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The one thing I absolutely love about land barges is that there’s something for every taste. No matter if you like driving fast or slow, or if a badge on the front matters all that much to you: almost every major car company has attempted a big sedan at some point. If you have time to find the right one, it may match your personality perfectly.
Let me explain, using the Maserati Quattroporte II.
With a production run of just 13 cars, you can say that the Quattroporte II is more a curiosity than a possibility for most enthusiasts, and you’d probably be right. Engineered on a stretched Citroën SM chassis and retaining its 3.0-litre V6 and front-wheel drive, this sedan is certainly not what you’d expect to see from the trident marque.
But to me, with its combination of traditional-looking Italian bodywork by Bertone and Citroën tricks like hydropneumatic suspension and turning headlights, the II is a rare crossover car. It was designed and constructed at great expense, and was one of the big factors in plunging both Maserati and its parent company, Citroën, into financial turmoil.
But now, if I had a budget for such a car, I’d get one in an instant. Which land barge have you fallen for, and why?
Image Sources: carfolio.com, supercars.net, carstyling.ru
Peugeot 505 was the best car I ever owned. Amazing comfort. I could sit in it for 10 hours driving across the US four time and get out feeling absolutely as good as when I started. No sore butt. For comparison, cars I have owned include: 1965 Mini Cooper S, Alfa Romeo Guilietta Sprint Speciale, Chevrolet Corvair.
I’d go for the beautiful SM Opera by Henri Chapron!
http://www.supercarfrance.com/Villa_d_Este_2011/Part-3/32-Citroen_SM_Opera_Chapron.JPG
I’ve long been a fan of the land barge. Choosing one favorite is like choosing a favorite child – but if I had to choose one among the list I’ve personally owned, it would have to be the 1976 Buick Estate Wagon in hunger green with woody sides and tan corduroy 9-passenger interior and the clamshell rear door. It was at once luxurious, cavernous, great looking and unexpectedly swift and fun to drive. I still miss it.
For me, it absolutely has to be the last of the Exner-designed Imperials, ’61-’63. 1961 is the most true to the designer’s vision – a jet-age, mid-century tour-de-force. Its heavy chrome and dramatic fins were already going out of style when it rolled off the assembly line, but half a century later it’s clear there will never be another design like it. Plus, the big-block Mopar engine, Torqueflight auto, and full perimeter frame make it both powerful and nearly indestructible.
Superfly Cadillac
http://www.ridelust.com/the-truth-behind-the-super-fly-cadillac/
The one that never was . Should of been . And came within a hares breath of happening
The brutally elegant GG designed Bugatti EB112 .
All the mechanicals of the EB110 in glorious sedan form . To illustrate how close the car did come to going into production as I type this I’m holding a copy of the official GG sales brochure they gage out in order to gauge interest and generate future sales . From all that was said to the prospective buyers the car was within one evolution of being production ready .
Everything Bugatti should of become once VW-Audi took over the moniker rather than the obscene , vulgar and over the top piece of wretched excess VeryGoneWrong [ Veyron ] VW-Audi in the end became . All bets are ; had VW-Audi followed thru with the EB12 they’d of made a profit on every cars sold . Rather than losing almost a million per car that they are
Alternatively ? A 69 or earlier Cadillac [ its not about the big gentlemen . Rather its all about the bling baby ]
Ok, there is only one, but it has four doors and comes with a lambo badge, for me it would be the Lamborghini Faena.
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/studios/1978_Frua_Lamborghini_Faena_05.jpg
Probably a Series 1 Jaguar XJ, though “barge” is probably unfair on a car that handled quite impressively in its day. In fact, any XJ up to the modern era would be my choice here. Style, cornering ability and a pillowy ride.
As a choice from left-field, any big Citroen. A CX would do, though I’ve always liked the wedgy look of the XM. Those came with a V6 too, and I’d say that six cylinders are a bare minimum when it comes to choosing a barge.