Ford offered its two full-sized LTD-based station wagons in two flavors, a full-tilt LTD Country Squire wagon with woodgrain panels on the exterior, and a clean version known as the LTD Crown Victoria Wagon. That’s what’s on tap here, a great-looking 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria station wagon that’s posted here on craigslist in St. Louis, Missouri, and they’re asking $8,999. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for sending in this tip!
There really isn’t anything plain about an LTD Crown Victoria, although this example features probably the least exciting color available and it isn’t loaded with power options. That being said, it has optional cast aluminum 15″ wheels and appears to be in outstanding condition inside and out. Ford offered the big LTD and LTD Crown Victoria station wagons from 1979 to 1991.
The LTD Crown Victoria wagon offered what Ford referred to as a 3-way Doorgate. It opens via the window, and the tailgate itself opens down like a pickup tailgate and swings to one side. These cars are known for being great trailer haulers and this one has a trailer hitch, or at least the receiver. It appears that some of the flat black paint below the window is flaking off but that should be an easy fix.
Ford called these seats DuraWeave fabric and said that it “looks, feels and breathes like cloth, but cleans and wears like vinyl.” The car looks great inside for the most part from what I can see. The back seat also looks clean and tidy. Power windows, power locks, and power seats were all optional on every trim level of the LTD in 1985, believe it or not. Just think how much more exercise people got back in 1985, rolling up their windows rather than just pushing a button, the humanity!
Here’s where I’d normally show an engine photo, but sadly, as is often the case with craigslist ads, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood to show what’s under there. It should be a Ford 302-cu.in. OHV V8. The seller says that the battery and ignition switch have recently been replaced and the AC was charged at a Ford dealership. Any thoughts on this Crown Vic wagon?
That was some fastidious owner, going to all the trouble to use a label maker to remind him- or herself to change the oil at the appointed mileage. The mileage has its own separate piece that can be peeled off and replaced. I don’t remember ever seeing one of these without the DI-NOC trim.
You had to upgrade to the Country Squire to get the genuine simulated wood grain. Dad’s had the timber on the sides, he said chicks dig it.
We had a Mercury Bobcat with the fake wood trim and chicks did not dig that. It also could have just been me they didn’t dig.
Timmy, that’s what caught my eye too!. Do they still even make those old impact-type Dymo label makers?
Glad you picked this one up, Scotty. What a clean and well maintained vehicle.
I didn’t have an LTD, but I did have an 87 Gran Marquis Colony Park. Loved it like crazy but it needed a tranny, had to send it down the road. Otherwise the nicest-driving car I ever owned and I’ve owned a bunch.
To begin, I have always loved station wagons, especially Ford Motor Company wagons. From 1955, to the early nintys when Ford announced they would discontinue their wagons due to poor sales. Of the Big Three, without a doubt, Ford built the best-looking wagons that also brought a few new features and technology that became station automotive industry standards. In the mid-60s, Ford released the 3 way tailgate, D pillars with louvers in them that routed air from the sides of the car to help remove road dust from the rear window. When the window was down it helped keep exhaust fumes from entering the rear of the car. On 9 passenger models, Ford introduced the additional rear seats that faced each other instead of to the front or back of the car. When not in use the seat backs folded down into a locking lower compartment,which acted as a trunk similar to a sedan. These features and Technology earned Ford The Wagonmaster, and rightfully so. I owned a 1975 Mercury Marquis Colony Park, it was white with tan tuck and roll vinyl seats and interior door panels. Being a Mercury, the Colony Park was the Ford top of the line wagons that could have served as a Lincoln, had Lincoln offered a luxury wagon. Mine was equipped with Ford’s mighty 460 cubic inch engine with a 4 barrel Motorcraft 4300 carburetor and duel exhaust. That wagon could handle steep grades in the Sierras, or cruise along on highways at 75, 80, for hours and never miss a beat. It was heavily optioned with every available option including a luggage rack, power windows, door locks, driver’s seat, AM FM stereo radio with cassette player. It even had ATC, and a factory locking hood release, which was something I had never seen before. It was very comfortable, and for it’s size and weight, it handled very well. It wold consistently get 10 to 11 miles per gallon, no matter the the road conditions and loaded with passengers, and luggage. I liked my generation best of all, it was in production until 1978, then it was replaced in 1979, with the downsized generation that this one is. It was a foot smaller and about 900 pounds lighter. It would be the last generation of Ford’s traditional full-size wagons. I keep hoping Ford will bring back a full-size luxury, sedan based wagons with today’s technology. I would say the EV solution is still in question, until EVs or some other power source take hold by offering the same capabilities that the ICE traditionally provides, we will just have to wait and see.
I keep pointing this out when someone says they miss wagons, especially Ford wagons.
Up to a couple of years ago, Ford offered the Flex, which is as close to a wagon that any car maker has come in many years. They look good (to me) and drive like a dream. Oh yeah, they have 4 doors in the right locations, a rear hatch, and can swallow a lot of cargo!
This body style looks great with a set of 7×15 and 10×15 Weld stars and black wall 60 series. Maybe a set of American Torque Thrust, especially with this paint color. Maybe add some performance upgrades to the 302 and 2 1/2″ dual exhaust.
My uncle owned a 1978 model Ford station wagon. I remember sitting behind him at a traffic light and the car oscillating up and down, a sure sign of bad shocks. He wouldn’t maintain his vehicles. I remember telling him that there were wires showing in his badly dry rotted tires once and he said there was still tread on the tires, so they didn’t need to be replaced.
Had one identical to it 302 motor. A great car!!
For the money, I’d take this over that ratty 57 210 any day.
That’s all my Dad drove for years he had an electrical company and for him it was the best of two worlds.
I now drive a Corsair and it’s the the next thing to a wagon.
I do wish that they would bring them back . The wagons that is.
I’ve had 3 and Dad had 3. Loved em all. Full sized Ford & Merc wagons were cool and utilitarian. Even though the Kids are grown up and moved out, still would be practical and stylish. So much so that the Wife and I bought a Flex. Kind of a retro design, don’t you think?
These were the last of a dying breed! The Good: No Di-Noc fake wood on the sides, and the 302/5.0L can be hopped up to your heart’s and wallet’s content. The Bad: The bland color and the downsized version. True or not, I think that many people felt that the smaller design couldn’t tow or carry as much as the bigger versions, and that might have hurt sales. The Ugly: Late 1970’s anti-smog motors ran like crap, with the half-wit measures like air-injection, a.k.a. “smog pumps” and electronic feedback carburetors to meet the rules. Just bite the bullet and fit EFI, for crying out loud (I used to cry)!
My question is, if it’s a Crown Victoria, where is the crown?
Reminds me of the 1976 station wagon. 400m yellow in color. 1976 modified to a truck engine from the same time engine. Towed anything. Truck version of the 1985 engine.