Interceptor and MKR not for production....or are they?
11/30/07, 10:37 PM
#21
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I would love to see a full size replacement for the Crown Vic, with an optional performance package to make it a full size muscle car. Maybe start with the 4.6 3V as a base engine. For the performance variant, hotter suspension, bigger wheels/tires, optional manual tranny. I'd like to see one of the new Boss engines in there too (if they ever get around to making the darn things) sitting around 400-425hp.
With the right presentation and marketing it will do very well.
11/30/07, 11:02 PM
#22
Team Mustang Source
I agree, the body on frame Panther is a good starting point. The problem is Ford is no longer selling any Crown Vics to the public. They are now fleet sales only. That tells me they are moving to phase it out of production sometime soon. I believe Ford will wait to cancel the Crown Vic's until they have a replacement for it, due to the massive Law Enforcment orders they get each year. I hope the Maurader will fill this gap, allowing Ford to finally put the Crown to rest.
Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Ford would update the Vic and bring it back to life. I just don't see that happening.
Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Ford would update the Vic and bring it back to life. I just don't see that happening.
12/1/07, 01:08 AM
#26
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I agree, the body on frame Panther is a good starting point. The problem is Ford is no longer selling any Crown Vics to the public. They are now fleet sales only. That tells me they are moving to phase it out of production sometime soon. I believe Ford will wait to cancel the Crown Vic's until they have a replacement for it, due to the massive Law Enforcment orders they get each year. I hope the Maurader will fill this gap, allowing Ford to finally put the Crown to rest.
Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Ford would update the Vic and bring it back to life. I just don't see that happening.
Don't get me wrong, I would love it if Ford would update the Vic and bring it back to life. I just don't see that happening.
Ford makes a lot of money on the Panther cars, but don't expect them to put any or much more development money in it. It's a shame but it's not going to happen.
12/1/07, 01:11 AM
#27
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I wouldn't want a 'base' model but the Police Interceptor, and the Marauder variant are a different story.
The fate of that car line is the fault of Ford and Ford only.
12/1/07, 07:32 AM
#31
Team Mustang Source
The panther platform does need to be retired, it is ancient. Still works well, just ancient. I would love it if a new Maurader stepped in to fill it's place with a new RWD platform, IRS, and about 350HP. Keep the dimensions (at least the interior) about the same as the current Vic, and make it sturdy and tough enough to withstand law enforcement abuse. That would sell a bunch of cars.
12/1/07, 12:37 PM
#32
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The panther platform does need to be retired, it is ancient. Still works well, just ancient. I would love it if a new Maurader stepped in to fill it's place with a new RWD platform, IRS, and about 350HP. Keep the dimensions (at least the interior) about the same as the current Vic, and make it sturdy and tough enough to withstand law enforcement abuse. That would sell a bunch of cars.
Just because it is BOF doesn't make it 'ancient'. That term can be applied to almost any motorised vehicle.
It really doesn't matter though, the platform will only continue as long as fleet sales support it.
When it's gone don't be surprised if Police turn to a lot more SUV BOF type vehicles.
12/1/07, 12:41 PM
#33
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Thank you for proving "Only those who don't have a clue about the 'Panthers' would call it a 'Dinosaur'."
12/1/07, 12:56 PM
#34
Team Mustang Source
They already have one that does, and does it better than any other.
Just because it is BOF doesn't make it 'ancient'. That term can be applied to almost any motorised vehicle.
It really doesn't matter though, the platform will only continue as long as fleet sales support it.
When it's gone don't be surprised if Police turn to a lot more SUV BOF type vehicles.
Just because it is BOF doesn't make it 'ancient'. That term can be applied to almost any motorised vehicle.
It really doesn't matter though, the platform will only continue as long as fleet sales support it.
When it's gone don't be surprised if Police turn to a lot more SUV BOF type vehicles.
I also agree that the fact that it is BOF does not make it ancient. The fact that the Panther platform is 29 years old makes it ancient.
From Wikipedia - "Today, it is the oldest platform still in use in the United States and Canada. It uses traditional body-on-frame construction, and a live rear axle. It was introduced in 1978 for the 1979 model year as a response to the downsized GM full size offerings."
12/1/07, 01:05 PM
#35
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I agree the Vic does police duty way better than any other car out there currently.
I also agree that the fact that it is BOF does not make it ancient. The fact that the Panther platform is 29 years old makes it ancient.
From Wikipedia - "Today, it is the oldest platform still in use in the United States and Canada. It uses traditional body-on-frame construction, and a live rear axle. It was introduced in 1978 for the 1979 model year as a response to the downsized GM full size offerings."
I also agree that the fact that it is BOF does not make it ancient. The fact that the Panther platform is 29 years old makes it ancient.
From Wikipedia - "Today, it is the oldest platform still in use in the United States and Canada. It uses traditional body-on-frame construction, and a live rear axle. It was introduced in 1978 for the 1979 model year as a response to the downsized GM full size offerings."
There is little if any resemblance between the 1978 'platform' and the cars of today.
2003 saw a major suspension redesign, which goes pretty much un noticed or unmentioned.
If someone really wanted to get picky they could go as far back as the 1957 platform design to declair the lineage of the Panther's style of platform.
12/1/07, 01:05 PM
#36
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12/1/07, 05:35 PM
#38
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People keep saying that, and perhaps Ford should have changed the Panther label years ago.
There is little if any resemblance between the 1978 'platform' and the cars of today.
2003 saw a major suspension redesign, which goes pretty much un noticed or unmentioned.
If someone really wanted to get picky they could go as far back as the 1957 platform design to declair the lineage of the Panther's style of platform.
There is little if any resemblance between the 1978 'platform' and the cars of today.
2003 saw a major suspension redesign, which goes pretty much un noticed or unmentioned.
If someone really wanted to get picky they could go as far back as the 1957 platform design to declair the lineage of the Panther's style of platform.
http://www.amazon.com/Crown-Victoria...6555095&sr=8-1
I'm sympathetic to L.E.O.'s that want a strong, sturdy car and are apprehensive about anything other than the known quantity that is the BOF. But Europe does quite well with modern platforms, and several L.E.O.'s are already making the switch for economy's sake. So, its time to move on.
12/1/07, 08:04 PM
#39
Team Mustang Source
The CVPI is great but, could be easily improved or Ford could build us something from scratch that blow it's doors off. I'll take either over a V-6 Charger.
12/1/07, 10:50 PM
#40
This one is easy. Ford should develop a new, state of the art large car platform for RWD models and keep the Panther platform around for fleet and livery duty only. If Ford designs a new rwd chassis with the intent being a first class rwd line of cars that move as few as plausible into fleets then keeping Panther around wouldn't be redundant or cannibalistic. And a fleet/commercial only Panther could be more directly aimed at those markets minimizing cost and increasing appeal for interested agencies. Both are profitable markets, why not make the most of what Ford has.... Panther......and what we would like to see them develop....a world class rwd platform..... and make maximum possible dollars in the process?