Mustang-Powered 1986 Ford LTD Wagon!
As clean examples of Ford’s Foxbody Mustang become scarce, enthusiasts are modifying other vehicles that also use the company’s Fox platform. While models such as the Thunderbird and the Fairmount are fairly popular, this 1986 Ford LTD II Wagon that’s available here on eBay is a tastefully modified version of a somewhat obscure Fox platform vehicle.
This LTD II is available in Jupiter, Florida with a clean title, and the seller runs a shop known as Horseplay Auto, which specializes in Fox platform vehicles. Because of this, the advertisement is very detailed, and it showcases an impressive wagon.
The vehicle was originally purchased from an elderly man in 2015, and the seller believes the top half of the two-tone paint scheme is the original paint. However, the bottom half may have received a respray at some point, and the seller added the orange pinstripe, which replaced a poorly placed red one. Unfortunately, the seller does disclose that the body has a few rust spots, but they are repairable.
It’s hard not to mention how eye-catching this Ford is. The wagon features a 5-lug conversion using parts from various Mustangs, and has lowering suspension consisting of Mustang springs, new front struts, and new rear air shocks. Surprisingly, the wheels are steelies from a Dodge Magnum, which stand out thanks to center caps and trim rings from a Ranger.
The interior is almost completely original – an aftermarket radio and a steering wheel from a Mustang GT are the only changes. The seller does disclose some flaws, including a worn driver’s portion of the bench seat, a left rear door that does not open, and a sagging headliner. While those flaws are disappointing, the cleanliness and practicality of the interior more than makes up for it.
Decoding the VIN reveals that this LTD II left the factory with a 3.8-liter V6, but it now uses a 5.0-liter V8 from a 1989 Mustang GT, which pairs to an automatic transmission with a shift kit. The engine has 34,000 miles on it, and it also features a custom exhaust system.
At the time of publication, bidding is at $4,000 with the reserve not met. Would you choose this V8-powered wagon over the Mustang it shares parts with?
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Comments
If the seller of this car is a shop that specializes in Fox platform vehicles, why not repair/replace the driver seat cover, the sagging headliner, stuck back door, and minor rust spots? Who else is better equipped to bring this car up to excellent condition?
Love the color matching crown vic wheels.
love the bumper sticker
I could’ve done without either of the clowns named on the sticker. That being said…it’s funny & period correct.
Unless Tom is the seller, I’m quite sure he didn’t put the bumper sticker on the car. He also has the right to voice his opinion.
You brought the attention to it ‘F Again’.
Tom didn’t bring up politics. He simply commented on a 36 year old period correct bumper sticker. Blame the article writer here for showing it in the feature. It would be just as relevant to see a feature car from ’84 with a Waller Mondale bumper sticker ! Lighten up people… Please do not construe the above as a personal attack or profanity.
Well….I guess there’s still a few still a little too sensitive about the past after all this time.
Please, loose those wheels, ugh… At least it doesn’t have whitewalls.
You could’nt get me to say anything nice about any car from the 80’s…but this puppy does make for a cool “sleeper”. Perfect wheels and stance.
I have some NOS Carter/Mondale or Anderson//Lucey bumper stickers you can have if you buy the car. Hope you appreciate the humor.
By the way, like the wagon. The fox platform could be considered an open canvas. Love ’em or hate ’em, they afford a lot of creativity !
First of all to the author of this article. It’s not a LTD II . Do some research if your going to write articles about cars. The LTD II was a large car in the 70’s. And there is no “u” in fairmont. Cool car and tons of things you can do to them.
In the 70’s the LTD II may have been a big car, but in the 80’s it was a midsize.
Unfortunately, there was no LTD ll in the 80’s. The midsize was called LTD, and the full size was called the Crown Victoria LTD.
Do some research if “you’re” going to write snarky comments about other people’s writing…
It’s “you’re” not “your”
touché
I gauge when a car came out by my immediate recollection of the commercial jingle. If I remember it, that means it came out in the 70’s when I watched the most boob tube.
“What would you do in an LTD II, you’ll never know ’til you try.”
It’s definitely an “LTD II” as these were sold badged and titled that way in the 80’s! Sold a lot of these back in those days when I was in the car business.
Sorry, this is incorrect. Find me one single piece of evidence that Ford called *any* car in the 1980s an “LTD II” and I will Paypal you $100 right now.
These cars were called “LTD,” end of story.
Says the snobby guy who doesn’t know the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’.
Sold at the appropriate price in consideration of a few of the minor repairs and upgrades to make it cosmetically acceptable, i.e., headliner, some rust issues, completion of the exhaust etc, this would be a really fun and unique car. As if often said…”When was the last time you saw one”?
Had one if these in blue with the v6. I always wanted to hot rod the thing but never had the money or time. I let it slip through my fingers.
Reserve not met at $4,100.
Not sure they are going to get any more than that. Not the most appealing car to be seen in.
Has the nose been dropped in the front, or is it just the angle the photographer used? Don’t see evidence of a chop in the engine bay shot; maybe the larger wheels/tires make the nose look lower.
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/media/1986-ford-ltd-station-wagon.10743/full?d=0
Description says the suspension has been lowered, and comparing this car to the photo in your link, we can see that it has been lowered quite a bit. I’ll bet the ride suffers from that.
I’m trying to figure out how a political bumper sticker from 1984 is “period correct” for a 1986 vehicle. Did the guy have a collection of outdated bumper stickers?
Love the 5.0L conversion. Ford built a sedan version for a while, the LX, that came with the 5.0L. Not very popular at the time. One Ford dealer I knew swore he was going to leave his LX on the front row, unlocked, with the keys in the ignition and a bottle of wine on the dash … just to see if he could move the car 😂
Oh my. Reagan/Bush was president/vice president from 1981-1989.
Sigh…..1986 was….oh never mind.
Well, they weren’t wonderful but damned useful cars, and not many were sold. So i guess if one wanted something unique and useable this would be it.
Although I could do without the *”Reagan-Bush”* bumper sticker on the back bumper, the rest of the car looks perfect. This has always been my favourite Ford LTD model. Whether it’s a 4 door sedan or a wagon, this has a better looking front end appearance than the standard LTD of the same generation.
A tarted-up Fairmont was your favourite LTD model?
Whatever floats your boat…;)
yes, plez remove the several “II” from where U have the “LTD” – that only confuses an already confusing model.
Fox wagons: from the ’78 Granada waggy thru Fairmont onto these thru to ’86 (& non waggy onto the 93 stang) a perfect size. I seek one but pre-conversion (cost and – I have the drive train).
Got one? (this has been removed 4 a try elsewhere for even more $) just add the aol to my name
@Sam61 So you were the other guy? (lol)
Why are they called wagons? Because on a wet or icy road the tail will often be “wagon” the dog!
they went to the RR station 2 p/u livery or passengers (pre-“horseless wagon”).
An ‘estate’ wuz used out on the country home rather than in the city.
And ‘break” whata bout that one….
How bout ‘saloon’ – is dat a car U drink in?
If my memory serves me, there was no LTDll during these years. There was this model call just LTD, then there was the full size that was called simply Crown Victoria. Nice wagon either way.
I like the dwn sz – represented here.
Guy now has it 4sale @ double the former ask. Once these R modded (2.3 turbo, bent8, etc) prices really climb.
Last 1 on here – comentor said “forget it, no after mrkt support.” he did not see all the frame connectors, K members, lowering, ad infinitum vendors for some reason…
3 fox wagons ina month, I’m happy