Red Panther: 1989 Ford Crown Victoria Station Wagon – SOLD!

August 12th Update – We’re not surprised this 5.0 Liter powered 1989 Ford Crown Victoria Wagon listed for under five large was sold in less than one week.  This is just another example of when you price a car realistically, it will move very quickly!

Ford’s beloved swan song of body-on-frame, the rear-wheel-drive design was its Panther platform, produced from 1979 through 2011.  This durable architecture supported everything from Taxi Cabs, Police Cruisers, and Limousines to consumer station wagons such as this 1989 LTD Crown Victoria originally listed in August 2020 on Craigslist in Saddle River, New Jersey, with only a stated 92,000 original miles and an asking price of $4,750.   While Hagerty Insurance currently does not provide a valuation for these cars, a check of the NADA Guides Classic Car Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his LTD priced within the current “Low,” “Average,” and “High” retail value range of $3,575, $6,105, $8,002, respectively.

Ford produced the Crown Victoria on the rear-wheel-drive Panther platform, sharing its chassis with the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car. From 1997 until their 2011 discontinuation, the three model lines were the sole four-door sedans produced in North America with a full-length frame, rear-wheel drive, and a standard V8 engine.

Ford Canada produced the Crown Victoria alongside the Grand Marquis at St. Thomas Assembly in Southwold, Ontario, Canada for its entire production. From 1991 to 2011, over 1.5 million examples (including Police Interceptors) were produced by St. Thomas Assembly prior to its closure. Following the discontinuation of the model line, the Crown Victoria was not directly replaced. Since then, Ford struggled to get the same acceptance for its Taurus and Explorer for commercial duty.

We came across this 1990 Crown Victoria Dealer Training video highlighting the features and benefits of the car line:

Unlike the traditional Country Squire editions of the same vintage, we love the fact this LTD wagon does not carry the simulated vinyl wood grain paneling along its sides.  With a rebuilt transmission and new brakes, this well-documented Crown Vic is an affordable and fun way for you and five of your friends or family to enjoy a RADwood or other classic car event.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Classic station wagon in excellent running and physical condition. Only 93k miles, almost all options included, including power seats, windows, mirrors, power antenna, locks, cold a/c.
Extensive records kept with over $3k in repairs/service, including a completely rebuilt transmission at around 70k, costing $1700. Also has brand new battery, new brakes and fluids. Car runs nice and is equiped with the 5.0 v8 engine and factory, real dual exhaust from the headers back. No rips in the interior seats and looks great. No body rust and solid, clean frame. Would make a nice easy restoration project for someone who doesnt want to deal with major problems. Items needing attention are rear passenger and tailgate power windows not currently operating.
I have original window sticker, certificate of origin, clean title, and more. Also tires in nice shape. Qualifies for historical plates and exempt from inspections. Fun and nostalgic to drive but also with the modern conveniences of fuel injection and a 4 speed automatic transmission, makes this an economical classic to own and drive!“

Do you have a Panther-Platform Crown Vic story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!