Full-size convertibles exuded an air of success, and Ford’s LTD combined style with upgraded trim and luxury-car features like cornering lights. That’s right; Mr. Big (or Ms. Big) is at the wheel. This fine-looking 1971 Ford LTD in Bel Air, Maryland, boasts a mighty 429 V8 and “starts easily, sounds awesome, and rides great,” according to the listing here on eBay. Make it yours just in time for warm weather with $22,900 and one click on Buy It Now, or try your luck with the Make offer button. These curious wheels mark the only notable deviation from stock on this shiny red rider. Thanks to reader Curvette for spotting this 429-powered drop-top.
While Ford built some wicked performance variants of the 429 cid (7.0L) V8, most found their way into luxury cars, station wagons, and pickup trucks. You can’t stop a big-inch mill from making torque, and that’s what you’ll feel most in this LTD. Though not restored, this engine shows replacement items and the sort of aftermarket air cleaner that nearly every ’70s V8 picked up in the ’80s or ’90s.
Flush door handles make an opulent touch from a time when most looked like they hadn’t changed since the ’30s. My family had a very similar LTD convertible when I was around eight to ten, in the same color combination, though ours lacked cornering lights and power windows. My mother hated driving it across our town’s narrow metal grate bridges. It was ponderous and wandered so she felt like she was using both lanes. One day my 400 lb door swung open as mom rounded a corner and and I thought I might die. I learned to use more of my scrawny muscles to be sure it was double-latched. During a top-down drive to my grandparents’ on 16 August 1977, the LTD’s radio informed us that The King, Elvis Presley, had been found dead in his home at the age of 42.
Power windows were an uncommon luxury item on a ’70s Ford. The LTD’s driver-centric dash makes a cockpit-like command module perfect for control freaks. Want a little more heat or a new radio station, Mr. or Ms. Passenger? Form a proper request for the Pilot’s consideration and they might accommodate. Careful when you leave this black vinyl baking in the sun. I still have marks seared into the back of my legs matching this upholstery from leaping into the LTD one August day.
Potential buyers should have few complaints regarding the undercarriage, and this honest-looking shot with replaced anti-sway bar end links, a repainted oil pan, and no obvious signs of heavy rust or chronic leaking tells a better story than something recently cleaned and slathered with chassis black paint. Overall this ride looks ready to enjoy. Use those handy buttons to roll down the windows, retract the power top, don some authority shades, and you’re looking stylish in the wind. Can you picture yourself cruising in this comfortable rag-top LTD?
Enjoyed the right up Fitch. Sounds like some wild family fun in your LTD. Love this one with the big motor.
Fun write-up Todd. Interesting that your family had a very similar LTD. This one appears to be in great shape. I think the original wheel covers would look better. Large-and-in-charge cruising awaits. The grandkids would love it.
I too remember where I was when the news broke that Elvis had died. In my case, I had my summer job Ford pickup pulled close to an oil field repair job I was doing so I could listen to the radio.
I couldn’t find any picture of our LTD except this one. That’s me in the stripes and my kid brother.
These cars were every where! The bumper-ettes never enhanced the clean lines on the these, nor those awful cornering lights. To have experienced one is to love one.
If that’s an original set of Motorwheel Spyders and not repops..those are worth close to 2k of the price :P My favourite custom wheel of all time.
Thanks, ThunderRob. I have never heard of these or seen them, at least not that I remember. Here is a link with some history. Much appreciated. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/motor-wheels-spyder/