So do I I miss bench seats ( good for BJ'S) Vent windows Cars back then had Guide Headlights and the high beam low beam switch on the floor. Also I miss gas under the license plate. On a Ford LTD Stood for Luxury Trim Decor.
Tell me about it! A few years ago, I had to order a car because the dealer could NOT find one with a red interior. Despite being an option, all "available" cars had black or gray interiors.
Mine too, Mike. The black top is very attractive, although a white one would be cooler (up) on hot days, or when you didn't want the top down otherwise.
I had a 1971 LTD back in 1976. Maroon. Had the 400M. Loved it, except it burnt a hole through one of the pistons with regular gas. :^( Watch a doing with an LTD and the HemiChyrysler name?
@@HemiChrysler I don't have the funds to have a collection of cars I'd like to own. The only classic I currently own is a 1964 Mercury Comet. I never had one back in the day, but I did have a 1964 Mercury Meteor - kinda similar.
My favorite videos are when you focus on one make, model and year. I like this generation of LTD. I love those turbine wheel covers too. Nice interior and great big block. To be picky, the drivers power window controls for all windows looks like a slapped on afterthought this generation. Later moved to armrest.
Mine too. I think one of the reasons was it was the last full-size model year with a real sporty car flair. Starting in 1969, the big Fords (and Chevys) both took on a much more conservative look that (looking back on it now) signaled the end was in sight for the traditional, full-size convertibles. To me it was a downside to the muscle cars that permanently stole their spotlight away; GM and Chrysler also of course.
Dad had a '71 LTD, but I always like the look of the '72 better. The less recessed grille of the '72, combined with the full rear bumper that had a bit of a Mopar look, was more appealing to me. This convertible is stunning.
I had a 72 LTD. It had been my Grandpa's car. I had that green interior you showed. It was the only car I ever had that when I sat in it, my legs didn't touch the door. I miss that.
The side molding is metal. My mom’s 1971 had them and were quite well made and still looked great when my mom finally let my Dad trade it. Oh yeah, the power locks were controlled by the manual lock on the doors, at least in 1971. The extra button on the drivers power window controls were for the window lock out.
My favorite LTD is also the '68 model. My grandfather had one in dark blue with blue brocade fabric interior, 390 4 barrel. My uncle had a '72 LTD sedan. Another nice riding car.
man what a looker...stately, but with sporty edges. Glad to see the N-code 429. I have 2 memories of this gen car...my childhood friend's dad had a 4 door hardtop, maxed out in options, in that powder blue...even as a muscle car obsessed kid at the time I thought it was a pretty nice car. Later on another acquaintance would sometimes drive her dad's yellow convertible which again I thought was pretty nice although I didn't really like the yellow, plus I think it was a relatively stripped car. I think the 71-72 ltd's are awesome and a highpoint for Ford quality and ride comfort.
72 is one of my favorite full-size Fords. I love the grills on the LTD's. Growing up, a friend of mines dad had a 73 black on black LTD fully loaded with a sunroof... Took it for granted then, but now it would be a find.
Mine too, Anthony. The grill (to me) didn't have that 'Bunkie beak' Adam referred to. I know the '73 and '74 is "considered" to be part of the same gen as the '71-'72, but they don't seem like it to me. They seem bigger and bulkier. I know the '75-'78 was the next gen, but the '73-''74 is kind of a mystery to me! I do have an affection for it though from 'Barnaby Jones'.
Hey Adam, love your channel, speaking of the dropped trunk pan, my 69 Lincoln continental has the same feature. I took it on a roadtrip to Florida from New York with 2 friends, while in Florida my buddy found a 1970 Pontiac 455 complete engine for sale with all accessories, starter, alternator, air cleaner, the junkyard lowered it into my trunk, amazingly my trunk deck lid closed and latched perfectly, the car looked like it had no springs in the rear. as we started driving home back to New York my crank driven power steering pump died, we drove back in 24 hours with that hunk of iron in my Lincoln with no power steering, it was an amazing experience!! I love the huge trunk space in the Lincoln/fords
I have an 18K original mile 1972 LTD Brougham 2 Dr white with black top and black interior with every option but the sunroof. The power locks are actuated by the door lock plunger and the switch next to the power window switches is the window lock switch. The power locks are actually vacuum operated on these and when you pull up on the door lock plunger it unlocks all the doors. Also, the washboard rocker moldings are stamped steel and painted charcoal grey. the separate trim piece above the washboard trim is anodized aluminum. I actually have a full set of NOS washboard trim pieces for a complete 2 Dr car. I always loved the 1971 and 1972 LTD and Galaxie cars. Sadly, there are very few of them left around as most of them were simply used up and thrown away. Mine was ordered new by the plant manager at the Ford San Jose plant but after driving it for just over a year he passed away and his wife put the car in the garage and never moved it again until she passed away. I purchased the car from her estate and it is the lowest mileage 1972 LTD 2 Dr I have ever come across.
Salute to the 1973 Ford LTD BROHAM with the opera window! Triple white coupe' with dark chocolate cloth interior. Full pwr individual split bench with arm rest front seats and extra roomy rear seats that were sometimes loaded down during highschool events. They also made for a great meeting place for my early girlfriends, one at a time of course! Big motor, definitely could cruise slow motion or hit the hi-way to get there. My first love hands down and greasy! Yes! With a tear in my eye, i can say ive missed her dearly.
My parents used to have a 1967 T-Bird four-door sedan. White with a black interior. It was cool. Still had the old car smell! My favorite feature was the tail lights. They had the cross light bar where each side had three lights that would sequence from inboard to outboard and you could hear the motor and relays working when turn signalling. Tilt-away steering wheel! Really cool car. Seemed awkward to start because by 1967, the ignition switch had been relocated to the right but you still had to pull the shift lever back with your left hand while turning the key with your right hand. Interesting, to say the least. My ABSOLUTE favorite feature: the rear doors were suicide doors! That vinyl Landau top, the way the body's profile curved up to meet the rear end in the windows... Wow, I think I'll buy one someday! My mom thought the brakes were too sensitive. I never got to drive it (I was 9), but it was an awesome car! The folding headlights made it even more awesome!
Rare sight for sure. So when you saw one, it really stood out. One of those rare models that you didn't know existed until you finally saw one years after its production year.
Your videos are GREAT! Thanks for making them! This one is, for me, REALLY interesting because it sheds light on the probable genesis of my '79 (black on red) Thunderbird convertible which was one of 100 that American Custom Coachworks did for FoMoCo for the '79 model year. A number of similarities between the LTD in this video and my 'Bird including the front split bench with armrests and the front-end's beak with their corresponding two vertical bumper guards. Differences include 429 vs 351M (302 was the base engine except in Cali.), on the '77-'79 convertibles there was no zipper/no requirement to lower the ragtop's clear plastic before lowering. My guess is that that '72 LTD turns as many heads as mine does!
I've been waiting for a '71-'72 LTD Convertible video for a while, knew you'd get there! I own a 1971, which I spent entirely too much restoring. I wanted to give you a correction - The lower trim "strakes" are absolutely made of metal, and they allow for junk, leaves, debris etc. to stay in there and rot everything behind them. I deleted them from my restoration. I'll look for an email for your channel, which I love, and send a photo of mine done. Mine also came factory with bucket seats and console. 400 CI, C6. Thank you for these videos!
I wouldn't have bothered eliminating those rocker trims... Sure, they held dirt and leaves... But are YOU going to be leaving that car parked outside every day after your commute to and from work? I'd personally have to have those put back... They give that car it's character.
Such a nice car! I was a summer employee doing reconditioning at a Ford dealer during this period, but, being a Mopar guy, didn't fully appreciate the styling of the big Fords, or even Fords in general. Thanks again for all the details, Adam. Guys love mechanical details, don't we?
Growing up in the late 70's early 80's, we had a Grabber Yellow '71 LTD 2-Door with a black vinyl roof and brocade black interior powered by a 351ci. It was so quiet and comfortable, I couldn't even count how many times my sister and I would fall asleep in the backseat on short and long trips in it:) My aunt had a '69, uncle had a '73, paternal grandparents had a '75, and maternal grandparents had a '77, and my great aunt had a '79 all at the same time. Needless to say, I was surrounded by them lol
Yes ! A convertible ! I know it was painful, Adam, but I love it ! Neighbor had one of these -- drove us (his son and myself) to hydroplane races on the bay in it ! Fantastic !
Pretty. All of those were built at the Louisville plant and they were known for exceptionally good build quality. If you look, those turbine vane wheel covers have balancing weights on the inside them. They were heavy units!
Absolutely love your Ford content! Would enjoy more on the ‘69-‘70 Galaxies/LTD family (full disclosure-I have a black 1970 XL sportroof). Very popular car at the time. Thanks for all the labor you put into your videos! You’re my number one most watched channel on YT!
Still remember the day in 72 when my folks and I were at the dealer deciding on a 72 galaxie or 72 montego. I was 3 and I liked the gold galaxie we ended up buying. Not as fancy as the LTD, but it was an excellent vehicle. I would also add that the 71 and 72 with the beak had the hood release in a rather awkward place and I skinned my right knuckle many times trying to open the hood. Torque 400 2V engine. Once I got tonhigh school folks bought new and I inherited the gold ford. My dad just didn't believe me that I wasn't squealing tires. He thought rear tires should last more than 7000 miles! Great memories of these nice vehicles
69 is my favourite with the hidden headlights, cool taillights and curved instrument panel. Ford got their money’s worth out of those cruise control button design.
I had a 71 2-door hardtop when I was 19. 6 or 7 years later, I got a 73 2-door hardtop. My 71 had a 400M that I really liked. The 73 was equipped with a 351M. The 351 had less power and poorer fuel mileage but still was a decent engine. I loved to drive both of them, but the 71 was my favorite!
One of the best cars I ever had is a 1972 Ford LTD 4 Door sedan. Yellow, with black cloth interior and black vinyl roof. Power windows, a/c, am/fm radio. This was in the north, and it finally succumbed to the ravages of winter road salt.
My favorite Ford full-size exterior design of the ‘60s/early ‘70s is the ‘66 Galaxie 500 coupe with the concave sloping rear window. But this ‘72 LTD convertible is certainly gorgeous.
I wonder if Bunkie Knudsen was responsible for that lower ribbed trim panel. Similar trim was used on various Pontiac of the mid '60s, usually on taillight panels.1964-5 Grand Prix and 1965 GTO and LeMans are good examples. 1963 Bonneville had it on the front fenders.
My parents bought a new 71 LTD convertible in 71 . Same color green/ green interior that was shown briefly in a picture of the video to show the standard front seat . Theirs had the 400 2V engine . My parents always bought year or two old Cadillac convertibles . They decided to try a new LTD . They didn't keep it long, traded on a 69 Caddy convertible . They didn't like the seat, wasn't comfortable, and you'd get soaked when it rained as water came in between the top and the top of the windshield mounding . Took to the dealer a couple of times to repair, but it still leaked . My Dad never bought anything else but used Caddys till he passed away . .
@@slicksnewonenow There's nothing like the World War I and II generation of adults overall. They weren't perfect, but are compared to people born after WW ll, including myself (born in '57). They'd be horrified at what's happened to our wonderful U.S. Mike, did your Dad have a '69 or '70 Caddy convertible? Always loved those, and yes, they definitely had fins too!
Gorgeous car, and seldom seen even at the time. Interesting to learn that there was a specific one-year engine knock issue, as my parents' 1972 wagon with the 429 was definitely so afflicted.
I think that fifth switch on the driver's side door panel is actually the window lockout switch. Power locks were operated by the lock plunger on each of the front doors.
Hello I had a 1971 Ltd Brogham. Fully loaded . The little switch on the power windows switch was a lock switch. The power door locks where air and activated by pushing or pulling the door lock knop up or down. They even had a ring horn like the Lincoln. Mine also had factory 8 track quadraphonick stereo
You've mentioned before that Ford styling at this time favoured very straight lines, particularly the fender line. Interesting that this era LTD has a nice, GM-like taper to the fender line. Maybe the Bunkie influence too? Great looking profile!
My dad factory ordered a 1972 LTD convertible almost exactly like this one! His did not have the cornering lamps or the passenger side mirror though. It also had red pinstripes. The interior was not as optioned as this one. His just had AM radio, bench seat and tilt wheel. A/C, too.
Great explanation on why those year models had "pinging" issues-my parents had a '71 Mercury Marquis Brougham 4 door bought brand new in mid '71-it too had a 429-but only a 2 barrel carb-and it pinged horribly unless Mom or Dad put premium LEADED gas in it-which drove my Mom nuts due to the cost of it.
Had a '71 with a 400 - good car, and wish I never got rid of it. Dark blue with white top. It was a similarly optioned to this one, but it had a cool rear light bar in the middle. No split bench, tho!
My favorite LTDs 69 / 70 but I did not like the taillights on the 70 I prefer the rearend on the 69 but my culture is Country Squires not sedans but I do love Coupes I’m 6’5” I cannot imagine what people are talking about that they can’t reach down in the trunk LOL and the HVAC controlls to the left of the driver is exactly where it belongs😊and I was disappointed when they got rid of the adjustible mast and went with the one piece that they claimed was indestructible while The folks over at G.M. Went with the black wire inbeded in the windshield glass but the reception when traveling was always poor when compared to a Ford radio but loved those huge cornering lights on the 71 & 72s
Great car. I have my Dad’s 4 door pillared hardtop. Dirty Harry drove a blue one in Magnum Force. The 71 with the XL option (bucket seats and horseshoe floor shift) would be nice to have👍.
I know that the '73 and '74 LTD's are supposed to be part of the '71''72 gen also, with the next gen '75-'78. Still. the '73-'74 coupe has a bigger, bulkier look I don't like, and seems like it's its own gen. Does anyone else feel this way? As far as this '72 goes, it's gorgeous. I love the comparable Mercury too by the way, over the Impala or Grandville counterpart from GM. They're still great too!
In 71' you could get an LTD with bucket seats,, console,, with the horseshoe shifter... I almost bought one in 1999 but it was a convertible and I really didn't want a convertible I wanted a two door hard top. It was a VERY loaded maroon with white interior bucket seats floor shift console,, it was amazing,, but it was a convertible and I just didn't want that... I think I blew it !! lol
The front end reminds me of my '71-'73 Cougar (I'd imagine it being a Mercury they were following Pontiac already, and the Fords going Pontiac-like would just support that.) At 6:49 I love the driver centric dash a lot like some of the GM B-bodies (e.g. my granddads '72 Ninety-Eight.)
That split-bench seat is custom. The LTD convert had the same church-pew bench seat as any other non-Brougham LTD. There were no other options this year. In 1971, you could get a bucket & console interior. Those are rare, too. I worked in an upholstery shop, so I speculate the following. Somebody took an earlier style split (possible Mercury) seat and had a trim shop fabricate covers that mimicked the original sew style. Re the power locks. The 5th button on the window control is to lock the windows. In 1971-72, the power locks were actuated by the door plungers. There is a circular "power lock" callout at the top of each plunger.
I do have a 72 convertible in powder blue with a white top. I believe they just used up the top hardware from 1971 and ended 1972 convertible production early and mine was near the end of the run. Typical yearly production for galaxy convertibles over the prior 10 years was close to 71 & 72 combined.
I have this brochure, have had for many years. What is shocking with this convertible is how tiny the back seat is, and they tried to make it look larger by miniaturizing the seat cushion. Such a beautiful if impractical car. At least my Olds 98 convertible from the late sixties had true 5-6 passenger seating!
My dad bought new a '72 Ford LTD from Gorno Ford in Michigan. Brown on brown hardtop with a vinyl roof, 400 2V with a special order brown fabric interior. Beautiful car, but 7 years later it was "Swiss cheese", the salt on Michigan's roads had destroyed it, rust everywhere.
I’ve seen a ‘71 convertible with bucket seats and console that was really nice looking, but my favorite LTD is the boxy 1966 model (plus the 7-Litre) and the Fox Body 1984-85 LTD LX.
Yes re '68! I too love '71 rear, but prefer '72 front's more 'discreet' Bunkie Beak and '73-predictive bumper. My 1972 Squire had same-colour interior, so I feel nostalgic viewing this post.
Nice car. I too love those wheel covers! They were fitted to the Australian LTD (totally different I USA models, being designed in Australia) when it was released. However very quickly they were replaced with a flatter design due to all the damage from kerbing inherent with the design.
The power door locks for 71-2 were located at the standard door lock nob. The nob was different than standard and it said power door lock on the top of the nob. The switch on the driver's power window controls is the window lock. Ford had window locks on power windows from the early sixties, which is a safety feature no other car company had for a long time. And, yes it has a tilt wheel.
Have to agree about my heart belonging to the ‘68 Fords being Bios as we had the Country Sedan Diamond Blue (Almost white) with Medium Blue 10 passenger interior. From age 9 until Age 15. It was 1972 when Dad took me to the Ford Used Car ANEX here in town to me was heaven and a Ford Exec came driving in with a Brand New Ford in the Brown Gold Color LTD Coupe with the brown Broquet fabric and I just remember staring at the long hood and front end.. My dad took me over the wagons on the lot they had a ‘67 Red Squire and the ‘68 Diamond Blue Country Sedan. Same price $1500. He let me choose. I was 9 years old and I chose the ‘68 for being NEWER and Less fussy and to me the dash looked more modern the car looked new. He told me Good Choice. In the 6 years that 1 car being the only car used for a family of 7. Dad’s side business of wallpapering. Long ladders, and home renovation projects with Sheets of Paneling and plywood, then all of us piled inside to the beach with all the picnic gear blankets and such. The only repair was. A water pump that my sister’s BF changed on a ver wet and cold Saturday. That was the only incident. Dad was not one to keep up on oil changes and washing. I. Started washing and Paste waxing the car when I was 12 years old. A FULL day to wax a large station wagon. I came in for dinner and my dad asked if I was done and I said I just had the tail gate left and he sent me back out until I was done before I could eat. I’ll never forget that. I was doing this on my own my arm was so sore from buffing off the wax and him telling me I had to wait to eat after 8 hours of being meticulous with my wax job.
Hard not to love this car
A movie classic
I miss bench seats, vent windows and interiors that were available in colors other than black or gray.
👏👏👏👏
Or Apartment Maze Dogshit Tan.
Also those footwell vents!
So do I
I miss bench seats ( good for BJ'S)
Vent windows
Cars back then had Guide Headlights and the high beam low beam switch on the floor.
Also I miss gas under the license plate.
On a Ford LTD
Stood for Luxury Trim Decor.
Tell me about it! A few years ago, I had to order a car because the dealer could NOT find one with a red interior. Despite being an option, all "available" cars had black or gray interiors.
Black on red is one of my favorite color combinations.
Mine too, Mike. The black top is very attractive, although a white one would be cooler (up) on hot days, or when you didn't want the top down otherwise.
ruclips.net/video/2lCH5JgWCZY/видео.html
Beautiful car. This car is LOADED, Tilt, Cruise, A/C, PW, Turbine wheels, 428, Cornering lights, split seat, AM/FM Stereo.
Nice looking car, the front suspension were really bad. You would go at highway speeds and the front end would go up and down, poor factory shocks
I own a 1971 LTD 2 dr htp, but a 1970 XL fastback would be my favourite.
I had a 1971 LTD back in 1976. Maroon. Had the 400M. Loved it, except it burnt a hole through one of the pistons with regular gas. :^( Watch a doing with an LTD and the HemiChyrysler name?
@BlisterBang I started my collection with Chrysler, but own almost as many Ford now. I'm slackest on the GM side. How about you ?
@@HemiChrysler I don't have the funds to have a collection of cars I'd like to own. The only classic I currently own is a 1964 Mercury Comet. I never had one back in the day, but I did have a 1964 Mercury Meteor - kinda similar.
My favorite videos are when you focus on one make, model and year. I like this generation of LTD. I love those turbine wheel covers too. Nice interior and great big block. To be picky, the drivers power window controls for all windows looks like a slapped on afterthought this generation. Later moved to armrest.
I enthusiastically agree with you about the 1968 LTD. It’s my all time favorite.
Mine too. I think one of the reasons was it was the last full-size model year with a real sporty car flair. Starting in 1969, the big Fords (and Chevys) both took on a much more conservative look that (looking back on it now) signaled the end was in sight for the traditional, full-size convertibles. To me it was a downside to the muscle cars that permanently stole their spotlight away; GM and Chrysler also of course.
Dad had a '71 LTD, but I always like the look of the '72 better. The less recessed grille of the '72, combined with the full rear bumper that had a bit of a Mopar look, was more appealing to me. This convertible is stunning.
I had a 72 LTD. It had been my Grandpa's car. I had that green interior you showed. It was the only car I ever had that when I sat in it, my legs didn't touch the door. I miss that.
When the 72 LTD came out they were damn good looking cars!
The side molding is metal. My mom’s 1971 had them and were quite well made and still looked great when my mom finally let my Dad trade it. Oh yeah, the power locks were controlled by the manual lock on the doors, at least in 1971. The extra button on the drivers power window controls were for the window lock out.
I love that front end ❤️
Beautiful '72 LTD, nice video!!! 👍
Sure don't see them around anymore.
My favorite LTD is also the '68 model. My grandfather had one in dark blue with blue brocade fabric interior, 390 4 barrel. My uncle had a '72 LTD sedan. Another nice riding car.
I love the 71 and 72 LTD. Everything about it.
Beautiful Ford, black color looks good.
Love the ‘71-72 models, but ‘67-68 are definitely my favorites.
1971...my favorite year for LTD. 🥰
man what a looker...stately, but with sporty edges. Glad to see the N-code 429. I have 2 memories of this gen car...my childhood friend's dad had a 4 door hardtop, maxed out in options, in that powder blue...even as a muscle car obsessed kid at the time I thought it was a pretty nice car. Later on another acquaintance would sometimes drive her dad's yellow convertible which again I thought was pretty nice although I didn't really like the yellow, plus I think it was a relatively stripped car. I think the 71-72 ltd's are awesome and a highpoint for Ford quality and ride comfort.
When cars were truly elegant!!!
Those were the good old times when the gas gauge dropped faster than the speedometer hand went up. 💪⛽️⛽️⛽️
Those cornering lamps. Put LED's in and you would see everything off to the side. Awesome! She's a beauty.
'68 LTD is also my favorite and yours looks really good in black. Come to think of it, '68 is also my favorite year for the full size Mercury line.
It will always be remembered in The Omega Man intro scene
72 is one of my favorite full-size Fords. I love the grills on the LTD's. Growing up, a friend of mines dad had a 73 black on black LTD fully loaded with a sunroof... Took it for granted then, but now it would be a find.
Mine too, Anthony. The grill (to me) didn't have that 'Bunkie beak' Adam referred to. I know the '73 and '74 is "considered" to be part of the same gen as the '71-'72, but they don't seem like it to me. They seem bigger and bulkier. I know the '75-'78 was the next gen, but the '73-''74 is kind of a mystery to me! I do have an affection for it though from 'Barnaby Jones'.
Hey Adam, love your channel, speaking of the dropped trunk pan, my 69 Lincoln continental has the same feature. I took it on a roadtrip to Florida from New York with 2 friends, while in Florida my buddy found a 1970 Pontiac 455 complete engine for sale with all accessories, starter, alternator, air cleaner, the junkyard lowered it into my trunk, amazingly my trunk deck lid closed and latched perfectly, the car looked like it had no springs in the rear. as we started driving home back to New York my crank driven power steering pump died, we drove back in 24 hours with that hunk of iron in my Lincoln with no power steering, it was an amazing experience!! I love the huge trunk space in the Lincoln/fords
I have an 18K original mile 1972 LTD Brougham 2 Dr white with black top and black interior with every option but the sunroof. The power locks are actuated by the door lock plunger and the switch next to the power window switches is the window lock switch. The power locks are actually vacuum operated on these and when you pull up on the door lock plunger it unlocks all the doors. Also, the washboard rocker moldings are stamped steel and painted charcoal grey. the separate trim piece above the washboard trim is anodized aluminum. I actually have a full set of NOS washboard trim pieces for a complete 2 Dr car. I always loved the 1971 and 1972 LTD and Galaxie cars. Sadly, there are very few of them left around as most of them were simply used up and thrown away. Mine was ordered new by the plant manager at the Ford San Jose plant but after driving it for just over a year he passed away and his wife put the car in the garage and never moved it again until she passed away. I purchased the car from her estate and it is the lowest mileage 1972 LTD 2 Dr I have ever come across.
Salute to the 1973 Ford LTD BROHAM with the opera window! Triple white coupe' with dark chocolate cloth interior. Full pwr individual split bench with arm rest front seats and extra roomy rear seats that were sometimes loaded down during highschool events.
They also made for a great meeting place for my early girlfriends, one at a time of course!
Big motor, definitely could cruise slow motion or hit the hi-way to get there.
My first love hands down and greasy!
Yes! With a tear in my eye, i can say ive missed her dearly.
Ford’s Finest years in my opinion living in the Uk , saw a very rare 1971 convertible LTd
My parents used to have a 1967 T-Bird four-door sedan. White with a black interior. It was cool. Still had the old car smell! My favorite feature was the tail lights. They had the cross light bar where each side had three lights that would sequence from inboard to outboard and you could hear the motor and relays working when turn signalling. Tilt-away steering wheel! Really cool car. Seemed awkward to start because by 1967, the ignition switch had been relocated to the right but you still had to pull the shift lever back with your left hand while turning the key with your right hand. Interesting, to say the least. My ABSOLUTE favorite feature: the rear doors were suicide doors! That vinyl Landau top, the way the body's profile curved up to meet the rear end in the windows... Wow, I think I'll buy one someday! My mom thought the brakes were too sensitive. I never got to drive it (I was 9), but it was an awesome car! The folding headlights made it even more awesome!
Rare sight for sure. So when you saw one, it really stood out. One of those rare models that you didn't know existed until you finally saw one years after its production year.
Your videos are GREAT! Thanks for making them! This one is, for me, REALLY interesting because it sheds light on the probable genesis of my '79 (black on red) Thunderbird convertible which was one of 100 that American Custom Coachworks did for FoMoCo for the '79 model year. A number of similarities between the LTD in this video and my 'Bird including the front split bench with armrests and the front-end's beak with their corresponding two vertical bumper guards. Differences include 429 vs 351M (302 was the base engine except in Cali.), on the '77-'79 convertibles there was no zipper/no requirement to lower the ragtop's clear plastic before lowering. My guess is that that '72 LTD turns as many heads as mine does!
72 is my favorite year for the LTD, Galaxie and Custom.
Second favorite model year. I'm partial to the 75-77 style just because they remind me of growing up in the 70s.
Beautiful car! I agree the ‘71 taillights looked better though.
I have a ‘72 LTD convertible. It is red with a white top and interior. Mine has the 351. I love that car. Thanks for making this video!
72’s are beautiful . However, 73’s are my favorite LTD. All the variants and don’t forget the Galaxies; I love your 74 Galaxie.
I am well disposed towards all truly full-size LTDs.
Dad had a 1971 2 door with a 429 cu in engine. Nice looking car.
I've been waiting for a '71-'72 LTD Convertible video for a while, knew you'd get there! I own a 1971, which I spent entirely too much restoring. I wanted to give you a correction - The lower trim "strakes" are absolutely made of metal, and they allow for junk, leaves, debris etc. to stay in there and rot everything behind them. I deleted them from my restoration. I'll look for an email for your channel, which I love, and send a photo of mine done. Mine also came factory with bucket seats and console. 400 CI, C6. Thank you for these videos!
I wouldn't have bothered eliminating those rocker trims... Sure, they held dirt and leaves...
But are YOU going to be leaving that car parked outside every day after your commute to and from work?
I'd personally have to have those put back... They give that car it's character.
Gorgeous car. My favorite was the 1970 LTD. I agree the ‘71 was also a great looking car.
Such a nice car! I was a summer employee doing reconditioning at a Ford dealer during this period, but, being a Mopar guy, didn't fully appreciate the styling of the big Fords, or even Fords in general. Thanks again for all the details, Adam. Guys love mechanical details, don't we?
The last one was a beauty.
My grand pa had a 1971 lite brown, white top and black inside w/bucket seats and a console. 400 2V. Nice car.
Growing up in the late 70's early 80's, we had a Grabber Yellow '71 LTD 2-Door with a black vinyl roof and brocade black interior powered by a 351ci. It was so quiet and comfortable, I couldn't even count how many times my sister and I would fall asleep in the backseat on short and long trips in it:) My aunt had a '69, uncle had a '73, paternal grandparents had a '75, and maternal grandparents had a '77, and my great aunt had a '79 all at the same time. Needless to say, I was surrounded by them lol
Two favorite LTD's '67 and '71.
That car also has "Rim Blow"
I believe that is the window "Lock out" switch, at least it was on mine.
Such a beautiful car!
So true!
Yes ! A convertible ! I know it was painful, Adam, but I love it ! Neighbor had one of these -- drove us (his son and myself) to hydroplane races on the bay in it ! Fantastic !
Pretty. All of those were built at the Louisville plant and they were known for exceptionally good build quality. If you look, those turbine vane wheel covers have balancing weights on the inside them. They were heavy units!
Liked the deep well trunk I had in my 88 Towncar. I also miss that car 😢
Absolutely love your Ford content! Would enjoy more on the ‘69-‘70 Galaxies/LTD family (full disclosure-I have a black 1970 XL sportroof). Very popular car at the time. Thanks for all the labor you put into your videos! You’re my number one most watched channel on YT!
love the style on these 71,72 my dad had a 72 galaxie 500
Nice cruising yacht
The power lock switch was the actual knob on the tops of each door. Pulling it up engages the power function to lock or un-lock both doors.
Still remember the day in 72 when my folks and I were at the dealer deciding on a 72 galaxie or 72 montego. I was 3 and I liked the gold galaxie we ended up buying. Not as fancy as the LTD, but it was an excellent vehicle.
I would also add that the 71 and 72 with the beak had the hood release in a rather awkward place and I skinned my right knuckle many times trying to open the hood. Torque 400 2V engine. Once I got tonhigh school folks bought new and I inherited the gold ford. My dad just didn't believe me that I wasn't squealing tires. He thought rear tires should last more than 7000 miles! Great memories of these nice vehicles
69 is my favourite with the hidden headlights, cool taillights and curved instrument panel. Ford got their money’s worth out of those cruise control button design.
That's a magnificent specimen
My grandfather had those same turbo vane hubcaps on his 1972 Ford Galaxie 500. It was part of an optional appearance package the car came with.
I had a 71 2-door hardtop when I was 19. 6 or 7 years later, I got a 73 2-door hardtop. My 71 had a 400M that I really liked. The 73 was equipped with a 351M. The 351 had less power and poorer fuel mileage but still was a decent engine. I loved to drive both of them, but the 71 was my favorite!
One of the best cars I ever had is a 1972 Ford LTD 4 Door sedan. Yellow, with black cloth interior and black vinyl roof. Power windows, a/c, am/fm radio. This was in the north, and it finally succumbed to the ravages of winter road salt.
My favorite Ford full-size exterior design of the ‘60s/early ‘70s is the ‘66 Galaxie 500 coupe with the concave sloping rear window. But this ‘72 LTD convertible is certainly gorgeous.
I wonder if Bunkie Knudsen was responsible for that lower ribbed trim panel. Similar trim was used on various Pontiac of the mid '60s, usually on taillight panels.1964-5 Grand Prix and 1965 GTO and LeMans are good examples. 1963 Bonneville had it on the front fenders.
Handsome car
My parents bought a new 71 LTD convertible in 71 . Same color green/ green interior that was shown briefly in a picture of the video to show the standard front seat . Theirs had the 400 2V engine . My parents always bought year or two old Cadillac convertibles . They decided to try a new LTD . They didn't keep it long, traded on a 69 Caddy convertible . They didn't like the seat, wasn't comfortable, and you'd get soaked when it rained as water came in between the top and the top of the windshield mounding . Took to the dealer a couple of times to repair, but it still leaked . My Dad never bought anything else but used Caddys till he passed away . .
Your Dad was an astute man.
@@slicksnewonenow There's nothing like the World War I and II generation of adults overall. They weren't perfect, but are compared to people born after WW ll, including myself (born in '57). They'd be horrified at what's happened to our wonderful U.S. Mike, did your Dad have a '69 or '70 Caddy convertible? Always loved those, and yes, they definitely had fins too!
Gorgeous car, and seldom seen even at the time. Interesting to learn that there was a specific one-year engine knock issue, as my parents' 1972 wagon with the 429 was definitely so afflicted.
Retrofit with the D3-VE 429/460 heads and problem goes away, or the earlier D0-VE heads.
I think that fifth switch on the driver's side door panel is actually the window lockout switch. Power locks were operated by the lock plunger on each of the front doors.
As far as I'm concerned, there are still fins. They are subdued, but they are still fins! Pretty car!
Gr8 Looking Convertible, Adam. Cheers fm Damo.😀👏
Beautiful convertible indeed, love the nice split bench seats. Almost looks like leather, I like the dashboard also.
Hello I had a 1971 Ltd Brogham. Fully loaded . The little switch on the power windows switch was a lock switch. The power door locks where air and activated by pushing or pulling the door lock knop up or down. They even had a ring horn like the Lincoln. Mine also had factory 8 track quadraphonick stereo
1971 is my favourite LTD, with 72 close behind for obvious reasons.
So you're a fan of the "Bunkie nose" then, huh..
Looks great. Lines are clean and proportions are perfect.
You've mentioned before that Ford styling at this time favoured very straight lines, particularly the fender line. Interesting that this era LTD has a nice, GM-like taper to the fender line. Maybe the Bunkie influence too? Great looking profile!
My dad factory ordered a 1972 LTD convertible almost exactly like this one!
His did not have the cornering lamps or the passenger side mirror though.
It also had red pinstripes.
The interior was not as optioned as this one.
His just had AM radio, bench seat and tilt wheel. A/C, too.
Great explanation on why those year models had "pinging" issues-my parents had a '71 Mercury Marquis Brougham 4 door bought brand new in mid '71-it too had a 429-but only a 2 barrel carb-and it pinged horribly unless Mom or Dad put premium LEADED gas in it-which drove my Mom nuts due to the cost of it.
It was a whole four cents MORE per gallon 😂
The '72 "Bunkie-beak" was toned down from the '71. And it was, IMO, an improvement.
Had a '71 with a 400 - good car, and wish I never got rid of it. Dark blue with white top. It was a similarly optioned to this one, but it had a cool rear light bar in the middle. No split bench, tho!
I love the front end of these. I'd love to have a black 4 door police spec version.
Very handsome car. Here in New Zealand, the sedan version were used as parliamentary limos.
What a great car!
My favorite LTDs 69 / 70 but I did not like the taillights on the 70 I prefer the rearend on the 69 but my culture is Country Squires not sedans but I do love Coupes I’m 6’5” I cannot imagine what people are talking about that they can’t reach down in the trunk LOL and the HVAC controlls to the left of the driver is exactly where it belongs😊and I was disappointed when they got rid of the adjustible mast and went with the one piece that they claimed was indestructible while The folks over at G.M. Went with the black wire inbeded in the windshield glass but the reception when traveling was always poor when compared to a Ford radio but loved those huge cornering lights on the 71 & 72s
Nice car! I would certainly enjoy this ride.
I’d almost kill for THAT car. Almost…
Great car. I have my Dad’s 4 door pillared hardtop. Dirty Harry drove a blue one in Magnum Force. The 71 with the XL option (bucket seats and horseshoe floor shift) would be nice to have👍.
I know that the '73 and '74 LTD's are supposed to be part of the '71''72 gen also, with the next gen '75-'78. Still. the '73-'74 coupe has a bigger, bulkier look I don't like, and seems like it's its own gen. Does anyone else feel this way? As far as this '72 goes, it's gorgeous. I love the comparable Mercury too by the way, over the Impala or Grandville counterpart from GM. They're still great too!
Yes, I agree with you about the 73-74’s. 75-76 seemed to be their own unique animal as well.
In 71' you could get an LTD with bucket seats,, console,, with the horseshoe shifter...
I almost bought one in 1999 but it was a convertible and I really didn't want a convertible I wanted a two door hard top.
It was a VERY loaded maroon with white interior bucket seats floor shift console,, it was amazing,, but it was a convertible and I just didn't want that...
I think I blew it !! lol
The front end reminds me of my '71-'73 Cougar (I'd imagine it being a Mercury they were following Pontiac already, and the Fords going Pontiac-like would just support that.) At 6:49 I love the driver centric dash a lot like some of the GM B-bodies (e.g. my granddads '72 Ninety-Eight.)
Beautiful LTD convertible. The convertible top mechanism, windshield and side glass was later used on the custom-built mid 70s Lincoln convertible.
"Hi-C juice can"!! 😂 They reminded me of juice cans too, but it would've been Dad's V-8, as we were a Kool-Aid family.. Cheers! 🍻
That split-bench seat is custom. The LTD convert had the same church-pew bench seat as any other non-Brougham LTD. There were no other options this year. In 1971, you could get a bucket & console interior. Those are rare, too. I worked in an upholstery shop, so I speculate the following. Somebody took an earlier style split (possible Mercury) seat and had a trim shop fabricate covers that mimicked the original sew style. Re the power locks. The 5th button on the window control is to lock the windows.
In 1971-72, the power locks were actuated by the door plungers. There is a circular "power lock" callout at the top of each plunger.
I do have a 72 convertible in powder blue with a white top. I believe they just used up the top hardware from 1971 and ended 1972 convertible production early and mine was near the end of the run. Typical yearly production for galaxy convertibles over the prior 10 years was close to 71 & 72 combined.
I have this brochure, have had for many years. What is shocking with this convertible is how tiny the back seat is, and they tried to make it look larger by miniaturizing the seat cushion. Such a beautiful if impractical car. At least my Olds 98 convertible from the late sixties had true 5-6 passenger seating!
My dad bought new a '72 Ford LTD from Gorno Ford in Michigan. Brown on brown hardtop with a vinyl roof, 400 2V with a special order brown fabric interior. Beautiful car, but 7 years later it was "Swiss cheese", the salt on Michigan's roads had destroyed it, rust everywhere.
I’ve seen a ‘71 convertible with bucket seats and console that was really nice looking, but my favorite LTD is the boxy 1966 model (plus the 7-Litre) and the Fox Body 1984-85 LTD LX.
Yes re '68! I too love '71 rear, but prefer '72 front's more 'discreet' Bunkie Beak and '73-predictive bumper. My 1972 Squire had same-colour interior, so I feel nostalgic viewing this post.
Nice car. I too love those wheel covers! They were fitted to the Australian LTD (totally different I USA models, being designed in Australia) when it was released. However very quickly they were replaced with a flatter design due to all the damage from kerbing inherent with the design.
The power door locks for 71-2 were located at the standard door lock nob. The nob was different than standard and it said power door lock on the top of the nob. The switch on the driver's power window controls is the window lock. Ford had window locks on power windows from the early sixties, which is a safety feature no other car company had for a long time. And, yes it has a tilt wheel.
I just watched WHITE LIGHTNING - 1973 - the whole movie is car chases in this model Ford LTD.... highly recommended movie.
That car was heavily modified for running bootleg liquor, Hot rodded engine, manual 4 speed transmission, tied down suspension..
1:30 I really liked "cornering lights," and wish for their come-back.
What a masterpiece from FoMoCo. Great video too.
Have to agree about my heart belonging to the ‘68 Fords being Bios as we had the Country Sedan Diamond Blue (Almost white) with Medium Blue 10 passenger interior. From age 9 until Age 15. It was 1972 when Dad took me to the Ford Used Car ANEX here in town to me was heaven and a Ford Exec came driving in with a Brand New Ford in the Brown Gold Color LTD Coupe with the brown Broquet fabric and I just remember staring at the long hood and front end.. My dad took me over the wagons on the lot they had a ‘67 Red Squire and the ‘68 Diamond Blue Country Sedan. Same price $1500. He let me choose. I was 9 years old and I chose the ‘68 for being NEWER and Less fussy and to me the dash looked more modern the car looked new. He told me Good Choice. In the 6 years that 1 car being the only car used for a family of 7. Dad’s side business of wallpapering. Long ladders, and home renovation projects with Sheets of Paneling and plywood, then all of us piled inside to the beach with all the picnic gear blankets and such. The only repair was. A water pump that my sister’s BF changed on a ver wet and cold Saturday. That was the only incident. Dad was not one to keep up on oil changes and washing. I. Started washing and Paste waxing the car when I was 12 years old. A FULL day to wax a large station wagon. I came in for dinner and my dad asked if I was done and I said I just had the tail gate left and he sent me back out until I was done before I could eat. I’ll never forget that. I was doing this on my own my arm was so sore from buffing off the wax and him telling me I had to wait to eat after 8 hours of being meticulous with my wax job.