This is my "new" 1985 LTD LX, another project in my yard (hence my user name). It is mechanically original and solid, a great platform to start from. It has had some body repairs and panel painting in its life, but still has 70% of its original finish. The charcoal trim needs repainting, the interior lacks a headliner, and the right taillight needs replacing, but these are small concerns. By the way, the Mustang wheels are perfect for the car. They would have been a well-received factory option on these 85's.
It needs some small repairs to make it road-worthy. The heater core and rear wheel cylinders leak, and the fluids could all stand to be changed. I just have to make time to do that.
I am also currently building a "project parts pile" to convert the stock CFI 5.0 to a replica '85 4 bbl. roller engine to truly make the car a "4-door Mustang GT". More details to come.
Update: 11-06-2006, The LTD is on the road! I finally found time to do the repairs to make it roadworthy. I replaced the heater core and rear brake wheel cylinders, changed the engine oil and filter, and serviced the transmission and differential. I installed a factory-style radio and front speakers while I was at it. It runs and drives well with no leaks evident underneath.
I repainted most of the charcoal-colored trim with Dupli-Color Bumper Coating, #FB-109 "Dark Charcoal". It seems virtually identical to the original trim color.
Here's some recent photos:
I'm still accumulating the parts pile, but I wanted to go ahead and start enjoying the car...Yes, I do!
By the way, here's the trim paint I used.
Update: 01-01-2007, I'm kind of proud of this. These are before and after pictures of the LTD's hood.
The "before" is from when I first got it with a botched paint job on the hood when it was replaced in 1989. The original owner (ALWAYS a great source of car history) told me the original hood was damaged in hurricane Hugo when he lived in South Carolina. The "after" is my first ever attempt at painting anything automotive with a spray gun. I figured it couldn't look any worse, so I went for it. I removed it from the car, stripped and sanded it to bare metal, primed it, and painted it with enamel like the rest of the car. I didn't want to paint the whole car just yet because of lack of experience, plus there's so much of the original paint left it's a big part of the car's character.
The progress on the car is coming in baby steps, but it's dependable and enjoyable as a daily-driver. My kids seem to enjoy riding in an "old" 4-door sedan that will set them back in the seats when called on to perform. See ya!
Final Update: 02-19-2007, Regrettably, I reached a point in my family life that I needed to sell this ol' jewel. Ironically, the gentleman that I bought it from bought it back and seems pleased with the progress on it. He joked that we could just keep swapping it back and forth. I know I'll miss it, but it's good to know where it is and that it's with another enthusiast!
I guess you have to be, though, to appreciate what it is. Only the LTD LX community knows what they are, and I'll ALWAYS be a fan of this car!
Well, as the villians say in those cheesy movies, "You haven't seen the last of me!" Thanks for the feedback and support of you other LX fans! J.C.
Update: 06-24-2007, The last I knew of the black LX, it was sold on eBay by the gentleman I sold it back to. Yeah, a little disappointing, but that's how I found it in the first place. To eBay user "ford-dealer" who purchased it, Happy Motoring!
Another Update: 06-13-2009, I received an email from Cardomain member 7killacap9 (http://www.cardomain.com/id/7killacap9) telling me he had this car now! Man, these things travel around among us enthusiasts! He said he bought it from a man in his home town who was a collector of sorts. He sent me some pictures of it and included those in his post, as well. He is reportedly very pleased with it and is taking good care of it. I'm glad to know where it is and that it has a good home. Any kudos about this car should now go to its current caretaker. Thanks.
