How the Ford Crown Victoria Changed Motoring
The Ford Crown Victoria, which was produced by Ford Motor Company in various models from 1955 right up until 2011, is one of the most recognisable cars on the road. The Crown Vic has been the pursuit vehicle of choice for police forces since 1996, and for New York City's iconic yellow taxi cabs since the Checker went out of service.
The rear-wheel drive sedan has had enormous staying power over its 55 year history, and its tough and durable Panther chassis has given it (according toiolmotoring) a commanding 70% market share in fleet sales to various police departments, law enforcement agencies and cab companies. When Ford announced that they were discontinuing the car (which is a bit of a dinosaur compared to the hybrid models towards which Ford is moving, such asFord's new electric Focus), these fleet sales leapt even higher as the agencies in question bought up as many as they could of the last models to roll off the production line.
It has been claimed that the Crown Vic is the most commonly spotted car in American TV and film - and it seems a plausible enough claim that no one is about to go and check!
The Crown Vic changed motoring by making a powerful V8 engine affordable to average motorists. It was a big and roomy six-seater sedan which emphasised safety as well, the fact that the Crown Vic was built with a separate solid chassis meant that it was able to withstand crashes which would completely wreck unibody cars which have since become the norm.
The Ford Crown Victoria is a victim of rising gas prices throughout the world - it is a true gas guzzler. At the design stage, Ford prioritised durability, performance and affordability over fuel efficiency, and while that was a great strategy from the 1950s through to the 1990s, high gas prices and environmental concerns mean that it does not quite fit the needs of the 21st Century motorist.
With sales numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the Crown Vic is one of Ford's most successful cars, second only to the Model T for its impact on the motoring world. It was the perfect car for family motorists, giving the driver an immensely powerful engine for driving pleasure, while still having a huge amount of room for a large family, and an immense trunk to carry shopping, or luggage on family holidays.
The last Ford Crown Victoria has rolled off the production line now, but the cars will remain on the roads for many years to come thanks to law enforcement agencies and taxi companies who value their durability and performance.
