The Ford LTD (pronounced el-tee-dee) is a range of automobiles manufactured by F

ord Motor Company for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest tr
im of the full-size Ford model range, the Ford LTD introduced options and featur
es normally reserved for luxury brands (such as the Lincoln brand). The largest
vehicle produced by Ford in North America for most of its production, the LTD wa
s joined by the intermediate Ford LTD II from 1977 to 1979; the LTD II served as
the replacement for the Torino/Gran Torino range. At various times throughout i
ts production, the LTD range included two-door and four-door pillared and hardto
p sedans, a two-door convertible, and the Ford LTD Country Squire five-door wood
grain station wagon.
For the 1979 model year, the LTD would undergo downsizing, becoming externally s
maller than the LTD II. For 1983, the LTD effectively became a midsize car as th
e Ford Granada was discontinued and renamed the LTD; its full-size counterpart b
ecame LTD Crown Victoria. The mid-size LTD was replaced by the Ford Taurus after
1986, as Ford shifted much of its model line towards front-wheel drive vehicles
.
Outside of North America, the 1965-1968 Ford LTD was manufactured in South Ameri
ca into the 1980s.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 1965 1968
2.1 Limousine
3 1969 1978
3.1 Timeline
3.2 Mechanical Details
3.3 LTD II
4 Panther-platform (1979 1982)
5 Fox-platform (1983 1986)
5.1 LTD LX
6 Brazil
7 Venezuela
8 References
9 External links
Etymology[edit]
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The LTD designation is considered by some an abbreviation of "Luxury Trim Decor"
and by others as a limited trim designation for the Galaxie. There is evidence
in early 1970s Australian LTD sales brochures that "Lincoln Type Design" was ada
pted by Ford's Australian marketing as the meaning of the LTD nameplate to play
up Lincoln-like exclusitivity and design influence of its Falcon-based LTD luxur
y car since actual Lincoln models were not sold in that country. However there i
s no evidence of "Lincoln Type Design" ever being used in brochures or advertisi
ng copy of North American sales literature. The original Car Life review at the
time the first Galaxie 500 LTD was released suggests that "LTD" stood for nothin
g and was ambiguous in meaning just like the "XL" suffix of the Galaxie 500 XL m
odel.[citation needed]
1965 1968[edit]
First generation
Ford Galaxy 500 LTD 1965.jpg
Overview
Also called Ford Galaxie 500 LTD (1965)
Production 1964 1968
Model years 1965 1968
Assembly Louisville, Kentucky
Mahwah, New Jersey
Pico Rivera, California
Atlanta, Georgia
St. Louis, Missouri
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door hardtop
4-door sedan (1967-1968)
2-door coupe
2-door convertible
4-door station wagon.
Related Mercury Monterey
Mercury Park Lane
Mercury Colony Park
Ford Galaxie
Ford Custom
Ford Country Squire
Powertrain
Engine 289 cu in (4.7 L) Challenger/Windsor V8
302 cu in (4.9 L) Challenger/Windsor V8
352 cu in (5.8 L) Thunderbird (FE) V8
390 cu in (6.4 L) Thunderbird Special (FE) V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) Cobra (FE) V8
428 cu in (7.0 L) Thunderbird (FE) V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase 119 in (3,023 mm)
The Ford Galaxie 500 LTD was introduced in 1964,[2] and prompted the Chevrolet C
aprice mid-year, the AMC Ambassador "DPL," the Plymouth Fury "VIP," and the simi
lar Dodge Monaco. These upscale models had features found primarily on luxury mo
dels from these same manufacturers, but were sold with much lower retail prices.
These cars commonly came equipped with options like power windows, a power driv
er's seat, power brakes, power steering, air conditioning, a full or half-vinyl
top (called a landau or brougham interchangeably across different models by the
same manufacturers). Other upgrades were interiors made of better materials and
more powerful engines. Most of these upper trim models were usually hardtops as
opposed to pillared bodies.
In 1966, the LTD series became completely separate from the Galaxie 500, which c
ontinued as the mid-line offering (the performance-oriented Galaxie 500 XL share
d top billing with the LTD). The Twin Comfort Lounge Seat (a split bench seat) w
as a new option.
The 1967 LTD 2-door Hardtop got a new formal roofline, keeping up with the compe
tition. All models received the 1967 Federally-mandated safety features, includi
ng an energy-absorbing steering column and wheel, non-protruding instrument pane
l knobs, a dual-circuit brake master cylinder, four-way hazard flashers, and fro
nt outboard shoulder belt mounting points.
The 1968 model year would be transitional for the LTD and all full-size Fords. T
hough the body and frame of the 1965-1967 models were carryover, the 1968 model
featured horizontal hidden headlights and a more formal roofline. It was the las
t model with the 119" wheelbase. The standard LTD interior was downgraded a bit
in luxury compared to past versions, but a new "Brougham" option package effecti
vely brought the interior trim up to previous standards of luxury.
This generation was introduced with covered headlights on the top level LTD coup
e, sedan and station wagon, which were deployed using a vacuum canister system t
hat kept the doors down when a vacuum condition existed in the lines, provided b
y the engine when it was running. If a loss of vacuum occurred, the doors would
retract up so that the headlights were visible if the system should fail. 1968s
also included side marker lights and reflectors, and the parking lights now illu
minated with the headlights. Front outboard shoulder belts were fitted to cars b
uilt effective January 1, 1968.
Limousine[edit]
A limousine version of the car was also considered, with the extra length at the
C-pillar and the rear doors. At least one example was built, by Lehmann-Peterso
n. This car does not appear to have a B-pillar or a division window.[3] Andy Hot
ton Associates also built about 10 examples of an LTD limo, in which the extra l
ength was added at the B-pillar and C-pillar.[4]