The second-generation Ford LTD evolved and changed more times than a politician doing and saying anything they can to stay in office. The front end and grille went from having hidden headlights with a protruding center grille section to exposed headlights with an even bigger “nose”, which is seen on this 1971 Ford LTD Convertible. This example is posted here on craigslist in Salem, Oregon, and the seller is asking $9,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Scott for the tip!
As an estate or garage find, as the seller has it listed, and having been in storage since 2013, this LTD ragtop isn’t currently in running condition, unfortunately. That means that they didn’t push it outside to take better photos of this otherwise gorgeous red convertible with a white top. The wire wheels are… interesting, and Ford did offer a somewhat wire-wheel-looking wheel cover. I’d have to change these out asap, they make this car look like it’s on hydraulics and is ready to start jumping up and down. Not that it’s a bad thing, it’s just a personal preference on not liking aftermarket wheels.
Here’s the smaller version of the famous “Bunkie Beak” as seen on the same era Thunderbirds. The third-generation LTD was made from 1968 for the 1969 model year until the end of 1978. The design would drastically change in mid-stream (1973) to take into account new bumper regulations, which would see them added to both front and rear by the 1974 models. The 1971 and 1972 cars were similar, and they came in a variety of body styles. The “5-ply vinyl convertible top” came in either black or white, and with a white top, I expected to see a white vinyl interior.
Nope, it’s red and it looks perfect inside. The seller lists the mileage as being 78,150 miles, and it doesn’t even look like it has that many. The seats look perfect, as does everything else inside that I can see. Is that an aftermarket 8-track player on the transmission tunnel? Speaking of the drivetrain, there are no engine photos, but this one is said to have a 400-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have had 260 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s sent through a three-speed automatic, and you’ll have to tow this one as it isn’t running. Hagerty is at $7,500 for a #4 fair-condition example and $15,500 for a #3 good car. How much would you pay for this LTD Convertible?
Good write-up Scotty. The big convertibles of this time in hindsight were really something. Top-down cruising with a smooth ride, ample room, and plenty of power.
This LTD looks really good. I too would ditch the wire wheels. With normal wear items available at AutoZone, if there aren’t any serious issues (hiding rust, blown engine) this ought to make for a good project for not much money.
Agree with Bob. 👍
The standard stock full wheel covers are beautiful and would look great on this car.
If it is a native Oregon car rust is not an issue on a 71 LTD
Charlton Heston drives one exactly like this through the window of a showroom and into the deserted streets of downtown Los Angeles in the opening scene of the 1971 film, Omega Man. He had the top down. Very LA.
No – his is a 1970 Ford XL Convertible with hidden headlights.
I had a brown one back in the day with the same drive Tran goto love the old Ford LTDs and being a Convertible is even more a plus !
“Basket Wheels”…. What were we thinking? Leisure suits must have made our brains soft.
Chatlton Heston drove a baby blue1970 Mustang convertible through the showroom window in “Omega Man”. The red ford convertible was in the opening shots when a blew a tire avoiding the armored car
$9500 sounds fair for this car. I don’t know if it’s the lighting but that red interior looks more the color of liver. Agree there’s nothing like rolling in a big car with the top down.
For $9500 plus what it takes to get it running and safe on the road you get a lot of road presence with a red on red convertible. Looks to be in pretty decent condition.
I’m with everyone who wants to ditch the faux wire wheels, but this bad boy could be running and driving again for not too much money! The 400 V8 isn’t my favorite Ford V8, but is acceptable for cruising duty. A big block 429/460 would be better, IMHO. Otherwise, this one could be made to shine with some love and elbow grease. Flush the fuel system, rebuild the carburetor, flush and rebuild the brakes, with new calipers, wheel cylinders and a new master cylinder, tune it up and put fresh rubber on it and you’re good to go! I figure about $1500 for all of the parts, including tires, maybe $2k at the outside, more if you spring for new rims to go with the new tires! Another Roadworthy Rescue awaits its close-up! GLWTS!
harry calahan and Mr. Majeski both used these in their movies. asking price is cheap and fair. somebody will score a good deal
I’m going to pick a nit here, as police departments, including the ones depicted in movies, use the bare bones models, in this case the Ford Custom 500, the base trim level for full-size Fords, not the top-of-the-line LTD trim. Harry Callahan drove a Ford Custom 500 sedan in the early “Dirty Harry” films, in keeping with S.F.P.D. practice at the time.
I don’t see it as it seems everyone else does. Nice car and looks to be in great shape. But not much info in the ad.
What bothers me is why 10k sounds like a good price when it’s not running? And this goes for other ‘barn finds’. I think for 10k you should at least know that the motor is sound!
Nice Ford though. I’m usually not much for convertibles but I can see this big one on the road, top down. Wire wheels don’t bother me so much either, easily changed out. More worrisome for me is unknown condition of the engine.
400 is a good motor. I had 71 LTD with ABOUT a 150,000 when I got rid of it no motor issues, transmixer another story.
When I was 14 I went with my mother to order a new 72 LTD convertible. Same red color, white top and interior. 429 4V and most options including a stereo. It had the deluxe wheel covers mentioned above that were a perfect design. It was to be my car when I turned 16 but no more convertibles meant mother wasn’t letting loose of this one. After a few more years the exterior looked good but the trunk had rusted through.
The ’72’s had the taillights mounted in the chrome bumper, I like the lights on these just a little bit better. Not getting Mom’s car, you must have been crushed! My sympathies to you. The LTD and Galaxy 500 were virtually identical on the outside, except where the LTD got a lighted panel in the center section, the Galaxie got a simple pot metal casting or in 72, the center of the bumper was solid chrome, without the center light in the LTD version.