I didn’t even notice until I looked at the closeup photos of the Landau Vinyl Top, or former vinyl top, that the vinyl top has been removed and the top is painted, I’m assuming the former color of the vinyl top. I like it, it’s clean and crisp. The seller has this 1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria posted here on craigslist in the Livermore, California area and they’re asking $4,999. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Ford made the LTD Crown Victoria from 1979 for the 1980 model year until the end of 1991 and they came in a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan, and a four-door wagon. Along with a painted “vinyl” roof area, this entire car has been repainted according to the seller and it looks great from what we can see in the photos. This one has 105,000 miles and is said to have been a weekend car. Disclaimer: The seller lowered the asking price to $4,999 after this article was written.
For the 1988 model year, the LTD Crown Victoria was smoothed out quite a bit in the name of somewhat improved aerodynamics and I prefer the early sharp-edged cars, but that’s just me. With new paint, this Crown Vic looks great from what we can see, and the seller has gone overboard with photos, well done! They even show inside the super clean trunk and an engine photo. I may need a minute to compose myself.
As Ford’s top line of passenger cars in this era (not counting Mercury or Lincoln, of course), the LTD Crown Victoria was a well-equipped car. In decades past, buyers would often have their luxury cars without full power equipment like power locks, power windows, etc., but not here. A base model would have been available with manual windows, etc. The dark blue velour seats look great front and back.
The engine is Ford’s 302-cu.in. OHV fuel-injected V8 with 150 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a four-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels and the seller says it “drives incredible” and it looks pretty good to me. Have any of you owned a late model LTD Crown Victoria?
I think the blue painted roof was a brilliant idea. I had no idea until Scotty said something, and I looked closer at the pictures, I was thinking that if the vinyl top was ratty it would take away from the rest of an otherwise great clean condition car. That was a good call, probably cheaper and you wont have to worry about rust getting trapped in down the line. That 302 still has a lot of life in it and this will make a great, reasonably priced car for someone to get into the hobby and enjoy it. Great write up Scotty I enjoyed it.
As Packard once advertised *Ask the Man Who Owns One * Well, I did own a 1989 Crown Victoria LX with optional formal roof. That automobile easily held its own with my Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars. Mine was white with white Carriage roof (optional) red pinstriping and plush red velvet interior. It had been owned by an energetic senior lady who had given it TLC. Never had any problems. Honestly, it felt like a Limousine and looked the part. Unfortunately, while waiting at a stoplight, a Taurus rear-ended it with another car ramming the Taurus. The Taurus front end was destroyed, while my Crown Victoria had one small dent in the CHROME bumper. But the impact was enough to make the drivers seat beyond reasonable repair. Definitely Built Ford Tough. I’m not sure if this is close enough for Harrison Reed. If it is, it just might be what he’s been looking for. 🤷 Who says Barn Finders don’t look out for each other? 👍
Hello, RICK W! — and, thanks for those kind words!! Dave in PA was kind enough to email me and alert me that I had been mentioned here (favourably). I am in northeast New York, so this is a bit far away, for me — though the PRICE is nice! Also, I would prefer 1989 or earlier, to avoid the air bags, and I like the classic, non-sculpted dashboards in the 1989 and earlier Panther platform Ford cars. I prefer the Mercury, because it has pleasant internal touches which the Ford lacks — sort of a Lincolnified Ford. (If you know what I mean) (smile). But, thanks so much for thinking of me!
If I lived closer, I’d go buy it today. Forgot that these are mass air cars, which means that you can pretty much mod the engine to the moon (well, reasonably speaking) give it a tune and have a decent performer in a classic body.
To jwzg: Since these cars are greatly under-powered and often can’t out of their own way when climbing a long incline; you’ll have to explain to me what “mass air” is, and how to scare more horsepower and efficiency out of one of these 5.0s, if you would, please? THANKS!
There were two types of air metering for these cars: speed density and mass air. In short, speed density relies on calculating airflow based on manifold pressure and engine speed, while mass air metering directly measures the mass of air flowing into the engine.
If you change heads, intake, and/or cam, a speed density system will not run correctly because the computer would be confused about the manifold pressure and engine speeds that substantial modifications would produce. A MAF car simply measures the mass of the air entering the engine (along with the O2 sensor readings) and makes adjustments to fuel and timing based on it. In short, it’s a much more peformance-friendly setup. Aluminum heads, intake, cam, and exhaust are all excellent mods that will improve power. Don’t forget gears and beef up that transmission, or you’ll be stranded.
Yes, the computer on this car would need a tune because you’d have to upgrade to 24 lb/hr injectors at a minimum, and the mass air meter housing would need to be larger so as not to be a chokepoint, but the speed density cars would have to be converted altogether if one planned to keep fuel injection.
Rick W, I had the same thought about Harrison. But he doesn’t like white or black cars. Maybe we should start a go fund me and gift him with it. The only distraction I see is that warped dash toupee and hopefully it hasn’t been smoked in.
I’ll take this white one over a black car. Just yesterday I was stopped at the end of our driveway waiting to leave after a line of cars passed. I had an “oh ****” moment after almost hitting the last of two black cars. I judged wrong. Dark cars can be difficult to see, especially in low light or dark conditions. There are exceptions to black, sometimes though, as far as appearance. I did really like the 59 Ford in black from a few days ago.
Hello, Frog!!! Gee… everybody is thinking of me to-day! Thanks so much! How KIND you all are, to an old guy!
Hello Harrison, Not just today EVERYDAY We are one big family
5 thousand is what some Macco shops charge alone for a paint job.
I’ll take this white one over a black car. Just yesterday I was stopped at the end of our driveway waiting to leave after a line of cars passed. I had an “oh ****” moment after almost hitting the last of two black cars. I judged wrong. Dark cars can be difficult to see, especially in low light or dark conditions. There are exceptions to black, sometimes though, as far as appearance. I did really like the 59 Ford in black from a few days ago.
To Dave in PA: Thanks for calling my attention to this discussion! As for not seeing those black cars: try that at night, with cateracts!
Harrison, I don’t have that excuse. I had cataracts removed and new lenses put in both eyes while I still had insurance when working full time. That was over 10 years ago. I now see better distance wise but am more sensitive to light. I recently found those yellow night driving glasses to help with glare.
To Dave in PA: Thanks for the insight! Others have reported to me also about the added light-sensitivity after inter-ocular lens implants. Does the improved vision hold up, at least?
The operation is amazing to me. They kept me awake so I could look at a direction on command. I felt no pain of course during the procedure. The original lens is removed thru an incision about 1/8 inch and the artificial lens is placed so that it unfolds and is attached to the eye muscles by laser, I believe. Even with insurance the cost out of pocket was about the same as this Crown Victoria for both eyes. They do one at a time. You need to apply a series of three drops several times a day while healing. I had no major discomfort.
To answer the question of vision holding up, it is good to have eyes checked every 2-3 years for changes still. My retirement insurance pays for most plus any new glasses of relatively low cost. My vision for distance is better without glasses than since I was young. I had a choice when getting the artificial lenses of having both eyes distance, both close, or one of each which I chose. Back then the lenses could not go from all the way close to all the way distant. My brain adjusts so it is used to one of each, pretty neat! I use cheap “blue blocker” glasses with no corrective lenses while on the computer as that light bothers my eyes.
To answer the question of vision holding up, it is good to have eyes checked every 2-3 years for changes still. My retirement insurance pays for most plus any new glasses of relatively low cost. My vision for distance is better without glasses than since I was young. I had a choice when getting the artificial lenses of having both eyes distance, both close, or one of each which I chose. Back then the lenses could not go from all the way close to all the way distant. My brain adjusts so it is used to one of each, pretty neat! I use cheap “blue blocker” glasses with no corrective lenses while on the computer as that light bothers my eyes.
To Harrison and Dave…Yes we are family 👪 and I’m grateful for the camaraderie. 👍. Now let’s see 👀 if you can solve this quiz. 😉 2 Ys U R! 2 Ys U B! I C U R 2 Ys 4 ME! 😅 🤣
To RICK W: Thank you again for your kind words, and for “adopting” me as “family”. But I confess, I have NO idea what all those LETTERS, with 2s and a 4 are at the conclusion: sorry. And Thank you, Dave in PA, for your advice with cateracts!
Harrison, I admit to a prank. Too wise you are! Too wise you be! I see you are too wise for me! 👍Guess that makes me a not so wise guy? 🤔
Not too wise, just crazy!
Hey, you’re No PATSY! But I’m In CLINEd 2 B 🍃 we are C☘ enough 2 B friendly, helpful and STILL B 🤪 after all the ⚙ 😜. You just won the $1.98 Beauty Contest. Remember THAT? 🥕 👑 🥕
Michael Tischler,
$5000 for a Maaco paint jobs? I must be ancient now. I remember when they were $149 for the basic and competing with Earl Scheib. And depending on the painter it didn’t look too bad.
At Earl Scheib, we paint any car, any color for $29.95! No ups! No extras! 🎵 Our old LaSalle ran great! 🎶 Those WERE 🎵 the DAYS! 🎶 😅 🤣 😂
To RICK W: I’m still confused…