The Ford Crown Victoria (or simply Crown Vic) is a rear-wheel drive full-size sedan marketed and manufactured from the 1992 to the 2012 model years over two generations. Discontinued in the 2012 model year, its final models had been in production since 1991 at Ford's St. Thomas Assembly plant. The Crown Victoria nameplate (dropping its previous LTD prefix) revived a nameplate used by Ford on a two-door model sold in the North American market during the mid-1950s.
The Crown Victoria shared the Ford Panther platform and major power train and suspension components with the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis. Along with its rebadged Mercury and Lincoln variants, the Crown Victoria was the only full-frame rear-wheel-drive passenger sedan having been built in North America and was popularly used in taxicab, fleet, and police service vehicles.
1955–1956
The first "Crown Victoria" appeared in 1955; it was a two-door six-seater coupe, part of the Ford Fairlane range, that differed from the regular Victoria model (named after a type of carriage) by having a stainless steel band that 'crowned' the roofline, passing right over the car, as an extension of the B-pillar line. The model was produced in 1955 and 1956. In 1956, Ford added its Lifeguard safety package.
One version called Ford Crown Victoria Skyliner had the front part of the roof, in front of the steel band, in acrylic glass. This made the car difficult to sell, especially in the southern states in USA. Thus few Skyliners were made. Most of them ended up in Sweden, possibly because the climate was more suitable for an acrylic glass roof.
LTD Crown Victoria
Main article: Ford LTD Crown Victoria
1979–1980
Downsized two years after its main rival, the Chevrolet Impala, the new 1979 LTD was fifteen inches shorter than the old one, and ten inches shorter than the LTD II. The platform was named the Panther. The interior remained just as large as the previous LTD though, and the whole design became more efficient; the reduced width, size, and bulk all led to improved road manners and maneuverability, which had been major drawbacks in the previous LTD. Ride quality improved as well with the new car, as did fuel economy. Originally, the LTD was offered with the 4.9 L (302 cu in) and 5.8 L (351 cu in) V8s. The deluxe version of the LTD was the LTD Landau, as in previous years. In 1980 the LTD Landau was renamed LTD Crown Victoria. It replaced the previous year's Landau model, and used a stainless steel band over the roof at the B-pillar (the "crown") to evoke the 1950s model. Crown Victoria had been a decor package for the Landau models since 1975. For 1981 and 1982, Ford offered a 4.2 L (255 cu in) V8. The 4.2 L (255 cu in) and 4.9 L (302 cu in) V8 were supplied with the Variable Venturi Carburetor which was able to deliver highway efficiency in excess of 27 mpg-US (11 km/L), but the complexity of the system and wear of its moving parts required re-building at regular intervals; typically about 70,000 mi (110,000 km). Most 1979-1980 LTDs were sold with the three-speed automatic transmission, with the AOD four-speed optional.
1983–1991
In 1983, the LTD range was split in two as part of a shift in its product lineup. The standard LTD was "downsized" into a mid-size car as it replaced the Granada; the 1983 LTD was facelifted version of its predecessor. For 1983, full-size Ford sedans took on the LTD Crown Victoria nameplate. Civilian models were powered by a fuel-injected 302 cu in (5.0L) in V8, while police vehicles used a 351 cu in (5.8L) V8 with Ford's Variable venturi carburetor. Station wagons were available as both LTD Crown Victoria and Country Squire models.
1983–1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria
As the 1980s progressed, various other changes were made to the LTD Crown Victoria. 1983 saw the introduction of central fuel injection (CFI) on the 302 cu in (5.0L) models (identifiable by a fender badge reading "Electronic Fuel Injection"), which was replaced with sequential electronic fuel injection (SEFI) in 1986 (accompanied by the deletion of said fender badge). Many mechanical changes were made during this time as well, but most important, it should be noted that all 302 cu in (5.0L) engines from 1985-on were equipped with a hydraulic roller valvetrain that allowed the use of improved camshaft profiles across the production line. 1987 marked the final year of production of two-door sedans. The Crown Victoria, along with its cousin, the Mercury Grand Marquis, received exterior facelifts for the 1988 model year to improve aerodynamics, followed by an all-new dash, door panels, standard power windows, and standard driver's side airbag and revised steering column in 1990. This was the last American car to offer functional vent windows as an option.[citation needed]
First generation (1992–1997)
First generation
Production 1992–1997
Engine 4.6 L SOHC Modular V8
Transmission 4-speed AOD automatic
Wheelbase 114.4 in (2,906 mm)
Length 1992–94: 212.4 in (5,395 mm)
1995–97: 212.0 in (5,385 mm)
Width 77.8 in (1,976 mm)
Height 1992–94: 56.7 in (1,440 mm)
1995–97: 56.8 in (1,443 mm)
Curb weight 3,748–3,849 lb (1,700–1,746 kg)
Related Mercury Grand Marquis
Lincoln Town Car
1992–1994
Released in March 1991 as an early 1992 model, the Crown Victoria sedan (which dropped the LTD prefix) was completely redesigned with a rounder, eight-window roofline (which shared many design cues with its contemporary, the newly redesigned 1992 Taurus). The redesign reduced the coefficient of drag from 0.42 to 0.34; the suspension setup was also heavily revised. Fleet sales were put on hold for 14 months to focus on satisfying consumer demand. Due to shifts in consumer demand, the Country Squire station wagon was discontinued, largely replaced by the Aerostar and the Explorer as minivans and SUVs replaced full-size wagons as family vehicles.
A significant introduction was the replacement of the 5.0 L and 5.8 L Windsor V8 engines with the overhead-cam 4.6 L Modular engine; aside from the similar Grand Marquis and Town Car, no other American sedan in the Crown Victoria's price range offered such an engine. The lighter Modular engine, along with an aluminum hood, contributed to the reduced weight of the 1992 model. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) and city-speed traction control became available as an option, and saw a 60% uptake in the first year. In addition to the standard driver airbag, a passenger airbag became available late in the 1992 model year.The passenger airbag became standard for the 1994 model year.
Also new for 1992, a performance-oriented "Touring Sedan" trim was added. The model featured dual exhausts for an increased engine output of 210 hp (157 kW; 213 PS), wider tires, rear air suspension, and various suspension components shared with the police package model for improved handling. The Touring Sedan also came with a standard two-tone exterior paint scheme, unique leather interior, special alloy wheels, and every luxury feature available for that year. The "Handling and Performance" package were also available separately for a reduced price without the luxury features of the "Touring Sedan", as was a tow package.The Touring Sedan was dropped after 1992, though the "Handling and Performance" package continued.
1993–1994 Ford Crown Victoria
1995–1997 Ford Crown Victoria
By continuing Canadian production, Ford was able to balance the higher fuel consumption of the Crown Victoria with the low figures for Korean subcompacts in the 'import' list for the CAFE requirements imposed on car makers by the Federal government.
Critics disapproved of the Taurus-like front end; consequently, it was given a front grille for the 1993 model year. Also added that year was a reflector strip between the taillights.
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