1980 LTD in Des Moines, IA - $750

[Giraffe]

Uncle's old car that's been sitting a while. Might be worth a look for the price.

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/d/cid-50-liter-ford-crown/6698305639.html

From the ad:
"Garaged 1980 Ford Crown Victoria. Only has 26,788 miles on it. The engine is a 302 CID 5.0 liter Venturi carburetor. It was my late uncle's car and has been garaged since his death. There is a dent in the trunk lid that could be pushed out easily. The headliner has come loose since I removed it from the garage. I called and it's $100- 150 for a new one. Or a guy with a can of spray adhesive could reglue it since it is already cut to fit. It needs keys made for it and a new battery in it. I will entertain any reasonable offers."

[Kodachrome Wolf]

That car comes up a lot. Has more pictures which is nice. Shift indicator on the dash shows no overdrive, so it’s likely a SelectShift 3 speed.

Some questions though:
V Belts on an ‘80? Thought that was a ‘79 only deal.
Also, how long did the vacuum advance on the distributor last? Was that only eliminated after TFI modules came out?

[87gtVIC]

I love easy fixes mentioned in ads. If it was easy you would have done it already. That dent is NEVER pushing right out and becoming invisible. At least it is not astronomically priced.

[Tiggie]

My 82 had the vacuum advance so I guess it was around as long as the VV carb. I guess even into 91 on the 351W. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

KW - same thoughts as you on the V-belt. VIN puts it as an early 80 model. I’m guessing a sept/october 79 build. Mid year change maybe? Then again it could be later... things I thought I knew are becoming things I didn’t know.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

My 82 had the vacuum advance so I guess it was around as long as the VV carb. I guess even into 91 on the 351W. Someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

KW - same thoughts as you on the V-belt. VIN puts it as an early 80 model. I’m guessing a sept/october 79 build. Mid year change maybe? Then again it could be later... things I thought I knew are becoming things I didn’t know.

I went back and looked at the engine bay pictures and noticed only the A/C compressor has a V-belt. The alternator definitely is wearing a serpentine belt. It would be interesting to see that belt drive setup. Wonder how the smog pump is ran on that one.

[VicCrownVic]

I've also seen that one before. I was thinking '79 as well but as Tiggie pointed out that is indeed an '80 model year VIN.

Sept/Oct '79 build date sounds right to me.

[Tiggie]

Found it. 4/1/1980 was the change from V-Belt. So all 1979 and half of 1980 have the V-belt on the A/C.

Also found out on the pre-4/1/1980, the water pump had a different ratio pulley if it was a tow package/police package car, vs without either. After 4/1/1980, all were the same.

[DerekTheGreat]

I love easy fixes mentioned in ads. If it was easy you would have done it already. That dent is NEVER pushing right out and becoming invisible. At least it is not astronomically priced.

I came here to say this but glad someone else already did haha. Nope, especially since it dented through an already work hardened area. I love when someone says "easy fix."