Save the Whales by CoreyBlack
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Description
The all new full size Chevrolets introduced for the 1971 model year ushered in a 5 year design cycle that included the biggest cars the GM "bow tie" division ever made. Nicknamed the "fuselage" bodies for their sleek round-sided sheet metal and curvacious glass area that vaguely resembled the canopy of a jet fighter, they were larger than their 1970 counterparts in practically every way and 150 to 375 pounds heavier. Though handsome cars in their own right, the added weight coupled with the rounded styling cues gave them a chubby somewhat whale-like countenance. And the weight problem would only get worse. With the addition of the federally mandated 5 mph crash bumpers in 1973 and 74, an already over-sized vehicle became even more massive. By the time the fuselage design cycle ended in 1976, a top of the line Caprice station wagon weighted over 5000 pounds; this being nearly 700 pounds more than the 1970 model. While initially strong sellers, the "thirsty whales" (like the rest of their full sized Detroit brethren) were done in by the first American "energy crisis, "and few shed tears at their passing. Hmmmmmm, remind you of anything? The SUV craze perhaps? The more things change...
Despite their over-the-top proportions, or perhaps because of them, I've always had a soft spot for these cars. Imagine my delight when I took a short cut through an alley the other day and discovered this near mint 1971 Caprice coupe parked behind an apartment building. It was like meeting an old friend. A stylish and charmingly obese old friend in a nicely tailored suit.
Photographed in the Buena Park area of Chicago on December 23, 2011.
Comments (16)
mgtcs
Ohhh....very, very cool image my friend, amazing capture, loved it!
NightGallery
As a kid my neighbor had one of these. Must of been about 73 or so. We all called it a Land Barge. lol. Very cool find and a great write-up with this shot. Enjoyed the read and the photo. Cheers.
Chipka
Land-dwelling whales! I remember those! My maternal grandmother had one, and at around the time she had it, Space 1999 was a fairly new show on television, and I always thought of the interior of that particular land whale as a rather nice environment for the toy soldiers I always lost somewhere under one of those expansive fields, um, I mean...seats. I rather like this fragment of the leviathan...it gives a real sense of its immensity. Great color too!
watapki66
Wonderful old car!
kgb224
Great find and capture my friend. God Bless.
auntietk
OH yeah! This is what I think of when I think of you and cars. :) There's an image up today by Moochagoo here that brought you immediately to my mind. If you only look at one image on RR today, make it this one. Terrific shot, my friend, and I'm glad you found one in such pristine condition!
bmac62
Know what you mean about size, shape and styling. And look, you've smartly just shown us enough to make us want to see more. That's what a picture is suppossed to do. My white 1968 Bonneville was lovingly referred to as the Tuna Boat in our family:) Cool shot and a fine narrative to give us a feel for the 1971-76 GM cars.
whaleman
Yes, that was a glorious find! Some of these whales need to be saved, and their fins need to be protected from those who would harvest them.
blinkings
Mate I couldn't have said it better myself. Around here, my little 'rally car' sits between 100 menacing 4WD's and SUV's! 95% of which have never and will never see the slightest thing that resembles a dirt road! Bigger is obviously better. The worst are the BMW X7 drivers. Man........are they aggressive.
durleybeachbum
Wonderful narrative!
flavia49
excellent! Happy New Year 2012!!
dragonmuse
I have had a couple of the Ford versions of these.. comfortable land yachts. Nice to see this in such nice shape.
Maxidyne
Nearly fell off my chair when I saw this. I love Detroit steel from this era even if it's not PC these days too. Lovely colour too. Do you have any more?
beachzz
I drove a 79 Olds Cutlass for 11 yea I tellya, it was like driving my couch. As comfy and cozy as it could be; that is till the heater died. Then the rust got it, and after at least one turnover of the odometer, I sold it. They don't make em like this anymore and I guess it's a good thing.
sandra46
SPLENDID CAPTURE
jeanebean
Nice shot! From the era when cars had character. Now I can hardly tell one from the other.