1967 Ford LTD: Luxury for the Low-Priced Three
How well I remember the classic luxury duo of the Chevrolet Caprice and the Ford LTD. As a kid growing up in the ’80s, I loved seeing one cruise by, even if it was an older, rusty one. You could tell, regardless of whether it was a showroom-new version or weathered veteran, that these cars were a little special. Lots of chrome—rocker trim molding, bright wheel opening moldings, stand-up hood ornaments, and/or heraldic crests on the C-pillars, trunk lid, or grille. I liked them. A lot.
It all started in 1965, with the Caprice, a super-deluxe package available on Impala two- and four-door hardtops. Meanwhile, over at Ford, you could get the same treatment on the all-new ’65 full-size Fords. Of course, today we’re here to talk about Dearborn’s Brougham, but I always have and always will lump the Caprice and LTD together; they were two of a kind.
Just like the Caprice (at least for the 1965 model year), the LTD made its first foray as a deluxe option for the Galaxie 500. As the brochure explained, “This is the elegant new Galaxie 500 LTD—an all-new kind of Ford with luxury totally new to Ford’s field.”
Standard equipment on the inaugural LTDs included the 200-horsepower “Challenger” V-8 and Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, door-mounted courtesy lights, a fold-down center rear armrest, ample simulated wood trim on the instrument panel and door cards, nicer upholstery in a choice of six colors, and more.
It was a hit, and just like crosstown rival Chevy, in 1966 the LTD became its own model instead of a luxury package on an existing one. But now you could get Brougham-style accouterments at your friendly local Ford (or Chevrolet) dealer, instead of having to visit the Olds or Mercury showrooms in order to get flashier options or more sumptuous interior trim.
Eventually that would start to blur the lines between standard cars and full-boat luxury cars, but it worked very well for years. Heck, the Caprice made it to 1996, and the LTD to 1991 (2011 if you include the Crown Victoria).
Plymouth also made an attempt at the LTD formula, starting in 1966 with the VIP. But for whatever reason, it never hit the impressive sales numbers the LTD or Caprice did, and it was discontinued after the 1969 model year.
And now we finally come to 1967, the year of our featured car. All Fords were restyled for the year, with swoopier lines. LTDs were available as a $3298 ($30,000 today) four-door sedan, a $3363 ($30,622) four-door hardtop, and a $3362 two-door hardtop. Yes, there was just $1 difference between the two- and four-door hardtops!
The pillared sedan had the lowest take rate by far, with only 12,491 built. The hardtops were neck and neck production-wise, with 51,978 hardtop sedans and 46,036 hardtop coupes sold. It makes sense to me; why get the drab pillared sedan, the exact same body style as the police and taxi-spec Customs and Custom 500s, in the fanciest, most plush trim level?
A prominent LTD-only feature on hardtop coupes was a more formal C-pillar. While the actual roof panel retained the semi-fastback shape shared with Galaxies, an insert was added to make a smaller rear quarter window and broader sail panel. Naturally, an LTD emblem graced this area.
As expected, the full-size ’67 brochure made it clear the LTD was Ford’s best, fanciest, and Broughamiest offering—except perhaps for the Thunderbird. As it confided, “LTD by Ford. The car that introduced a new world of luxury to Ford’s field adds to its fame with new styling and comfort—and an all new model!” The new model, by the way, was the pillared four-door sedan.
“Inside you have a choice of seven limousine-like standard interiors of cloth and vinyl, highlighted by simulated walnut door panels … new optional Twin Comfort Lounge Seats, with individual arm rests for driver and passenger, are separately adjustable.”
But, of course, it wouldn’t be Detroit (or Dearborn, rather) in the ’60s without a cornucopia of optional extras. Selected items for 1967 included Fingertip Speed Control, power six-way seats, Stereo Sonic Tape System (8-track tape player), and SelectAire air conditioning—the last of which this car has installed.
All LTDs came standard with the 200-hp 289 V-8 and Cruise-O-Matic, but our featured car has much more oomph under the hood, with the 390 V-8.
Options included five V-8s: 270-hp 390, 315-hp 390, 345-hp 428, and 410- and 425-hp 427—though I can’t imagine too many LTDs had a Cobra 427 under the hood. A four-speed manual was required with either 427 V-8 option.
I spotted this excellent example last summer at the monthly car cruise in historic downtown Mount Carroll, Illinois. Gorgeous colors on this! It was the first car I zeroed in on when I was parking, and my Brougham radar immediately began going awooga awooga!
It reminded me of the blue Galaxie 500 that my science teacher Vern Spilker owned at the time. His car is the reason I could identify ’67 Fords from an extremely early age. It was light silver-blue metallic with a white top—painted, not a vinyl roof. He was still using it as a daily driver during that time, circa late-1980s/early-90s.
Though Vern retired back in ’94, we’ve reconnected via Facebook, and he still has his Galaxie! As he related, “My ’67 runs well. Had it mechanically restored. Not repainted yet.” Amazing that he has held on to it all these years, and he’s still enjoying it. I really need to get down there for a visit soon!
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While the Mercury version was the Park Lane which I have had since 2003. With updated front and rear suspension it is a nice driving car except for the gas mileage out of the 410. Smooth, quiet, and not really a boat now. Previous owner protected the interior seats with plastic covers. The engine is undergoing a rebuild at 153,00 miles.
…we took delivery of a brand new dark Navy blue with black vinyl top 1967 Ford LTD coupe in the spring of 1967…it was definitely a much more luxurious car than our 1965 Ford Galaxie, or the 1963 Chevy Impala that we traded-in as part of this deal. I can still remember how luxurious that dark blue nylon upholstery was. and very quiet too / minimal road noise too – it was the first car we ever had with air-conditioning…what a plus that was – cruising in cool comfort in the summertime! Our car had the 270 h.p. 390 2 barrel – plenty of power – the most powerful car we had since our 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 with a 312 Thunderbird Interceptor V8 4 barrel in it. When I turned 16 in 1971, the ’67 LTD was also the first car I got to drive…my Dad in his later years would always say that the two favorite cars he owned were our ’57 Ford Fairlane and our ’67 Ford LTD…good memories!
Bryan,
I was born in 1953, in July 1967 my Dad bought the only new car he ever purchased in his life. It sounds like an exact replica of the one you described. Appears we have a lot in common other than our age. Good news is I still have it today and was restored and went to the first car show in July 2017. I only made a couple of modifications from the original, disk brakes on the front, electronic ignition, rebuilt transmission, the engine not touched at 138,000 miles. I call it my labor of love for my Dad as he loved that car.
I would love to share photos if you are interested.
I love hearing that guys across the country feel the same as I do. I’m a total Ford fan, I have been since 1966 when my brother bought a 66 Mustang. It was black with black interior. It also had a 289, with a Ford modified 4 barrel Holly carburetor. It was a 4 speed manual transmission. It was the car I learned to drive a clutch. From then on I will only drive Fords. The 67 LTD has always been one of my favorite Fords. The 67 LTD styling was completely different than the 68s, but it did resemble the 65s, and I loved those. The somewhat rounded lines were just beautiful, a bit softer than the 65s. I was only 12 years old in 1967, but I knew what I liked. I have so many favorite cars from the 60s and 70s, it’s hard for me to pick out just one to call my favorite, but if I narrow it down the 67 would be in my top 5, and I have felt that way since 1967, There’s just something about Ford’s styling that I’m very attracted to. I wish I had a collection of my favorites, but I don’t have a place to keep them. So instead I collect 1:18 scale diecast models, which is dominated by Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns. And that’s no accident.
LTD: Lotsa Tin From Detroit 🙂
My Dad bought a 1968 LTD brand new. Turquoise with a black vinyl top and those hidden headlights. What a beautiful car.
LTD and Lincoln Town Car are two more great names that died slow, painful deaths.
Nice LTD. Color looks nice.
Yep I had one as well. Purchased in 1984 for $600.00. At that time I got into a battle with my Pops, so I hoped in, flipped him the bird and started it up….. hammered it backward down the driveway smoking the one wheeled wonder! I thought I looked pretty cool……Until I hit the bottom of the driveway. As I put into gear to do another burn….It died. OMG was I embarrassed! Then it was flooded so I had to sit and crank and crank and crank. Then she sputtered, backfired and started right up! Ha ha all the neighbors were out seeing what the racket was all about! Just me being disrespectful. It then became my new home! I tore out the backseat, and called er the “LTD INN” I lived in it for a few months…Ran the heck out of that 390. Soon bored I took it offroadin’ like an idiot, jumping dirt hills like the poor version of the Duke boys! Cracked the frame, wrecked the “INN” and traded it off to a buddy for a derby car. I think I got a case of beer? Oh well it was a baby blue 2 door and I never really did like that car. Traded a whole car for a case of beer. But by that time I had a place to live under the bridge and had my beer! Thanks for bringing back the memories!! That was the beginning of a very full, sometimes difficult life that I wouldn’t change for anything!!
LTD was first in 65. Caprice followed in 1966
Since the rival Caprice is mentioned in the story, it’s noteworthy that the LTD was introduced with the other new 1965 Ford models. The Caprice was a mid year addition to the ’65 Chevy line, obviously a response to the LTD’s successful debut.
We bought a 69 LTD off the showroom floor, it came with intermittent wipers. I asked the salesman what that meant, he had no idea
Nice one, Thomas!! We had Ford wagons and GM sedans for some reason… 69 Country Sedan (no woodgrain) was traded for a 72 Country Squire with an AM/FM (four speakers!) and A/C, with the 400/4 bbl. No other options, but I thought we’d really made it! I was 9 in 73 when Dad bought the ex-demo 72.
A succession of 73, 74 Impala’s, a 76 Cutlass ‘S’, a 79 Pariesienne (yup, Canadian) a 79 Malibu, and an 84 6000 LE… The Country Squire was the closest thing to a ‘Brougham’ we had until Mom’s 91 Delta 88 Royale (not the Royale Brougham, sadly… 🙂 ).
Keep those Broughams comin’ Thomas, thanks for your efforts to keep these great cars front and center.