55 Ford Crown Victoria

The Ford LTD Crown Victoria was a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1983 to 1991. It was renamed the Ford Crown Victoria after 1992, but while receiving a completely different body and drivetrain, it used the same platform.

History

In 1980, the Crown Victoria name was revived by Ford for the upper-level trim package on the Ford LTD, replacing the LTD Landau. These cars had a targa-like chrome band across the roof, usually paired with a landau vinyl roof.

Due to the popularity of smaller cars, in 1983, the LTD nameplate was moved to the mid-sized Ford Fox platform. The LTD Crown Victoria remained on the full-sized Ford Panther platform, becoming a standalone model line.

• 1983 : The full-sized LTD Crown Victoria received a facelift, receiving a new grille and new taillight lenses. The old LTD 'S' front fascia was dropped, leaving ,only the former high-end quad-headlight fascia. Electronic "Central Fuel Injection" (CFI), which involved two fuel injectors spraying fuel at the throttle plate of a carburetor-like device, was now standard on the 302 cu 5.0L engine.
• 1986 "Sequential Fire" electronic fuel injection, based on Ford's OBD-1 compliant EEC-IV computer, became standard on civilian models.

• 1988 Received updated front end styling (on all models), plus a new decklid and rear-end styling on sedans (with taillights resembling the Oldsmobile Delta 88). The coupe is discontinued. Several items available previously as options, such as AutoLamp (the automatic headlight system), now become standard equipment.
• 1990 Received a new dashboard and steering column along with a driver's side airbag and rear outboard shoulder belts.
• 1991 Last model year for the 1979 body style and last year of the station wagon. The only change was front turn signal lamps were now clear rather than amber.

Police cars used the 351-cubic-inch (5.8 L) Windsor V-8, which used Ford's 7200 series Variable Venturi carburetor. The police package was made available for public purchase upon paying a one-thousand dollar "gas guzzler" tax to the EPA.

Models

When introduced in 1983, two model ranges were available: the "base" model and a lower-priced "S" version. Both ranges came standard with the CFI V-8 engine, an AOD automatic transmission with overdrive, power steering, power front disc brakes, full carpeting, and bumper guards. The base model added a reclining cloth bench seat, full wheel covers, full courtesy lighting, the landau-style padded vinyl roof with targa trim band and AM/FM stereo radio.

The budget "S" model was comparable to the former base LTD series, and as such had such features as a vinyl bench seat, AM radio (stereo radios were available at extra cost) and lower-grade carpeting. The landau vinyl roof was deleted (a full, non-padded vinyl roof was available at extra cost). Several other items were deleted (such as several of the courtesy lights). The "S" model was the designated fleet model, although a budget-conscious private customer could also order this version.

An Interior Luxury Package was offered on the base model, and included upgraded interior fabrics (including a higher-grade of carpeting), split-bench dual recliner front seats, full-bench center armrest rear seats, additional sound insulation, door-mounted courtesy lights and power windows (on a dedicated control panel, where the power remote mirror and door lock switches also were placed when ordered). This trim package became its own model (designated the "LX") for the 1986 model year.

Options included air conditioning (made standard in 1987), tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power door locks, cast aluminum wheels, cornering lamps, an illuminated entry system, a TripMinder computer, automatic headlights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Buyers could also upgrade the stereo system and wheel covers, and order various paint and vinyl roof treatments as well.

Other body styles

Coupe

The LTD Crown Victoria was available in coupe form until 1987, when it was discontinued due to lack of sales. By the late-1980s large 2-door cars had fallen out of favor with American buyers, prompting Ford to drop out of the full-size coupe market. For the coupe's final model year only 5,527 copies were ordered, compared to 105,789 LTD Crown Victoria sedans.

Station wagon

A station wagon version was also produced, both as the LTD Crown Victoria and also as the LTD Country Squire. The Country Squire featured the traditional wood-grained body side panels. The car came with standard roof racks, and fold flat dual 3rd row seats, which opened sidefacing. The tailgate opened two ways, down like a truck, or sideways much like a Honda CRV. The car also came with plush seats and dual rear cigarette Lighters.

References

1. ^ 1987 Ford Buyer's Guide
2. ^ Encyclopedia of American Cars, 2006 edition

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