My Grandpa was a simple, country farmer in Virginia and was also a Ford man. As a kid, I remember him driving a 1950 F100 pickup, a ’53 Ford Mainline, and a ’66 Ford Galaxie (with a three-on-the-tree and no power steering). All of his vehicles could be described as solid, sensible, no-frills, and nothing flashy. Just like he was. And had Grandpa been alive in the mid-1980’s, this is the type of Ford he probably would’ve driven. This 1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria survivor has been one-family owned since it was new and purchased by the grandfather, who passed away five years ago. It is currently located in Portland, Oregon and is for sale here on craigslist for only $3,500. A special thanks to Tony Primo for sending this tip to Barn Finds.
As is typical with many craigslist and Marketplace vehicle ads, the details and descriptions of this Crown Victoria are sparse, but at least the basic photos are provided. It is advertised as “all original inside and out,” and it looks like it. I’d also say Grandpa had a garage during the 34 years that he owned it. The body looks very good with no rust or damage visible and the original paint (I believe it’s Pastel Vanilla) is shiny and very presentable. The chrome, glass, color-keyed trim, badging, lenses, and full wheel covers all look very good as well. And it’s not wearing a padded vinyl top like you would’ve seen on the optional Brougham package (along with cast aluminum wheels, front cornering lamps, rocker panel moldings, and more).
I guess Grandpa wasn’t a crushed velour kind of guy, because his Crown Vic has the sensible “SuperSoft Vinyl” flight bench seat with the dual fold-down center armrests. Only two photos are supplied of the interior and except for some tears in the driver’s seat bottom, the rest of the light tan cabin, including the instrument panel, dash, door panels and carpet looks great.
And, yes, it’s a cliche, but the rear seat looks like it hasn’t been sat on. The seller shares that the Crown Vic came from the factory with several options and has air conditioning, cruise control, and power steering, brakes, front seat, and locks, and that “everything seems to work.”
The Crown Vic features the standard electronic fuel-injected 5.0 liter V8 that, as Ford says in their sales brochure, “is teamed with a gas-saving Automatic Overdrive transmission.” The seller says he/she believes the 46,292 on the odometer is original and shares that Grandpa’s Crown Vic has a new alternator and battery. On the surface, this looks like a great-looking 39-year-old Crown Vic survivor. And it shows that all Crown Vics weren’t gussied up to look like Lincoln wannabe’s. Just like the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, there were still plenty of consumers looking for a sensible, reliable, no-frills, full-sized 4-door sedan with a Ford logo on it. Just like my Grandpa.
Good write-up Russ. A basic Pastel Vanilla Crown Vic, in great shape, seems quite fitting. For this price it should be gone quickly, to someone who wants something different and low-stress for their old-car hobby or even to daily drive.
You can’t find a thing decent for 3500 and this is one nice solid comfy ride.I’d buy it and flip it for 5k-6k easy in the rust belt state I live in.Tradesman I know are always looking for work cars and the big deep trunk is a great selling point.Low miles too.You can’t beat it.One of the best deals I’ve seen on here.
Had this exact color combo/year, but the Police Package with the 351, 140mph Certified Calibration Speedometer (doesn’t help you go any faster but looks cool) and an Ammeter/Oil Pressure/Temp Gauge in front of the passenger, Great Car!
I don’t think this will last long. IMHO, $3,500.00 is very low for a decent driver, despite its age.
I think the odometer has rolled over as the digits do not line up. Been posted 3 days so if it was that good of a deal, it would be gone. Great thing is that we do not salt the roads here in Oregon, or at least up until a year or two ago we didn’t. Lots of older cars running around with solid sheet metal like this one.
Even with 146,000 miles, $3,500 is a bargain.
Usually when the digits don’t line up that means tampering. Rolling over wouldn’t do that. Still worth the money.
I see cars like this very often here in central California. Just got word on a 1957 Cadillac El Dorado Seville that will be available soon. Only problem is 40 years of dust on the car from being stored. Might have to obtain a deed for owning land. Color is a light mist green with a white vinyl top. Interior has been destroyed by some animal. Gladly help someone with this sale. I have myself loaded up with old cars and my eye on a 1936 Packard conv.
Neat car at a reasonable price, but if it’s used regularly, it’s age would likely mean a lot of nickel and dime repairs. A friend of mine’s father has a white 89 Crown Vic, he’s the original owner and always kept it garaged. It’s almost perfect, even with the high mileage, and he would take it anywhere. These were well built.
I love this because it straight forward and simple…a comfortable car with enough power and amenities….And I bet it gets pretty good gas mileage too.
No BS with this…parts available and you could drive this forever…and no tracking chips in it…just saying…
The brougham got the “crown” just like the 56. The 86 we looked at had it. Massive chrome bar across the roof just aft of the front doors
Son and I very recently and very seriously looked at a 86 LTD crown vic brougham. Exact same color and story but in Tennessee. They wanted I think 8,000.00 for grandma’s one owner car. Very very low mileage too. We loved it. Till we drove it. The only problem with low mileage 35 + year old cars …. Dry rot. Every thing rubber had worn out. She fired right up but … Gas leaking into the block , the injectors were clogged and various suspension and brake bits rotting. Not meaning to sound negative , but we figured about 3 grand in parts if we managed all the labour ourselves. So what we thought was a turn key car from my high school years , woukd have been a massive project
Start driving this thing around and it will begin to nickel and dime you in maintenance.the gas mileage is about 14 mpg city 20 highway,impressive then but not now.bet it’s a smoker too..as clean as it might be,i wouldn’t give more than$750.
So….my question is…. where is the crown?
Low maintenance very dependable cars. The only real problem with these cars is the power window motors.
With 3K oil changes these 302 FI engines will last forever. I bought one in 07 that had 9,400 miles on it, even had the original air in the tires. Paid 1,500 for it no haggle. Had 12 oil change stickers on the 9,400 miles.
Drove up the highway at 70 and the tires through all the belts. Drove straight to the tire shop and and went 2 sizes taller 235 and the car gets 21 mpg at 70 mph all day long. Did I say the 302 is a dependable engine?
Im just saying dependable doesn’t have to mean high maintenance costs,which is what you would be buying here.i work in the car business and i know the score when it comes to buying something like this.
Gramps did splurge for the split bench with power adjustment on the driver’s side.
When I turned 21 I had completed college and was ready for a new car. My 1957 Plymouth had served me well for 5 years. In my small town north of Detroit I went down to look at Chev II convs. They had one that was plain, only a radio and automatic. I went into Detroit and to Dawson Taylor Chev. They had over 30 convs. on hand. Sales me then tells me about options, Whire wheel covers, bucket seats, Then he gives me a price three hundred under the price of the plain jane model. I went on to buy two more Chevs. from this dealership and big discounts and a vast choice.