarterDodge may be more famous for muscle cars like the Challenger and Charger, but it was equally capable of crafting a big and ridiculous car. The Polara Brougham was another heavyweight, tipping the scales at more than 4200 lbs., making it one of Dodge’s largest ever sedans. You could choose from a range of big block V8s, including the Magnum, to give you bags of power for Interstate cruising. The Brougham trim gave you lots of luxury touches and some additional sound insulation to elevate the Polara above Dodge’s everyday fare. And just like the Mercury Marquis, these cars are relatively rare today, to give collectors some additional work to do. Pontiac Grand Ville Length: 226 in/Weight: 4,552 lbs Pontiac Grand Ville front quarterThe largest and most luxurious model in the 1970s Pontiac range was the Grand Ville. It measured about 226 inches in length, and you could buy it as a coupe, sedan, or convertible. Unlike many of the others on this list, Pontiac did put some effort into driving dynamics, and the Grand Ville has a slightly sportier edge than most of the other yachts. On board, there's plenty of attention to detail with premium upholstery and burled word accents which many think even rivaled Cadillac in their level of sophistication. This was a car for younger buyers who liked Pontiac’s performance image but may have wanted some luxury as well. And it's one of the most revered among collectors who feel that Pontiac managed to balance prestige and personality more effectively than anyone else. AMC Ambassador Brougham Length: 210 in/Weight: 3,700 lbs AMC Ambassador Brougham front quarterEven AMC was getting in on the act with its own monster in the shape of the Ambassador Brougham. Certainly, it wasn't as big as the GM, Ford, or Chrysler land yachts, but it nevertheless became AMC's longest car and its flagship sedan. As with the others, you'd get a V8 engine but could choose between different sizes and, on board, AMC bought into the opulent theme. Meanwhile, you could also get an AM/FM stereo system, air conditioning, and even something newfangled like cruise control. Ford LTD Brougham Length: 224 in/Weight: 4,590 lbs Ford LTD Brougham front quarterOf course, Ford had to sell its own land yacht and one of the best of the bunch was the LTD Brougham. It stood well above Ford's mainstream offerings and came with a pick of three different V8 engines, all tuned for low-end power rather than top speed. Ford thought that the LTD could be a great status symbol for suburban families as well as professionals who wanted their own slice of luxury but without Lincoln or Cadillac pricing. And the LTD Brougham did indeed become one of the most defining vehicles of that land yacht era, with a well-preserved example today often fetching a premium price.