I found this article on the history of The Box,I thought I'd share with you guys.Enjoy
Downsized Fords (1979-1991)
With a wheelbase down to 114.4 inches (almost seven inches shorter than the '78 model's) and a diet that dropped about 700 pounds of ugly weight, the 1979 LTD (all full-size Fords were now LTDs) was a straightforward response from Ford to the wildly successful downsized Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles.
While the new LTD was obviously boxier and taller than the car it replaced, its interior was at least as roomy and it still rode on a traditional ladder frame. In fact, many of the suspension designs dated back to the '65 Ford. The smaller size (and growing public concern amid continuing fuel crises) meant the '79 LTD could make do with a standard 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 producing a rather lackluster 129 horsepower. The 351 was now the only optional engine and carried a mediocre 135-horsepower rating. The only transmission was a three-speed automatic. A two-door coupe, four-door sedan and wagon were the three body styles offered, and the most luxurious wagon was still the phony wood-sided Country Squire.
The '79 LTD was better than the car it replaced in every way except raw power. It didn't set the world on fire, but it made Ford competitive again in the full-size class.
A new four-speed automatic transmission was optional on all 1980 LTDs, including a new LTD "S" model at the bottom of the range, the regular LTD and the new LTD "Crown Victoria" at the top. P-metric radial tires and halogen headlamps were standard on everything but the "S."
In a desperate and misguided bid to improve the LTD's fuel mileage for 1981, the new standard power plant was a smaller 255-cubic-inch (4.2-liter) version of the 5.0-liter V8 backed by the four-speed automatic transmission. Making just 115 horsepower, this small V8 is remembered as one of the worst lumps of iron to ever make its way under the hood of a Ford. Fortunately, the barely adequate 302 and 351 V8s were still around as options, now backed exclusively by the four-speed automatic. The easiest way to tell a '81 from a '80 or '79 is that the sideview mirrors moved from being mounted on the A-pillars back to their traditional spots on the doors. Otherwise, the '81 LTD was an adventure in status quo engineering.
The cops could still get a 351 V8 on their 1982 LTDs, but civilians were restricted to either the aggressively substandard 255 V8 or the barely adequate 302. The Ford Blue Oval logo appeared on the grille to distinguish the '82 from the '81 model.
With the LTD name having been bolted on a version of the midsize Fairmont, the 1983 full-size Fords were all named "LTD Crown Victoria." The only engine available to civilians was a new fuel-injected version of the 302 V8 rated at 130 horsepower — mercifully, the 255 V8 was gone. Police vehicles were still available with the 351. Visually, a new crosshatch grille added some distinction. The 1984 LTD Crown Victoria was essentially unchanged. And except for a new aluminum bumper on station wagons, the 1985 LTD was also pretty much unchanged.
Twisting the model lineup for 1986, the LTD Crown Victoria was now available as an "LX" model at the top of the range to create the indecently long and awkward name "LTD Crown Victoria LX." A new sequential fuel-injection system improved the performance of the 302 V8, which was now rated at 150 horsepower. Police vehicles could still be had with the 351. Air conditioning, tinted glass and a digital clock were made standard on the otherwise unchanged 1987 LTD Crown Victoria.
Two-door coupes vanished from the 1988 LTD Crown Victoria line. A slight restyling included a more aerodynamic, slightly rounded front end and new wraparound taillights. Whitewall tires were standard and so were intermittent windshield wipers. There was little reason to change anything for the 1989 LTD Crown Victoria, so Ford didn't. The only significant change for the 1990 model year was the inclusion of a driver-side airbag and a slightly revised instrument panel. With a new Crown Victoria coming, the 1991 model played out unchanged.
By the end of this model's long run, it was painfully obvious that what was once the mainstay of Ford's product line was now a marginal vehicle still needed by taxi and police fleet operators. It was popular enough to keep around, but it wasn't going to be a mainstream consumer vehicle any longer.
Downsized Fords (1979-1991)
With a wheelbase down to 114.4 inches (almost seven inches shorter than the '78 model's) and a diet that dropped about 700 pounds of ugly weight, the 1979 LTD (all full-size Fords were now LTDs) was a straightforward response from Ford to the wildly successful downsized Chevrolets, Pontiacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles.
While the new LTD was obviously boxier and taller than the car it replaced, its interior was at least as roomy and it still rode on a traditional ladder frame. In fact, many of the suspension designs dated back to the '65 Ford. The smaller size (and growing public concern amid continuing fuel crises) meant the '79 LTD could make do with a standard 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 producing a rather lackluster 129 horsepower. The 351 was now the only optional engine and carried a mediocre 135-horsepower rating. The only transmission was a three-speed automatic. A two-door coupe, four-door sedan and wagon were the three body styles offered, and the most luxurious wagon was still the phony wood-sided Country Squire.
The '79 LTD was better than the car it replaced in every way except raw power. It didn't set the world on fire, but it made Ford competitive again in the full-size class.
A new four-speed automatic transmission was optional on all 1980 LTDs, including a new LTD "S" model at the bottom of the range, the regular LTD and the new LTD "Crown Victoria" at the top. P-metric radial tires and halogen headlamps were standard on everything but the "S."
In a desperate and misguided bid to improve the LTD's fuel mileage for 1981, the new standard power plant was a smaller 255-cubic-inch (4.2-liter) version of the 5.0-liter V8 backed by the four-speed automatic transmission. Making just 115 horsepower, this small V8 is remembered as one of the worst lumps of iron to ever make its way under the hood of a Ford. Fortunately, the barely adequate 302 and 351 V8s were still around as options, now backed exclusively by the four-speed automatic. The easiest way to tell a '81 from a '80 or '79 is that the sideview mirrors moved from being mounted on the A-pillars back to their traditional spots on the doors. Otherwise, the '81 LTD was an adventure in status quo engineering.
The cops could still get a 351 V8 on their 1982 LTDs, but civilians were restricted to either the aggressively substandard 255 V8 or the barely adequate 302. The Ford Blue Oval logo appeared on the grille to distinguish the '82 from the '81 model.
With the LTD name having been bolted on a version of the midsize Fairmont, the 1983 full-size Fords were all named "LTD Crown Victoria." The only engine available to civilians was a new fuel-injected version of the 302 V8 rated at 130 horsepower — mercifully, the 255 V8 was gone. Police vehicles were still available with the 351. Visually, a new crosshatch grille added some distinction. The 1984 LTD Crown Victoria was essentially unchanged. And except for a new aluminum bumper on station wagons, the 1985 LTD was also pretty much unchanged.
Twisting the model lineup for 1986, the LTD Crown Victoria was now available as an "LX" model at the top of the range to create the indecently long and awkward name "LTD Crown Victoria LX." A new sequential fuel-injection system improved the performance of the 302 V8, which was now rated at 150 horsepower. Police vehicles could still be had with the 351. Air conditioning, tinted glass and a digital clock were made standard on the otherwise unchanged 1987 LTD Crown Victoria.
Two-door coupes vanished from the 1988 LTD Crown Victoria line. A slight restyling included a more aerodynamic, slightly rounded front end and new wraparound taillights. Whitewall tires were standard and so were intermittent windshield wipers. There was little reason to change anything for the 1989 LTD Crown Victoria, so Ford didn't. The only significant change for the 1990 model year was the inclusion of a driver-side airbag and a slightly revised instrument panel. With a new Crown Victoria coming, the 1991 model played out unchanged.
By the end of this model's long run, it was painfully obvious that what was once the mainstay of Ford's product line was now a marginal vehicle still needed by taxi and police fleet operators. It was popular enough to keep around, but it wasn't going to be a mainstream consumer vehicle any longer.
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