The Pick of the Day is a 1975 Ford LTD 4-door sedan that not only has survived intact, but with a stunning 3,200 original miles. The private seller in McBride, British Columbia, says that the essentially unused car is in “like new” condition.
The 1973 oil crisis brought about sweeping changes to the automotive industry. The price of oil quadrupled, driving a shift in consumer tastes toward smaller, more-efficient vehicles. At the same time, the United States government rolled out emissions regulations that impacted performance and safety standards that forced engineering teams back to the drawing board.
So for the next decade, the industry existed in what would become known as the “Malaise Era,” a period that most automotive enthusiasts would rather forget.
Relatively few Malaise Era vehicles have become particularly sought-after or collectible, and by now, most have gone the way of the local Pick & Pull junkyard. But every once in a while, a miraculously well-kept reminder of that disco decade surfaces in the marketplace, such as this full-size Ford.
“This is an exceptionally well-preserved vehicle example with no accident damage,” the seller states in the ClassicCars.com advertisement.
The ad doesn’t give much detail as to why the Ford was so sparingly driven, but it does provide some background.
“The vehicle was driven 2,700 miles in the first 10 years by a retired farmer and then stored,” the listing says. “It has been started and moved several times a year for the last three years and recently had a complete inspection and appraisal. Runs and drives beautifully.”
The LTD was the highest trim level of the full-size Ford models from 1965 through 1982, and then was applied to mid-size cars from 1983 until its end in 1986. The model featured in this listing is from the LTD’s second-generation; for 1973, the LTD was redesigned to incorporate 5-mph front bumpers in compliance with federal regs.
The LTD name is in itself something of a mystery. Some speculate that LTD was in fact an abbreviation for “Limited,” and came about as a trim designation for the Galaxie. Others show evidence in Australian sales brochures that LTD stood for “Lincoln Type Design,” an effort to boost the significance and status of the model in the luxury market. Still others suggest that the name was purely ambiguous.
Due to the slim nature of the 4-door’s B-pillars, the car was described by Ford as a “pillared hardtop,” which is a bit of an oxymoron.
It’s hard to believe that this 46-year-old car has traveled only 3,200 miles, but the car’s cosmetic condition seems to corroborate the odometer reading.
The seller’s photo gallery does show some corrosion on the underside, perhaps consistent with its Canadian upbringing. But the Dark Copper Metallic paint finish and tan interior both look as good as they might have when brand new.
The seller is asking just $8,250 or best offer for this rare surviving relic of the Malaise Era.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I’m one of the few that does have some appreciation for mid-70’s era Detroit iron so this car actually sounds appealing as a semi-daily driver.
Is this a 351 or 460 V8 ? Might have been helpful to have included this in the article !
It could even have a 302….!
Judging by the look of the valve covers, it appears to be a 351 (Cleveland)
I yawned so long my jaw was cramping……….
I had to go see if I still had my leisure suit. Maybe the person that buys this car might be interested in it!
If only it was a Ford Torino or an Elite with that mileage. I’d be all over it in a heartbeat!
A 4 door LTD may be somewhat nostalgic for a select few, but it’ll never be worth any more than it’s asking price. Incidentally, it’s already sold.