1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX Sedan

1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4 Door Sedan

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For consignment, a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria LX 4 door sedan with a title verified 89,118 actual miles. This is a one owner car and the LX trim denotes more standard options. More than 120,000 Crown Victorias were produced in 1997, about 10% of Ford's total production for the year.

Exterior
Ford touted the design of the Crown Victoria as aerodynamic and contributing to efficiency, handling capability and quietness and our Vibrant White example has a decidedly pointed nose that does not compromise the passenger friendly cabin and large trunk. A sloping windshield helps shed the air and rounded edges likely push through easier than a billboard. Polyurethane bumper covers not only create seamless panels, but maintain the white monochromatic look that was modern and fresh in '97, while the 15-inch wheels here carry 215/70R15 white wall tires with a late 2020 date code and less than 4,000 miles of travel according to our consignor. Tail lights that are not perfectly square create some visual interest and recognizability out back and a shoulder line pinstripe dresses up the white just a bit. Discolored and scuffed side molding is the only exterior imperfection.

Interior
Smartly designed door panels alternate Light Graphite and gray in a simple arrangement that includes Ford's ubiquitous oval plastic toggle switches of the era and carpeted lower panels and other than some peeling on the driver's door, all are in very good condition. Soft gray cloth covers the 70/30 split bench up front, also in great shape, and mirrored in back by a simple bench with center armrest. A leather wrapped steering wheel leads to a handsome instrument cluster all in black with orange needles and a band of simulated wood that runs the width of the dash with a slightly sculpted spot for the digital clock. Under that, we have the A/C dials and above the clock, an AM/FM/Cassette radio, and it all presents in near showroom condition. A CB radio is perched on the transmission tunnel which is covered with plush gray carpet in nice shape and the headliner above appears flawless. The large trunk is fully finished in gray cloth panels, showing a touch of use, but otherwise clean.

Drivetrain
Under the hood, we find a driven 4.6 liter SOHC V8, fuel injected and rated at 190 horsepower. It is backed by a 4R70W 4-speed automatic transmission, put in gear with a column shifter and routing power to the Ford 8.8 in back with 2.73 gears for smooth highway cruising.

Undercarriage
There's plenty of surface rust on untreated metals but the underside is otherwise clean and dry. Some residual oil on the pans don't bother us and the lack of any kind of invasive rust is a plus. A single exhaust finds the original muffler and exits out the right rear while power disc brakes are found front and back. Suspension includes coil springs at both ends with 4-link joining the party out back.

Drive-Ability
The 4.6 comes to life with a turn of the key, and while it doesn't have the ferocity of a Mustang GT, it's certainly no slouch in getting this car around the test loop. The ride is soft, of course, purposefully, and visibility is excellent thanks to the rear fixed windows and narrow pillars. Other than the passenger power mirror, all functions operate on this pampered Panther platformed driver. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

The customer base for Crown Victorias loved three things, reliability, comfort, and simplicity. And you won't be denied any of those things in this well kept survivor now astoundingly nearly 30 years old. Sure, the street rods and classics will give this car the side eye as it finds its place in the mall, right before their wide eyed expression accompanies this car as it leaves before them, off to a new home!