1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX Sedan

Price: - Item location: Watkins Glen, New York, United States
Description:

1989 Ford Crown Victoria

You are bidding on a 1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX 4 door sedan.
I always prefer to let people know about issues first, before gushing about how great a vehicle is. So, here we go. These are basic and straightforward, not big problems.
Needs:
1) Intake manifold gasket, as demonstrated by 3 classic telltale signs:
A) Very small coolant leak, about 2 ounces per week.
B) Idle is not quite as smooth as normal.
C) Transmission shifts are more noticeable, due to vacuum leak caused by the old intake gasket.
2) Left front wheel bearing.
3) Exhaust system.
4) Driver's and right rear window are non-functional.
Nitpicks:
1) Very small dent on passenger's side of hood. Very difficult to photograph.
2) Two small dings in left front chrome wheelwell lip molding, from little stones.
3) Full-size spare tire needs a new valve; it loses its air in about a week.
4) Original owner installed 2 pairs of magnets to keep the glove box door closed. Works great.
5) Original owner disconnected the warning chimes.
6) Dome light lens is yellowed from age.
7) Small amount of corrosion on the cast aluminum wheels.
8 )To my eyes, the outer headlight on the passenger's side looks slightly darker than the other three, but it functions normally.
Now, here are all of the good details:
The car was built in March of 1989. The original owner took delivery on March 31, 1989, so the car did not sit for months on the dealer lot. The original owner purchased an extended warranty for 6/60 and also had the car Ziebarted. There is no rust on the car at all, not even underneath the doors. The whole car is super-clean.
The original owner was an officer in the United States Air Force, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Details in the big stack of maintenance records for the car show that he had some of the maintenance done at the shop that is right on the air base.
The original owner had the car until he passed away in 2017. His son sold it out of the estate to a woman who drove it for 2 years until getting a new company car for her job. I purchased the car from her in September of 2019. We have all babied the car. My only reason for selling is that this is my 15th Panther car, from 1982 through 2004, over the years and I now have my eye on number 16. If this car does not sell, I will definitely keep it and do the needed repairs.
This car has its original paint and pinstripes and they look very, very good. There are factory markings still visible, such as the inspection stamp by a person with the last name of Moore inside the driver's door (pictured). The white vinyl roof is original and in great shape, with no cracks. The glass is all the original Ford "Carlite" and there are no chips or cracks. This was the last year for the pivoting front vent windows. Also the last year with no airbags.
Except for the one wheelwell molding, all of the chrome on this car looks just like it did when it came from the factory; truly amazing for a 31-year-old car. The interior also shows no wear at all, not even on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. There are no cracks in the dash. I looked underneath the back seat and found one quarter. No crumbs, no trash, nothing. The car was never smoked in. The ashtrays are bright and shiny as new. The headliner is also perfect.
Except for the 2 power windows, everything else works, including the clock, cassette stereo, fuel gauge, and odometer.
The car has 4 new Goodyear Integrity tires, with less than 3000 miles on them. It has a new alternator and new valve cover gaskets. It recently had new distributor cap, rotor, double platinum spark plugs, and plug wires. The transmission was rebuilt in 2015 and the fluid stays clean and at its normal level. My parents bought one of these cars new in 1989 and the transmission in this one shifts better than the one in that one did new. When the intake manifold gasket is replaced and there is no vacuum leak left, this transmission will be smooth as silk.
The brakes are in perfect shape. The steering is also perfect and can be done with one finger.
The a/c has been converted to the new system and it blows VERY cold.
The car includes its original set of booklets, as pictured. All it lacks is the original sample audio cassette, showroom brochure, and window sticker. A window sticker could probably be obtained from Marti Autoworks, which has the Ford database including the 1989 model year. Sealed audio cassettes are available here on eBay, as are brochures. I do have a copy of the showroom brochure archived on CD in PDF.
Included are the car's 2 sets of original keys, plus an extra Ilco set. The car's original set of carpeted floor mats are not pictured, but they are on hand and will go with it. They are like-new; clean and unworn.
This is one of the nicest, most well-preserved examples of these cars that you will find.
There is no reserve.
I can be available virtually any day to assist with shipping, if needed. The car can remain here for several weeks if necessary, at no charge, as long as the purchase price has been fully paid. Bank check or personal check must fully clear before the car will be released.
There is no warranty; the car is 31 years old.
I wouldn't drive too far before the wheel bearing is replaced, but if you wish to drive the car home that will be entirely at your discretion.
Good Luck and Happy Bidding!