Jalopnik
Posts Tagged “
Crown Victoria
”
classic ad watch
Derive More Pleasure From Owning And Using The 1955 Ford!
When was the last time you saw a car ad with some geeky intellectual explaining how the styling builds the "feeling of motion" into the shape of the car? It's impossible to imagine a present-day Ford being pitched with the line "When the design of a car expresses its function forcefully and imaginatively, of course we derive more pleasure from owning and using it!" The '55 Ford really was a good-looking car, and it sold in greater numbers than its Chevrolet rival... but which one starred in Two Lane Blacktop?
transmission swap
Want A 5-Speed Crown Victoria?
We all thought transplanting the drivetrain from a Lightning F-150 into a 2000 Ford Crown Vic was pretty cool, but some Panther owners might want to take on a less ambitious project that still makes our cars a lot more fun to drive. Say, grabbing the T-45 transmission out of a Mustang and installing it in a Panther, for example. Ford never saw fit to put a manual in the Panther, so it's not a straight bolt-in; that's why it's great to have the scoop from someone who's already solved all the problems involved with such a project. We've seen a very good how-to for those wishing to de-slushbox-ize their GM G-bodies, and now dRock96Marquis has put together a comprehensively documented and illustrated guide to doing the same with a 2003 Crown Victoria. [CrownVic.net]
offbeat news
Scarfing, Cellphone-Blabbing Driver Hits Cop Car, Surprised To Get Ticket
Justin D. Grill, 19, was just minding his own business, taking his '87 Crown Vic out for a little spin in Chippewa Falls. Oh sure, he had a sandwich in one hand and a cellphone in the other (no doubt delivering one of those riveting monologues that goes like "And so I MFFGP SMOFF told that sumbitch GLOOMPH NARF GLRMPH he could kiss my SPLRMPH GRUNCH..." and makes you wonder whether the unseen spirit of Miss Manners had a hand in subsequent events) when he sideswiped an oncoming police car on a bridge, but you really couldn't say that was his fault, right? His reaction? "I'm getting a ticket? For what?" [Chippewa.com]
novelties
Bearded Genius Creates Tric-Vic To Slow Speeders
Jim Hunt has channeled the power of the beard for good. Miffed at speeding motorists in front of his home in Summerville, South Carolina, Jim decided to build what has come to be known as the "Tric-Vic", a fake-out cop car which he says works to slow down the speeders. The clever lawn ornament is constructed of expanded metal and reflectors in such a way as to mimic the iconic look of a Ford Police Interceptor parked roadside. Why do we have the sinking feeling this is going to be the next "lady bending over showing her bloomers while working in the garden"?[via Youtube]
offbeat news
Google Street View Dishes Up Another Fascinating Slice-O-Life
Now, we can't say for sure what sort of transaction was captured on film by the Google Street View photography vehicle; perhaps the Illinois gentleman with the roll of bills is negotiating for the purchase of an 80s Ford LTD. Whatever it is, we're seeing free enterprise in glorious effect here. Take that, Commies! Thanks to LTDScott aka Porcubimmer_4_Lyfe for the tip! [Google Maps]
thunderhill lemons
North Las Vegas Barbie Ready For LeMons Action
Even though an 80s Ford Crown Victoria with a 302 under the hood probably doesn't stand much of a chance of beating the nimbler cars, we're still rooting for Team Sin City LeMons. That's because they've got North Las Vegas Barbie riding on the bumper, a fur-covered roll cage, and some other nice features...More »
choose your eternity
This series got its start- and continues to be so much fun for me- as a result of my own search for just the right personal Project Car Hell; I came close to buying the 20R-powered Austin Healey Sprite in the very first PCH, and I've been searching ever since. I considered and rejected the '65 Falcon wagon, and now it looks like my cousin might take on the '68 Torino GT himself. But then I realize that I have two machines with Super Sleeper Potential right under my nose: my daily-driver 1992 Honda Civic DX and 1997 Ford Crown Victoria P71! Why, I could turn either one into a ragin' dragstrip monster with easily-obtained hop-up gear right off the shelf! Gadzooks!
More »
PCH, Personal Dilemma Edition: Love (And Fear) The One You're With
This series got its start- and continues to be so much fun for me- as a result of my own search for just the right personal Project Car Hell; I came close to buying the 20R-powered Austin Healey Sprite in the very first PCH, and I've been searching ever since. I considered and rejected the '65 Falcon wagon, and now it looks like my cousin might take on the '68 Torino GT himself. But then I realize that I have two machines with Super Sleeper Potential right under my nose: my daily-driver 1992 Honda Civic DX and 1997 Ford Crown Victoria P71! Why, I could turn either one into a ragin' dragstrip monster with easily-obtained hop-up gear right off the shelf! Gadzooks! More »
classic ad watch
Imagine a Mercury Grand Marquis Universe!
What if you were to turn on your TV in 1997 to find that every facet of reality had been changed to have some connection with the Mercury Grand Marquis? We're a little puzzled about the cops pulling over a Grand Marquis so they could drive it- do the Mercury badges really make it differ that much from the Crown Vic?
engine swap
Engine Swap of the Day: Lightning-Engined Crown Vic
Now that we've seen a couple of Ford Crown Victorias getting into the 13s with a little nitrous oxide assistance, how about a 2000 civilian-spec Vic with the supercharged Triton 5.4 out of the Ford Lightning truck? Oh yes, and don't forget the Tremec 5-speed and 4.10 rear gears. Make the jump to see some burnout footage. [SuperMotors]More »
