If there was ever a more versatile 1970s TV show vehicle, I can’t think of one. This 1972 Ford Custom 500 4-Door Sedan in Medium Lime Metallic jumps out at me as being perfect for an undercover police car, a car that perps would have driven, or just a car on the street. The seller has this beauty posted here on craigslist in Lebanon, Oregon, and they’re asking $7,500 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
Oh boy, I just spent almost two hours on this one, and everything went away after the first paragraph. Sigh. I won’t get as detailed on this second round; my brain hurts. That’s a first for me, losing almost an entire post like that, dang. Ford made the Custom and Custom 500 from 1964 through 1981 in this round of the series. Only fleet customers got the Custom model after 1972 here in the U.S., but Canadian customers could buy the base Custom models through 1981.
The loop rear bumper is fantastic and is another reason to buy an early 1970s vehicle before bumper regulations. The interior of the trunk looks great, but would a Custom 500 have had a bare metal trunk, or would there have been some sort of cardboard, vinyl, or carpet liner of some sort? The seller says it could use a new vinyl top, and there are a few dings and some surface rust here and there.
The dash padmakes me think there’s an issue with the padded dash top, but maybe not. The seats look perfect, both front and rear, although the front seats appear to have been redone in a non-factory fabric. The back seat is great with that classic 70s fabric. This car has air-conditioning, and they say it works, which must mean that it blows cold air?
The engine is a Ford 351-cu.in. OHV V8 with 153 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque when new. Passing through a three-speed automatic to the rear wheels, they say it runs well, and everything on or in the car works except the radio, and the fuel gauge works intermittently. Maybe with 13 mpg, you don’t want to know how much gas you’re using. Any thoughts on this Custom 500?
I like your approach Scotty: indeed, this looks like a car which could be part of a number of 70’s television shows. The color is period-correct, and the lower-level Custom 500 trim gives it a no-nonsense look. Usually I like to see whitewalls on regular cars of this era, but the blackwalls fit fine here.
One could certainly do some upgrades, but it might just be fine as-is.
Be prepared for the “we had one like this when I was a kid” discussion wherever you stop.
Well. I was thinking of Burt Reynolds in White Lightning. Although his was a ’71 but it was a Custom 500 like this. In, of course……. Brown….But I agree with Scotty, this car would fit right in on any 70’s movie or TV show. Driven by either the good guys or the bad guys . And Like Bob said, the Custom 500 had a no nonsense look to them, and the blackwalls could very well have been original on these. The vinyl top might be a bit of a splurge on this one. It’s actually kind of nice to see one like this so well preserved. And I’m hoping it stays that way.
The Quinn Martin special…
Streets of San Francisco…BUDDY-BOY!
I can see Dirty Harry stepping out of this with his 44 magnum drawn.
I love base/near base models like these and I’m always curious about the original owner’s reasoning for going the cheap route. In 1972, this model was $3078 ($24,268 today) without options. The next model up (Galaxie 500) was $168 more ($1324). The vinyl roof was $113 ($890) and the air conditioning, a whopping $420 ($3311). So, by ordering the Custom 500, the buyer saved about $1300 bucks and missed out on some trim. Was it worth it? Somebody thought so.
(Thanks to Hans Tore Tangerud’s website for providing original price lists).
@Rosso
One answer to your question of why did the original owner order such a bare bones base model is because:
1) it’s less expensive up front
2) less power options, less to go wrong
3) easier to work on
4) he or she is just cheap
5) he or she is just broke but needed a reliable newer car
My father was #4. Then #2, 3 and 1
The brand new 1953 Chevrolet 150 he bought was like that and the new 1964 Ford Fairlane he ordered was even worse. On both cars the only options were a radio and heater. Even the engines were the smallest most basic.
He would never have an automatic transmission as they could break down. You don’t need power steering or brakes, just use a little muscle and power windows, door locks, seats, antenna, trunk are completely unnecessary as they could break.
This explains why just about every car I’ve ever owned were loaded to the hilt.
When we went to the Checker dealer in 1969 to order the new 1970 Checker Marathon, my mother and I demanded a few options.
First was a V8 engine with some power. Second was an automatic transmission. We also got power steering, power brakes, air conditioning (!) tinted windows, am/fm stereo and Whitehall tires with full disc hubcaps.
For my father to actually order a car like that was nothing short of amazing. Power windows and locks were still out of the question but things were improving in his old age.
He must’ve been beside himself!
That was pretty much my dad, too. Paid cash for “stripper” models of new cars. Only options were an automatic and an AM radio, up through the ’80s.
Very nice clean Ford here.I would add dual exhaust here. I think I see a light in the trunk lid. Nice car to use in movies for period correct scenes. I like It has the A/C belt on it and it works.
In high school we car pooled in one of these “Custom” beauties.
My 1st and Favorite car I ever owned was a 1967 Ford Custom, police interceptor, bought in ’77 for $300. Loved that car. Was my daily back and forth to college and was reliable – and big. Sat 6 buddies, with mobster /monster trunk. Rubber mat instead of interior carpet.
Had the 428, open filter element and aluminum intake stock and spotlight on A pillar. Still have the registration slip and metal fender emblem “428”.
2.8 rear so easy highway rpms but passing downshift was incredible.
Customs were basic but it depended on what you wanted. Taxi or police or budget, it got you started cheap(er).
This one looks nice – depends on what you are looking for but I like it, especially at this price. Worth a look.
What an awesome find, and a great car. The Custom and Custom 500 trim levels are seldom seen compared to the Galaxie 500. This one has an aftermarket A/C installed. I have a ’71 Ford Custom that I love and cherish. The ’71 and ’72 models are the greatest. 1972 was the last year for the Custom trim level. From ’73 on, the Custom 500 was the lowest trim level.
Good eye on the AC system, sir. I thought that looked like a similar compressor that we had in our ’69 F-250 from the factory, but maybe not.
Fleet customers (taxis, police, etc.) could get the Custom after 1972, but not regular customers here in the U.S., although Canadians could still get the base Custom trim level until the end of the run.
Custom and Custom 500 models have a fabric trunk mat that just covers the floor on the bottom of the well. Rear seat still carries its correct original upholstery.
What a return to better days. Like Torino SJC, my dad bought a 1967? black custom ex sheriff with a rebuilt 428 and top loader 4 speed. Also spotlight. My sister hated the look until she was old enough to drive, then found she could beat everyone in our small NW Colo town. It was a great car preceded by a 61 custom with 6/3 on tree. Both were relatively problem free and easy to fix.
He also was cheap and
“Practical”?.
As others have pointed out, these were a staple on 1970’s police shows like “The Streets of San Francisco”, a Quinn-Martin production, LOL! I am surprised that this particular example is sporting a vinyl roof, however! Most of these, being the bare bones examples of more expensive models, were most often seen with painted roofs, particularly as cop cars, because municipal purchasing departments would not have spent the extra coin for the vinyl roof option, and private owners who bought these were pinching the penny until Abe Lincoln screamed, and were unlikely to spring for the vinyl roof covering. A rare sight indeed!
This vinyl roof is aftermarket. The factory option included chrome drip rails and chrome upper door moldings. Ditto the under dash A/C, an add-on.
Those aside, the car looks very respectable for its’ age.
The chrome upper door moldings are on the Galaxie 500 trim level only. Custom and Custom 500 do not have them, even if they do have a vinyl top.
I would hope to find my Grand parents 69 LTD 4 door, blue on white, no post sedan.
Dad sold it for cheap after they passed.
Dummy!
I wanted it.
Like new condition, Wednesday build.
That is a Hens Tooth.
Too many doors for me this time, but it does have that iconic 351. Probably a Winsdor. These small blocks while still relatively early for a 70s model respond very well when awakened.
My favorite small block Ford, I’m still kinda itching to build one stroked to 427!
Hi All,
Wow, Thanks for all the comments on my car, I thought I would add a few thoughts and add some clarity, it’s been a great car, and I’ve enjoyed it for years. For some reason or another the original owner liked the Custom 500 better than the Galaxie. It was $4033.00 from the factory, the 351 is a Cleveland, the side moulding is factory mounted as is the upgraded hubcaps and front disc brakes. I believe the front seat is original and the vinyl top and A/C were installed at the dealership when new as they are not on the build sheet but I need to find the window sticker. The dash cover’s been there a long time but only 1 small crack that I know of, I haven’t looked under it.
May have been mistaken about the seats, even after 7 years of owning, I didn’t notice the difference of the fabric, if it’s aftermarket they did a good job of matching because I didn’t notice and I drive this a least once a week. David is right about the fabric on the floor of the trunk, and I think the trunk light was added on by the last owner, a mechanic for Ford. Just put in a new battery and spark plug cables and thinking about rebuilding the carb later this week, although the more I do to it the less I want to sell it.