1978 Ford LTD

[LongRoofNut]

As you can see in my avitar, I am a full size Ford owner. My first Ford LTD based on the '69 to '78 platform was a '76 brougham that I bought from the original owner in '98 for $1,190 in Laramie, Wyoming (tech school). So when I saw this kit, I bought two right of way. This one I am mirroring my '76 down to the "halo" style top. This has been on the work bench for almost two years. I kept blowing through the clear coat and paint wet sanding the hump in the hood. Now I ran out of paint and Testors dose not make that color anymore, trying to figure out my next move.

These are my first kits from Missing Link Resin. Now that he has a '73 Chevrolet Chevelle, a '71 Galaxie, and a hard top '72 Olds Cutlass body, my list keeps growing. As soon as I get funds going (work has been soooooooooo sloooooooooow), I want to place my orders with Missing Link. The quality is up there with Modelhaus and Replicas And Minitures.

[Johnny1973]

Great paint work and Detail.

[Ron Hamilton]

Very nice work. If I were to have one of those, I would try my hand at a LTD Landau. My grandfather had a '73 Mercury Marquis Brougham, which I would love to take a stab at. I have an idea on how to do the body on it, but that project would be years away.

[SSNJim]

What Testor's color is the car?

Those are about my favorite big Fords. Looking great so far.

Edited April 23, 2013 by SSNJim

[Chevydave331]

Great looking model!

my first car was a 77 LTD in triple brown

[Renegade]

Great looking build.

[Tom Geiger]

I love those old LTD boats. I went car shopping with my grandfather in 1970 and he bought a new gold LTD sedan. That was the first of many gold LTDs, as he'd replace the car every 5 years. The 1970 was replaced with a 1975 that got totalled, but there were several cars through the 1980s, ending with his final car a brown 1990 Crown Victoria. Irony was that I was present for both the first and last LTD purchase, but none of the ones in the middle. He gave a few of them to my father over the years, so he too became an LTD guy. That last 1990 was given to him when my grandfather stopped driving in his 80s. My dad died young in his 60s and the Vic was sitting in his driveway, so I started driving it, thinking I'd keep it for a year. I wound up driving it for over 8 years and 200,000 miles.

[LongRoofNut]

Thank you guys for the comments!

I have always liked the LTD line up, all have been loyal cars to me. Thus why I am on my 5th, wish I never sold my '76 four door. Could put the c/c on at 80, a/c pumpin on I-80 while on 80 in Neb, she would never give me a lick of an issue. I like the looks I get when people ask me, a guy my age thats a Euro car tech, "yup, I drive that" (pointing to the LTD, Thunderbird, Roadmaster, Monte Carlo, or something BIG and commanding).

[LongRoofNut]

SSNJim: The color is Testors Lacquer Phoenician Yellow (1964). I can not find any spray can to save my life at Hobby Lobby or Hobby Town. I have a few shots left of the color but I need more to do the bumper between the body and bumper. This color was darn near spot on to my '76. Wish I took some pictures of my real '76 while I had it.

[vintagercr]

Very nice!

[am73grand]

That is one gorgeous model!!!

Would you like me to check my local hobby shop for the color for you?

[Dirkpitt289]

This is not my style car at all but I love the effort and the that went into it. I also love the fact the subject is based off a real car that you own. Bravo! Job well done

[Sixx]

Hey Jonny...first of all, thats pretty cool...does Missing Link have that in stock?? Do you think that could be back dated to a 75??? I had a big ugly green 75 LTD that I drove from Iowa to Phoenix AZ...then it died...caught on fire two days later!! Guess it couldn't handle the heat!! LOL!!!! It served my well...I only paid $150 for it!!!! Had for three years.

[charlie8575]

That's coming out very nicely, Jonny.

Those pre-downsizing big Fords are cool cars; I wouldn't mind one myself.

Charlie Larkin

[LongRoofNut]

Like I tell people, LTD stands for Love To Drive. The '78 I am with in my avitar has 252k original miles on the clock. Oil pressure is really low once it gets hot, so shes due for a proper rebuild. But hey! She has raised two familes, driven across country countless times, been in Chicago for the bulk of its life and now in the garage of a collector that enjoys the moose for what it is!

Charlie: I would like to find a 2 door with a glass moon roof and the Landau trim. Of course with the mighty and loyal 460.

Sixx: From what I know Missing Link still has the '78 LTD and YES you can back date it to a '75. The LTD line was pretty much the same from 1975 to 1978.

am73Grand: Ron, you would be a God send if you could find that color. Used to see it all the time and poof, over night when I need it, it's gone. Isn't that how life works out in general anyway? LOL!

[jsc]

I'm loving your style! Where did you get the wheels? And can you tell me how you did the roof? Thanks!

[LongRoofNut]

John: The wheel covers are from a Ford van kit and the tires are from American Satco (bought a ton when I was a teenager). The top was hand made by using plastic strips and a careful hand. The "vinyl" was replicated by Rustolum textured paint in dark brown.

[2n3/4 SFPD]

Hello LRN!

you've inspired me to try my hand at one of these.

could you please elaborate on the Ford Van wheel covers?

If I can find some; I'd like to use them on a 1972 LTD. Also.

Thanks for any help.

Looks great!

[Deathgoblin]

I love those old LTD boats. I went car shopping with my grandfather in 1970 and he bought a new gold LTD sedan. That was the first of many gold LTDs, as he'd replace the car every 5 years. The 1970 was replaced with a 1975 that got totalled, but there were several cars through the 1980s, ending with his final car a brown 1990 Crown Victoria. Irony was that I was present for both the first and last LTD purchase, but none of the ones in the middle. He gave a few of them to my father over the years, so he too became an LTD guy. That last 1990 was given to him when my grandfather stopped driving in his 80s. My dad died young in his 60s and the Vic was sitting in his driveway, so I started driving it, thinking I'd keep it for a year. I wound up driving it for over 8 years and 200,000 miles.

 

I used to have a silver/grey one just like that.  Loved that car! 

[disabled modeler]

Nice build..!  For me though it would have to be a 70,71 LTD in scale...always liked the shape of those.

[CometMan]

Nice work Jonny