Last Crown Vic built (RIP)
 

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/the-last-crown-vic-rolls-and-not-as-a-new-york-cab/

As an aside, it's a f**king shame that the new Caprice (aka Holden Commodore) isn't being offered as a civilian model, only to police departments. Blame it on the auto unions -- since it's built in Australia, they wouldn't want a (better) vehicle that's built abroad competing with American-built GM cars.

More proof that the only good UAW member is one that's 5 seconds from being hit by a large truck.

Yea they axed these but --No way they will stop making stupid giant suv's. One of the only new American car I liked was tme lincoln Towne Car.

Oh, and Mayor Bloomie and his buddies deserve to rot for selecting the below-pictured abortion as the replacement for the Crown Vic taxi starting 2013:

(a) it still only seats three people. No rear-facing jumpseats like London taxis or middle row
(b) it looks like it was beaten over the head with the ugly-pipe. An ugly-pipe made of depleted uranium, I may add.
(c) it's not a hybrid, which would be a perfect choice for stop-and go NYC traffic. Yeah, I know there was a court decision forbidding NYC to set MPG standards for taxis, but if they were only selecting one model, they could have at least selected one that makes great MPG.
(d) why the hell should they only use one model, rather than the current system of approving a dozen or so cars that meet the city's specs. Approve the NV200, but allow drivers the choice of using something different as well.

Because it was a 35-year old platform and there are alternatives (read: the Dodge LX-platform cars). But anyway, if the Caprice is being imported for cop use, why the hell not market it to everyone? The type approval process is already a done deal, so there's little to no expense involved.

The last GTO started to be imported before the "restructuring" of GM by the unholy trinity of old GM management, the band of parasites at the UAW, and the government occurred. i.e. before 2009, the UAW didn't actually *OWN* a share of GM!!

I've been trying to get the wife interested in a Marquis. I point them out in traffic whenever possible. She still says they're "old geezer cars". I have to bite my lip to refrain from telling her she's gettin' a bit long in the tooth herself. I may just bring one home some day.

From the article.

".....the last Crown Victoria would be exported, probably to Mexico or Saudi Arabia."

Ok...that's kind of sad.

My spider sense tells me that a HUGE picture of a grand marquis will be posted to this thread.

How many cars can claim that?

I have an '03 Lincoln TC and I have to say, that it is one damn fine car. Fit and finish exceeds the '87 W126 I have but I like the 126's ride better; the TC seems a little harsh in that department. Engine (4.6L V8) is dead solid and gets about 23-24 on the hwy.

They made a long body TC which would make it just about the perfect ride but, unfortunately, they're practically non-existent around here.

I guess the Panther chassis went away because it wasn't new enough.

FWIW, beginning in '03 the TC shared suspension components (aluminum front crossmember, aluminum U&L control arms and rear cross links on the diffy) with the CVPI.

The 1991 Crown Vic was a complete rebody of the 1979-era LTD frame, coupled with a SOHC engine. The 2003 Crown Vic retained the 1991 (Mercury Grand Marquis) bodyshell and slid a new frame, suspension and steering gear underneath it. I don't know if the 35-year claim, though common, holds up under those circumstances.

That's sort of like the guy who brags about having his grandfather's ax. Only the head and the handle have been replaced. That said, kudos to Ford for a very successful car.

where is Jim?

Perhaps with a smiling gentleman owner standing in front of it? :D:D

Lets see what Jim B. has to say about this...

These are the vehicles one see's in Europe. Whats the problem?