GET HER A ! Couture Cars and Designer Editions COUTURE CARS

¨ The automotive world wasn’t immune to Seventies excess. ¨ In the early Seventies, car companies started introducing trim packages inspired by – or actually designed by – famous fashion labels. ¤ These were often a way to create fresh appeal for cars that hadn’t received mechanical or style overhauls for several years. COUTURE CARS

¨ AMC was the first to introduce couture cars. ¨ Soon, other companies followed suit, introducing an array of designers and looks for fashion-obsessed buyers. ¤ Some were fully custom looks, created by the designer. ¤ Some were little more than color-keyed trim levels. COUTURE CARS

¨ By the end of the Eighties, few companies were still producing couture cars regularly. ¨ A few late-model designer editions may become collector cars in the future: ¤ Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition ¤ Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis Edition ¤ Subaru Forester L.L. Bean Edition AMC AMC

¨ AMC was the first company to introduce mass-market couture editions of its cars. ¤ This was a concerted corporate effort to differentiate the scrappy independent from larger Detroit companies. ¤ Directed by interior design department head Neil Brown. AMC: 1972-73 Gucci Hornet Sportabout

¨ Gucci Highlights ¤ 1921: begins producing leather riding boots and luggage in , . ¤ 1953: Son Aldo relocates the business to New York City. n Begins expanding the business into clothing, perfumes, and housewares. ¤ Style: Known for classic tailoring, exotic leathers, and high-fashion designs. AMC: 1972-73 Gucci Hornet Sportabout

¨ Gucci Highlights ¤ 1972: Dr. Aldo Gucci designs a trim package for the Hornet Sportabout. n He enjoyed the challenge enough to also create a custom, one-off Hornet Sportabout for his personal use. AMC: 1972-73 Gucci Hornet Sportabout

¨ Exterior ¤ Four paint choices: n Hunter Green n Grasshopper Green n Snow White n Yucca Tan ¤ Gucci fender emblems ¤ Wider rocker panel moldings AMC: 1972-73 Gucci Hornet Sportabout

¨ Interior ¤ Special Gucci green, red, and ivory vinyl seats ¤ Special sunvisors and striped door panels ¤ Gucci-logo headliner AMC: 1972-73 Gucci Hornet Sportabout

¨ Package Price ¤ $141.80

¨ Production Figures ¤ 1972: 2,584 ¤ 1973: 2,251 AMC: 1972-73 Pierre Cardin Javelin

¨ Pierre Cardin Highlights ¤ 1950: Designer Pierre Cardin founds his eponymous design house in Paris. ¤ 1959: Expelled from a design syndicate for moving into ready-to-wear. ¤ 1979: Redesigns the national costume of the Philippines. ¤ Style: Known for avant garde styling, geometric patterning, and experimental shapes like the “bubble dress.” AMC: 1972-73 Pierre Cardin Javelin

¨ Exterior ¤ Five paint choices: n Trans Am Red n Snow White n Stardust Silver n Diamond Blue n Wild Plum ¤ 12 cars were special ordered in Midnight Black ¤ Cardin fender emblems AMC: 1972-73 Pierre Cardin Javelin

¨ Interior ¤ Special Cardin seats in a pleated stripe pattern of Chinese red, plum, white, and silver on black n Satin-like nylon with a stain-resistant silicone finish n Stripes run from the front seats, up the doors, onto the headliner, and down to the rear seats AMC: 1972-73 Pierre Cardin Javelin

¨ Package Price ¤ $84.95

¨ Production Figures ¤ 1972-73: 4,152 AMC: 1973 Levi’s Gremlin

¨ Levi’s Highlights ¤ 1853: Levi Strauss moves from Bavaria to California to open a branch of the family dry goods business. ¤ 1873: Strauss receives a patent for riveted work pants – the first blue jeans. ¤ 1890: Levi’s 501 shrink-to-fit jeans are introduced, becoming the world’s best- selling item of clothing. ¤ Style: Known for rugged work pants, stylish denim cuts, and classic styling. AMC: 1973 Levi’s Gremlin

¨ Exterior ¤ Five paint choices: n Snow White n Diamond Blue n Olympic Blue n Maxi Blue n Pewter Metallic ¤ Accent striping ¤ Levi’s fender badge AMC: 1973 Levi’s Gremlin

¨ Interior ¤ Denim-look spun nylon seats with orange stitching, Levi’s tags, and copper rivets ¤ Blue dash and steering wheel ¤ Matching denim-look door panel inserts and snap-off map pockets ¤ Color-coordinated headliner, sunvisors, and carpeting AMC: 1973 Levi’s Gremlin

¨ Package Price ¤ $134.95

¨ Production Figures ¤ 128,844 total Gremlins n Reports differ on the number of Levi’s models n Possibly as few as 6,000 or as many as 32,500 AMC: Levi’s Line

¨ The Levi’s Gremlin was so popular that AMC continued the line through 1978 and expanded it to other models

1974-78 1975-78 1977

Hornet Jeep Pacer

n Hatchback version n CJ-5 and CJ-7 n No copper rivets n Limited-edition 1977 Hornet n Available in blue or tan AMX n Later Jeeps were available n 100 cars made, all white in “denim” trim

AMC: 1974-75 Oleg Cassini Matador

¨ Oleg Cassini Highlights ¤ 1941: European nobleman Oleg Cassini begins to design costumes for Hollywood. ¤ 1952: Retires from the US Army to open a fashion house on Seventh Avenue. ¤ 1961: Becomes personal designer to Jackie Kennedy. ¤ Style: Known for timeless designs, clean lines, and opulent fabrics. AMC: 1974-75 Oleg Cassini Matador

¨ Exterior ¤ Three paint choices: n White n Black n Copper ¤ White and Black Cars: n Copper hood striping, body side molding, and license plate depression ¤ Copper Cars: n Black accents ¤ Vinyl top in white, black, or copper ¤ Copper finned wheelcovers ¤ Copper grille and headlamp bezels ¤ Cassini fender emblems AMC: 1974-75 Oleg Cassini Matador

¨ Interior ¤ Black knit nylon upholstery n Tufted biscuit-trim seats with copper buttons n Individual reclining front seats ¤ Black dash and wheel with copper accents ¤ Copper-accented instrument panel ¤ Signed glovebox door ¤ Door panels with black fabric inserts, copper accents, and pull straps with copper inserts ¤ Special headliner and sunvisor fabric ¤ Heavy copper serge carpet ¤ Deluxe trunkliner and tire cover AMC: 1974-75 Oleg Cassini Matador

¨ Package Price ¤ 1974: $299 ¤ 1975: n Cassini trim: $236 n Brougham package (required): $173 n Total: $409

¨ Production Figures ¤ 1974: 6,165 ¤ 1975: 1,817 LINCOLN LINCOLN

¨ After witnessing the success of AMC’s designer edition efforts, Lincoln launched its Designer Series in 1976. ¤ Four upscale design houses were enlisted to put their signatures on the Lincoln Mark IV. n Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Pucci. LINCOLN

¤ None of the designers created new fabrics or patterns as at AMC. n Lincoln designers created a trim package template and designers suggested a color palette. LINCOLN

¤ Designer Edition cars included a signed opera window, 22- karat gold engravable dash plaque, cast aluminum wheels, landau top, and “Majestic” velour interiors as standard. n Leather was a delete option. LINCOLN

¤ Package Price: n $2,100 with “Majestic” velour n $1,500 with leather LINCOLN

¤ The line proved incredibly popular. n Designer Edition cars accounted for 27% of Mark IV sales in 1976. ¤ Sales were so strong that the line was continued on Lincoln Continental Mark series cars in some form through 1983. n Annual updates made to color scheme and accents. ¤ Town Cars were later given the Designer treatment as well. LINCOLN: Bill Blass Edition

¨ Bill Blass Highlights ¤ 1937: Bill Blass starts selling evening gowns to New York shops at age 15. ¤ 1940: At age 18, Blass becomes the first male to win Mademoiselle magazine’s Design for Living award. ¤ 1942: Serves with the 603rd Camouflage Division, fooling the German army into believing the Allies were in false locations. ¤ 1945: Began his New York fashion career, eventually expanding into swimwear, furs, perfumes, and chocolates. ¤ Style: Known for clean lines, excellent tailoring, nautical themes, and an all-American look. LINCOLN: Bill Blass Edition

1976 1977 1978 1979

• Dark Blue Metallic paint • Midnight Blue Metallic • Midnight Cordovan paint • Midnight Blue and White • Cream “Normande • Chamois landau roof • Light Champagne • Gold pinstriping • Blue velour or leather Graine” landau roof “Valino grain” landau • Choice of roof seats • Cream & gold pinstripe • Cream accent straps and roof or full vinyl roof - Carriage: $2,775 buttons • Champagne accents - Landau: $1,809

• Navy velour or leather • Chamois leather • Maroon ultravelour or • Choice of leather interior • Cream accent straps • Tan accents in “special leather with vinyl - White with navy and buttons pigskin texture” • Champagne accents piping and logo - Navy with white accents and gold buttons LINCOLN: Bill Blass Edition

1980 1981 1982 1983

• Available only on the • Dark Blue Metallic over • Three color choices: • Light French Vanilla and Continental Mark VI Fawn Metallic - White Diamond Midnight Black • Blue velour or leather coupe • Dark Blue vinyl carriage Grain over Red and White - Vanilla-black-vanilla seats • Dark Blue Metallic roof • Cream accent straps and - White over white - Black-vanilla-black buttons • White carriage roof - Black over black • Contrasting stripes

• Choice of white leather • Fawn interior with navy • With white: Opal leather • Light French Vanilla with Midnight Blue bolster sections and seats with red straps and leather interior accents or Luxury Group accents in either fabric buttons Midnight Blue leather or leather • With black: Black cloth • Seat-back crests • Tu-Tone leather- or optional leather with wrapped steering wheel red accents LINCOLN: Cartier Edition

¨ Cartier Highlights ¤ 1847: Louis-Francois Cartier begins designing and selling jewelry and watches in Paris. ¤ 1902: King Edward VII refers to Cartier as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.” ¤ 1904: Cartier designs one of the first practical wristwatches for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. ¤ 1910: Cartier offers the Hope Diamond for sale. ¤ 1972: Cartier expands into leather goods, perfumes, and more. ¤ Style: Known for high-quality watches and stunning precious-gem jewelry. LINCOLN: Cartier Edition

1976 1977 1978 1979

• Dove Grey pearl paint • Dove Grey non-metallic • Light Champagne paint • Light Champagne paint • Dove Grey “Valino paint • Light Champagne • Matching landau roof • Blue velour or leather Grain” landau roof • Dove Grey landau roof landau roof • Dark Red pinstriping seats • Red & white pinstripe • Red pinstriping • Cream accent straps and • Color-keyed cast buttons aluminum turbine wheels

• Dove Grey velour or • Dove Grey leather • Light Champagne velour • Light Champagne leather • Optional Dove Grey or leather leather • Silver accents “sew style” velour • Dark Red accents • Dark Red accents • Cut-pile carpeting • Tone-on-tone details LINCOLN: Cartier Edition

1980 1981 1982 1983

• Light Pewter Metallic • Pewter Metallic paint • Now a Town Car trim • Medium Charcoal Moondust paint and moldings • Pewter Metallic landau • Light Pewter over Opal over Platinum Mist • Blue velour or leather • Medium Pewter roof roof • Single Red pinstripe • Medium Charcoal Moondust seats • Dark Red accent stripe • No pinstriping • Light Pewter full vinyl full vinyl roof • Cream accent straps and • Red accent stripe buttons • Color-keyed wheels roof

• Light Pewter seats in • Pewter Metallic velour or • Two-tone interior in Light • Choice of charcoal velour or leather “Luxury leather seats Pewter and Opal interior Group sew-style” • No accent colors - Your choice of which - Radcliffe cloth inset was the main color with Calgary cloth • Leather with cloth insets - Leather LINCOLN: Givenchy Edition

¨ Givenchy Highlights ¤ 1952: Hubert de Givenchy opens his design house in Paris. ¤ 1953: Givenchy meets Audrey Hepburn and begins providing her clothes on- and off-screen. ¤ 1954: Givenchy introduces the first shirtdress. ¤ 1955: Givenchy is among the first couture designers to launch a ready-to-wear line. ¤ 1971: Givenchy expands into shoes, accessories, upholstery, and furnishings. ¤ 1976: Givenchy is chosen to redesign the Hilton hotel chain’s look. ¤ Style: Known for modern, ladylike, elegant styling. LINCOLN: Givenchy Edition

1976 1977 1978 1979

• Turquoise metallic paint • Dark Jade metallic paint • Midnight Jade paint • Crystal Blue paint • White landau vinyl roof • Forward-positioned • Light Chamois half roof • Blue vinyl half roof • Blue velour or leather • Black & white pinstriping Chamois vinyl half roof • Light Chamois moldings • Dark Crystal Blue stripes seats • Chamois moldings • Cream accent straps and • Light Chamois stripes and logo buttons • Dual Chamois pinstripes and insignia

• Turquoise velour interior • Dark Jade velour or • Jade leather • Dark Crystal Blue • Tone-on-tone accents leather • Logo-embroidered leather • Turquoise wrapped • Tone-on-tone accents Chamois seat back trim • Logo-embroidered white steering wheel seat back trim LINCOLN: Givenchy Edition

1980 1981 1982 1983

Givenchy was dropped from the Designer Series for 1983

• Light Fawn Metallic and • Black over Dark Pewter • Medium Dark Pewter Bittersweet Metallic • Black vinyl roof Metallic paint • Light Fawn full vinyl roof • Wire wheelcovers • Black vinyl coach roof • Bittersweet striping • Red & gold striping • Wire wheelcovers

• Bittersweet leather seats • Pewter dual-cloth or • Pewter Radcliffe cloth or leather seats leather seats LINCOLN: Pucci Edition

¨ Pucci Highlights ¤ 1947: Emilio Pucci designs skiwear for a friend that finds its way into Harper’s Bazaar magazine. ¤ 1948: Pucci establishes a design house on fashionable Capri, specializing in stretch fabrics. ¤ 1962: Marilyn Monroe is buried in a Pucci dress. ¤ 1965: Pucci brings mod style to Braniff Airways, redesigning their flight attendant uniforms, complete with “bubble helmets”. ¤ 1971: Pucci designs the patch for the Apollo 15 moon-landing mission. ¤ Style: Known for colorful, kaleidoscopic geometric prints, easy-care fabrics, and bold styling. LINCOLN: Pucci Edition

1976 1977 1978 1979

• Vintage Burgundy • Black paint • Light Silver metallic paint • Medium Turquoise Moondust paint • White “Cayman grain” • Tri-tone accent stripes Metallic paint • Blue velour or leather • Silver vinyl landau roof patent vinyl landau roof • Pucci logo • Tri-tone stripes seats • Silver & red stripes • Cream accent straps and • Black Cayman vinyl roof • Midnight Blue full vinyl buttons • Red or silver moldings - Landau or full roof

• Burgundy velour interior • White leather and vinyl • Dove Grey leather • White leather “Luxury “with a loose pillow seats • Dark Red accents Group” sew-style seats look” • Black trim and accents • Special vanity mirror • Midnight Blue accents • Special vanity mirror covers covers LINCOLN: Pucci Edition

1980 1981 1982 1983

• Light and Medium Fawn • Medium Fawn Metallic • Pastel French Vanilla over • Blue Flannel Mist paint Metallic two-tone paint • Light Fawn molding French Vanilla Metallic • Dark Blue Cambria cloth • Blue velour or leather • Tri-band pinstriping • Fawn full vinyl roof • Pastel French Vanilla roof carriage roof seats • Light Fawn landau roof • Silver Sparkle accent stripes • Cream accent straps and • Dark Brown & Gold buttons stripes

• Light Champagne • Fawn leather seats • French Vanilla leather • Academy Blue cloth or leather bolsters with • Tu-Tone Light and leather seats Medium Champagne Medium Fawn leather- leather inserts wrapped steering wheel LINCOLN: Valentino and Versace

¨ 1983-85 ¤ From 1983-85, Lincoln added Valentino and Versace to its designer lineup on the Continental. n Styles were similar to the earlier Designer Series, and also changed color schemes year to year.

1984 Versace 1983 Valentino CHRYSLER CHRYSLER

¨ Not to be outdone, Chrysler joined the couture car game in 1981. ¤ Seeking to reinforce the upscale image of its Imperial, Chrysler brought leather-goods design house Mark Cross in to add some special touches. CHRYSLER: Mark Cross Edition

¨ Mark Cross Highlights ¤ 1845: Mark Cross establishes himself as a maker of saddles and harnesses near Boston. ¤ 1875: The Murphy family buys the Cross leatherworks. ¤ 1902: Mark Cross opens a shop on Fifth Avenue. ¤ 1921-29: Gerald and Sara Cross live the Jazz Age high life, establishing themselves and the brand as tastemakers. ¤ 1954: Mark Cross luggage is featured in Hitchcock’s Rear Window. ¤ Style: Known for sturdy, distinctive leather luggage and accessories. CHRYSLER: Mark Cross Edition

¨ Models ¤ Imperial n All 1981-83 Imperials had the Mark Cross interior ¤ LeBaron n The Mark Cross package was available on LeBarons during all years (1982-88). n Optional on base convertibles n Standard on all Town & Country convertibles ¤ Fifth Avenue n 1990-93 Fifth Avenues were available with Mark Cross leather interior CHRYSLER: Mark Cross Edition

¨ Interior ¤ An interior option only n Color scheme varied by year n Kimberley cloth or leather n “Special steer hide” n Signed assist straps n Logo embossing on central armrest n Engraveable dash plaque CHRYSLER: Mark Cross Edition

¨ Accessories ¤ Mark Cross Gift Set n Umbrella n Leather portfolio n Leather key fob n Uncut Cartier key n “Sounds of Stereo” cassette tape ¤ An exclusive set unavailable in Mark Cross stores CHRYSLER: Mark Cross Edition

¤ Production Figures n A very popular T&C convertible option n Accounted for approximately 10% of convertible sales each year FORD FORD

¨ While Lincoln was concentrating on luxury and couture designers, Ford added fashion appeal to its sporty Thunderbird. FORD: 1984-85 FILA Thunderbird

¨ FILA Highlights ¤ 1911: The Fila brothers begin making clothing for customers in the Italian Alps. ¤ 1970s: FILA moves into sportswear. ¤ 1972: Tennis player Björn Borg endorses FILA. ¤ Style: Known for activewear, tennis clothing, and shoes with clean lines and simple styling. FORD: 1984-85 FILA Thunderbird

¨ Upgraded V-6 ¨ Exterior ¤ Four paint color choices: n Red n Black n Medium Charcoal n “Pastel Charcoal” over dark charcoal ¤ Red and blue pinstripes ¤ Color-keyed special 14” alloy wheels ¤ Color-keyed grille and moldings ¤ FILA badging and emblems FORD: 1984-85 FILA Thunderbird

¨ Interior ¤ Articulating Bucket Seats ¤ Two upholstery choices n Oxford Grey suedecloth n Oxford White leather ¤ FILA logo ¤ FILA accessories n FILA “canvas sport bag” n Leather portfolio n Beach towel n Sun visor n Headband n Wristbands FORD: 1984-85 FILA Thunderbird

¨ Package Price ¤ $1,500-$4,200 n Depending on additional options selected

¨ Production Figures ¤ 1984: 2,532 ¤ 1985: Production breakouts vary, but it’s likely that fewer than 1,500 were made. SEVILLE by GUCCI SEVILLE by GUCCI

¨ When Lincoln came out with its Designer Series, it refused to partner with Gucci due to the designer’s past association with AMC. ¨ Aldo Gucci went across town to GM, where Cadillac politely refused his overtures. ¤ However, GM management told Gucci it wouldn’t stop him from taking matters into his own hands. ¨ Gucci subsequently partnered with Miami-based International Automotive Design to create the Seville by Gucci. GUCCI: 1978-84 Seville by Gucci

¨ Exterior ¤ Three paint choices: n Cotillion White n Sable Black n Demitasse or Post Road Brown (depending on year) ¤ Green/red/green striping ¤ Vinyl-covered C pillars with “GG” design ¤ 24-karat gold “GG” hood ornament ¤ 24-karat gold Gucci crests and badges ¤ Wire wheels with gold “GG” emblems GUCCI: 1978-84 Seville by Gucci

¨ Interior ¤ All available Seville options ¤ Exclusive Gucci additions: n Antique Saddle leather n GG-patterned armrests, headrests, headliner, door panel inserts and floor mats n 24-karat gold Gucci steering wheel and pillar emblems n Signed dashboard n Matched five-piece luggage set fitted in trunk GUCCI: 1978-84 Seville by Gucci

¨ Package Price ¤ 1978: $19,900 n More than 40% more than the base Cadillac Seville ¤ 1979-84: $22,900 n $64,714 in 2013 dollars

¨ Production Figures ¤ The Seville by Gucci’s best year was 1979, with around 200 units sold. VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN

¨ European car manufacturers weren’t immune to the designer trend.

¨ Volkswagen released a designer Cabriolet in both Europe and the U.S. VW: 1991 Etienne Aigner Golf Cabriolet

¨ Etienne Aigner Highlights ¤ 1947: Etienne Aigner switches from bookbinding to producing leather handbags for Paris fashion houses. ¤ 1950: Aigner finishes his fashion apprenticeships with Dior and in Paris and moves to New York. ¤ 1959: Aigner opens a boutique in Manhattan. ¤ Style: Known for classic boots and structured leather goods, particularly in a signature shade of deep red. VW: 1991 Etienne Aigner Golf Cabriolet

¨ Exterior ¤ Three paint choices: n Midnight Blue Pearl Effect n Bordeaux Pearl Effect n Mangrove Green Metallic ¤ Color-keyed canvas top ¤ Color-keyed aluminum wheels ¤ Etienne Aigner signature, badging, and emblems VW: 1991 Etienne Aigner Golf Cabriolet

¨ Interior ¤ Color-keyed cloth seats ¤ Leather headrest inserts embroidered with Aigner horseshoe logo ¤ Exclusive leather items: n Shift knob and boot n E-brake handle n Armrests and handles ¤ Color-keyed carpets VW: 1991 Etienne Aigner Golf Cabriolet

¨ Package Price ¤ $1,860

¨ U.S. Production Figures ¤ Blue: 422 ¤ Red: 399 ¤ Green: 639 ¤ Total: 1,460 COUTURE CARS

¨ WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: ¤ Many minor changes between years. n Do your homework! ¤ Special fabric and paint may be hard to find. ¤ Designer trim items such as badges are not often reproduced. COUTURE CARS

¨ WHY BUY? ¤ A blast from the past – truly emblematic of the era. ¤ Fairly uncommon to see at shows. ¤ Relatively inexpensive today. ¤ Your wife might actually encourage you to get another car…if you GET HER A GUCCI!

CONTACT

¨ If you enjoyed this overview of couture cars, please get in touch at [email protected]

¨ Copyright 2014, Kate Sullivan. All rights reserved.