Ford Crown Victoria LX
Discussion
I had to go to the US on business last week and due to various flight cancellations, I ended up flying into some tiny regional back water airport in up state New York. I therefore needed to drive to my final destination several hours away.
I had already rented my car at another location in the US and the lovely lady at the Avis desk sorted me out with a car, after a brief discussion as to what they had she mentioned they had a brand new Ford Crown 'Vic in the parking lot. Obviously it would be rude to turn down this piece of classic Americana...
So I went outside to be greeted by my light metallic blue Crown 'Vic, it came with 17" alloy wheels, full cream 'leatherette' interior with an electric drivers sofa, four speed column change slush 'box (with overdrive), a cracking air con system, a CD player that didn't play MP3's or have any sort of iPod connectivity whatsoever, a 4.6 litre V8 that produced what felt like 90bhp, a live rear axle and a proper seperate chassis.
It was frankly dire, but totally awesome at the same time! Driving in a straight line, with the cruise control set to 65mph was effortless. You don't so much drive it, rather than slouch in the front drivers lounge, one hand on the wheel, leaning your elbow on the central arm bolster, nodding rhythmically to whatever music was playing on WPRSVGTY 97.1 (or whatever station you happen to be going past at the time).
It didn't like corners too much, and it was wonderfully entertaining to see how it would cope with any sort of 'turn' at several miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Basically, it wobbled and squealed all over the road and you really needed commitment to see any sort of high speed wheel swirling all the way through.
I have to admit, I got quite attached to the bloody thing, and I was sad to see it go when I had to hand the keys back. It's a shame this is the last year of manufacture for these ancient old beasts, at least I can say I drove a new one and experienced it's lack of cornering prowess but pretty good straight line mooching ability. If you get the chance, try one out, it can be best described as driving a good sized boat on the road...
Some Pics:
I had already rented my car at another location in the US and the lovely lady at the Avis desk sorted me out with a car, after a brief discussion as to what they had she mentioned they had a brand new Ford Crown 'Vic in the parking lot. Obviously it would be rude to turn down this piece of classic Americana...
So I went outside to be greeted by my light metallic blue Crown 'Vic, it came with 17" alloy wheels, full cream 'leatherette' interior with an electric drivers sofa, four speed column change slush 'box (with overdrive), a cracking air con system, a CD player that didn't play MP3's or have any sort of iPod connectivity whatsoever, a 4.6 litre V8 that produced what felt like 90bhp, a live rear axle and a proper seperate chassis.
It was frankly dire, but totally awesome at the same time! Driving in a straight line, with the cruise control set to 65mph was effortless. You don't so much drive it, rather than slouch in the front drivers lounge, one hand on the wheel, leaning your elbow on the central arm bolster, nodding rhythmically to whatever music was playing on WPRSVGTY 97.1 (or whatever station you happen to be going past at the time).
It didn't like corners too much, and it was wonderfully entertaining to see how it would cope with any sort of 'turn' at several miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Basically, it wobbled and squealed all over the road and you really needed commitment to see any sort of high speed wheel swirling all the way through.
I have to admit, I got quite attached to the bloody thing, and I was sad to see it go when I had to hand the keys back. It's a shame this is the last year of manufacture for these ancient old beasts, at least I can say I drove a new one and experienced it's lack of cornering prowess but pretty good straight line mooching ability. If you get the chance, try one out, it can be best described as driving a good sized boat on the road...
Some Pics:
When I got into the office, I mentioned to one of the guys that people seemed to be unwilling to overtake me on the interstate, he said it was probably because the locals thought I was in an unmarked car. Not sure how true that is, do the plod in the US drive unmarked Crown Victorias on the road?
It had a huge boot too, perfect for moving bodies with.
It had a huge boot too, perfect for moving bodies with.
Crown Vics are the default govt vehicle I believe.
ETA: Beginning with the 2008 model year, it has been officially available only for fleet sales, mainly in police and taxi form, as well as for rental car companies.
ETFA: you did well to grab the opportunity while you still could. The factory closes this year
ETA: Beginning with the 2008 model year, it has been officially available only for fleet sales, mainly in police and taxi form, as well as for rental car companies.
ETFA: you did well to grab the opportunity while you still could. The factory closes this year
Edited by Pothole on Monday 30th May 12:49
I believe that they are very popular with US law enforcement agencies as well as taxi firms. Always fancied a go in one myself and I presume that the police ones must have some work done to the suspension in order to drive them at speed.
I could be wrong though as they always look entertaining in Hollywood police chases.
Edited to say that Pothole got there before me.
I could be wrong though as they always look entertaining in Hollywood police chases.
Edited to say that Pothole got there before me.
Pothole said:
Crown Vics are the default govt vehicle I believe.
ETA: Beginning with the 2008 model year, it has been officially available only for fleet sales, mainly in police and taxi form, as well as for rental car companies.
ETFA: you did well to grab the opportunity while you still could. The factory closes this year
I was just reading the Wikipedia entry for them and saw that, it seems a shame that the factory is closing, but I suppose the old dinosaur has done well to last as long as it has.ETA: Beginning with the 2008 model year, it has been officially available only for fleet sales, mainly in police and taxi form, as well as for rental car companies.
ETFA: you did well to grab the opportunity while you still could. The factory closes this year
Edited by Pothole on Monday 30th May 12:49
I'm even more pleased I picked it now.
croyde said:
I believe that they are very popular with US law enforcement agencies as well as taxi firms. Always fancied a go in one myself and I presume that the police ones must have some work done to the suspension in order to drive them at speed.
I could be wrong though as they always look entertaining in Hollywood police chases.
Edited to say that Pothole got there before me.
I think you need the 'magic touch' to get one sideways in a controllable manner, there appears to be many turns lock to lock! I'd probably just get all crossed up and make a complete mess of any Hollywood style sidewaysiness!I could be wrong though as they always look entertaining in Hollywood police chases.
Edited to say that Pothole got there before me.
I had one of these when I was in the US in the early 90's, also a law favourite back then I believe.
An Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.
I took it out to the desert outside Vegas and would race the boys in their Mustangs, Trans-ams etc but I would be happy wrestling it around the odd bend whilst they would slow down.
An Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.
I took it out to the desert outside Vegas and would race the boys in their Mustangs, Trans-ams etc but I would be happy wrestling it around the odd bend whilst they would slow down.
va1o said:
I like them, shame there going out of production. Classic american motoring. What are the police and taxi firms going to use instead once these have gone?
I was in New York a month ago and was really looking forward to getting into a Crown Victoria yellow cab only to be picked up in a yellow Toyota MPV.There were also a lot of small Ford hybrid 4x4s in yellow as well.
something about those cars i love
Nissan recently won a 10-year Taxi contract for new york
http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2011/apr/nissan-taxi....
Not the same really
Nissan recently won a 10-year Taxi contract for new york
http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2011/apr/nissan-taxi....
Not the same really
A very accurate review. I have rented and driven them for years. US highways by and large are very good, and once you get out to the less urban areas its very possible to travel at the speed limit. I would not buy one, but I have a certain affection for them, and they are certainly suitable for US highways. One municipality in Texas has ordered a load of them and is storing them for the future to keep the police force supplied
Streps said:
something about those cars i love
Nissan recently won a 10-year Taxi contract for new york
http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2011/apr/nissan-taxi....
Not the same really
Yukk! Immediately made me think of this:Nissan recently won a 10-year Taxi contract for new york
http://eandt.theiet.org/news/2011/apr/nissan-taxi....
Not the same really
Johnny Cab.
croyde said:
va1o said:
I like them, shame there going out of production. Classic american motoring. What are the police and taxi firms going to use instead once these have gone?
I was in New York a month ago and was really looking forward to getting into a Crown Victoria yellow cab only to be picked up in a yellow Toyota MPV.There were also a lot of small Ford hybrid 4x4s in yellow as well.
That Crown Vic is a proper boat of a car..
great old relic...
It handles like a 30 year old car because it is... the chassis dates from the 1970's with almost no changes.
In my opinion though, there is nothing like a body on frame vehicle for motorway cruising and pot hole soaking ability.
The live rear axle and RWD actually make the car very predicable in the bends and easy to powerslide safely, but the sheer weight of the car and soft springs mean it rolls too much for B road blasting.
In my opinion they should have updated the interior and fitted a modern engine and gearbox... it would be good for another 30 years easily.
It handles like a 30 year old car because it is... the chassis dates from the 1970's with almost no changes.
In my opinion though, there is nothing like a body on frame vehicle for motorway cruising and pot hole soaking ability.
The live rear axle and RWD actually make the car very predicable in the bends and easy to powerslide safely, but the sheer weight of the car and soft springs mean it rolls too much for B road blasting.
In my opinion they should have updated the interior and fitted a modern engine and gearbox... it would be good for another 30 years easily.
I love these cars!
When I was in Canada a few years back I had the pleasure of driving one of these beasts except it was the P71 Police Interceptor Model - 4.6 V8 with (don't quote me) around 250bhp.
TBH 250bhp from a 4.6 V8 is a little pathetic but these engines go on to starship mileage.
The suspension is uprated, but boy you can throw around and have loads of fun
When I was in Canada a few years back I had the pleasure of driving one of these beasts except it was the P71 Police Interceptor Model - 4.6 V8 with (don't quote me) around 250bhp.
TBH 250bhp from a 4.6 V8 is a little pathetic but these engines go on to starship mileage.
The suspension is uprated, but boy you can throw around and have loads of fun
tosscops said:
I love these cars!
When I was in Canada a few years back I had the pleasure of driving one of these beasts except it was the P71 Police Interceptor Model - 4.6 V8 with (don't quote me) around 250bhp.
The modular 4.6 engine has been around since the early 90's so it's output is consistent with engines of that era, considering it has had minimal upgrades since.When I was in Canada a few years back I had the pleasure of driving one of these beasts except it was the P71 Police Interceptor Model - 4.6 V8 with (don't quote me) around 250bhp.
I think the current version puts out around 280hp
The police interceptor model has very few differences from the civilian model. If anything it has a worse spec to keep the cost down.
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