Either Medium Canyon Red or Midnight Canyon Red, this 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria 2-Door Sedan is striking in white over red over red. It’s a little dirty and would have been nice to see at least washed, if not detailed, but it looks great even dirty. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Stuart, Virginia, and they’re asking $4,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
The LTD Crown Victoria was made from 1979 for the 1980 model year until 1991 in both four-door and two-door body styles at different points during that period. The two-door model was dropped after 1987 as they weren’t selling, sort of like why there aren’t many manual transmissions available anymore. It’s more a factor of people aren’t buying them, so they’re being dropped, more than car companies aren’t making them. Thoughts?
I love this era of the Crown Vic, the LTD years when a straight edge ruled the design studio. The later years were arguably more popular, but they lost some of the 1970s “charm” if you can call huge, boxy cars charming. I can and do, but a lot of people may prefer the sleeker years of the 1992 through 2012 models. This car appears to be in outstanding condition, and the seller does say it’s in excellent condition with just a couple of minor dings. They say there is no rust and no rot! I love those words, I wish I could say the same thing about my body.
The interior is fairly basic for what we normally think of as a luxury car. The first thing I look for is usually the last thing on anyone else’s mind: power windows. This car doesn’t have them, and we never had options like that on our vehicles growing up, even my dad’s 1970 Olds 98 had roll-up windows. Since then, it’s the first thing I’ve wanted. Maybe there’s some sort of psychological study in my future, although it’s probably too late for that now. It looks outstanding inside this car, with maybe some discoloration on the steering wheel, unless that’s a trick of light and shadow. The back seat looks equally perfect, as does the huge trunk, with maybe some rearranging of the fiberboard panels waiting for the next owner.
The similarly dusty engine is Ford’s 302-cu.in. OHV V8 with 140 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a four-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and the seller says it runs well. You could pay this car off by detailing it on your YouTube channel. Any thoughts on this great-looking LTD?
Good job Scotty. This looks like a decent Crown Vic. The ad has quite a few pics and a good write-up, which makes the fact that the pics were taken when it was dirty quite odd. An engine detailing would be welcome, and probably a few other things to sort out. Whitewalls please. The result would be a nice cruiser.
I agree with your “people aren’t buying them” comment. We Barn Finders may pine for (insert your favorite model, option, or feature) from the past, but unless there is a business case for it, it’s not going to happen. Manual transmissions in trucks tops my list, but I’m not holding my breath.
When I ordered my C1500 in 1989 the Salesman told me I couldn’t get a manual. It was the Standard Transmission! Almost went to the GMC dealer before they figured it out. I think they got a bonus for getting people to pay for Automatics. Had an 84 Crown Vic Police Package with the 351, not fast as I think it had a 2.9 rear end, also with manual windows (but power locks, go figure)
It would be fun to just watch someone detail this. I like that its a 2 door, you definitely don’t see as many of them as you do the 4 doors. The interior actually looks pretty good. But like Bob said above, whitewalls please, I think this old LTD would look a lot better cleaned up. Scotty, you got me thinking about the windows our 70 Olds 98 had crank down windows, manual seat, no tilt wheel. More stuff to break Dad would say. Oh and as for Bobs desire for manual transmissions in pickups especially a nice small one, you can count me as number 2 on that list for sure.
Thanks, guys! I agree about how fun it would be to clean this and also about white walls. And especially about liking manual transmissions. Put me down as #3 on the list. I only have two with manuals now, way down from a few years ago. It’s another good reason to buy an old/older car or truck. I just read that Ferrari may be bringing manual transmissions back again, that’s a step in the right direction for people buying new Ferraris, but that isn’t me.
Remember Ford trucks until about 1997 seemed to have a very high take on the manuals. Especially the bread and butter half tons w the 300-6.
The guy is selling it at a reasonable price. Four new whitewalls is a lot of dough to add on to the cost. Hell, I don’t know where you can get whitewalls these days. You’re right about washing it. However check the weather there. He could have had it washed and it looked like that when he got home. This is common where I live in Baja Wisconsin.
Discount Tire gets you whitewalls.
Scotty & drive in, I’ve posted before about my ’70 98 4-door hardtop. Mine also had manual windows, but a power seat and vacuum operated trunk button in the glove box and automatic climate control.
My ’72 Caprice had p/s, p/b, p/l, a/c, and that’s it. Go figure. I added an aftermarket cruise on later.
@Jon. Oh yeah!!! I totally forgot about the trunk button in the glove box!!! My Mom LOVED that! Ours was a manual seat. Mom would move the lever on the side and had to slide the entire front seat forward after Dad drove it. Thanks again for the memories.
I’m a day late and not able to buy, but just wanted to send you to 79 Lincoln Town Car just listed. Of course my comments are the usual rambling on about the Virtues of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT. I actually loved my 89 Crown Victoria LX. Any way, it’s time to turn in (to what, I’m not sure).Thanks for the good wishes on my health. Tomorrow will be interesting. š. But, Tomorrow is Another Day. š° Ya all take care now!
You can also thank Uncle Sam for getting rid of the manual shift. With CAFE regulations rising to almost impossible heights? The advent of 6, 8, and 10 speed automatics, helped the manufacturers at least try and play the game. How about their newest trick? The start/stop thing that you have to turn off every time you drive your car. Maddening, and with my newest Lincoln, you can’t override it, or it voids the warranty. Complete BS. This old LTD sure makes me want to deep six the new cars and get back to basics. The wife isn’t too sure, though.
That’s why I keep buying Mazda,last 3
I got don’t even have that feature.
Oh you got that right BigC. Govt knows best. Up here they are practically deep sixing manuals on Heavy Trucks too. Losers.
The off/on nonsense is just a cherry on top of their š© šØ
Yeah give me smog and crappy gas mileage any day, along with shoddy build quality, rolling death traps, and sheet metal that rusts as soon as you leave the lot just so I can thumb my nose at the government.
You do you, Sunshine.
I hate the auto stop feature. Totally agree. Wish they defaulted it to OFF.
The start/stop feature in my car is operated by a separate battery under the glovebox. When this battery went flat, I never replaced it. Problem solved, no more start/stop,
Great write up Scotty! In the 70s and 80’s and even the 90s we mostly owned manual transmissions and it was a preference. From my ’68 Cougar 390 to Escorts (even 2 diesels) to 5.0HO Fox bodies and a ’91 SHO. Really enriches driving experience as we know. But auto trans not a negative just a reality and certainly the way to go here in this very nice LTD. Looks like a great buy here and makes $450-800+ monthly car pmts look foolish.
the tube that goes from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner intake, what happens to those? they’re always gone
That connection is usually a flex tube. Very thin metal or aluminum. After 20 years of cycling from cold to hot, they usually fall apart and get thrown away.
Uh-oh… Fox owner. I trust you have the 2.3L 4cyl. under your hood ? Nobody needs 225hp/300lb-ft from the 5.0 Lol
ā½ļø š
I am a manual man. Sadly you have very few new vehicles available with manual transmission. If money were no object then I would be buying a Mustang with the V8. The smaller engines only have automatic transmission. My son has a decal: Save the Manuals. Iām just grateful that my left leg still works good even after a hip replacement three years ago. Got to row my own while I still can.
The loss of frameless side glass – that were on prev gens – i bet hurt sales of these. & also the glass/roof is too tall on these.
The glass & roof are “too tall” so old guys like me don’t have to bend too much to get in! Lol!
That’s one reason why suvs are so popular; rather than climb down into, ( like my Lucerne) we just slide in!š (like our Equinox)
The height of your Lucerne is 58 inches.
Oh, you would love the height of the roof of a ’70 firebird or camaro.
Only 49.3 inches! Lowest of any non sports car, i believe.
Not to mention the huge long heavy doors – especially in 1974 with the big safety guard beams inside. lol
Yet, unlike the last 2 gen camaros which are much higher (53 inches!) but still have “gangster” side glass, the ’70s are very airy with lots of side glass & headroom. & you are not sitting that low either, compared to a ’70 mustang or cuda. Go figure.