CrypticQuery Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Today [9/15/11], at approximately 12:30PM, the final Ford Crown Victoria to be produced rolled off of the assembly line, and is now heading to its buyer, somewhere in Saudia Arabia. It is indeed a sad day for all car-buffs out there; there really aren't any other sedans with V8s, column-shifters, RWD, and bench seating are still available for purchase in North America today. The end of an era seems to sum it up, and [NYC's] taxi fleets along with police-lots everywhere will never be the same! T.T http://jalopnik.com/...oria-ever-built This also brings to an end the Lincoln Town Car (not to mention the already discontinued Mercury Grand Marquis), and the plant at which they were previously produced; the St. Thomas Assembly Plant near Ontario, Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluxy Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 You would do this. XDDD I don't know much on cars to really comment I guess, but out with the old, and in with the new! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticQuery Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 You would do this. XDDD I don't know much on cars to really comment I guess, but out with the old, and in with the new! [i would, XD] And I'd have to disagree; the new Taurus seems to be trying to fill the Crown Vic's tires, but it can't match the rear wheel drive, rugged body-on-frame construction, etc. The Vic' was a simple car, and if Ford chose to revamp the platform to make it a bit more efficient, rather than can the entire thing, I think it would've been better in the long run. If the car was being produced for roughly 32 years then it must've been doing SOMETHING right! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asper Sarnoff Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 The last of the big American barges just went there. I find it a bit sad too, even though I don't have the same relation to it, given I'm from Europe. For those interested, here's a good article on the Panther platform. http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/1109_an_american_icon_ford_panther_platform/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticQuery Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 The last of the big American barges just went there. I find it a bit sad too, even though I don't have the same relation to it, given I'm from Europe. For those interested, here's a good article on the Panther platform. http://www.motortren...nther_platform/ Thanks for the article, Asper; it was nicely written and paid a fitting tribute! It's a shame though; Ford really had something for awhile, and there was still a market for the automobiles as well. I doubt the Charger, Taurus, or new Caprice will be able to live up to the legacy that the Crown Vics' had on the road, as well as their iconic taxi/police car status. The Town Car just doesn't have a decent replacement for all of the livery markets, ESPECIALLY here in NYC, and the Grand Marquis, while usually reserved for older folks, still held a dignified stance on the road. North America just doesn't know what it has till' they're gone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DZComposer Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 The big issue with these things was their fuel consumption. They're heavy cars, and many of them had large engines. Fleet vehicles are a large chunk of automotive pollution. I think a move towards more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles is a good thing. I'm interested in what Carbon Motors is up to for police vehicles. These things are designed from the tires-up to be police vehicles, and are actually diesel-powered (which also means can easily be configured to run on biodiesel). The question is, though, can they actually deliver a product. Being a start-up in this industry has it's barriers. It'd be nice to see more alternate-energy vehicles in fleet service. Most taxis do not need high-powered engines (despite how crazy cab drivers drive). I would venture to say most police cars do not, either. Yeah, you need some for pursuit situations, but for the everyday beat cop, something that burns less fuel I think is a good thing. Especially considering how much police cars just sit and idle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rin Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 Crown Victorias are borderline ancient, haha. They've been around for as long as I can remember. Admittedly, it is a bit sad, but then again, less fuel consumption equals better things overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticQuery Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 The big issue with these things was their fuel consumption. They're heavy cars, and many of them had large engines. Fleet vehicles are a large chunk of automotive pollution. I think a move towards more fuel-efficient fleet vehicles is a good thing. I'm interested in what Carbon Motors is up to for police vehicles. These things are designed from the tires-up to be police vehicles, and are actually diesel-powered (which also means can easily be configured to run on biodiesel). The question is, though, can they actually deliver a product. Being a start-up in this industry has it's barriers. It'd be nice to see more alternate-energy vehicles in fleet service. Most taxis do not need high-powered engines (despite how crazy cab drivers drive). I would venture to say most police cars do not, either. Yeah, you need some for pursuit situations, but for the everyday beat cop, something that burns less fuel I think is a good thing. Especially considering how much police cars just sit and idle. It is indeed a fact that the Crown Victoria and its siblings were less-than-stellar when it came to the fuel department, but these costs were recouped in other areas; because of the body-on-frame construction, repair was less costly and easier. And with standardized parts for nearly its entire run, replacement wasn't a problem. Reliability was good also. That said, I also look forward to the E7, though the only problems I can foresee is reliability and cost issues; the purpose-built ideology is great if they can manage to get the price down to match other options. Crown Victorias are borderline ancient, haha. They've been around for as long as I can remember. Admittedly, it is a bit sad, but then again, less fuel consumption equals better things overall. Rather than closing the plant, discontinuing the cars, and pushing the Taurus and Transit-Connect into circumstances they weren't first designed for, if Ford took the time to retool the platform they would've been good to go. Maybe even downsizing the engine, adding a diesel option, etc. I just don't see how they could've killed the platform when a definitive replacement has yet to show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticQuery Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Apologies for the double post, but there is at least some good news! The last Crown Victoria to roll off of the line will not be re-sold once it reaches Saudi-Arabia; the buyer is putting it in a private showroom for preservation. http://jalopnik.com/5844442/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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