Here’s how the LTD was huge for Ford, and not just because of the car’s size
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- Опубликовано: 18 ноя 2022
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In this episode I provide the history of the Ford LTD, which started as the highest trim for the Ford Galaxie, and later transitioned to Ford's most luxurious model, and one of the biggest in size. The letters LTD were never officially meant to mean anything, although most probably considered it an abbreviation for Limited. Others thought it meant Luxury Trim Decor, while in Australia it was thought to mean Lincoln Type Design. In 1977, a slightly smaller LTD II was offered, but only lasted three model years. By the early 80's, the top LTD models were renamed LTD Crown Victoria, and by 1983, a smaller version based on the Fox body became a second LTD model sold alongside the LTD Crown Victoria, but the smaller LTD was only intended as a placeholder for the new Taurus, which completely changed Ford's mid-sized car strategy. By 1992, the Crown Victoria dropped the LTD prefix, leaving the LTD name lost to history.
LTD stood for "Long Time Driving" because these land yachts were built for road trips.
They were just big, utility, good looking cars that everybody owned at one time or another. Simple yet trustworthy.
Full sized cars and trucks is what Ford was good at
And reliable too
Exactly right, they were everywhere. We had a 71’ with 400 cube 2bbl. Very smooth and quiet from what I remember. Super plush compared to others
Pimps loved them growing up.
Good looking? 🙄
I have a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis...basically a badge engineered variant of the Ford LTD. I love that car. I'm keeping that one forever.
Wow! I just picked up a '75 LTD last December and I gotta say I love that I found this video.
Lucky bastard
I have owned a lot of Fords but for some reason never owned the LTD model. Thanks Pat
I remember seeing a lot of LTDs in the 1980s. They were big cars and quite comfortable. Could use one right now.
Athefumen
I have an 89 Colony Park, white with wood trim, optional rear seating for 8. People really get a kick out of riding in it. The car drives like a dream, handling is really good for its size. It is acceptable off the start, but you will need miles of road to pass someone.
Also have a Black 72 2 door Galaxie 500, she is quite a different monster. I take this one to the car shows. You can really feel the weight behind this one and cloud like suspension. Moves alone pretty good with a modified 400.
What's mods have you done to it? I have a 74 I want to upgrade
I really appreciate the depth of the popular cultural references in this episode. Well done!
I've got a '71, and I absolutely adore it. It's just so nice to drive. I've never been more comfortable behind the wheel.
me too, 71 LTD 2 door htp
73 Mercury Marquis wagon here, most comfortable car I have including 74 Lincoln and 69 Cad.
Mine had an ashtray for each passenger, including the newborn. You could fit 4 extra passengers comfortably in the trunk. I miss that car. Stiffin the suspension and change the breaks, it would be a monster for the road today with a 400ci 4barrel C6
These were just “Standard Size”.
We were so used to these battleships, and air craft carrier size cars ,we didn’t see them as that big, it was just, all other cars were “small”.
Outside of AMC, Studebaker, and the foreign cars, Big cars were all we had.
The “compact “ cars , though sold well, still, until the 70’s, most everyone had a big car [ and maybe a smaller car too].
These were also TOW vehicles, towing huge campers, and boats.
Great video.
🚗🙂
I love those pictures of campers and boats hooked up. Even race cars in tow. Then you realize they’re body on frame and rwd. Still crazy.
Let's face it, small cars were looked at as poor cars.
They seem large until parked next to a full sized SUV of today
@@timothykeith1367in terms of length? Nah crown vic is longer than some full sized SUVs. In terms of height you’re right
3:32 that’s actually a 78’-86’ model caprice because the 87’-90’ models had single beam head light lenses opposed to the older “split quad” headlights
The LTD was probably the best land yacht considering price and the variety of options
Actually it is the Lincoln Continental of those years.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Lincoln is a bit fancy though, wouldn't wanna park that in 1970s New York 😂
Very reliable
I had the 77 Mercury Grand Marquis w the 460 V8 and it was beautiful!
I always thought LTD meant Learn To Drive since most of the people driving one never ventured north of the speed limit.
That was actually funny 😆
Good one!
There's a brewery in Hopkins, Minnesota called LTD Brewing. Their LTD stands for Live The Dream.
Man, I would love to have an 80's LTD two door. To me, those were much more handsome than the four doors.
I was always told that LTD stood for Luxury Through Design.
The LTD II was also used extensively in the 1980s TV show “Highway To Heaven”
I remember that show!
@@RetroTechChris What're you doing way over here?
@@bbishoppcm haha, similar interests I guess! Cars and computers!!
I wish i had a 77-79 ltd ll the front turn L and R lights lens and parts are real hard to find,even in junk yards,hehe ebay to high priced 800 a pair,actual 25 a light,brand new hot off the press 75.00 in box ??
@@steveconnolly7129 I uh… What?!
The convertible really looked sleek.
I'm from Australia, and I thought it stood for' Limited.' They had a resurgence in the 1990s with the younger kids. They liked the engines and roominess. The one you showed in the Golden colour was everywhere for a while. Also, glad that you cleared up the situation with the National Lampoon car. I imagined it was real at the time, an example of excess.
I'm from New Zealand and I always thought it was because it being a luxury car it was built in the Lincoln Thunderbird Division of FoMoCo.
The name "Limited" (spelled out) had been a Buick for decades.. That's probaably why they abbreviated it.
I certainly remember seeing advertising in the for the DL series LTD proclaiming that “Only the name is Limited”.
I’m from Australia and I investigated this name as a kid. Somehow I came across the explanation as being an acronym for “Lincoln Towncar Division”
I was told LTD stood for" Lincoln Trimmed Down"
please make a video on the Chrysler New Yorker.
Agree, the Chrysler New Yorker was one of the longest running American nameplates in automotive history.
As a kid, these cars were everywhere. These cars are huge by today's standards they were just full-sized then.
The black n silver LTD hood ornament was their best looking emblem, from 1974 to 1978
Great video, as always! I've always been fond of the 1988 LTD Crown Victoria refresh which I think appeared on the 1989 models. Felt to me like it really made the car feel more modern before the Taurus-inspired refresh that you noted!
Loved the hidden headlights fabulous looking design
The fox platform originated with the Fairmont which at the time was the underpinnings of the Mustang, Granada, and Thunderbirds.
I had a 1987 Fairmont and it looked so similar too the Granada, just a foot longer and 10cm wider. Of cause they changed little things like lights and the interior was the same as the Fairlane.
I always remember-and was introduced-to the LTD as Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones') car in MIB 25 years ago. Peter Griffin's station wagon is also an LTD Crown Victoria of the same vintage.
Peter's wagon looks like it has the corner lights of a 75-78 with the body of a 79
Man,you didn't even mention the brazillian LTD! That was a reworked Ford Galaxie 500 l,which was sold until 1983,and was one of the most luxurious cars ever made here prior to the import ban lift in 1990,alongside the Alfa Romeo 2300 Ti4 and the Dodge Charger R/T.
Really well made and confortable car even by today's standards,with a fuel consumption of around 3-4 km/l due to the weight and the big 5.7 V8.
Ford LTD a reworked Galaxie 500 in Brazil ? What the heck do you think it was in the US a reworked Fairlane? .
Those are so cool, I would kill to get one the late models with the twin horizontal headlights. They looked like baby continentals.
On april 29th 1976, a bought a brand new mercury cougar. Five weeks later I got married. 46 years later I still have the car and still have the wife. And they are both in good shape yet.
The last BIG Cougar, similar to the Ford Elite.
You're a lucky man.
Never had an LTD or Crown Victoria but had 3 Grand Marquis, ‘88,’01 and ‘04. So very familiar with the Panther Platform. In drivers Ed in 1974 we had a Ford LTD as a driver ed car.
Panther platform was great. Especially once the reworked modular motors with the 4R70w transmission were introduced. Marauder with that combo is a comfortable cruiser that I'd love to own at some point, but I've already got 3 cars (all older) and running out of room until I move.
5:53...I always liked those "wall to wall" taillights found only on 1971 LTDs.
Friend of mine in high school had a 72 LTD.
We called it Lemon To Drive.
He neutral dropped it in the school parking lot and blew the drive shaft.
It was hysterical.
Many more neutral drops and the transmission died.
He junked it after that.
Good Video on the Ford LTD! As much as it was sad to see it get phase out in throughout the 1980's, 1990's & 2000's years later in the 2010's Ford Australia would endup discontinuing making cars like their Version of the LTD & Their Version of the Ford Falcon that made me wish that Ford Australia sold the Falcon here in the USA, Since Australia kept updating the car body of the Falcon for a long time.
The Australian Ford LTD was a clever stretching of the Falcon on the station wagon chassis .
Styling and luxury trim had the LTD and related Fairlane looking like much bigger cars than the Falcon despite many common parts like the windscreen etc.
We had our own Landau in Australia too. It’s always interesting to hear a name/model/badge I know on a completely different car.
As for the mention of the Ranchero, it seems to be that Utes never really took off in the US? You obviously had this and the Elcamino, but Falcon and Commodore Utes were a mainstay in the Australian market right up until the end of Holden and Ford Australia.
I’d say the most popular would be the El Camino, Subaru Baja, and Subaru Brat. All of which aren’t very popular and none of which are made anymore. I guess the Hyundai Santa Cruz that just came out might count.
Internationally,
“Limited “ is abbreviated
“LTD”.
Companies [ especially British] often had “LTD” at the end of the company’s name.
🚗🙂
* slow clap *
LTD Load of Tin from detroit
Luxury Trim Decor.. L.T.D..
LTD=Love That Dope. Witness all the burn holes in the velour interior in used ones. Smart potheads opted for leather. 🤣 🤣 🤣
@@robtans5042 Thanks karen...
I always remember the Seinfeld quote: "LTD... Limited Edition. What did they make, 50 million of those? Yes, it's 'limited' to the number we can sell".
i am once again asking for a video on the volkswagen fox please
Welcome back…a very eagerly awaited return. Informative and interesting, as always. Thanks from “Down Under” for the Ford Australia references and thanks for providing such great content.
A video on the Buick Lesabre would be pretty cool. they stopped making them after the 2005 model year.
I was fortunate to find a donated, perfectly running 2005 LeSabre Custom with 75,925 miles at Copart for $2,400.
they stopped making the LeSabre (and the Park Avenue) when the Lucerne was launched in 2006.
@@jeffshadow2407 2005 lesabre limited, got it at 102k miles for 2950, it was a private sale. mechanically sound had a few things due on it but wasn't bank-breaking.
I still see TONS of LeSabres on the road. They were built well!
@@isaac24 same with park avenues
I imagine if Ford were to revive the LTD name, they could make a car that uses the same platform as Lincoln Continental for the sedan version and makes it comparable to the European grand tourer for the coupe one (probably with a slight difference in length by the wheelbase or rear overhang). Of course, both will be at more competitive price points compared to its Lincoln and European counterparts.
Dad worked at the Buffalo Ford plant. Galaxies and LTD’s were a way of life for me.
CORRECTION: Law Enforcement vehicles based on the large Ford chassis were almost always the cheapest trim level...thus during the 1960s and through 1972 ("Custom"), through 1978 ("Custom 500" with fleet only sales beginning in either 1975 or 1976, and Canadian only sales in 1978, the final year of that size). The Galaxie 500 was last sold in the U.S. in 1974, but was unlikely to be a cop car because the Custom and Custom 500 were of a cheaper trim (with enhancements for police/fire duties). Replica clones of cop cars were made for movies/TV shows and then later as novelties...but were unauthentic in their interior trim/external badging.
I caught that as well
Correct, Custom 500 remained from '75 to 78 as a base model in fleet/service order.
Imagine if Ford made an LTD LTD
3:34 I love that movie. That's The Chase from 1994.
I had a small 80's ltd 85 I think and it had the interceptor package. It was a animal off road
Thanks for the great video. The 75 LTD Landau is a beautiful car with those hidden headlights. I also love the 92 Crown Victoria.
I have a 74 ltd coupe with 400/2bbl,very reliable and great ride
Those massive over hanging front & rear of cars of the 1970’s would have its own area code.
Our LTDs were Country Squires. A 72 and a 75. Both over 400 cu in. Neither were fast, but were great for filling with friends.
Love to see you cover the Subaru Brat, one of the few Ute's to land in the states outside of the massive Ranchero and El Camino's (you could maybe include them in the video)
The VW Caddy and Omni based Dodge Rampage were also available for a number of years
I agree
LTD :
LUXURY THEME DESIGN.
I owned and drove an original 1975 Australian Ford LTD for 23 years.
I thought that LTD stood for Lincoln Thunderbird Division.
Originally "LTD" was referred to as "Limited" but in later years I recall a Ford commercial where "LTD" was referred to as "Lincoln Traditional Design." I owned a 1985 "LTD Brougham." I was disappointed in the car and traded it for a 1987 Camaro which a year later due to a faulty wiring harness caught fire and was totalled.
Worked with Dick Ziker. He's the one that drove the wagon off the ramp in Vacation. Great guy
Great review. Always loved that car. It fits right in between the Mark VII and a Cougar but w/ a Ford name plate.
This was what I had always gravitated toward, even when our lives were fast becoming a freak show when two different gas crises hit!!
I learned as a kid that LTD was an acronym for “Lincoln Towncar Division”. I am from Down Under
A 1971 LTD is the “hero car” in the Burt Reynolds movie “White Lightning.” They jump it onto a barge at one point.
ltd 2 was kinda like a cougar. county squire had that real wood. 1980s ltd was nice.
Woof. The LTD II between the B and C pillars look like two separate groups designed it.
I had a 1973 KTD Brougham. That was a comfortable car that I had for a few years in college. Lots of room to move possessions between semesters. I lived 7 hours from home and it was a wonderful Interstate cruiser. A memorable car for me!
Great episode!
Man i love this channel. Fantastic work. 👏👍👍
so much info there. Great video
Great video as always. You should do a video on a Japanese luxury sedan. A good suggestion is either the Acura Legend or the Infiniti Q45.
One of two cars I owned (the other was Olds 98) that you could put a 55 gal. drum in the trunk and close the lid! Huge cars with a smooth floaty ride and room for 6 people, but they cornered like a cannonball.
Great information, as always.
Great work Sir thank you
In some places, like Chicago for example, it was known as the
"Lunatic Transportation Device"
I had a 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria. I loved that car.
So many memories!
Couches on wheels! Great idea.... adding the movie clips [I didn't remember all the models....I was just a kid playing in that vast velour backseat]!
father was a salesman. had a 1976 ltd brougham. beautiful. in 1978 he could choose from impala or ltd11 Ltd11 it was. upgraded the interior. Loved it.
good work
Well Done !
Some people in Australia thought it meant Luxury Transport Department.
I had a 1977 Lincoln Town car, beautiful Bought it in 2006 with 20k miles like New and fun to drive!
I always assume LTD meant 'limited', as hint at luxury.
take a look at the ford explorer sport trac next!
Aw I loved mine!
7:25 The thought of accelerating a vehicle with as much mass as an LTD up to 135 miles per hour, and then WILLINGLY BEING INSIDE IT WHILE YOU DO SO, is terrifying.
The (small) Ford LTD (1983-1986) was also known as the Taxi and Police car in GTA Vice City (Stories).
It almost looked IDENTICAL to the original - aside the lack of the Ford badge. And the rear lights were head over heels...
Loved those cars!
Great video! I have 1967 LTD. It’s really a great car.
I always understood the LTD to mean that the car was built in the Lincoln Thunderbird Division of FoMoCo.
I had a used 1976 LTD that had a 8track player and the previous owner had gotten an 8: track tape stuck in the player. The car eventually got a hole in the floor and I covered it with plywood and drove it until the gas tank began to leak. I traded it for a Dodge caravan.
Ya never mentioned the "Uncle Buck" car with John Candy. 😆
Great video! You left out a relevant LTD information history of the cars produced by Ford in Brazil from 1969 to 1977, the 500, the LTD and from 1977 to 1982 the Landau.
Would love to see a video on this channel of the ford falcon or Holden commodore ect. Would be interesting to see a video of these cars in the eyes of an American consumer
3rd time I've watched this video, and I pick up on more trivia every time!
I had a 1984 LTD wagon. It was actually based on the Ford Fox body of the Fairmont.
I had always assumed it was short for Limited as well.
Dean from Coldwarmotors may have one or two for sale...possibly 'floor delete' models, but LTDs all the same.
Land Yachts. Used to cruise around in a 72 Pontiac Catalina in HS. 400ci sled..Was like riding on a down pillow.
I had a 1981 Olds Tornado XSC . I have yet to find another. But it had a lot of options I never found in a Eldorado or Rivera of the same year.
The Ford Galaxy came to in 1960 and ended around 1971. The Galaxy 500 XL was the sport version, starting in 1963 and ending in 1972. The LTD came to life in 65-66 - Ford Galaxy 500 LTD. They were all Ford Galaxy's! Ford Galaxy 500, the basic model; Galaxy 500 XL, the sport; Galaxy 500 "LTD" (Limited), the top of line Ford Galaxy. Ford dropped the "Galaxy" name and changed it to "Custom" in 70. So, from 1970-1975, you could either buy the Ford Custom, with basic equipment or, the Ford LTD, with all the options you desired.
I see a Fox body LTD, I think of “The Parking Garage” episode of Seinfeld. In the very last scene, when they’re about to leave, it won’t start. Apparently, that wasn’t intentional.
The mid 60's 7 litre LTD was a real Turnpike Cruiser, the 428 was much stronger than the FE 390. By 1972, the power was gone.
Love these land yatchs
Lincoln Trimmed Down
Thanks!
Thank you!!