3rd Generation Ford LTD the 1st Panther Platform

In today’s video we take a look at 1st Ford to roll out on the Panther Platform. Ford spent almost 1 billion dollars on research and development of this new platform and July of 1978 Ford began building a Downsized LTD for the 1979 Model year. This car would become the LTD Crown Victoria in 1980 and that car is one that almost everyone who was alive in 80’s in America is familiar with. Many of us rode in one at time or another and not because we purchased one. Crown Vics were purchased for use as taxi cabs, police cruisers, in fire departments, the US Military purchased these cars and these were used in almost every Hollywood production and television show that was shot in the era and for years afterwards.

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[scottmiller]

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, one of the best cars Ford ever made is the panther platform. I buy, sell, and part out the rusty ones as a hobby and I’ve had over 75 of them and have 5 panther platform vehicles at the moment in my collection. the diamond of my collection is my 2004 Mercury Marauder. You should do a video on the Mercury Marauder one day. Your videos are great.

[brentleslie]

These were very solid cars! I was issued as patrol cars over the years a 83, 89 and an 91 all with the 351W. Their short coming was that “Variable Venturi “ two barrel carburetor. They would have benefited by a four barrel or fuel injection. They were more solid than the Chevys but the Chevys were faster with the 350 with a 4 barrel or fuel injection (depending on the year).

[williampalmer]

I really believe this is exactly what people still want to this day. Solid, reliable, and easy to maintain. If Ford were to bring the basic Panther back tomorrow at the equivalent price point (with just a few safety upgrades) I think it would fly off the lots.

[davidgold]

Some of us got a free ride in the back of a police car.

[gahanhagerty]

My family still has PTSD from driving with my Grandfather in his LTD wagon, and guess who got to sit up front between the grandparents? Thinking about driving with Grandpa makes me twitch, I swear that man could hold a complete conversation while looking at me and grandma and not looking at the road. Thanks Tony for making me need counseling again....

[donaldwilson]

Always loved Ford's Panther platform. Simple, reliable, and comfortable at the same time. Even some livery drivers still prefer the classic Lincoln Town Car over the large SUV's (Suburban, Expedition, Escalade, etc) that they drive now.

[edmccandlish]

Hey Tony Another great profile My fire department had an 83' wagon, and 87' and 91' sedan over the years. I remember when these cars were commonplace on the roads. I was just just lucky enough to rescue an 87' 2 door from a garage in Western Pennsylvania that was slated for the wrecking yard. Also had a 91' back in 2000. Great solid cars with bulletproof drive trains. Thanks for remembering this sadly overlooked Era of Fords !!!! 👏 Be well Tony 👍

[jeffb]

My second car at 17 was a '79 LTD Landau 2-door that I bought in 1983 for I think $3k. It only had about 70k miles on it and always ran great. It was kind of floaty but it was very comfortable, and always reliable. Since then I've had an '83 Grand Marquis LS, a '94 Lincoln TC, and a '96 Lincoln TC. Currently drive a '10 F-150 Lariat, but I have to say, I miss the panther platform vehicles I've had over the years. Ford got it right on those, and I was really bummed when they stopped production. Thanks for the video; it brought back some great memories.

[PapiDoesIt]

I had two of them at the same time! Two wagons. Not only comfortable on trips but doubled as a pickup truck on weekend projects. Drove the wheels off.

[manthony]

A neighbor bought a new 79 LTD coupe when I was 12. I was so wowed by it. Made our 73 LTD seem ancient.

[w.a.mproductionsinc]

0:56 I loved this model especially the coupes which were rare

[Ronn-pr]

Man!!..I wish they still made these...I grew up seeing these cars new.Thanks Tony.

[stonytark]

My grand father had this LTD, probably 2. Had the Crown Victoria too. Great cars, poor mans Lincoln Continental.

[weegeemike]

Maybe the best Ford platform ever. I'm not a Ford guy but I have huge admiration and respect for the Panther platform. So simple, sturdy, and easy to work on. Had reliable powertrains, always of the V8 variety. Its probably the only Fords that I'd buy manufactured in the last 50 years. If I had the extra cash, I'd love to pick up a clean, grandma owned Panther. Almost bought a MINT '03 Town Car that was owned by an old lady that passed away a few months ago, but the kids knew what they had and wanted waaaay too much for it. It was garage kept is whole life and only had like 50k mi on it. Everything was in perfect condition. I'd really rather have a Vic or Marquis so I could avoid the Lincoln's air suspension and all of the issues that come with it, but I'd buy any reasonably priced, clean, old person owned Panther at this point. Great, informative video.

[AbronHawkins]

My late grandparents had a 1984 LTD Crown Victoria and it was nice. I drove it and that was the best card Ford has put out

[artmellon]

My dad bought a brand new 1979 Ford LTD coupe, two tone Maroon with Maroon two tone velour interior. It had the dual headlights not the quad setup and a 302 V8. It was a really nice car and ran well. I drove Crown Vic's my whole career and love them. They were well built, no-nonsense cars that were really reliable. I also had a 1984 Baby LTD police interceptor 5.0, based on the Mustang fox platform and that was another great car. When I finally let it go, it had over 300, 000 miles on the original 5.0 / 302 V8.

[tonywestvirginia]

My grandpa had a 1980 black 4 door with tan top and interior. Nice riding car. I hated that he traded in his 1971 LTD convertible light brown, white top and black interior with bucket seats. Man, I wish I had that car!

[dmandman]

I find it interesting that although it differed from the preceding platform in several ways. They kept the familiarity in an important way. The fuel tank location and the Trunk was the same as in the previous platform. The deep trunk was retained. And you still filled the tank on the left side. I think this pattern was established in 1967 in the full sized cars.

[bradyelich]

Two of my Brothers owned and operated this one special green f250 1984 supercab 4x4 400m. Someone rebuilt the engine and port matched the gaskets, and it would haul asss. With a 200 gallon slip tank of stolen fuel from the rigs, 140 mph. The two times it got thrown into reverse at 100 mph on gravel to make the 90 degree turn. Dang is his namo. I mentioned it b4. That truck was a hero.

[kirkcather]

Had one of each (Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car). Loved them all.