1984 Ford LTD LX

Ask almost anyone about the Ford LTD LX and you'll probably draw a blank, except maybe from a highway patrol officer. This car was and remains virtually unknown due to the fact that only 3,260 were manufactured for civilian public sale and 800 for police use.

The story goes that in 1984, Bob Bondurant needed a trainer car for his racing school that was able to carry more than two passengers, as was the case with the Mustangs he was currently using. He noticed that the new-for-'83 midsize LTD had the same underpinnings as the Mustang, and that gave him the idea for an LTD using a Mustang powertrain and suspension parts to haul four people around the track at high speed. And that's exactly what he did. He dropped a carbureted Mustang 5.0 HO and 5-speed manual transmission into an 84 LTD, as well as various Mustang suspension pieces, and outfitted the car with the necessary racing and safety equipment.

At the same time, Donald Petersen, then President of Ford, was trying to get all the executives of the company more acquainted with their company's cars. What better way than to put some seat time in Ford cars? And Bondurant's racing school, using all Ford products, was just the ticket. So soon thereafter, a waiting list of Ford executives ready to hit the track developed. Donald Petersen was so impressed with Bondurant's LTD that he set out to produce a similar version for the public using existing off-the-shelf pieces and the LTD LX was born.

It came standard with the high output 5.0 L CFI V8 engine, four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, 600 lb. in front and 270 lb. in rear coil springs, front and rear sway bars, 10 inch front disc and 10 inch rear drum brakes, and a 3.27:1 rear gear ratio with a Traction-Lok differential. The LX model was the only LTD to have a tachometer in the instrument cluster. Notable for its bigger sway bars and brakes, it also included bench seats with an automatic trunk opener located underneath the steering wheel.

This LTD LX is fully documented with the original books and owner's manuals. It sports its original interior, a $6,100 re-paint in its original gray color completed in 2004, and numerous other documents showing maintenance and upkeep from 2002 to current. Also included is a copy of Collectible Automobile magazine from December, 1986 proclaiming that the '84-'85 LTD LX is a future collectible. Don't miss your chance to own what could be the best conditioned LTD LX on the planet!

To see over 80 photos of this car, including under carriage please visit our website www.grautogallery.com