Original dealer brochure cover for the 1978 Ford LTD.
Optional features included power windows, Landau roof treatment and aluminum wheels.
The rear view of the top-of-the line LTD Landau 4 door pillared sedan.
M Y C O L L E C T I O N — The seventies was a decade of change for the automobile industry. New federal rules, laws and guidelines took came to pass every single year of the decade, sending engineers and buyers alike into a decade-long tailspin. By 1980, the business had practically reinvented itself with everyone downsizing their model lines and trying to meet emissions controls and gas mileage regulations. The full-sized Fords were downsized for the 1979 model year, making these 1978 Fords as large as the original family Ford would ever get. Their wheelbase was 121 inches, their overall length a bit more than 18 1/2 feet, and their weight was more than two tons. Though suffering somewhat from the tackier side of seventies' culture, and of course the more stringent bumper regulations, there is an elegance to these Fords that wasn't to be repeated. I wish the optional fender skirts had been able to be made flush, the small raised lip on the rear fender cutout makes that impossible. I'm guessing they were a boardroom Marketing decision rather than a Design decision. You can't deny that this was a very luxurious look for a mainstream division.
• For a moderately informative Wiki page on the Ford LTD 1965-86, click over.
* Yes, there were full-sized Fords after 1978 but they were downsized. I'm considering the '78 Fords to be the final iteration of the large Ford lineup without regard to size, weight and mileage.
Hi Casey, how are you doing today?
ReplyDelete"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." ~ Dalai Lama
hi Annie,
ReplyDeletei'm doing a little bit of work on a lot of different things, lol. i took on another quick book for a few days.
It's getting "burry" cold here, but no complaints pulled my Ugh boots off the top shelf. I love bundling up to keep warm. At least I don't have to listen to the a/c running non stop any more. Tomorrow I will make soup and maybe a loaf of bread, stop by around 4 or 5 pm and we will have a little repast.
ReplyDeleteSleep well. xxoo
Those Fords were fairly rare when they were new, compared to how common big Fords had been in the past and it was always a pleasure to see them. Dennis Gage on My Classic Car (on Speed Channel in NYC) featured one this past season that had about 30,000 miles on it. The current owner bought it from, what else, an old lady. It was a two-door with fender skirts and I believe it was gold inside and out. When I see these pictures, I see where Mercury started to go downhill -- there's very little difference other than trim to distinguish the top-of-the-line Ford from the Mercury. And when they downsized in 79 there was even less difference, although I must say that the later versions of the Mercury, say 86-87, especially the two-doors, were very handsome cars. There was one that lived on my block -- white, white vinyl roof, dark blue leather interior. It was really nice. Of course, being a car on the streets, it got a bit ratty looking before it disappeared a couple of years back.
ReplyDeletePaul, NYC
ANNIE,FUNNY I'VE BEEN GOING TO MAKE BREAD FOR THE PAST WEEK THEN DECIDED TO HAVE GRAMPS GO TO THE STORE AND BUY SOME.LOL MUCH EASIER.
ReplyDeleteCASEY,HAVE YOU EVER TRIED FRIED BREAD DOUGH? YUM
GRANNY
the 2 door versions of the smaller '79-91 full sized Fords and Mercurys are really rare! I think they dropped them in the mid-late 80s, even though the sedan/wagon lasted until '91. You rarely saw a 2 door Lincoln on that platform either, the regular 2 door not the Mark. Remember the shortlived Mark sedan? They had some sort of crazy looking large single round road lights next to or on top of the hidden headlights. I"ll have to scan a brochure. I'm pretty sure I have one for that series.
ReplyDeleteGranny: yup, i LOVE fried dough with tomato sauce and cheese.
FRIED BREAD DOUGH IS HOW MOM WOULD GET US UP ON A SUNDAY MORNING. SHE WOULD COME TO THE STAIRCASE AND YELL."FRIED BREAD DOUGH, GET UP" EVEN AS KIDS WE HAD A CUP OF COFFEE. SHE WOULD SHAKE EACH PIECE IN POWDER SUGAR,PLAIN WITH BUTTER OR EVEN JELLY. THE COFFEE TO WASH IT DOWN. YUM. I LIKE YOUR VERSION ALSO. NOW THAT I'M THINKING ABOUT IT, I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT BREAD DOUGH BEFORE.
ReplyDeleteGRANNY
i make a lot of tomato sauce, so I have fried dough a few times during the winter. i like Italian food the best, but without garlic. i HATE garlic, lol. That's why I had to learn to cook my own Italian food.
ReplyDeleteThe two-door Fords and Mercurys were dropped when they restyled them slightly to make the bumpers less conspicuous. I think the last two-doors were the 87s. The sedans and wagons continued although the wagons kept the same rear bumper that they had 79-87. When the Lincolns were downsized for the 1980 model year, they had a Town Car sedan and coupe on the 117" wheelbase, and a Mark VI sedan and coupe -- the sedan was on the 117" wheelbase while the coupe shared the 114" wheelbase of the Fords and Lincolns. This lineup continued for 1981. For 1982 and beyond, they dropped the Town Coupe and the Mark VI sedan.
ReplyDeleteA friend of my Mom's had an 81 Town Car 2-door that she traded some time later for a Mark VII. She had a lot of trouble with the 81 -- the battery frequently went dead and they never could find the source of the discharge. Too bad, as it looked really nice (black with black insides).
Paul, NYC
I forgot to comment on those strange lights on the Mark VI. I think they called them "road lights" and they were on the covers of the hidden headlights! How weird is that???
ReplyDeletePaul, NYC
I forgot to look for the '80-'81 Lincoln brochure to scan to day. I don't go up in the attic at night if I can help it, lol. I guess those lights were supposed to look "Classic" like the lights of the late '20s, but came off strangely! I knew a salesman through the publisher I worked for at the time, and he had a very posh 4 door Mark sedan. It was quite the pillowed car in every way. I had an '85 base Town Car for 9 years. Lots of parts died on it, at least once-twice a year, but I actually liked it quite a bit. The lowliest economy car of 2010 is a million times more reliable than the cars we grew up with, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI owned a Lincoln Mk V and always enjoyed seeing these Fords . They had a strong family resemblance and it was like seeing a cousin on the street.
ReplyDeleteThese LTDs are very popular in the "cool,cheap, gigantic old car " market that thrives in LA's Bohemia. Perfect for musicians and artists to lug stuff around in affordable 70s splendor.
Now,I am a little foggy, but how does The LTD II/downsized Torino work in this line-up? It was a very handsome car that seemed to get lost with the odd name . They really had a lot in common with the Mk.
I felt the MKV , along with last big New Yorkers were a proper send off for the grand American sedans and coupes before downsizing.
Thanks for scanning and sharing these.
AP
Malibu
ps. I am very new to blogging and I hope I am not being rude by saying too much or not introducing myself. I am here because I enjoy your artwork(,and now your considerable collection,) and so, just joined in and gabbed.I hope thats okay.
Thanks again.
The LTD II was formerly called the Gran Torino, which itself had been the Fairlane earlier. Renaming the midsize Torino with the LTD name, made it seem as if Ford was really up to date with downsizing it's cars like GM was, even though they were a couple of years behind. I have an LTD II brochure too, I'll get to scanning it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteNo rules for blogging here! I'm very glad to have you looking in and reading. If you'd like to comment, I'm really happy for that too! Thank you.
Ah! I see! The Gran Torino becomes the LTD II . A-ha! A handsome answer to the handsome downsized Caprice. Not a major redesign, as downsizing was just around the corner . Got it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Casey.And thank you for making me feel at home.
AP
Malibu
MALIBU, I'M A CASEY ART LOVER ALSO. SO I HOPE YOU COMMENT EVERYDAY ON HIS CARS AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND WALL ART. THE BEST. IT'S LIKE A GIFT TO VISIT THIS SITE EVERYDAY.
ReplyDeleteGREY AND RAINY DAY TODAY, SO THEIR TELLING US. GOOD, WE NEED RAIN.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR WORLD, CASEY?
GRANNY
good morning-almost afternoon! i'm getting a late start again. I"ll be working on a book all day for the publisher. I'll hopefully be done by tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteenjoy the rainy day, it's raining here too.
Hello Granny,
ReplyDeleteI have been an admirer of Casey's cars for a few years and am very glad to be here . You are right:there is so much to see and discover ! I came for the cars and found flowers, art and Edison Wax Cylinders !
Enjoy the rain ,Granny ! We had a very cold, wet summer and now its dry and hot . During the week, the beaches are empty and it's wonderful for walking.
Best,
AP
Malibu
My opinion of the day was that the only two things that were superior about the LTD over the Caprice were (1) the hidden headlights and (2) the optional wheels. (Caprices offered only wire wheel covers.) The Mercury Grand Marquis' fender skirts (my aunt and uncle had a silver Marq) were more integrated than the LTD's.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of the monster Marquis: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/539164238_0e8882d383.jpg
A car that looks like this is for sale near where my parents live. Despite the fact it would not fit in my garage, I'm sort of tempted.
You certainly see more full size Chevys from that period than Fords. I can't think of the last time I saw a '70s LTD. I don't know why that is. I read once that perhaps its because Chevy's small block V8 has been built in one form or another for so long, that people just love them. Ford changed engine architecture so often, there wasn't that love for many of them. I'd love a huge LTD or a Marquis.
ReplyDelete