The Crown Victoria was recognized as the “Best Police Cruiser of All Time”. Pictured is a 2011 Crown … [+]
The best cop car ever turned 40. The Ford Crown Victoria, originally introduced in 1983, was recently recognized as the “Best Police Cruiser of All Time.” The vehicle’s performance, reliability, and cost were factors that made the vehicle the leader of the pack. For decades, the low-cost Crown Victoria provided police departments with value that exceeds that of modern cruisers. But industry trends forced the Crown Victoria, like other affordable cars, into extinction.
Known by its owners as the “car you couldn’t kill,” the Crown Victoria was a purpose-built vehicle designed to withstand the harsh treatment of fleet owners, like police departments or taxi companies. It featured body-on-frame architecture, known as the Panther platform, which allowed the vehicle to withstand severe impact and remain unscathed. Its large body and cavernous trunk made it well-suited to carry police equipment. And its performance features, like RWD and a V-8 engine, made its speed and handling perfect for pursuits. But perhaps the most important feature was the vehicle’s price tag.
In the final year of its production, the basic Crown Victoria police model sold for approximately $23,000 — costing 50+% less than today’s modern cruisers. The car you couldn’t kill was built without the expensive electronics and drivetrains found in today’s vehicles, which made it less prone to damage and more reliable. Its heavy-duty parts, like its alternator, were designed for hardcore driving and endless idling. And when it did break, it was cheap to repair because it featured simple parts, some dating back to the early 90s, which made replacement parts inexpensive and plentiful.
The award was issued to Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) by Haloid Fleet, which specializes in buying and appraising used police and fire vehicles. According to its spokesperson, George Martinez, the decision to award the title to the Crown Victoria was due to cost and utility: “It did the job at a much lower cost than modern cruisers.” The Crown Victoria’s low upfront cost, long longevity, and cheap repair costs meant it cost 70% less to own and operate than modern vehicles, despite its poor fuel economy. [Author’s note: I’m obliged to disclose that I’m an investor in the company mentioned].
But despite its accolades, the Crown Victoria wasn’t perfect. George Martinez explains that “Detriments like low gas mileage, slow acceleration, and poor traction in slippery conditions were common complaints.” It needed snow tires in the winter to avoid becoming a “4,000-pound sled.” And the vehicle’s gas tank was located in the rear, which made it vulnerable to exploding in high-speed rear-end collisions. “But some of these faults were also benefits,” explains Martinez, “the slippery traction was due to rear wheel drive, which aided the vehicle’s handling and made it sturdier when hitting curbs.”
Going back to a low-tech and low visibility Crown Vic is unlikely … but don’t blame Ford
The “car you couldn’t kill” ended production in 2011, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold nationwide, according to a Ford spokesperson. But buyers shouldn’t expect a resurrection. The Crown Victoria comes from a bygone era of low-priced and low-tech combustion sedans. While the vehicle was cheap to manufacture, today’s federal fuel economy mandates make production difficult for vehicles with large gas engines. And its annual sales volume of under 50,000 makes it unprofitable when compared to models that sell 500,000 or more and share parts. Buyer preferences have also changed. Like the typical car-buying public, some public safety buyers prefer CUVs/SUVs, stating that vehicle height and AWD systems have become critical to their operations.
While Ford will not resume production of the coveted vehicle, we might take solace in the fact that there are thousands of Crown Victorias still in public service. After Haloid’s recognition, many former and current police officers shared their stories in Police Magazine about driving the vehicle, some of which are still using the vehicle today for high-speed pursuits. The Crown Victoria’s fan club extends to civilians as well, with a low-mileage Crown Victoria selling at a public auction for $36,000, or $13,000 more than the cost of the vehicle when it was new in 2004.
As vehicles become increasingly complex and less affordable, the Crown Victoria’s story illustrates the challenge facing many new-car buyers today. The cost of vehicle ownership is rising due to electronics, lightweight designs, and new drivetrains, but the benefits derived from these gadgets are often not worth their cost.
