Only 37K Miles! 1972 Ford LTD
Wasn’t long ago when I would have noticed this 1972 Ford LTD (pronounced ell-TEE-dee according to the seller!) and thought, so what, another one of those. After all, it’s one of 353K LTDs produced in ’72 and they’re everywhere. Well, time marches on and they’re not everywhere anymore. Actually, big full-size domestic sedans seem like an anomaly these days so when you come across one, especially an example that’s as nice as our subject car, it commands one’s attention. And, there are plenty of car enthusiasts that aren’t of an age to remember when LTDs/Galaxies, Impala/Caprices, and Furys were the go-to car for American drivers. With these thoughts in mind, let’s examine this excellent Bee Spring, Kentucky-domiciled LTD sedan. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,551 with the reserve not yet met.
Narrowing things down a bit, this LTD is one of 104K four-door sedans built in ’72. There were two and four-door hardtops produced as well, and this volume excludes the Brougham (pronounced bro’gum according to me) trim level. Civilian, fleet, police, taxicab, you name it, this four-door Ford silhouette covered all of the bases so many years ago.
Another observation that always strikes me is how much better looking these ’72 models are than their ’73 successors. It’s not only the fleetness of its lines, it’s those blasted federally mandated five MPH rammers (bumpers) that adorned the front end of so many ’73s. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that this ’72 is a survivor. It’s not stated specifically but with only 37K miles on its life clock, that could be the case, assuming proper storage of course. The finish (Code 6D yellow) is perfect as is the vinyl top, trim, and chrome plating. The standard LTD “turbine-style” wheel covers make the car and complete the image – they look like some real thought went into their design as opposed to just sticking a pie pan or a trash can lid over the wheel and calling it another day in Dearborn. The only real detraction to this LTD’s exterior is the longitudinal bump strip – it looks haphazardly stuck on and not integrated into a character line. Regardless, I get the need for it as it helped protect the car’s flanks from careless parkers.
Under that big ole hood (and they were sizable!) is a 153 net HP, 351 CI V8 engine connected to an FMX three-speed automatic transmission. Little is said about this car’s motivational capability other than, “This 1972 Ford LTD is ready to hit the road!“. Other engine options included a 172 net HP 400 CI V8 and a wheezy 429 that only managed to muster a measly 208 net HP.
Inside there’s lots of brown, brown vinyl upholstery that is, and it looks as neat and tidy as the exterior. Not a single bit of it appears to need attention. The image of the odometer shows the 37K mile reading and based on the entirety of this LTD’s presentation, I’m inclined to believe that the reading is genuine. The interiors of Fords of this era weren’t exciting but they were perfectly functional and durable.
This is another example of a full-size car that I really wouldn’t want to own but absolutely like. It gets two thumbs up and may be the nicest full-size sedan from this era that I have reviewed yet. This is one of those “cake and eat it too” cars. You want to own it but it seems too nice to actually drive, right?
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Comments
Kind of an odd ebay ad. Seller spends most of the time explaining the history of LTD models, and very little about the car. But I’d say, the pictures speak for themselves. Looks like it is in excellent condition. When you weren’t quite in Lincoln territory these were the next best thing. And with their conservative styling they do look better than the bumper-laden ’73. I agree with Jim, I don’t want it either but I sure do like it. Have fun cruising.
I always pronounced them…. L-T-D.
Why contine to post these ads for cars located in “Bee Spring, KY” using the word “seller”? Just post a permanent link to S & S Classics and be done with it.
I really like when one of these “everyday” cars turns up. Hope the car gets a home where it gets used and appreciated as a real car. Not a fan of locking em away. Beautiful car
My Father sold insurance for 40 years. LTD is a short form of Long Term Disability insurance. My Father would always call them Long Term Disability whenever he saw one.
I’m sure this would be a pleasure to drive. Not a big fan of the paint color.
Remember in the late 80s and early 90s you didn’t really see them on the road much but they were a popular choice for the demolition derby. Bidding on this is almost $7k and still hasn’t hit the reserve
I have to add this I work at a company and remember the HR person explaining Short Term Disability as we couldn’t help but snicker & smile as she couldn’t figure out why about STD’s ! I know it’s Sunday
Bought one of those used from a graduating senior when I was a junior in college. Same color, but with the 429. That thing would SAIL up the highway going home…
Kind of miss that car!
My Dad purchased one of these models but the car never made it home. It quit in the middle of the busiest intersection in town. State Trooper came and pushed Mom out of the intersection to side of the road. She used a pay phone to call Dad, who called a wrecker to to it back to dealer and took his trade-in back and canceled the deal.
Never happened. You couldn´t just ¨cancel¨ deal, there was a lot more to it then that. Maybe your dad just drve the car on a try out basis, or some such, but cancelling a deal involved a lot more than just dropping off the car and taking your trade back, because once you had signed the contract, had taken delivery and driven the car over the curb, you owned it, period.
Years ago you Could do that. Dealers were nothing like now days. Many dealers had what they called buyers remorse clauses that were usually 3 days to return if you decided to with no penalty’s.
I had just bought my 71 Torino, and my neighbor had bought one of these in late 1971, and he paid about $500. more for this car than I paid for the Torino 9 months earlier. They were great cars, rode solid, and handled the road well, and truly a value for the amount you paid for them. Bear in mind that I am normally a Buick guy, but after driving the Torino and seeing this car, I realized that Ford was making better cars than they did in years before. I owned at least 4 Fords in my many years of driving, and never had a bad Ford. I still favor Buicks though.
I know this landyachts only from this old tv-series ..hmmm, ya,
“the streets of San Francisco” with Karl Malden and Michael
Douglas. That was this with this very nervous going intro.
https://youtu.be/mijBMpnS3a4
I guessed they where also avail with a 460 (wikipedia). Due to
their oversize about 6 meters and weigth of 2.5! metric tons.
A truly sizeable car for most countries as the most coubtries
planned their infrastructure for humans, and not for oversized
cars.
A practicable designed dashboard but i was never a friend of
column shifters and this flat benches. Driving on corners you
you always slide from side to side.
I agree with Jim, I don’t want it either but I sure do like it.
Apparently Ford is really a fan of the Edsel look with that small vertical grill in the center flanked by horizontal ones.
Good Eye Diva…
Back in the days of yore(my youth) in the “nice months i’d was driving my cougar,come winter..myself and many other’s up here(Canada) had a Galaxie/LTD/Meteor Rideau/Montcalm as thier winter car.Those things for some reason were the ultimate winter cars,they’d go through anything would start everytime and you always got home safe.(time frame late 70’s through the 80’s)I have a deep love for early to mid-70’s FoMoCo land barges.
If it were a 2dr, I’d snap it up.
It be snapped up already.
Got up to $7100.00 !
The dashboard looks very similar to our 1970 Ford Wagon.
Last thing I remember seeing when I rolled the thing over a hill….
at age 16. Didn’t even bother asking to get a jr learner’s permit or jr license after that. Just waited till I turned 18 to get a regular driver’s license.
I’ve always liked the full-size Fords; I always thought they rode much better than their Chevy and Mopar contempories. My first ’72 was an ex-State Pollice car with a 429 PI, a car that was a blast to drive. My second, a Galaxie 500, which I’ve had since 1995, I purchased from the original owner with 34,000 original miles. It’s not perfect but the paint, chrome, stainless and interior are all original. I seldom see another, which isn’t surprising as few folks held on to them for too long. I’ve had several muscle cars over the years, they came and went but I’ve always held on to the Galaxie because I like it so much and now it’s fairly rare to see another one. I’ve had it so long it’s like a part of the family. Whoever ends up with this LTD will have a very nice car to enjoy for cheap money.
You think like I do..
When I was 3 my folks bought a new 72 Galaxie 500 new. Just one trim level down from this car. Gold with white vinyl top. It was an excellent car and never gave us trouble over the next 12 years.
I inherited to drive as a teenager and being a stupid kid punished it more than it deserved. I’m going to think about this one.
I already have a car in my collection that matches what they bought as a replacement for the 72 Ford so who knows.
it”s a four door!
Much better car than my 2016 VW. I had a 71 and drove it for a long time. I would like to find another 7LTD or Marquis .
Nice car, color is not the greatest but when these show up in good condition, one can’t be too choosy color-wise.
BTW, those “turbine”, actually called Deluxe, Wheel Covers weighed about 6 pounds each and were an extra cost option.
Too bad this LTD does not have the Brougham option, much plusher interior.