Practicality is often a key consideration when an enthusiast assesses a classic to park in their workshop. It takes two forms. The first is whether the car will suit their needs if they have a growing family. The second is whether the project will push them beyond their skill level. That’s where cars like this 1993 Ford Crown Victoria P71 Police Interceptor deserve a close look. It is begging for love, but it is a dry-climate survivor that is a turnkey proposition for its new owner. With room to seat five comfortably, it is ready to transport the whole tribe in style.

Ford introduced its First Generation Crown Victoria in 1991. With the opposition beginning to turn its back on rear-wheel drive technology, the company found itself the preferred supplier for various law enforcement agencies. Civilian buyers could order a relatively lively version of the Crown Victoria, but the P71 Interceptors were more like an iron fist cloaked in a velvet glove. This 1993 model wears the traditional Oxford White paint, and close inspection reveals the marks and imperfections that accumulate on these vehicles through active service. There are also bumps and bruises, but no panel damage justifying steel replacement. The underside shots reveal the type of light surface corrosion typically seen on dry-clime survivors, but there is no evidence of penetrating rust. The trim is in generally good condition, as is the glass. There is little evidence of the role this Ford played in keeping our community safe, although the driver’s side floodlight is a nice touch.

This Crown Victoria’s interior demonstrates how condition is often a matter of interpretation. The seller uses the word “great” when describing its overall condition, although the word serviceable springs to mind when I examine the photos. The car features cloth front seats and the traditional vinyl rear. The driver’s seat has a rip on the outer edge caused by the range of equipment officers sling onto their belts, while the back seat exhibits a few repairs. The dashpad hides below a cover and is as cracked as you might expect after years of exposure to the Arizona sun. The remaining trim is acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle, and the new owner receives a range of welcome creature comforts. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a 140mph speedometer, and a Pioneer radio/CD player.

Ford meant business with the Crown Victoria P71 Interceptor. The range-topping 4.6-liter V8 delivered 210hp in civilian form, but careful tweaking and tuning using components like upgraded injectors pushed that figure to 246hp in the P71. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed automatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes standard fare. The company didn’t focus exclusively on straight-line performance with the Interceptor, adding upgraded suspension, a 100 amp alternator, larger brakes, and oil coolers for the engine, transmission, and power steering. The civilian Crown Victoria ran out of breath at 129mph, but this car can bend the needle against the stop at 140mph. The news for potential buyers is positive, with the Ford in excellent mechanical heath. The seller drives it regularly, stating that the engine has plenty of power, the transmission shifts smoothly, and there are no apparent mechanical issues.

The seller listed this 1993 Ford Crown Victoria P71 Police Interceptor here on eBay in Tucson, Arizona. It has generated interest, receiving seventeen bids at the time of writing. However, the action has only pushed the price to $2,025, which is below the reserve. There is time left for interested parties to join the bidding war as they attempt to park a straightforward project candidate in their garage. How much would you be willing to pay for this classic?