LTD FC

For several glorious, socialclimbing days in the early 1990s I owned a FC series Ford LTD and learned why these cars were so symbolic of success in this country. It wasn’t the best example of the breed and it didn’t cost me much; an unwanted trade found skulking behind the office of a dealer, waiting for the wholesalers to come.

The air-con worked, the red leather was intact and just needed a decent feed. It had at some point acquired dual exhausts and the 5.8-litre V8 rumbled just like the ones in those GT Falcons I couldn’t afford to insure let alone buy. Best of all it was white with the obligatory vinyl roof covering just a shade darker.

LTDs back in their new-car days were emblems at the very highest levels. They carried captains of industry and political leaders, even the Prime Minister had one, complete with ‘C1’ numberplates.

They were roomy front and rear with leather-clad seats that were actually comfortable, great air-conditioning, lots of electric gismos and a decent if not cavernous boot. They would cruise easily at 160km/h, which was handy if the PM was in a hurry to see the G-G, and handled as well as 1800kg with cart springs under its bum could manage.

By the 1990s the LTD with its ‘Rolls-Royce’ frontal aspect was seen as outdated and positively gluttonous once petrol hit $1 a litre. Down, down went values and quite reasonable cars went to the wreckers. There are survivors though, including a few still in exceptional condition that have helped carry values past $25,000.