Summary
- Opulence has a different meaning for different countries when it comes to luxury cars, with Americans valuing a strong presence and affinity for land yachts and SUVs.
- The American car industry was a pioneer in refinement in the early 1900s, from efficient manufacturing to V16 and V12 engines in automobiles.
- American luxury motoring is characterized by powerful V8s mated to automatic transmissions, a trend that continues to this day and is a hallmark of American opulence.
Opulence isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of the American car industry. Though the definition of luxury depends on which country you ask: the British marvel at the quality of craftsmanship and materials in their Rolls-Royce and Bentleys; the Germans value the engineering prowess and refinement of their flagship Mercedes S-Class; but for the Americans, it is all about having a strong presence, hence their distinct affinity to their land yachts and SUVs.
It is hard to forget that in the early 1900s, America was a pioneer in many aspects of refinement in the automobile industry, from Ford's efficient manufacturing to the first V-16 and V-12 engines in automobiles. According to legend, Enzo Ferrari’s first V-12 engine was influenced by a Packard, the pioneer of V-12 engines in automobiles.
The luxurious cars post the advent of the federal highway systems in the 1930s, boasted powerful V8s mated to automatic transmissions for cruising long distances with minimal effort. This trend still continues to this day and is a hallmark of American luxury motoring. So without further ado, let's look at the 10 American cars that scream opulence and luxury.
10 Packard Eight De Luxe
Original MSRP: $3,150
Prior to the stock market crash in 1929 and the subsequent great depression, automakers were competing to secure the moniker of the most Luxurious car in the world. The luxury cars that debuted before the stock market crash and sold in the subsequent decade were the pinnacle of decadence and excess. For comparison, the base price for a Ford Model T in 1925 was $260. Despite the hardships and the concurrent cylinder wars, Packard remained steadfast in its resolve to remain at the top of the luxury car market.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1924-1936 |
| Engine | 384.8 cu in (6.3 L) L-head inline eight |
| Power | 135 horsepower |
| Torque | - |
| Curb Weight | 4,507 pounds |
Packard put a lot of effort in better coordination between chassis construction and custom coach-building. Engine noise was reduced by a large new air cleaner, in an effort to conceal the aspirating noises of the carburetor. The noise was further reduced through the use of new rubber engine mounts.
The four-speed selective transmission was later changed to a three-speed synchromesh unit with an optional vacuum-operated clutch. There were disc wheels, freewheeling, ride control, and a harmonic stabilizer front bumper. All 1932 Packards used mechanical brakes on all four wheels.
9 Duesenberg Model J
Original MSRP: $8,500
The Duesenberg is arguably considered the first company to make a supercar. The supercharged SJ model was capable of producing 400 horsepower and speeds of up to 135-141mph. Only 36 examples of the supercharged Duesenbergs were built. A speed of 91mph doesn't sound like much, but remember that cars of the day only had less than 100 horsepower, anything over a mile a minute is warp speed.
Performance
| Year of manufacture | 1928-1937 |
| Engine | 420 cu in (6.3 L) DOHC Straight-8 |
| Power | 320 horsepower |
| Torque | 426 pound-feet |
| Curb Weight | 5,071 pounds |
The Model J was the fastest automobile in the world when it debuted and also the most expensive American automobile on the market. By the time the Great Depression hit in October 1929, the Duesenberg Company had only built some 200 cars. An additional 100 orders were filled in 1930. Thus, the Model J fell short of the original goal to sell 500 cars a year.
8 Cadillac V-16
Original MSRP: $5,350
The Cadillac V-16 is among the cars that exemplify the vision and pioneering aura of the early 1900s car industry, which was paramount to the development it has reached today. The reputation of Cadillac as the premiere Luxury American brand began in the 1920s. And they were known not only for luxury, but power as well. In the late 1920s they set out to create a car with the smoothest, most powerful engine yet, the V-16.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1930-1937 |
| Engine | 452 cu in (7.4 L) Cadillac V16 |
| Power | 165 horsepower |
| Torque | 271 pound-feet |
| Curb Weight | 5,300 pounds |
Upon its introduction, the new car attracted rave reviews from the press and huge public attention. January's production averaged a couple of cars per day, then ramped up to twenty-two. By April, 1,000 units had been built, and by June, 2,000 cars. Despite the imminent onset of the Great Depression, the V-16's introduction was a huge success for Cadillac, as the car generated a lot of buzz. After the peak in V-16 orders in mid-1930, production fell precipitously. Only 50 cars per year were produced for the remainder of the production run.
7 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
Original MSRP: $13,074
Back in the 1950s, America was in full swing in the space race, the public was enamored by the prospects of the future, the design of automobiles in America was largely inspired by this competition. This generation of Cadillacs are remembered for their huge sharp tailfins with dual bullet tail lights, distinctive rooflines, new jewel-like grille patterns and matching deck lid beauty panels. It really looks like a glamorous rocket ship on wheels.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1959-1960 |
| Engine | 390 cu in (6.4 L) OHV V8 |
| Power | 325 horsepower |
| Torque | 430 pound-feet |
| Weight | 5,300 pounds |
The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz is based on the two-door Cadillac Coupe De Ville; four-doors were also available in either four-window or six-window hardtop configurations. But with a convertible top, it is truly one of the most beautiful and luxurious cars ever produced. It became a cult classic thanks to numerous features in movies and two being the personal vehicle of the king of rock-and-roll, Elvis Presley.
6 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
Original MSRP: $6,067
The Lincoln Continental Mark IV is famous for two things – being the official presidential car for John F. Kennedy and having rear suicide doors. The Continental features a frameless door glass for all its four-doors, and rear suicide doors, which further amplified its stately look. The Continental was also available with a convertible model, making it the first four-door convertible from a major American manufacturer after World War II.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1961-1969 |
| Engine | 430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL V8 |
| Power | 320 horsepower |
| Torque | 465 pound-feet |
| Weight | 5,700 pounds |
The Continental, produced from 1961 to 1969, saw a total of 334,345 units being sold. For the first time in a car manufactured in the United States, the Lincoln Continental was sold with a 2 year/ 24,000 mi (39,000 km) bumper-to-bumper warranty.
The design was by far the boldest and most influential car design in America at that time. The car earned its Elwood Engel-led designers a bronze medal by the Industrial Design Institute (IDI) of New York, NY. This was no ordinary achievement, considering that IDI rarely gives awards to vehicles.
5 Chrysler Imperial
Original MSRP: $8,143
During the 1960s, Chrysler corporation set out to conquer the market by offering vehicles in a variety of price ranges and needs, including performance, luxury, and economy. The Chrysler Imperial was the model that was at the very top of the line for Luxury offerings in its day. After frequent updates and styling experimentation, the 1964 model year became the second-best sales year for Chrysler, with a total of 23,295 Imperials sold.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1964-1966 |
| Engine | 413 cu in (6.8 L) Wedge V8 |
| Power | 340 horsepower |
| Torque | 470 pound-feet |
| Weight | 5,500 pounds |
The 1964 Imperial was a great departure, styling wise, from the wild contraptions of Virgil Exner. With a clean, slab-sided body panels and thick C-pillars, Elwood Engel was instrumental in giving the Imperial a distinct and novel look. This generation of Imperial was sold with the Crown and Le Baron trim levels, the Le Baron only available as a four-door hard top.
The automotive critic, Tom McCahill thought so highly of the Imperial. His visible and enthusiastic endorsement helped Imperial forge a reputation as the "driver's car" among the big three luxury makes. A notable mention is the 1966 Imperial, which was the basis for "The Black Beauty," a rolling arsenal on the ABC-TV series: The Green Hornet.
4 Lincoln Continental Mark V
Original MSRP: $11,000
The Continental Mark V is a personal luxury coupe that was sold under Lincoln from 1977 to 1979; it is the last of the luxury American coupes. This mansion on wheels is the epitome of the definition of American luxury: gigantic V-8, long lines that stretch across the entire car, upright chromed waterfall grille, hidden headlamps, fender louvers, opera windows, and the trademark Continental bump on the trunk lid.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1977-1979 |
| Engine | 460 cu in (7.5 L) 385/Lima V8 |
| Power | 208 horsepower |
| Torque | 356 pound-feet |
| Weight | 4,960 pounds |
To put this car's size into perspective, consider that it is a two-door coupe and 230 inches long, 19 inches longer than the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. Remember that the Escalade is a modern full-size SUV that can haul seven people plus luggage. With 228,262 units built, the Mark V is the most popular iteration of the Mark series, despite only being offered for three years.
Although having a significant premium, limited editions and special editions accounted for 20 percent of the total sales. The Luxury Group option package allowed buyers near-complete control over selecting exterior and interior trim options. As for the "Designer Label" cosmetic upgrade, the four option packages, Bill Blass, Hubert de Givenchy, Emilio Pucci, and Cartier, each consisted of designer-coordinated exterior paint colors, interior upholstery and trim, vinyl roof and body-side moldings.
3 Lincoln Town Car
Original MSRP: $48,170
If there was ever a competition for the car that was most converted to a stretch limousine, the Lincoln Town Car would win by a long margin. A Town Car used to be a status symbol that impressed your neighbors and bystanders, most common among government officials and business executives. These days, the only people driving Town Cars are chauffeurs, livery drivers and the occasional private owner who wants the nautical driving style and easy to use equipment.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 1998-2011 |
| Engine | 4.6 L (281 cu in) Modular SOHC V8 |
| Power | 239 horsepower |
| Torque | 287 pound-feet |
| Weight | 4,369 pounds |
The third generation Lincoln Town Car was introduced for the 1998 model year, and was bolted on the ubiquitous Panther-Platform that had underpinned its predecessor. Expecting agility and precision on a car that used body-on-frame construction and a truck-style solid rear axle is wishful thinking. The Town Car was outdated even for its day, yet even with declining sales in the 2000s, it remained one of the highest-selling American-brand luxury sedans.
Forbes magazine repeatedly named the Town Car "one of the best cars to be chauffeured in" along with other, often more expensive flagship sedans, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. Seeing as these cars are so darn reliable, and with over a million manufactured, chances are we'll be seeing them on American roads for many more years to come, keeping the Lincoln nameplate alive.
2 Chrysler 300S
Original MSRP: $47,195
The Chrysler 300 is a large front-engined, rear-wheel drive V-6 or V8-powered luxury sedan, which was designed by Ralph Gilles as a modern interpretation of the 1955 Chrysler C-300. The first generation 300 was bolted on the company's rear-wheel-drive LX platform with components from the W211-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It was introduced for the 2004 model year, back when Chrysler was in partnership with Daimler.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 2004-Present |
| Engine | 5.7L Hemi V8 Engine |
| Power | 363 horsepower |
| Torque | 394 pound-feet |
| Weight | 4,380 pounds |
If you're looking to stay under the radar, the 300 is definitely not your pick. The large grill, the long hood, the low roofline, and the large rear end makes this car exude the essence of a classic big, bold sedan with a strong presence. That outward appeal might also be the contributing factor to it being associated with celebrity and glamour.
The 300 is as American as it gets, forget about modernities like lightweight construction and sophisticated driving dynamics, expect a plush ride with a powerful hemi-V8 reminiscent of the classic land yachts. The 2023 Chrysler 300 is really the last of its breed, having an underwhelming sales figure and an archaic platform can only mean one thing. Chrysler will celebrate this icon with the 6.4L hemi-powered 300C, a limited production of only 2000 examples for the American market.
1 Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition
Original MSRP: $110,000
Lincoln revived the iconic Continental nameplate for the 2017 model year, a full 15 years after it sent it into the history books with the ninth-generation model. Unfortunately poor sales returned the 10th generation car to the history books yet again in 2020, after only four years of production. In 2019, Lincoln made a limited run of 80-units with the 80th Anniversary Coach Door special edition.
Performance
| Year of Manufacture | 2019 |
| Engine | Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 |
| Power | 400 horsepower |
| Torque | 400 pound-feet |
| Weight | 4,900 pounds |
As the only car not wearing a Rolls-Royce badge to have center-opening doors, Lincoln uprated its interior with the Black Label trim to be noteworthy with the top luxury cars of today. It provides the refinements and advanced features today’s clients expect from a luxury vehicle: from the doors to the seating and special interior, rear-seat amenities, and console that offers a stowable tray table with tablet holder and wireless charging pad. A charmingly Rolls-Royce–style feature is a pair of rear-door umbrella holders that carry Lincoln-logo umbrellas.