The ’67 is my favorite of that generation of big Fords (1965-1968), but this one-year only “formal” roof did not work well for me. It was way to obviously just the semi-fastback sportroof with a filler panel. Undoubtedly it was in response to the new formal roof on the ’66 Caprice, but it was done on the cheap and just didn’t click. With me, anyway.
Matt Z. found this one; here’s another view:
This angle does that roof no favors either. Maybe straight-on from the front, or back?
I actually like this roof variation. It’s amazing to me how much variations American car makers did back then on regular production models.
Agree, didn’t like it from the side.
Similarly goofy…
The ’73 Malibu coupe (maybe all A-bodies?) Only came with a large, triangular rear quarter window. In ’74, the upscale “Classic” model came with a smaller “opera” window. But apparently, early in the model year they didn’t have the small window roof and interior trim ready, so a vinyl roof was mandatory, along with this interior trim filler panel to hide the large quarter window. They must have gotten it right during the production year, because my late-build ’74 didn’t have this.
The ’73 Monte Carlo was such a bit hit, and same year Laguna flopped, that Chevy quickly brought out Malibu Classic. A ‘cheaper’ Monte Carlo, and did fairly OK during gas crisis.
Some even think all ’74-’77 Malibus were Classic trim, but there was a base model non-Classic, with the large rear windows.
A response to the 1966 Caprice, I wonder if it was also to give the LTD a zest of Mustang notchback as well?
But it’s obviously not a notchback, right?
I had to do a little refresher on these. This LTD roof was also used on the Mercury Marquis 2 door for both 67 and 68. Only the Ford got the notch roof for 68.
I agree that this doesn’t really work that well, but I find the 68 LTD 2 door even worse, with a roof line that ends too far forward on the car. I guess the trick with the LTD and Marquis of 1967-68 was to stick with the 4 doors.
Also I used to think that the other cost-cutting move was to use the convertible quarter window for the LTD, but on closer looking I don’t think it’s quite the same.
I’ve always liked the formal roofline on the ’68 LTD 2 door like in the picture you show. To me, this is a nicely styled car.
Trunk is too long.
The ’67 roofline as pointed out above, is shared not only with the ’67-’68 Mercury Marquis but also the ’68 Meteor LeMoyne and Montcalm. It most definitely does use the convertible quarter windows. They are all vinyl roof cars because the filler panel wasn’t metal finished, it was cheaper to cover it with vinyl, and padded vinyl at that, at least in ’67. My dad’s had a squishy feel to it because of the padding. I would kill for an interior shot of this, I’d love to see how it’s optioned. The tinted glass, rear mounted antenna and 5-spoke wheel covers are a good sign that this one is well equipped.
That’s a handsome car! I also like the wheelcovers shown here. For 1960s full-size Fords, it’s very hard to top this one.
I have to agree with Paul. Attached is a quick photoshop that seems to work better for me… minor variation. Reduced “fastback”, but not notchback either.
It could be interesting to see how that LTD might look with the rear sides window just like the 1967 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth C-body 2-door hardtop or with the 1971-72 roofline.
It sounds like you would be interested in the convertible model. It has less slope to the back window as you suggested . However 67 to71 was the fast back age.
Not having any preconceived or ingrained notion of the other options, I find this to look quite good. And the black vinyl works well with the off-white paint and brightwork. Perhaps the other versions are even better, but I’m down with this as is, at least as far as the exterior is concerned.
Similar to the Galaxie in the White Sale ad
Agree the ’67 is the best of the generation, the ’68 is an abomination.
I’ve owned the ’67 Galaxie 500 coupe, and with the natural roof line, the car was a looker. The ’67 LTD coupe has been on my online radar these past several weeks, and I’ve wondered a bit why Ford felt so compelled to do this filler panel. Granted, in ’67 both Chevy AND Plymouth had formal roof coupes, but Pontiac, Olds and Buick were still selling fastback coupes in the “B” body lines.
The LTD would have been in good company with those cars.
You are absolutely correct Paul.
1967 was the best look of this generation, and that formal two door coupe design is an embarrassing reaction to the Caprice. I bet the fellow who suggested doing a formal roofline to counter the Caprice, which he hadn’t spoken up after he saw the results.
It is hideous and misshapen.
I’ll take this any time over the ’66 and later Caprice and Impala Custom rooflines; to me, they look confused, as though the designers couldn’t decide in what direction to have the lines pull.
The decision the shrink the quarter window must have been a late one since factory photos exist of ’67 LTDs with the Galaxie 500 style roof.
Also, note the round remote mirror, which appears to pinched from a ’65-66 Mustang.
Another view
The car looks nice overall, I too find the roof less than enchanting .
-Nate
The 67 age was looking at a growing young person buying market that needed a family car that also needed room and storage.the young liked the fastback look. The regular roof line was more for those who were older and not used to buying sporty appearances. Chevy did this with the impala as well but answered the regular roofline with the caprice style roof. It did grab the attention of the older buyers. It was so successful, they kept the curved inward back window all the through the 70s