1971 Ford LTD Hardtop

“Luxury Trim Decor” is where the LTD gets its moniker.  Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range, the LTD introduced options and features normally reserved for more luxurious Lincoln and Mercury models.  The largest vehicle produced by Ford in North America for most of its production.  This is some speculation based on Australian marketing brochures where LTD was referred to as “Lincoln type design” for America, it remained Luxury Trim Decor.

For consignment, a 1971 version of the LTD in hardtop form.  This means it will have a split bench front seat and a 3-speed automatic transmission and is now sporting a rebuilt 1972 429ci Police Interceptor V8.  This current car is showing in unrestored mostly original condition and is ready to shuttle you to the next cruise night, or maybe participate in some late night moonshine runs down the back country roads.   Whatever your choice, you're going to look great doing it!

Exterior
As one of the largest creations of the day coming out of the Ford factory, this large steel slabbed car shows well minded gaps and is bathed in a respray of the original Medium Ginger Metallic.  There are some scratches in the paint along with a few dings, but there is no rust to be seen for miles in the long long steel.  A large side trim just above the rocker adds some allure to the lowers of the body and I love how the arched stainless wheel well moldings melt right into the ribbed lower trimmings.  A beaked nose, (hmmm, did this designer formerly work for Pontiac), with an egg crate grille hovers between the deeply inset quad of headlights that are holding their own within ribbed aluminum and black bezels.  The larger than life bumper below has just a touch of tarnish and gets some flossy flossy dress up with back trimmed guards.  Up high is a near flawless ginger vinyl top that is highlighted by black and stainless trimmings around all the crystal clear glass.  Another guarded bumper is on the back and just above are thin tail lights, albeit in segments, stretching across the width of the car.  On all corners are standard dish wheel covers and low mileage radials in 15-inch format from the 52nd week of 2017.

Interior
What color goes best with Ginger???  Simple, MORE Ginger!  This is a beautifully complimentary color and bathes the interior vinyl and cloth.  Simple but elegant door panels show this Ginger vinyl and a small insert of wood appliqué surrounded by shiny trim.  Inside, a large split back bench is upfront, and another non split back bench is in for the backseat.  These seats are covered in the original Medium Ginger cloth stitched seating surfaces and are surrounded by smooth Medium Ginger vinyl on the sides. The original dash is nice and clean with a black face, long sweeping speedometer and the factory AM/FM radio, and all remaining controls and gauges remain original.  Ginger carpet for the floors is showing nicely and above is a tight Ginger vinyl headliner.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a near showroom fresh engine bay.  Within the cavernous satin black bay is a non-original and rebuilt approximately 210 miles ago 429ci Police Interceptor V8.  This is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor and a C6 3-speed automatic transmission is bolted to the back.  On the rear is a Ford 9” differential fitted with 2.75 conventional gearing.

Undercarriage
Very little surface rust is noted on all the suspension and drivetrain parts, and the floorpans, rockers and toe kicks as these have been well protected by the dealer installed black undercoating.  All is structurally sound and appears well taken care of on the grease maintenance on the suspension and steering and the bottoms of the engine, transmission and rear axle remain drip free.  Independent coil springs for the front and a 4 link with coil springs on the back with power disc brakes upfront, and power drums for the rear provide the ride and stopping power.  Dual exhaust is noted and looking like new with Magnaflow mufflers as it snakes its way toward the rear of the car.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and good driver with no noticeable kinks, with smooth acceleration and shifting, bias free braking, and reasonable cornering.  All functions were working during the test drive save for the AC blowing warm, the clock not keeping time, and the wipers not wiping.  While we did not attempt a Rockford Files J-turn, I can tell you this car is fast, well fast enough to help me elude a few of our car specialists who wanted to go along for the ride.   We simply left them choking on the dust kicked up by the tires.

This example could be a survivor, and we are looking at it with some faults but remaining nearly the same way it would have appeared on the lot in 1971.  A turnkey car with a fresh powerful big block that can be taken to the next level, or just enjoyed as is, will work fine for anyone.  Middle class never looked so good!

1W62S241682

1-1971
W-Wayne, MI Assy Plant
62-LTD 2 Door Hardtop
S-400ci V8
241682-Sequential Unit Number

DOOR STICKER

BODY 65H-LTD 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR 5-Medium Ginger Metallic
TRIM DF-Medium Ginger Cloth & Vinyl
AXLE 2-Ford 9" 2.75 Conventional
TRANS U-C6 Automatic
DSO 42-St. Louis

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.