FORD LTD : WHEN YOUR FAMILY COULDN'T AFFORD A LINCOLN

1969-1970
For 1969 the LTD was completely new from the previous years with all new sheet metal and a completely redesigned interior. The LTD seemed to take after Chrysler's famed "fuselage" style that they introduced this year on their full-size line, which to some made the LTD look less sleek and a bit larger and heavier than before (which it was). The headlights were still hidden, and a body-colored center divider split the grille horizontally. Taillights (either intentionally or unintentionally) resembled the 1966 model, with an additional red-reflective taillight panel that ran across the rear of the car below the taillights above the bumper. Inside, the new dashboard wrapped around the driver which put many more controls closer to the touch, but many critics ridiculed the radio position, which was now to the upper left, defying convention. Also, the headlight knob was located under the dashboard which defeated the purpose of convenience and the ashtray faced the passenger, so smokers were out of luck.
There was still a 4-door hardtop and 5-door wagon, but the 2-door hardtop was now available in 2 different styles - a formal 2-door hardtop, or a semi-fastback style with a "flying butress" rear window design shared with the XL series ("sportsroof", in Ford language). The 302 remained the base powerplant with the 351 and 390 as options, but the 427 and 428s were no longer available, being replaced by the 429 V8, a 2bbl version rated at 320 hp or a 4bbl "ThunderJet" rated at 360 hp. The front side marker lights were white accompanied by the engine displacement callouts.
The 1970 LTD had the same body as in 1969, but with a different front clip that eliminated the body-colored horizontal divider (but retained the hidden headlights). The tail treatment was revised also - the red reflective tail panel was eliminated and the taillights went from square to rectangular, and they also got rid of the reverse lights in the center, a first for the LTD since its introduction. They were now on the rear bumper. Inside, the door handles eliminated the squeeze-type in favor of a more conventional pull-type. Ignition switches were moved from the dashboard to the steering column this year, like the rest of the Ford line. The front side marker lights were changed from white to amber, and the engine displacement callouts were eliminated. All bodystyles and drivetrain choices carried over from 1969. Brougham models were now the top trim, which included full wheel covers, more ornate trim inside and out among other luxurious touches. Drivetrain choices were the same as 1969.

THE 1973 LTD models were completely redesigned from the 1971-72 generation. Dimensions didn't change much, but the body was all new. Convertibles and 4-door hardtops were gone, but the 2-door hardtop, 4-door "pillared" sedan and 5-door wagon were still available. Base engine was now the smaller 5.8L (351) 2 bbl V8, with the 400 and 429 as options. The 400 was standard on the wagon. Broughams remained the top trim models. Interiors and dashboard designs were all new, but the layout was similar to the previous. To continue LTD tradition, a sectioned red reflective taillight strip ran between the taillights, and the "LTD" initials returned in the middle. For the first time since its introduction, the LTDs now shared the same sedan rear roofline with its lesser Galaxie and Custom brothers. A 3-speed automatic transmission was the sole transmission choice.

The 1976 LTD models differed very little from the 1975 restyle other than the catalytic converter becoming standard on some models depending on where it was sold. Base engine was still the 351, with the 400 and 460 optional, with the 400 still standard on the wagon models.

There weren't many changes in 1977 either, other than the 351 becoming available on the base model wagons, but it isn't known if this was actually made standard or as a "credit option" to the 400 V8 that was previously standard. All models now had a catalytic converter and the speedometers now read 85 MPH, down from 120.

1978 LTDs stood pretty much the same for their final year in this present form. Now that GM redesigned their full size Chevrolet Caprice and Impala the year prior and Chrysler dropped their full-size Dodge Royal Monaco and Plymouth Gran Fury models altogether this year, the LTD (and its companion the Mercury Grand Marquis) were the "lone wolfs" of the old-school full-size cars left (unless you include the much-less-popular Chrysler Newport/New Yorker). The LTD would become an all-new smaller redesigned model for 1979.