New Member in Chicago Suburbs

[matth825]

Hello all! I just joined the forum a few days ago. I'm finding all sorts of great info here! Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge! I picked up my first panther in July of this year. It's a 1985 Crown Vic. I've wanted an 80's one for quite some time. It had 34,000 original miles on it when I purchased it from the second owner. Along with the purchase I received a binder that had almost the entire history of the car. The original window sticker, dealer invoice and pictures of the original owners with the car were included in it. The car was bought by an elderly couple in Pennsylvania. Luckily it didn't see too much winter driving as the body is in very good condition. In 1992 the husband passed away and the car sitting more. It had around 15,000 miles on it at that time. The wife only drove it another 15,000 miles between 1992 and 2008. She went into a nursing home around then and the car sat until 2015 when the second owner here in Illinois purchased it. The original and second owners took very good care of it. The two pictures below were taken about a week after I bought it. I'll get some more in the spring time as it's in storage for the winter. I don't want salt getting anywhere near it! She's been a good car!.



So far I've changed the timing chain (it had the original with the nylon coated gear), water pump, hoses and radiator. I have a aluminum/plastic Spectra Premium radiator in it now but would like to swap it out for an all aluminum unit. If someone could tell me who makes a good one that fits properly I would appreciate it as my searches have been inconclusive. Thank you!

Glad to be a member and happy to have found the forum!

-Matt

[Mainemantom]

What a beauty. It is nice to buy something that has all the records. Welcome to the forum.

[1985crownvicltd85]

Nice car!

[VicCrownVic]

Welcome!

Very nice car, looking forward to more pics in the spring.

[87gtVIC]

Awesome. Welcome.

[Tiggie]

Car looks like a cream puff. Good find!

[EaOutlaw1969]

Wow very nice ride, well cared for. Sure to be POTM sometime

If you do not mind could you share with us what you paid for it? thanks

[clutch47]

What a nice car., and a Great find.
Welcome to this place. There are lots of knowledgeable people here.
Have you considered having your original radiator re-cored.? While you're at the radiator guys place he can possibly add more cores or fins per inch for more cooling effect and it will still bolt right up and be OEM.
Good luck.!!

[knucklehead0202]

Welcome to the party! That's a beautiful panther you have and we're all glad to see it. You'll grow to love it here, there is a wealth of knowledge and a good bit of humour as well. We have a good time.

[DerekTheGreat]

Wow, I love it. Almost had to take a cold shower.

Need pics of the interior and the window sticker as well as the engine bay.

[matth825]

Thanks for all the welcome messages guys! I felt the same way when I first saw it...thought I was going to pass out! I sold a motorcycle to fund it. I paid $5500. The seller wanted $6000 but came down when I told him I was going to have to put a timing chain, water pump, radiator and hoses in it. He was happy it was going to someone who appreciates these cars. Some people called me crazy for making the purchase...I just told them they'd feel the same way I do about it after they go for a ride!

I snuck out to the garage and snapped a few more pictures. Sorry for the cramped nature of them...I've got a small garage and most of the space is now occupied! I promise to get some better ones in the spring.








Glad I changed the timing chain right away!

Found an '83 tudor for sale while out taking a ride at the beginning of October so I figured I'd take a quick picture with it. Had a nice talk with the tudor owner. He wanted way too much money for the shape it was in.


I didn't consider having the original radiator re-cored. I like that idea. I did keep it...I'll check around and see if I can find a good radiator shop.

[87gtVIC]

What is way too much? Always curious where these numbers are.

[matth825]

He was asking $3500. It had 55,000 miles on it. The rocker panels were badly rotted. It also had hail damage to the hood, roof and trunk lid. He had a dentless paint removal guy try to pop some of the hail damage out but had to stop because the paint started coming off.

[sluggish91]

Beautiful car man. Super clean. Like, SUUUUUPER clean. I dig. These cars really are incomparable in comfort compared to other vehicles on the road today. Hands down the most comfortable cars I've ridden in have been panther platform Grand Marquis and Crown Victorias. They're basically a couch on wheels. And good on ya for swapping that timing chain. Mine was just as loosey goosey when I swapped to a double roller.

[slack]

Holy hell that's a nice looking ride! Welcome to the forum!