Full-size rigs from the sixties into the early seventies make copy here on BF, but the mid to late seventies versions? Not so much so. And there are plenty of reasons, they got bigger (until they got smaller), were heavier, slower, and arguably, uglier thanks to ram-o-rama federally mandated five MPH bumpers. But today’s find, a 1976 Ford LTD is noteworthy due to its very low mileage. Said to have been with one owner for 46 years, and located in Monaca, Pennsylvania, this LTD is now available, here on craigslist for $6,000. Mitchell G. is due thanks for forwarding this tip!
By ’76, Galaxies, Custom 500s, and Customs were oh so yesterday as all full-size Fords were now LTDs. There was a standard LTD (such as our subject), a Landau, and a Brougham (also known as a bro gum’ or a bro ham’ depending upon your geography). Technically, there was an LTD Custom 500 but it was a fleet-only model. Three body styles were offered, two and four-door sedans along with a station wagon. Based on research, it appears that this standard LTD four-door version was the most popular with about 101K copies being produced.
Along with the other detractions that I mentioned regarding mid-seventies domestic sedans, another thing one could count on was the inclusion of the color brown – and that’s what we got goin’ on here. The listing images are not the most detailed, but this big sedan (eighteen and a half feet long), presents pretty well. The seller does mention, “very few old age spots, a small rust spot on the bottom of driver’s door, corner of the rear bumper has a little chrome peeling and right front corner of bumper is bent a little…“.
Power (but not a lot) comes from a 152 net HP, 351 CI V8 engine that is said to be modified. There is no elaboration beyond that and there is no visual evidence of external modifications, (unless you consider the inclusion of a General Motors Frigidaire A-6 A/C compressor a modification). It has had its master cylinder replaced – always a good move. The seller says that it “drives nice“. Gear changing happens automatically as that’s all that was available.
Compared to their Chevy counterparts, I always thought that Fords from this era did a better job with the interiors of their cars. The included images are taken from too far away to get much of a feel for the interior environment’s overall condition, but what little can be seen shows well. The seller adds, “interior is like new and still smells like it“.
While this vintage sedan probably won’t have the draw of say a ’67 through ’70 LTD or Galaxie, I have to imagine this car will get snapped up quickly. The 21K miles of use is hard to beat, the car is in sound shape, and it’s not very expensive. And – there won’t be any made like this again. Hmmm, the more that I think about it, this LTD has a lot going for it, right?
Wow, what a bargain. I can’t believe it hasn’t sold yet. OK, it’s not the sexiest classic car out there, but for 6K, why not just buy it and drive it every day?
Sure, a new Hyundai or Kia etc. would get better mileage, but those cars cost 3 or 4 times what this car costs; so the added gas costs still wouldn’t be more than a new car payment.
Nice one, Jim! How you got those mind-numbing vertical photos cropped to fit that well is a work of art!
Thx Scotty!
JO
Ok.. Again I can’t believe cars and trucks from the 70’s with low mileage. And it’s a steal at $6,000. The engine is a 351M/400 that’s were the word modified is from. That the way Ford made them back then. Wow what a nice ride. Just clean up the little rust area and your done. This would be fun at local car show. To get little more juice out of the 351.. dual exhaust,4bbl intake and Ford carburetor or Holley. And if you want to go farther.. change the cam to a 351-4 from 1970. And enjoy it. 😊🐻🇺🇸
I’d cruise it every day except the winter.351 M 400’s were good engines.Fix the little rust.Dual exhaust and cherry bombs so I’d feel young again my neighbor hated em when I was a teen. otherwise I’d leave it stock imo. Maybe go the blackwall and Ford poverty cap route with the wheels.Feels like it was yesterday I’d see these everywhere
Steal at 6k.He won’t need luck with the sale it’ll sell quick.
The basic, el strippo LTD. Zero power anything, but the neighbors won’t know. You couldn’t give these away in the 80’s and 90’s. But, if you dig a more door? This is a nice piece.
Well, power steering and brakes , for power.
These were so common at one time , but the 80s and 90s these were just big 10 year old cars no one wanted and we used to pick them up for $50 or less and derby them
It’s a really clean LTD.Something that i would drive everyday.The maintenance involved though isn’t like a new car in many ways.oil changes and tune-ups have to be done more often and there’s several feet of vacuum hose under the hood.But then again i know how to work on these cars from this era including how to rebuild a carburetor.something to consider when owning and driving a 70s car,fairly cheap maintenance if you can DIY.
Ford used a Frigidaire compressor very often. Even in 57 on Skyliner.
Barnaby Jones drove a 2 door thru out the series, always brown, but loaded with options, his last one had a sunroof
The engine is not modified, it is the M class engine style, not a Windsor or Cleveland. It was the worst engine group for power or to have modified.
Now that you mention it, that’s probably what the seller meant – an “M” variant.
JO
Seems pretty reasonable, I’m sure it would be a nice, cushy, comfortable cruiser.
Wow! Pound for pound what a great bargain! I’d fix the door rust and drive it every day!
Nice cruiser..easy to work on..floats down the road…I’d be in if I had the space:>)
if i had the money i would definitely jump on that i love it
Sam watkins
I had a 78 like this car, it had a pitifully weak 302 with A/C, the same GM compressor. Some of them came this way, why, I do not know.
Ford used a lot of Frigidaire compressors since 1957.
a6 was a good compressor I think they blew colder then Yorks which were good too though. Still have my front seal removal and replacement tools for the ceramic seal.
I’m a-wonderin…. Could this be from my family? My aunt and uncle had one identical to this that they only drive to church on Sunday. In Pa. Wonder how long the owner has had it… They passed about 10 years ago, and the car was sold. I know it had very, very few miles on it then. Wow. Not a Ford guy, and it’s not a wagon, but how cool would it be….
Duh. One owner 46 years. Duh. Got caught up in the “what if” moment. Sorry, folks.
Praying for Pastor Ron 😊