Is this car Rare?

And this picture was from a Ford TV commercial for the 1978. the pictures will get full screen if you click on the image ..geez half the dang car is hood, and there were some pretty big engines available then, what's in your '78? 351 maybe? I bet that car would move...this was after the 1973 gas shortage but Ford and the other American car companies still made muscle cars.

Yes the engines is a .351W H/O The grille is the same on my car as the picture you provided

These cars were a restyle of the 72 - 76 Ford Torino. In fact the instrument clusters, both base and full, are the same, with different trim around them. They also shared a basic body structure with the Ford Thunderbird of the same years. The Thunderbird outsold all body styles of the LTD II AND Mercury Cougar combined. Most people who wanted a 2 door got the Thunderbird, as the up charge was quite reasonable for a car with a more up market image. Even on the Thunderbird the T-Top option was rare. I would imagine it is beyond rare on the LTD II. To be sure, I would invest in a Marti report for the car. That will tell you exactly how many were built, and how many of those were in that same colour. My instinct is that you may well have a factory one of one. Engines that were available started with the base 302 with 2 bbl carburetor. One up was the 351, and it was almost random whether that was a Windsor or Modified block, both fitted with a 2 bbl carburetor. The top engine choice was the 400 Modified block with 2 bbl carburetor. The Modified block was the old Cleveland block with a taller deck height to allow for the longer stroke of the 400. It was then underbored for the 351M, so it is not the same bore or stroke as the original Cleveland, even though the blocks are based on the same architecture. If you want a good improvement in both fuel economy and performance, put on a good dual 2 1/4 exhaust system with an X cross over, low restriction cats and Dynaflow or FlowMaster DeltaFlow mufflers. You'll gain about 20 horsepower and 5 mpg. The good thing about this mod is that it is a strictly bolt on affair and is easy to undo if you ever want to return the car to show condition. Tuned and set up right, you should be doing well over 20 miles to the U.S. gallon, even with the 351. My 78 Thunderbird with the 351M was doing almost 30 mpg measured with the Imperial gallon.

Mike, You are correct for the most part. Go have a look at the Ford 335 engine in Wikipedia. This article will take you trough the 351 Cleveland, the de-stroked 302C, the 400 and the de-stroked 400 the 351M. It will even cover the the naming confusion. I went to a Ford dealer in Houston in 1979 because someone told me that they were installing new Cleveland in new cars. They were calling the engines Cleveland's on the Monroney stickers,(window stickers) It said something like "351M (Cleveland) engine." they were definitely banking on the Cleveland glory. The 400 makes a hell of a lot of power when you up the compression. Have a look at Jon Kaase racing engines website.

When it comes to production numbers, there were something over 300,000 Thunderbirds produced in each of the 3 years, with an almost equal number of LTD II and Cougars built. So, in the 3 years, there were about 1.3 million cars on the Ford mid-sized platform built. Not exactly a sales flop. This was during the time of downsizing, and since the 79 LTD and Marquis were put onto the 2 door mid-sized frame, the mid-sized cars were moved down to the Fox platform uni-body. While the LTD II coupe, especially with T-roof is not common it is also a very easy car to get parts for and keep running very well indeed.

Yu can get it stamped, give Yu a check!"

I have a 78 ltd2 with t-tops if you're interested.. Thanks, Rich.

Want to sell it for 140-628-9286

Ford made less than 1000 of these 79 Ltd II S (sport touring) models with the Magnum 500 rims and 2 tone paint job. It is a really rare car indeed especially with the T tops. Dont sell it cheap. I have a 2 tone green one but it dont have the t top, It needs to be restored.

I have a 1978 LTD II in the two tone green paint with a 302 windsor engine. Does anyone know how many of these sport touring models were made in 78?

any ttops made in the ranchero

Hi, I looking for a side mark for Ford LTD Landau 1979 ?

Hi I have a 1978 LTD iii 351 with 62000 original miles for sale anybody want to buy one 803 7624390

The gentleman with the 2 tone green sport....I have a few questions for you. Trying to contact you somehow.

I have a ( barn find ltd 2 perfict on the inside grey leather was from flordia drove back in 1991. Put in storeage never moved was on concreate floor it has less than 37000 miles all originial will need a paint job ( grey) if you want to get a nice project car call and make me an offer 906 2020378 brad and teri in northern michigan

I have a 78 Ford LTD COUPE II FOR SALE GARAGE 42k miles ORIGINAL EVERYTHING.... GARAGE KEPT TWO OWNERS 501 891 7082 CALL TODAY

I am the original poster of this car and question, I know it’s a long shot but if the gentleman who was interested in buying it sees this comment or anyone who may be interested give me a call or text 865- 282-9130

The SO CALLED best answer is about the LTD II in general And NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION ABOUT THE MORE RARE LTD II S MODEL OR SPORT TOURING COUPE OF WHICH NOT VERY MANY WERE MADE possibly not even 3000 total produced? THE 78 S Model was one solid color and just had a DECAL STRIPE. THE 79 was painted 2 different colors. THE S Model was stripped of options and was a lighter car thus faster than the standard LTD II OF WHICH MANY were produced. It was made on a TORINO frame and handled/rode beautifully. Although a big bodied car it was not very roomy inside and had tight rear leg room.

In 1978, there were 6,401 LTDII's with the Sports Touring package produced, according to my Marti Report. I have a 2-tone blue 78 with Sports Touring package, had a 351M, it was ordered by my dad. Later became my car in highschool where I fixed it up nice, and now 20 years later I'm doing a full frame, off ground up restoration. My dad passed several years ago and I always loved this car. Based on their numbers alone, they were 'rare,' and with T- tops probably makes it even more 'rare,' but rare doesn't always translate to desirable. Today even a nice restored one won't command more than $6k, but that's not why I'm restoring mine. It is a very unique car, you either love them or hate them. I happen to love it, even more than my classic Mustangs (67 and 69), and I got more comments on the road with it too than I do in my 67. The 351M and the 400 were absolute dogs. Less than 200 hp. The people who talk about these motors really moving their cars or doing burn outs with them aren't remembering them right. The 351M and 400 had low power, low compression, and 6 degree retarded cam timing to make them smog and emissions friendly. The rear end had either 2.50 or 2.75 open differentials, and a 3 speed automatic C4 transmission. If you put in a torky cam, add an aftermarket aluminum intake with 4 bbl carb, fix the cam timing and increase the compression, you can easily get 380 hp and 460 ft-lb torque from the 400, even with the stock iron heads with some porting and polishing, and stock exhaust. As previously mentioned, the car is all hood and trunk, and the interior space was not overly roomy. I did put quite a few trouble-free miles on mine as a daily driver all throughout high school and college.

I too still have my Rare (S model) 79 2 tone Green LTDII my mom bought it new, told me IF I graduate it would be mine. Altho the 5.0L with 3 speed was not a powerful car it was fun to drive, handled/rode great and it took care if me well. It was very reliable and would let me kno it needed work B4 breaking down. The drivetrain was rebuilt and it ran well last I parked it. Had I the cash to restore it I would, as I still have dreams at nite where I'm still driving it. It's not so much of an investment car as what it means to you. But if Jay Leno has a restored LTDII (not sure if its this Rare S model) then yes I'd say they are a worth while and valuable car.

I have a 1977 Ford LTD II for sale. Mostly all original, I upgraded the engine compartment and put safer tires and rims on it. I still have all the original parts. $6,500 OBO Dan - cell is 847-223-69zero zero

1977 Ford LTD II S Sport with T Tops 400 V-8 C6 transmission VERY RARE 62,000 miles all original numbers matched.

interior shot.