It’ll be fun to hear if any of you can think of a better era-defining car than a Ford LTD II. Disco was wicked huge, Star Wars hit the big screen, and A.J. Foyt won his fourth Indianapolis 500. And then there was the fashion industry, as mimicked by the white belt trim here. If you had a white belt, check out this nice 1978 LTD II posted here on craigslist in Chesapeake, Virginia, and they’re asking $8,950. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Jack M. for the tip!
Thankfully, in 1977, there weren’t supercomputers with phones attached that we all carry in our pockets now, so the photographic evidence of my clothing “style” is locked onto Kodachrome 64 slides, tucked away in my mom’s front closet. That being said, I may or may not have owned a white belt, white shoes, and plaid pants. A hair helmet where you’d tell the barber to “Just leave the lobes showing” may also have been the style of the day, at least for males. Eve Plumb must have also had an issue with the fashions, as her doppleganger appeared with the rest of the Bradys in this TV special.
The era is also defined by huge bumpers. I wonder what Chip Foose could do with an LTD II? Ford only offered this somewhat unique model for 1977, 1978, and 1979, and most of the ones I remember were a two-door body style like this Dark Blue Metallic example. They also made a four-door sedan and a four-door wagon. This was the post-convertible era in the U.S., so we didn’t get a convertible version, like the one I just made. I wonder if they would have offered one or left that for the similar Thunderbird?
The seats appear to have been redone in a fancy contrasting pattern. I don’t see this in Ford LTD II brochures for 1977, but maybe it was a regional thing for the Mid-Atlantic market? It looks great, and with only 70,000 miles, I’m assuming the steering wheel cover is just for show, not to hide a cracked wheel. The back seat also looks perfect, and the trunk looks as rock solid as the seller says this entire car is, as in it doesn’t have any rust.
The engine is the base 302-cu.in. OHV V8 with 130 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. It’s sent through a three-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and it’s said to be in beautiful condition, with a new fuel pump, new battery, and new tires. It looks fantastic to me. Any thoughts on this LTD II, or 1977, in general?
Very clean car, if you’re into late 70’s full size. That 77′ 302 should move this car through the 1/4 in about 7 hrs and 16 mins. IMHO, I thought the 1969 with the 429, was the pinnacle of these cars.
Ha, I think you’re way off on that 1/4 mile time, it was only a bit over six hours…
My best friend’s parents traded their Mercury Monarch for an LTD II like this one other except it was bright red. I remember how smooth, quiet, and bouncy it was on corners, just like watching an old Cannon or Barnaby Jones episode and seeing the giant cars of that era trying to take a corner, or going over a curb onto the street and bouncing for half a block.
I had a 78 LTD back in the late 90s, it had the 302 2bbl. I’m still waiting for it to complete the 1/4 mile. They should’ve never been allowed to sell anything that badly underpowered.
Tell it to the government. They are the ones that mandated horsepower robbing emission junk on cars.
Fun write-up Scotty. I suspect many of us were “participants” of the 70’s. And also for me, the photographic evidence is slim. Thankfully. (A beige leisure suit flashes to mind….).
This body style, as a 1972 Gran Torino Sport, was very attractive, with its muscular look and in-your-face grille. But by the time the LTD II was on the scene, it wasn’t as attractive, at least for me. It must have been the bumpers and the stacked headlights, in conjunction with the glitzier trim.
That said, as a Thunderbird, it came across much better. Others must have agreed, the T-Bird was a big seller. That convertible photoshop looks good.
This LTD II looks to be be in very good shape. The colors are eye-catching. Someone wanting a disco era, malaise era big Ford coupe would like it.
Thanks, Bob. I was hoping to run across that interior pattern; it almost looks like a Pucci or Bill Blass edition for a Mark V or something like that.
Bob, the leisure suit reference brings back memories of my dad. First off my dad was the the opposite of cool and style. With a lifetime flat top haircut that he passed away with, he was a suit/ sport coat or jeans guy…nothing in between.
My mom in the 70’s bought and talked him into wearing 2 leisure suits. A blue one and a yellow one along with the white belt and shoes. For some reason as soon as he sported his leisure suits they went out of style. Coincidence?
Scotty, that was my era alright! No white belt or shoes here but I recall the plaid BIG bell-bottoms we all wore, along with the platform soles. But I digress.
The color combo on this LTD II I remember seeing when I was in high school. A friend’s dad had a loaded fullsize `78 LTD in dk. blue/cream and it actually was a head turner! But this LTD II is amazingly clean and solid—when was the last time I saw one? Probably the early eighties, no later. Omaha’s police cars during those years were LTD II’s as well!
Ha, the infamous elephant bellbottom pants! I’m not sure if a person could go wrong here if they can get past the asking price.
I ran across a few police car versions of the LTD II, I think it’s a pretty crisp look myself.
https://code3garage.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1977-1979_ford_ltd_ii_police_car_100.jpg
That pic made me nervous for a second SG🚨 😲
“Step otta da car, please…”
Is that a blood stain in the trunk?
Has a body been “transported” in it?
Will we see this on on Forensic Files?
Hmm, very curious and priced fairly reasonable (for the person who has to have a “clean” LTD II)
Nice clean LTD II. It’s weird how Ford cannibalized sales from themselves when this car was practically a Thunderbird.
I got married in 78′ and my wife was driving a 78′ T- Bird in the same color with a silver vinyl roof,did Ford offer the 400 that year or was 351 the biggest.
In 77 and 78, the 400 was available in the thunderbird, cougar and LTD II. But by 79, 351 was top engine option.
Great write up. This one brings back lots of memories for me. My Step Dad (Jack) had a 77 LTD II that I drove when I was home on leave. Gloss black with gray interior. I remember it as a nice ride and kinda felt like a boat after being used to driving my 69 390 Mach 1. Altogether it was a great car for him and lasted a long time.
Great looking anti-Thunderbird. I thought these were decent looking cars for their time. Good colors especially the interior. Just keep your jeans off that white upholstery. The 302 isn’t fast but will get you to crusing speed. Maybe drive 55 for the full effect.
There was an aftermarket company back then that made these and the Thunderbirds into convertibles. I don’t recall the name of the company, but I have seen a couple for sale over the past years.
My neighbor purchased one of these new. I was 11yo at the time and remember using all of my might to close that giant door. One day I heaved the door closed and plastic door pull/ armrest broke off in my hand. (The car was less than a year old) I remember the look on everyone’s face as though I was a vandal/arsonist.
Mrs. Koebel traded in her College Graduation gift mid 60s Mustang on the LTD-thing. God how I hated that barge.
Rides in the Mustang seemed fun w/any destination, transport in the barge was hideous 70s style/muck. No smiles or fun for any excursion. Even at my young age, I knew it was bad.
In three short years of ownership the car had parking lot crumples on every corner.
Mrs. Koebel soured on the car and traded it in on a new 1980 Honda Civic. Back to fun again………
Sadly/Unbelievably I had the white belt, white platform wing-tip shoes and “Greg Brady” hair. Mother’s 1977 demonstrator was an emerald green Thunderbird with a white vinyl top and body side molding. Being a demonstrator it was “loaded out” with the Luxury Decor Group (which later became the Town Landau), 400-2V, Cruise control, Power Windows/Locks/Driver Seat and the like. Liked it so much that I bought from the dealership before Daddy sold it (Mother was mad because her next demonstrator that Daddy brought home was a full sized LTD Landau – she liked T-Birds). The car got great gas mileage for what it was. Was pretty “lumbersome” in the curves. Drove the wheels off that car. One of the best I’ve owned. Whoever gets this “Thunderbird Wannabe” should get the same ride and hopefully reliable transportation.
Tim S, you’ve heard about the new rule at Barn Finds where if someone mentions they wore a white belt and white shoes, they have to show a photo of that? (hey, I just thought I’d ask)
All this one needs are the matching “luggage” straps on the trunk…
Now yer talkin’!
Disco era leisure suits and the rest of the accoutrements were kind of silly looking back from the rear view mirror of a half century ago. But for sheer goofiness I give you a fad of the sixties; namely the Nehru Jacket. I still remember my Mom buying one each for me and my younger brother. They came complete with a stupid medallion with neck cords. Mom knew better than to select one for Dad. But me and my brother… well as Chuck Berry said our objections were overruled. We were more embarrassed wearing those abominations to church than dogs with shaved bottoms wearing a cone. At least these days my wife buys me sweatpants. Acquire this Ford and blast some Bee Gees tunes while you float down main street cutting a wide swath in style. GLWTS.
I was born in 1953. This ad and all the comments have brought back many memories. I had a Nehru Jacket with a gold chain and gold peace medallion. In 10 grade I had a pair of hip huggers with 22″ Bell bottoms, a paisley shirt with a large pointed collar and 3 button cuffs. But oddly I never had a leisure suit, white belt, or white shoes.
1977. That backseat would look even better with Marcia Marcia Marcia on it.
Big Bell Levis, the hair and a beeper. Totally 1977, working at Texas Instruments. Was driving a black1976 Camaro and a 1968 HD Sportster.
Good times!