Reported to be a rust-free Alabama car, this 1978 Ford LTD Landau 4-Door Pillared Hardtop looks solid and is an interesting body style. Or has an interesting name. To me, a hardtop doesn’t have a B-pillar, but this one is literally named a pillared hardtop. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Schenectady, New York, the town so nice they named it twice… er… There is no reserve, and the bid is $5,500.
The first thing I notice on a vehicle is paint variation between body panels. The opening photo shows a lighter front fender. There’s no mention of paint or bodywork, so we don’t know if it’s a factory variation or if it occurred sometime after 1978. The gas door also looks darker, but maybe Ford painted the panels and parts separately and then assembled them? Bob or another Ford expert will probably know that answer. The “Deep Dish Aluminum Wheels” are great.
The second-generation LTD was made from 1968 for the 1969 model year until the end of 1978, with a radical redesign in model year 1973. This car would be almost a foot-and-a-half longer than the next-generation LTD at almost 19 feet. This is a very big car, as if you didn’t already know that. By the time this series was redesigned in 1973, there was no longer a convertible. I wonder what one may have looked like… The seller has uploaded 55 photos, but a lot of the exteriors are similar, and we don’t get to see the trunk. I’m assuming it’s as nice as the rest of the car is.
The classic Dove Gray “Kasman” knit cloth, or velour, seats appear perfect both front and rear, with split bench seats in front and power controls on the driver’s side. Bring your 8-track collection; this car has a factory in-dash player. The seller says this one has under 37,000 miles and is fully equipped with all power options, and there is no rust, although I hope that isn’t a factory “wrinkle” on the inside of the door?
The engine is Ford’s 400, a 402-cu.in. OHV V8 with 160 horsepower and 319 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, it’s said to run and drive great. A couple of hours of detailing would have made a world of difference under the hood. How much would you pay for this loaded LTD Landau?
Wonderful cars, the combination of 70 years of quality cars, this was it. This was the car for that up and coming ASSISTANT manager, who always sucked up to the boss, that drove a Lincoln, ask me how I know.
Seems like a good price, some interest, but not willing to go too much. They were fantastic cars, and mileage? Who knows/cares, the number shouldn’t be a concern when looking for something like this, its condition tells all.
Very nice ride for comfort & room.
I always thought it odd that these cars had lights (reflectors?) ion the headlight doors. I mean you’re hiding the headlights. The Town Car and Mercury were the same I think. Didn’t like them much then and don’t like them now.
The “Deep Dish Aluminum Wheels” are great.
Wow. No kidding. I wouldn’t have looked twice if you hadn’t pointed them out, Scooter.
I had one with a 302, it was comfortable, but I found myself wanting no floors so I could do the Fred Flintstone thing to try and get it moving faster. This can only be better with a 400, and this one is nicely optioned, mine had few options, just vinyl top, hidden headlights, cloth seats and A/C.
When I owned a 72 LTD convertible, friends were so impressed that they said LTD stood for LA TI DA…..indicating its impressive appearance. I couldn’t agree more. Even the subsequent downsized generation retained luxury and quality.
Nice Landau
Would have made a great ragtop Scotty. Too bad Ford didn’t carry through with it. If they had, they would’ve sold a lot of them. And if I remember correctly, you could get a 460 in one of these too. You’re gonna
need something that big to move such a large car. Almost bought one in ’93 from a musician friend of mine.
But before I could, the damn fool got
himself busted for dealing meth. His
car had a 460 in it and was really classy with that shiny black paint, padded roof, and dark red leather and cloth interior. What a ride it was too.
Sadly though, the Feds got it before I could. What a shame.
Looks like a nice car, even though it’s in the price sensitive segment if the market, it still pays to buy the best you can find even if it comes at a premium. With 2+ days until the end of the auction, it will be interesting to see where the bidding ends.
Steve R
Sold on 6/20/25 for a high bid of $6,600.
Steve R
In my world ,if it has a b pillar it’s a sedan. The manufacturer can call it what they want as long as I can call it what it is and that’s a sedan.
I can’t speak to the differences in paint finish among the body panels. My comment would be how decent it looks, given the poor quality silver and silvery blue paints of the day.
At least it has the GM A/C compressor, much more reliable than the Ford units! Nice enough car for the money.
With the skirts on, at first glance I thought it was a Mercury Marquis.
@ Howard A
How do you know? LOL
This would be a fun car to take on a cross country road trip. I could see some one cruising Route 66 with this car. What fun that would be.
Wouldn’t mind putting my niece in something like this. Today’s cars are put together with spit and glue and since she’s just now getting her license, she needs a car with some substance
to it. And this would definitely fill the bill. She:d more than likely say yes to it provided she gets to cruise it at Old Town over in Kissimmee. And maybe, just maybe, my SIL and I would let her drive it Universal Studios in Orlando by herself. With these things being solid and well built, I’d have no qualms about turning her loose on the road after I install a Smash And Crash
Road Rage Kit from Ronco! LOL! Best thing is, I can fix it myself and avoid paying those $150 diagnostic fees. One thing you need to check for is blue smoke coming from the tailpipe
when you first start the engine. This is a sign that you’ll need to replace the valve guides and seals. Fords of this era were notorious for it especially in the V’8 engines. Very rarely did I ever see this anomaly in a 6 cylinder engine. My ’79 Granada
sedan had it so I pulled the head and had new valves put in
and new seals too. The kid who bought it got a really good deal on it. Still a very nice car.
Auction update: this one sold for $6,600.