Ford Panther platform

Ford Panther platform
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1978–2011
Assembly	Canada: Talbotville, Ontario (St. Thomas Assembly) United States: Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly Plant) Wixom, Michigan (Wixom Assembly) Pico Rivera, California (Los Angeles Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car Full-size luxury car Personal luxury car Limousine
Layout	FR layout, body-on-frame
Body style(s)	2-door sedan (1979–1987) 4-door sedan (1979–2012) 5-door station wagon (1979–1991)
Vehicles	Ford models Ford LTD Ford LTD Crown Victoria Ford Country Squire Ford Crown Victoria Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor Mercury models Mercury Marquis Mercury Colony Park Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Marauder Lincoln models Lincoln Continental Lincoln Continental Mark VI Lincoln Town Car
Powertrain
Engine(s)	Ford 4.2L Windsor V8 (1981–1982) Ford 5.0L Windsor V8 (1979–1991) Ford 351/5.8L Windsor V8 (1979–1991) Ford 4.6L Modular V8 (1991–2012)
Chronology
Predecessor	1973–1978 Full-size Ford 1970–1979 Lincoln Continental
Successor	Ford D3 platform

The Ford Panther platform is an automobile platform that was used by Ford Motor Company for full-size, rear-wheel drive sedans. Introduced in late 1978 for the 1979 model year, it was progressively updated over 33 years of production.

As of the 2011 model year, the Panther platform was in use longer (32 model years) than any other platform in North American automotive history. It was initially developed as a response to the downsizing of full-size cars from Chrysler and General Motors due to increasingly stringent fuel economy standards for cars. During trying periods for Ford, the Panther cars were scheduled for cancellation and replacement (in favor of the front-wheel drive D186 platform) on several occasions, as early as 1985.

As the 1980s progressed, the full-size cars of the Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac divisions were downsized further; all were replaced by front-wheel drive cars. The Panther's final GM counterparts, the Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood were discontinued in 1996. By 1982, Chrysler left the full-size car class completely. In the early 1990s, Chrysler resumed production of FWD full-size cars (the LH platform) and rear-wheel drive (the LX platform) a decade later. However, with the majority of these cars, Chrysler competed against different customers that Ford attracted with the Panther platform.

The Panther platform was produced at Ford's St. Thomas Assembly plant in Talbotville, Ontario, Canada, with the last vehicle rolling off the line 15 September 2011. Prior to its closure on 31 May 2007, the Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan was the assembly site for the Lincoln Town Car. Assembly of the Town Car was consolidated at the St. Thomas plant in January 2008 following paint shop and other upgrades. Ford and Mercury versions built before the 1986 model year were assembled in the St. Louis Assembly Plant in Missouri; this facility is currently closed. The closure of the St. Thomas plant is also the end of an era for mainstream full-size automobiles using the body-on-frame platform in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada where the rest of the world uses unibody construction.

Design overview

The Panther platform utilized the body-on-frame construction with live rear axle suspension. While commonplace during its late-1970s introduction, it is a design found almost exclusively in large SUVs and pickup trucks today. The durability resulting from the body on frame construction (which allows easier repair after minor collisions),and their relatively simple design make the Panther cars appealing as fleet vehicles, including police cars and taxicabs. The Lincoln Town Car appealed largely to livery services, and is the most commonly used limousine in North America, due to its ability to be easily "stretched" by lengthening the frame without compromising chassis strength.^[1]

Although introduced in 1978, the Panther platform has undergone major changes along the way. Through its design life, it has been produced in three distinct generations:

• First generation (1979–1991): The initial versions; the only versions produced in bodystyles other than a four-door sedan. The only generation to use the Windsor V8 engine
• Second generation (1990–2002): Extensive redesigns of exterior and interior; introduction of Modular V8 engine
• Third generation (2003–2012): Frame and suspension redesigns and upgrades to improve handling. 2011 was the last model year for the North American Market and for Lincoln-Mercury models. A limited number of 2012 Crown Victorias were built for the police and overseas market.

First generation (1978–1991)

The first cars introduced on the Panther platform were the downsized 1979 Ford LTD and Mercury Marquis. Both were available in coupe, wagon, and sedan bodystyles. For 1980, federal fuel-economy regulations forced the Lincoln Continental to downsize; for the first time, the flagship cars for all three divisions shared a common platform. All Ford and Mercury models were now built on a common wheelbase; aside from grilles and taillights, the bodyshells were identical as well. In the Lincoln lineup, the Continental, Town Car, and Continental Mark VI shared nearly identical bodywork. In 1982, the Town Car became a model line of its own as the Continental became a mid-sized Fox-platform car; the Mark VI ended production in 1983. While Lincoln coupes (Mark VI and the rare Town Coupe) based on the Panther platform were discontinued in 1983, Ford and Mercury coupes lasted until 1987, when low demand brought their cancellation.

Changes

Ford made relatively few changes to any of the 1st-generation Panther-platform cars throughout their production life aside from nameplate changes. A 1988 re-style of the LTD Crown Victoria, Country Squire, and Grand Marquis improved their aerodynamics.^[2] 1990 marked the addition of SRS airbags to the Panther platform. The Lincoln Town Car came with dual air bags standard, but the passenger air bag remained an option on Ford and Mercury versions until 1993.

The 1st-generation Panther was also:

• The last American car with functional vent windows (option on 1989 Ford/Mercury)
• The last American-brand car available with a carbureted engine (351 cubic-inch V8; option on Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria wagon/police car through 1991)

Second generation (1990–2002)

The American automotive landscape had changed significantly throughout the 1980s, although Ford had left the Panther platform essentially unchanged. A combination of changing consumer tastes as well as increasingly more stringent fuel economy standards forced Ford to make significant changes to the Panther cars in order to keep them in production. Bucking industry trends of the time, Ford chose not to downsize it any further or to replace it entirely with a front-wheel drive platform, opting instead for more aerodynamic bodystyling (which had been popularized by the smaller Taurus) and an all-new powertrain. As a result of changing market trends towards minivans and sport utility vehicles, one casualty of the redesign was the Country Squire and Colony Park station wagons; at the time, their de facto replacement was the Ford Aerostar.

In October 1989, Lincoln introduced the second-generation Town Car. In early 1991, the Crown Victoria (the LTD prefix disappeared) and Grand Marquis received total redesigns of their bodies for 1992. The Ford was restyled to have more of a family resemblance to the Ford Taurus, while the Mercury was styled as a more contemporary version of its predecessor (a formal family sedan).

4.6-liter "Modular" V8

In 1991, the 4.6L SOHC Modular V8 debuted under the hood of the Lincoln Town Car. It was the replacement for both the 302 and 351 cubic-inch Windsor V8 engines; in 1992, it became available in the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis. Although the torque peak for the Modular V8 was 1,200 rpm higher than for the 302 V8, the 4.6L was available with up to 60 more hp (with optional dual exhaust).

1998 upgrades

In 1997, Ford significantly upgraded the exterior designs of all three Panther platform cars. The Town Car received the most extensive changes with its entire body being restyled. To increase parts commonality between the two, the Crown Victoria was redesigned to share the rear roofline (and much of the exterior sheetmetal) with the Grand Marquis, which saw minor cosmetic changes itself. Underneath the sheetmetal, a Watt's linkage was added to the rear suspension (still a live rear axle) in an effort to improve handling.

Third generation (2003–2011)

For 2003, Ford Chassis Engineer Trever Skilnick completely redesigned the frame of the Panther platform using a hydroformed steel frame and a bolt-in cast aluminum stressed member that held the powertrain.^[3] The front and rear suspension were also completely overhauled in an effort to improve handling; rack and pinion steering replaced the recirculating-ball design. While the sheetmetal of the Crown Victoria was left alone, the Grand Marquis and Town Car both received updates to the exterior and interior in an effort to bring them in line with the rest of their respective product lineups. The "Cast Aluminum #2" frame crossmember won Casting of The Year for Tier 1 supplier CMI - Hayes Lemmerz, and the new chassis was reviewed favorably by journalist Dan Neil of the Wall Street Journal .

For 2003, Mercury introduced the Marauder, a high-performance variant of the Grand Marquis. Designed in a similar fashion as the 1994–1996 Chevrolet Impala SS (with black also being its most commonly available paint color), it featured the engine of the Ford Mustang Mach 1. The Marauder sold poorly; it was dropped after 2004 after just over 11,000 were built.

Models

Model Name	Model Years	Body Styles	Notes
Ford LTD Ford LTD Crown Victoria	LTD: 1979-1982 LTD Crown Victoria: 1983-1991	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon	LTD Base-trim version sold as Ford Custom 500 in Canada from 1979-1981 (final appearance of nameplate) LTD Landau replaced by LTD Crown Victoria trim in 1980. LTD Crown Victoria Two-door sedan discontinued after 1987
Ford Crown Victoria	1992-2012	4-door sedan	Dropped LTD prefix as part of 1992 redesign Only Panther variant produced as a 2012 model; all were GCC export models.
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor/P71	1993-2011 (see notes)	4-door sedan	Prior to 1993, Panther-based Ford police cars used the same model codes as fleet/taxi models. Equipped with a heavier-duty suspension and brakes than the "civilian" model of the Crown Victoria; all police cars were equipped with dual-exhaust engines.
Ford LTD Country Squire Mercury Colony Park	1979-1991	5-door station wagon	LTD Country Squire Last Ford LTD station wagon; only generation of the Panther platform to be built as one. Most station wagons were woodgrain Country Squire models; non-woodgrain models were largely intended for fleet sales Sold with both fuel-injected 5.0L and carbureted 5.8L V8 engines after 1986. Colony Park Only generation of the Panther-platform Grand Marquis sold as a station wagon; the final full-size Mercury station wagon Sold as part of the Grand Marquis model range; the non-woodgrain Grand Marquis wagon was discontinued after 1983. Sold with both fuel-injected 5.0L and carbureted 5.8L V8 engines after 1986.
Mercury Marquis	1979-1982	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon	Base-trim version sold as Mercury Marquis Meteor in Canada from 1979-1981 (final appearance of Meteor nameplate) Grand Marquis sold as highest-trim model.
Mercury Grand Marquis	1983-2011	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon	Grand Marquis station wagon sold only as a 1983 model; subsequent station wagons are all woodgrained Colony Park versions. Two-door sedan discontinued after 1987 model year.
Mercury Marauder	2003-2004	4-door sedan	High-performance variant of the Grand Marquis Monochromatic trim styled similar to 1994-1996 Chevrolet Impala SS Only 11,052 sold; it is the second-rarest Panther variant.
Lincoln Continental Mark VI	1980-1983	2-door sedan 4-door sedan	Mark VI four-door was based upon Continental/Town Car, with unique front and rear bodywork. Using the shorter wheelbase of the LTD/Marquis sedan, the Mark VI two-door shared its front and rear body panels with the four-door, but used its own roofline and doors. The Mark VI is the last Lincoln to use concealed headlights and (factory-standard) oval opera windows.
Lincoln Continental Lincoln Town Car	Continental: 1980 Town Car: 1981-2011	2-door sedan (see notes) 4-door sedan	Continental Sold only for 1980, as full-size Continental range was consolidated into Mark VI and Town Car nameplates for 1981. Sold with both fuel-injected 5.0L and carbureted 5.8L V8 engines Town Car Town Car replaced Continental as Lincoln full-size range for 1981; the Continental prefix was dropped. Town Car two-door only produced for 1981; it is the rarest and shortest-produced Panther variant (4,935 produced).[4]* Town Car is the only four-door Panther to be produced in a long-wheelbase variant in North America besides the Crown Victoria P70 (2000-2011 Town Car L).

Variants

A 1989 Lincoln Town Car modified into a Presidential State Car for George H.W. Bush.

Chinese Hongqi CA7460 (derelict condition)

• The 1993 Aston Martin Lagonda Vignale concept car was developed using a modified Lincoln Town Car chassis and powertrain.
• Approximately 100 Hongqi CA 7465 limousines were produced in the mid-1990s; they were license-built versions of the Lincoln Town Car built as a stretch limousine; Hongqi rebodied the front bodywork with new sheetmetal similar to the 1970s CA770.
• The 1998-2005 Hongqi CA7460(红旗CA7460) and Hongqi Qijian(红旗旗舰) (flagship) were license-built versions of the Lincoln Town Car built as luxury sedans primarily for government and military officials. After production in the U.S. by Ford, the cars were shipped to China for final bodywork.
• The 2002 Mercury Marauder concept car served as a preview of the 2003 production sedan. Based on a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, the Mercury Marauder was converted into a 2-door and changed to a (topless) convertible. It also was given a supercharged version of the 4.6L Modular V8; in production, the engine was changed to a naturally-aspirated DOHC V8.
• The Presidential State Car built for President George H. W. Bush used a modified Panther platform (a 1989 Lincoln Town Car) as its basis; along with armoring and other security modifications, the powertrain was replaced with a 460 cu in (7.5 L) V8 and 4-speed automatic transmission sourced from the Ford F-250 pickup truck lineup.

Discontinuation

During most of the 2000s, design efforts were under consideration at Ford to consolidate the Panther and EA169 platforms (the latter being used by the Ford Falcon/Territory of Australia) into a single global rear-wheel drive platform. Concept vehicles such as the Ford 427, Lincoln MKR, and Ford Interceptor served as speculated previews of what form a future full-size Ford or Lincoln would take. Though elements of the vehicles would be used in other vehicles, as a whole, they would not reach production. In January 2009, Ford announced that design efforts towards its global rear-wheel drive platform were canceled.^[5]

Since the 2007 model year, the full-size retail presence of Ford shifted from the Panther platform to the Volvo-derived D3 platform, the larger of the two cars introduced as the successors of the D186 (Taurus/Sable) platform. In 2009, Ford announced that 2011 was to be the final year for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with a new police-specific vehicle to begin production;^[6] in 2010, the company phased out the Mercury division.

2011 would slowly mark the phaseout of both Panther-platform production and of vehicle production at St. Thomas Assembly. On January 4, the final Grand Marquis rolled off the assembly line, marking the end of Mercury production. During August, the final Lincoln Town Car rolled off the assembly line.^[7] After a short run of 2012 GCC-export models were produced (as it was no longer legal for sale in North America), the final Ford Crown Victoria rolled off the assembly line on September 15, 2011.^[8]

In the current Ford and Lincoln model lineups, the Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car have largely been superseded by the sixth-generation Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS (soon to become Lincoln Continental) in their respective product lineups. In large contrast to their Panther-platform predecessors, the Taurus/MKS is less dependent on fleet sales, with many sales through retail purchases. As a replacement for the previous Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, Ford has developed a Ford Police Interceptor Sedan, based on the Ford Taurus SHO. Alongside livery variants of the Navigator SUV, to replace the Town Car, Lincoln has developed livery and limousine variants of the Lincoln MKT full-size CUV as a replacement, with specific versions adopting the Town Car name.^[7]

References