When Ford decided to downsize the Thunderbird, along with it they restyled the Ford LTD II, formerly what was the Torino. They knew General Motors was coming out with a new downsized full-size car, so if they sold well, Ford wanted to be prepared to not only have their traditional size LTD, but to also have a car more the size of the GM cars with a familiar name. Thus was created, the LTD II. If Ford had made a 4 door Thunderbird in 1978, this would be it. As a matter of fact, if you’re a Cougar fan, Mercury did just that, complete with the same front design of the Cougar XR7. Here is a 1978 Ford LTD II 4 door Pillared Hardtop (sedan) for sale here on Hemmings in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
In 1977 the LTD II sold pretty well, selling 232,324 cars, which included 26,798 station wagons. In 1978, competition came from within with the new Ford Fairmont, causing LTD II to lose its station wagons models to Fairmont and the LTD II sold 170,544 cars. In 1979, sales were downright awful, LTD II only sold 48,564 cars, with more competition from within with the new smaller sized LTD. Meanwhile, sales of the Thunderbird soared in all three years, further sales that might have gone to the LTD II. I bought a new Thunderbird in 1978 which was hard to find due to selling so well. I had more than one salesman try to talk me into an LTD II because they had plenty of them on the lot. The LTD II only lasted three years. A smaller LTD model, without the II designation, on the Fairmont (Fox) platform, would be revived in 1983.
This car has received a new paint job at some point along with a new vinyl roof. The exterior chrome and badging are all there, but showing some pitting in some areas. This car has the standard hubcaps rather than optional wheel covers. It wears white wall tires and has the deluxe bumper group as well as bodyside molding.
A new interior has recently been installed in the original waffle-like cloth flight bench seat pattern. Therefore, there are no rips or tears in the seats. The steering wheel is missing some trim and the headlamp knob is broken. The headliner is in good condition. The air conditioning works and blows cold. Also included is the factory AM/FM radio as well as the optional electric rear window de-icer.
Under the hood we find a recently rebuilt 302 cubic inch V-8 engine mated with a rebuilt Ford C4 3-speed automatic transmission. This LTD II has a rebuilt torque converter, heater core, power steering pump, alternator, and new belts and hoses. It also has a new flow master dual exhaust as well as new springs and shocks. The car has 54,183 miles. Considering all the work that has been done on this car, the asking price of $5,400 seems quite reasonable. This is not one of those cars that are in high demand. However, if you would like to be seen driving around in a classic car other than a Mustang, Camaro, SS, or Charger, this could be the car for you.
Nice one, Bill! I flew to visit my Dad in Florida around ’82 with my newly minted driver’s license and he had one of these in baby blue with the dark blue interior. He put me behind the wheel immediately (perhaps not the wisest choice) and I remember thinking the hood must be at least 30 feet long. I felt like the (slightly nervous) King of the Road. Thanks for the memories!
I remember seeing one of the 4-door Cougars new on a dealers lot and thinking the automotive world had truly gone to hell in a hand basket.
I can’t imagine how you feel now with the SVT label attached to a giant SUV!
I couldn’t believe FOMOCO would do that to the Cougar, it was a sin. These cars were hideous new and they are just as bad used. My sister was married to a dealer, and I thought all their cars were ugly, but I was only 15. My mom bought a new Pinto in 1980, and it was actually a cute car in its last year. I put 200 k on that car and never replaced the clutch. It got me through college, it really was a great car.
I gotta wonder why a car touted as only having 54,000 miles had to have the whole drive train pretty much rebuilt.
Could possibly be the same reason my 77k miles 85 Bronco II has a rebuilt engine and transmission. The Ford overdrive automatics in the general year range as mine weren’t the best design in factory form (great though once rebuilt by a good trans shop though) and the transmission went out on it and the previous owner let it sit in their garage for several years. During that time most of the seals dried up and it leaked like crazy! The shop wanted just about the same money to pull it and reseal it as a rebuild so I paid a few extra bucks to have it rebuilt and bored 40 over for a tiny bit more power. Other seals and rubber things had to be replaced because of dry rot too. Point here being that sometimes there are real reasons that an engine is rebuilt despite low miles.
All I can think to ask is Why? As in, why put one single penny into refurbishing this non-collectible car?
Because someone loved it. Is that not why we are in the hobby, or are we in it to make bank?
I understand that. If they loved it so much why sell it? Just seems like a curious vehicle to spend the time and money.
Craig Jackson, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s give him a big hand.
Yes. Why?????
Mannn, this is in great shape. What a beauty, and a blast from the past.
Back in the early eighties (my high-school days) I wanted one of these so bad. Of course it woulda been a two door, black with bright orange pin-striping and the Roman numeral II on the “B” pillar. A set of chrome Centerline’s would have been a must, with Goodyear rwl tires an inch thick with tire-dressing, and a Pioneer sound system with a fireworks-display equalizer kickin’ out the tunes. Those were the days, my friends.
If I run across one today, I’m all in!
Sadly, “those were not the days”.
By the late 70’s thru early 80’s, most of what was coming from auto makers was junk. I wonder if the restoration of this car includes the infamous “Park to Reverse” warning sticker?
My grandad had a 1973 F-100 pickup that would jump from park to reverse. I was sitting in it once with the engine running and the truck in park and all of the sudden I heard a click and the thing had jumped into reverse. Fortunately my foot was on the brake.
A farmer who lived down the road from us had a 1974 F-150 pickup and he got out to check his mail and left the engine running and the damn truck jumped into reverse and ran over him and killed him.
My aunt and uncle lived in a house on a high bluff overlooking a river. Aunt had a brand new Lincoln Continental back in 1976. She was going grocery shopping and realized the had forgotten her grocery list. She left the car running and ran in the house to get it and came back out and the car was gone. It had jumped into reverse and gone over hill backwards. The only thing that stopped it from going into the river was a large tree it hit on the way down that of course totaled it.
The executives in the Glass House should have gone to prison for putting those things on the road, not to mention that firebomb on wheels known as the Pinto.
I’ve never really understood how the heck these could be marketed as mid-size family cars.Considering their size they’re not at all that roomy, as the majority of the vehicle is in front of the windshield! I bet it was every soccer mums’ favorite activity to paralell park this barge downtown…!
However ,I somehow like these LTD lls at least in longroof or Ranchero form simply as they are rediculously large! The recession at the headlights double as quite cosy lounge chairs.The sedan simply gives me those formal dull Continental vibes, sorry…This one seems to be shockingly nice, just too bad it ain’t a wagon…
I tend to see this LTD II a little differently than the folks who have commented so far. If I was looking or a daily driver and came across this ’78 Ford, I would probably take a shot at this one. Look at it objectively; fresh paint, rebuilt drivetrain, freshened-up interior with all the bells and whistles, all in a practical four door. Plus, at the $5,400 ask, it’s cheap. It will still draw attention because it’s 40+ years old and you won’t worry too much about daily wear and tear like you would if you drove your vintage Mustang or Super Bee every day.
$5,400 buys you a well-used Honda or a Toyota with a ton of miles these days, or a beater pickup. If you look at this LTD II from a collector viewpoint, it disappoints, but if you see it as an unusual daily driver for cheap money, I say it’s a good buy you can enjoy for a long time.
If you don’t mind getting 11 mpg in your daily driver…
Not that bad of mpg. It might be if it were a Lincoln Contenental with the 460
No reason for the drivetrain to need a rebuild at 54K, but if the seller has the receipts, you are basically getting a new car. A great deal if you happen to love these, which a few do. My dad had the Ranchero version and it was King of the Road.
These were quite popular in law enforcement back then. You could always spot that face coming a mile away at night.
I had a 1978 Sport edition Black with white stripes and a console shifter. That car always got a lot of looks and complements. Had a nice 351, that could spin the tires, but it was a much nicer highway car, taking my brother back and forth from college. I remember problems with the ignition Celenoid and the transmission took a while to warm up, it was a cool looking car at the time
I’m definitely a Ford man and I snap this one up if I had a place to put it and the cash to keep it’s thirst at bay. As mentioned above, I’d rather have this than a 10 year old Camry with 120,000 miles for the money. I’d drive it as is, but long term I could see a swapped in 5.0 V8 from a late model Crown Vic/Marquis/Town Car. I’m certainly a purist, but it’d get you a tad bit better MPG and easier to smog test of you’re in CA.
Good god. Father had one. I still have bad dreams
To me, it doesn’t look like the engine has been out of the car recently. None of the dirt and smudge has been disturbed. Anyone else?
Here’s the 77 I picked up at Copart last summer only 38000 miles 351, runs great.
I agree with Dana
Why wast resto dollars on this ?
Its Hideous.
Crush it before it multiplies
I don’t dislike the car, but I am going to not-pick a little bit. It seems to have the wrong shade of paint, first off. I can’t put my finger on it, just not right. The one that Eldon Rector posted a picture of looks correct. I also seen a metallic light blue, but not the light blue pictured. Probably an Earl Scheib or Maaco color. Second, the miles. Really? New paint, rebuilt engine, reupholstered seats, broken steering wheel trim & headlamp knob, but only 54,000 miles? I realize this was a low point in American car quality but it wasn’t that bad. I actually like the car but it is still just a pig with lipstick. I would buy it for a better price. And after the money that was poured into it, I hope the seller gets closer to what they are asking…just not from me lol.
they made good police cruisers …. that’s it
Sheriff meanie chased Rambo in one of these and ended up upside down in a creek. Nice cop car chasing motorcycle scene
What’s today’s assignment?
Mark & John are ready, in their LTD II!