Ford Crown Victoria

The Beginning of the Ford Crown Victoria

Ford's Crown Victoria was one of the U.S's most ubiquitous vehicles, but at first glance, you may not have noticed it. It's played the role of taxi, police cruiser, fleet car, and production car.  The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor package is still one of the most commonly seen police vehicles patrolling today. Though before that, it began as a high trim for the Fairlane line. It debuted in 1955 as a coupe, decked out in two-tones and chrome. It lasted two years before being resurrected in 1979 as a high trim for the LTD.

The Crown Vic's Life

For its entire life since the ‘70s, it was built on Ford's Panther platform and came as a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan. It came with a 5.0L V8 with 129 horsepower and, just as it stuck on the Panther platform, it offered the same four-speed automatic transmission during its lifespan. The LTD Crown Victoria came as a wagon or sedan with an LX or LX Sport trim, and stayed on the Panther platform while the LTD model optioned to a mid-sized Fox frame for the 1987 model year.  

In 1992, the Crown Victoria saw a major redesign and dropped the "LTD" nomenclature. It no longer offered the wagon, and it imitated much of the Taurus's design by modifying its shape to a rounder more aerodynamic style with a plastic trim piece in place of the grille.  It came with a 4.6L Triton engine with 190 horsepower and new features such as optional ABS and front side air bags.  The grille would return with the 1998 remodel, but significant mechanical changes to the chassis and suspension didn't occur until 2003, mainly to accommodate its commercial use. As time ran on, consumers preferred different styles over cars that looked like police vehicles and taxis. Sales dipped to all-time lows, and the Crown Victoria was discontinued for production purposes in 2007. The following year, in 2008, the Crown Victoria was specifically made to be sold as a fleet vehicle, and was eventually discontinued in 2011. It was one of Ford's few rear-wheel drive, old school platforms left in existence, and will be remembered for its top notch safety, spacious interior, comfortable drive, and strength to run a criminal off the road.