Fox-platform (1983-1986)
| Model years | 1983–1986 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Chicago, Illinois Atlanta, Georgia Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela |
| Predecessor | Ford Granada (1981–1982) |
| Successor | Ford Taurus |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Platform | Ford Fox platform |
| Engine | 2.3 L Lima I4 3.3 L Thriftpower Six I6 3.8 L Essex V6 4.9L 5.0L Windsor V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed C5 automatic 4-speed AOD automatic |
| Related | Mercury Marquis Lincoln Continental |
Ford's final family sedan based on the Fox platform, the LTD, and its Mercury twin, the Marquis, were basically a restyle of the unsuccessful 1981-1982 Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch, and the popular 1978-1983 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. As such, the running gear was identical to the Fairmont. The LTD and Marquis monikers were also used on the full size sedan and wagon, named LTD Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.
Both LTD and Marquis inherited the Fairmont's 2.3 L four-cylinder, 3.3 L inline-six, and 5.0 L V8 engines; however, the V8 gained fuel-injection. Inherited from the Granada was Ford's 3.8 L Essex V6, which gave smooth and reliable power, although with sometimes troublesome head gaskets. The Essex engine gained fuel injection for 1984 in the US; it was carbureted in Canadian markets until 1986. An option from 1983 to 1984 was an LPG (propane)-powered four-cylinder engine, but was discontinued due to poor sales and few propane fueling stations. The LTD's final year was 1986, when Ford sold it alongside its replacement, the Taurus as Ford wanted to hedge its bets if the radically designed Taurus would flop. This car was the third-best-selling car in the United States in 1983 and 1984.
The last Ford LTD rolled off the Atlanta, Georgia assembly line on December 13, 1985 and the last Ford LTD rolled off the Chicago, Illinois assembly line on January 3, 1986
Read more about this topic: Ford LTD (Americas)