#Chrysler often bet on the wrong horse in the 60s, creating fantastic cars that missed their intended market - and while the ones best remembered today are Muscle cars, one of Chrysler’s most daring endeavors were the 1969 “Fuselage” cars. Playing off of popular interest in jets, the sleek, clean-looking fuselages were wide at the middle with cropped greenhouses and a severe tuck under, and they were aerodynamic looking and spare in detail. Of all the traditional American cars of this era, those 1969 cars that look the most modern today. But they might’ve been too clean - buyers had a hard time differentiating the Imperial from a humble Plymouth Fury from a distance, and #mopars continued to carry a rep for quality issues, most notably rust on these unibody cars. For 1971-72, styling was further differentiated. Chrysler and Imperial coupes got a more formal looking roof line and more details up front and on the side. The #NewYorker also rolled out a new trim in #1972 that was to become a familiar way of dressing up an already luxurious car - #Brougham. The Brougham (pronounced Brohm, rhymes with ohm) came with most of the options available on the regular New Yorker and the Newport. The name derived from a carriage built by 19th century Scottish lawyer, politician, and abolitionist Henry (later Lord) Brougham - the name was applied to cars as early as 1916 but the modern Broughams had little connection with these. Alas, more formal styling and gilded options lists couldn’t revive the #fuselage fortunes. Only 4,635 #ChryslerNewYorker Brougham coupes were built in 1972, although the division (which only sold Fuselage body cars, unlike Dodge and Plymouth) did moderately well compared to 1971 with the updates. Chrysler had invested alot in these sleek cars, but never really saw a return. And their sparse sides and huge proportions - 4,300 lbs. and 224” lengths - served them poorly when gas became expensive and they were just used cars. It’s too bad there aren’t more survivors, because they certainly are a stylistic standout. #moparmonday #landyacht #americancars #1970s #broughamsociety #Chryserfuselage #giant #fullsize #retro_rides #ig_autoshow #soloparking #
