Ford LTD (Americas)

The Ford LTD (pronounced ) is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range (then the Ford Galaxie 500), the LTD moved the Ford range upmarket, offering options and features previously reserved for Mercury and Lincoln vehicles. For much of its production life, the LTD competed against the Chevrolet Caprice (atop the Chevrolet Impala); the Mercury Marquis served as its divisional counterpart from 1967 until 1986.

For its first three generations, the LTD served as the largest Ford vehicle in North America. Initially debuting as two-door and four-door hardtop sedans, the LTD range at various times would also include two-door and four-door pillared sedans, a two-door convertible, and a five-door station wagon (in woodgrain trim, as the LTD Country Squire). In South America, Ford manufactured the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 into the 1980s using the Ford LTD nameplate.

From 1977 to 1979, the full-size LTD was joined by the intermediate-segment Ford LTD II (replacing the Ford Torino/Gran Torino range). For 1979, the LTD was downsized; while remaining a full-size car, it became externally smaller than the LTD II. For 1983, the LTD became a mid-size car as it replaced the Ford Granada, with the previous full-size car renamed the Ford LTD Crown Victoria (renamed Ford Crown Victoria for 1992).

For 1986, the mid-size LTD was replaced by the Ford Taurus as Ford expanded its use of front-wheel drive vehicles, with both lines sold for 1986.

Etymology

Nearly 40 years after its discontinuation in North America, the meaning of the LTD designation has never received a full explanation, with several theories behind its meaning.

For the first generation, LTD was speculated to be an abbreviation of either "Luxury Trim Decor" or "Limited" trim designation for the Galaxie 500 (where it served as a luxury-oriented trim level). In the early 1970s, Ford Australia (which had introduced the LTD name on RHD-converted Galaxies in 1969, moving it to locally-produced Fairlanes in mid-1973) had adapted the moniker as "Lincoln Type Design", to build up Lincoln-like exclusivity and design influence of its Falcon-based LTD luxury car (As of current production, Lincoln has never been sold in Australia on an official basis).

In North American sales literature, there is no evidence of LTD used as "Lincoln Type Design" or as an abbreviation for anything else in brochures or advertising copy. The original Car Life review at the time the first Galaxie 500 LTD was released suggests that "LTD" stood for nothing and was ambiguous in meaning.

First generation (1965–1968)

For the 1965 model year, Ford introduced an all-new design for its full-size model range. To further expand its flagship Galaxie 500 series, the 500 LTD was introduced. Sharing top billing within the Galaxie series with the performance 500XL, the 500 LTD was designed as a luxury-oriented vehicle, offering many features of more expensive vehicles under the lower price of the Ford nameplate. It featured a plush cloth interior with woodgrain accents, along with contoured seats and door panels not found on other full size Ford models. Options included power windows, power driver's seat, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, and a full or half-vinyl top (called a Landau roof or Brougham interchangeably by various manufacturers). The Galaxie 500 LTD was offered in two body styles: a two-door hardtop and a four-door hardtop.

The launch of the LTD triggered responses from rivals, starting with a mid-year introduction by Chevrolet of its top of the line Caprice. AMC brought out the Ambassador DPL in 1966, Plymouth the Fury VIP, and Dodge the Monaco.

For 1966, the Galaxie name was dropped from the LTD. As with the Galaxie line, the LTD received a minor exterior revision, including a split grille. Front disc brakes became an option.

For 1967, the LTD underwent several changes, with a four-door pillared sedan joining the model range. To comply with federally-mandated safety regulations, the LTD received a padded steering wheel center hub, non-protruding instrument panel knobs, a dual-circuit brake master cylinder, four-way hazard flashers, and front outboard shoulder belt mounting points. While the roofline of the four-door hardtop saw minor styling revisions, the two-door hardtop saw extensive changes, giving it a formal profile. Twin Comfort Lounge front seats (a 50/50 split bench seat) became an option. (as part of the distinct Ford station wagon series, it did not fully adopt the LTD name until 1969).

While the two-door hardtop saw slight changes to its roofline, four-door hardtops were restyled to more closely match their two-door counterparts, with the rear doors receiving more curves to their greenhouse. The vertically stacked headlamps introduced in 1965 were replaced by a hidden headlamps; shared with Lincoln-Mercury, the configuration would be a design feature denoting the top-trim LTD until 1971. The system was operated by engine vacuum, with the headlamp doors retracting upwards in the case of failure.

The model year also saw further changes to comply with safety regulations. Along with the addition of side marker lights and reflectors, the parking lights illuminated with the headlights; front outboard shoulder belts were fitted to cars built effective January 1, 1968. The padded steering wheel was replaced, following the addition of an energy-absorbing steering column.

File:1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD.jpg|1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD 2-Door Hardtop

File:Ford (28708471077).jpg|1966 Ford LTD 2-door Hardtop

File:Ford LTD (4991636436).jpg|1967 Ford LTD four-door hardtop

File:1968 Ford LTD Country Squire.jpg|1968 Ford LTD Country Squire

File:1968 Ford LTD Brougham 4-door Hardtop, rear left (Hershey 2019).jpg|1968 Ford LTD 4-door hardtop rear

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Second generation (1969–1978)

The LTD was given a major redesign for the 1969 model year. It shared a largely carryover chassis with all full-size Ford sedans, with the wheelbase lengthened by two inches.

Timeline

1969: Ford LTD is given a redesign. The hidden headlights and formal roofline introduced in 1967 are retained. An all-new body features a split grille with a horizontal center divider (shared with XLs and Country Squires).

1970: The split grille was discontinued, replaced by a three-segment grille with a prominent center section, Last year for LTD Brougham trim level. This makes it the second best selling Ford automobile platform after the Ford Model T. The LTD was offered as two-door and four-door pillared sedans (replacing the previous 4-door pillared hardtop) with a 5-door station wagon (with the wood-paneled Country Squire returning). In the United States, the Custom 500 was discontinued entirely, with the nameplate offered as the base-trim model in Canada through the 1981 model year. Lincoln introduced its downsized Continental for 1980, becoming the final brand to introduce downsized full-size cars.

Alongside the Mercury Marquis, the LTD marked the launch of the rear-wheel drive Ford Panther platform. In line with the GM downsizing, the Panther platform introduced trimmer body profiles, better handling (from lower curb weight), and better fuel economy (to comply with the introduction of CAFE standards). In contrast to the Chrysler R platform (a rebody of chassis underpinnings dating to 1962), the Panther chassis was a completely new design.

Model overview

In comparison to its 1978 predecessor, the 1979 LTD shed approximately 15 inches of body length and 7 inches of wheelbase; (dependent on powertrain) the Panther chassis shed over 700 pounds in curb weight. The standard-equipment 4.2 L V8 was in its final year, with Ford dropping the 5.8 L V8 from retail sale (now sold exclusively with police cars). Alongside the Motorcraft 7200VV two-barrel variable venturi carburetor; Ford introduced a conventional carburetor for the 5.8 L HO V8 (for police cars). For all three engines, the 4-speed AOD overdrive transmission was now standard.

!Coupe

!Sedan

!Wagon

!Yearly Total

|1979

|96,319

|192,329

|67,887

|356,535

|1980

|23,611

|92,875

|25,076

|141,562

|1981

|17,340

|92,561

|22,462

|132,363

|1982

|12,797

|93,363

|21,893

|128,053

!Total

!150,067

!471,128

!137,318

!758,513

Fourth generation (1983–1986)

From 1981 to 1983, Ford underwent a major revision of its full-size and mid-size product lines, involving all three of its divisions. For the 1983 model year, the LTD and LTD Crown Victoria split into distinct product lines. The latter became the full-size Ford sedan range (alongside the LTD Country Squire), with the LTD nameplate effectively replacing the Ford Granada (equivalent to Mercury Cougar non-XR7 model) in a mid-cycle model revision. In line with Ford, the Mercury Marquis and Grand Marquis were also split into distinct product lines; replacing the Cougar (sedan and wagon), the Marquis became the counterpart of the repackaged LTD. The more aerodynamic design had a slanted nose and a large greenhouse; drag resistance was down to .

Shedding nearly 13 inches of length, 9 inches of wheelbase, 7 inches of width, and over 600 pounds of curb weight (dependent on powertrain), the 1983 LTD underwent nearly the same reduction in size as its 1979 predecessor, although this downsizing came as the result of re-marketing a stronger-selling nameplate for a slow-selling model line. Ultimately, the LTD became the third-best selling automobile in the US for 1983 and 1984.

The chassis was also overhauled and now featured nitrogen-charged shocks and struts and larger wheels. For 1984, both engines gained central point fuel injection in the United States

For the first time since 1971, the LTD was offered with a manual transmission; a three-speed automatic was optional on the 2.3 and standard on the 3.3-liter engine. The larger 3.8 was only offered with the overdrive four-speed automatic.

Mercury's counterpart to the LX, the Marquis LTS, was available only in Canada and only in the 1985 model year, with 134 produced.

Police package

A police package of the mid-size LTD was produced. Featuring bigger sway bars and brakes, it also included bench seats with an automatic trunk opener located underneath the steering wheel. They were a factory option and most were equipped with light bars and police accessories, although some came without.

Discontinuation

As the 1980s progressed, American auto manufacturers expanded their use of front-wheel drive from compact cars to mid-size cars (downsizing had rendered the previous intermediate segment obsolete). Following the success of the Chrysler K-Cars and the General Motors A-body sedans, Japanese manufacturers introduced sedans (at the smaller size of the segment), catering primarily towards North America, the Honda Accord sedan and Toyota Camry; by 1984, Ford was the last major manufacturer (non-premium brand) left marketing a mid-size sedan with rear-wheel drive.

For 1986, Ford introduced the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable to replace the Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis. Beginning life as the replacement for the full-size LTD Crown Victoria, the mid-size Taurus not only was front-wheel drive, but its exterior was designed to optimize fuel efficiency, replacing the boxy LTD with one of the most aerodynamic sedans in the world. To help transition Ford buyers into this significant design change, the company continued to offer the LTD alongside its replacement partway into the 1986 model year.

Atlanta Assembly produced its final LTD on December 13, 1985 (13 days before the Taurus was unveiled); Chicago Assembly produced the final example on January 3, 1986.

Production Figures:

{| class="wikitable"

|+Ford LTD Production Figures

!Sedan

!Wagon

!Yearly Total

|1983

|111,813

|43,945

|style=text-align:right;|155,758

|1984

|154,173

|59,569

|style=text-align:right;|213,742

|1985

|162,884

|42,642

|style=text-align:right;|205,526

|1986

|58,270

|14,213

|style=text-align:right;|72,483

!Total

!487,140

!160,369

!style=text-align:right;|647,509

Brazil

thumb|Ford LTD Brazil, 1975

The LTD was built locally in Brazil between 1967 and 1981, based on the 1966 Galaxie platform. A higher-end version called Landau was assembled locally as well, between 1971 and 1983. Later models were alcohol-powered.

Venezuela

The LTD was introduced to the Venezuelan market in 1966, aiming to compete with Chrysler's New Yorker, with the LTD performing much better than its rivals. Over 85,000 LTDs were assembled in the Ford plant of Valencia, Venezuela, some for export to Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

Versions of the North American Fox-body 1983–1986 LTD manufactured in Venezuela continued the use of the Granada name complete with uplevel Elite badged versions. There was also a Ford Cougar equivalent to the North American Mercury Marquis.

References

External links

LTD world.com (archived)
LTD LX Registry and Owners Association, for the preservation and restoration of 1984 & 1985 Ford LTD LXes
979 Ford LTD Landau
Decode LTD and other classic Ford VINs
Ford LTD in television and film