Ford LTD II

Ford LTD II
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1977–1979
Assembly	Lorain, Ohio Atlanta, Georgia Pico Rivera, California
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door wagon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Ranchero Ford Thunderbird Mercury Cougar sedan
Powertrain
Engine	302 CID Windsor V8 351 CID 351 "Modified" V8 351 CID Windsor V8 400 CID Cleveland V8
Transmission	3-speed C4 automatic 3-speed Ford FMX AutomaticC6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114 inches (2,900 mm) (coupe) 118 inches (3,000 mm) (sedan)
Length	215.5 inches (5,470 mm) (coupe) 219.5 inches (5,580 mm) (sedan)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Torino Ford Elite

The Ford LTD II was the last mid-size car built by Ford between 1977 and 1979 for the North American market. It was based on the Ford Torino, which it replaced, and used the same platform as the concurrent Ford Thunderbird, which was downsized and dramatically reduced in price for 1977 to occupy the market position of the 1974-76 Ford Elite, which was a Torino derivative designed to compete with the popular Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Design

The largest car ever marketed as a midsize, the LTD II's styling emulated the squared-off grille and body lines of the larger LTDs, which were produced until the 1978 model year. The LTD II was created with an interesting mix of existing body and interior parts recycled from the previous year's Ford Elite, Mercury Montego and Mercury Cougar combined with some newly styled body parts and trim for a refreshed look. A two-door coupe and four-door sedan were available in all three model years. A four-door station wagon which continued the use of the 1972-76 Mercury Montego wagon body shell was offered for 1977 only. It was also the platform for the final Ford Ranchero which adapted the LTD II front end styling and smoother bodysides.

All LTD II's came with a V8 engine, SelectShift automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and steel-belted radial-ply tires. Trim models included the budget-level "S," base and luxury-level Brougham models. Bucket seats with console and floor shifter were available on base- and Brougham-level coupes.

While 1977 sales were reasonably strong, they dropped dramatically for 1978 and 1979 in the face of newly downsized intermediate models from General Motors, as well as Chrysler's new Dodge Diplomat and Chrysler LeBaron and Ford's own Fairmont, which took over the mid-size wagon slot for 1978. Ford downsized its own full-size LTD for 1979, with dimensions very similar to the LTD II, though the Panther body LTD had much greater passenger and luggage space.

Replacement

The LTD II was not directly replaced in the Ford lineup. The Fox platform-based redesigned 1981 Granada that was an alternatively styled Fairmont with a more formal look became the midsize entry, mostly through default. The Granada body was restyled for 1983 and became the LTD as the Granada nameplate was dropped. The interior dimensions of both the were virtually identical to the Fairmont, and quite similar to Chrysler’s K-car series. Noticeably more cramped than the LTD II or competition Malibu and Celebrity; the Chevrolets easily outsold Ford's entry in the mid-sized segment. Ford would not have a true replacement for the mid-size market in terms of interior space until the Taurus was introduced as an 1986 model.

Powertrain

The LTD II was available with four different V8 engines: Outside of California, the 4.9 L 302 Windsor was the standard engine, with the 5.8 L 351M and 5.8 L 351 Windsor. Before 1979, the 6.6 L 400 Cleveland was an option. All versions of the LTD II were equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

References

• 1978 Ford LTD II Factory Sales Brochure