There isn’t a equality within the LTD lineup.
There are two devious issues hidden within the phrases and pictures of this seemingly harmless print advert for the 1981 Ford LTD lineup. First, there have been really eight LTD fashions obtainable in ’81, not six as depicted right here. And—and that is essential—although the six trim ranges depicted appear equally essential, in fact, the shopping for public vastly most popular two LTD variants above all of the others, however you wouldn’t comprehend it from the happy-family portrait seen right here.
1981 Ford LTD
First, in regards to the lacking fashions: Along with the usual sedan and coupe, the premium Crown Victoria sedan and coupe, the usual wagon and premium Nation Squire wagon, Ford additionally made obtainable a pair of bargain-basement “S” choices, one a sedan, one a wagon.
Why aren’t the S fashions seen right here? We don’t know for positive, however suspect that a budget LTD choices had been meant to assist retailers shut offers with patrons on very tight budgets. There’s a superb likelihood that the majority dealerships ordered just some S fashions for the yr, and saved them on the lot for simply such conditions.
However had been the S fashions well-liked? And which LTD trim degree was hottest? Let’s break this down. Per The Encyclopedia of American Automobiles, we’ve got discovered the next:
Crown Victoria Sedan
Base value: $8384
Inflation Adjusted: $28,800
1981 gross sales: 39,139
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 30%
Customary Sedan
Base value: $7718
Inflation Adjusted: $26,500
1981 gross sales: 35,392
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 27%
S Sedan
Base value: $7527
Inflation Adjusted: $25,900
1981 gross sales: 17,490
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 13%
Crown Victora Coupe
Base value: $8251
Inflation Adjusted: $28,400
1981 gross sales: 11,061
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 8
Customary Wagon
Base Worth: $8180
Inflation adjusted: $28,100
1981 gross sales: 10,554
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 8
Nation Squire (wagon)
Base Worth: $8640
Inflation adjusted: $29,700
1981 gross sales: 9443
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 7
Customary Coupe
Base Worth: $7607
Inflation adjusted: $26,200
1981 gross sales: 6279
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 5%
S Wagon
Base Worth: $7942
Inflation adjusted: $27,300
1981 gross sales: 2465
% of 1981 LTD gross sales: 2%
Curiously, almost 60 p.c of all LTD gross sales in 1981 got here from simply two fashions: The usual sedan and the Crown Victoria sedan. And, solely 15 p.c of gross sales got here from the cheapo S fashions. Because the S sedan, for instance, was solely $191 (about $650 at the moment) cheaper than the usual sedan We suspect that the subtracted tools and lower-grade cabin trim discovered within the S made it an unappealing possibility for many automobile customers–particularly given the modest price financial savings.
Opposite to how many people keep in mind issues, station wagons didn’t make up a really massive share of general Gross sales. Sedans had been hottest, accounting for 70 p.c of LTDs offered in 1981. Wagons got here subsequent at simply 17 p.c, and coupes simply 13 p.c.
All advised, Ford retailed a complete of 131,823 1981 LTDs, and now you realize the secrets and techniques behind that quantity, hidden on this very deceptive advert.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
1981 Ford LTD Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
