One of the things I miss most about working downtown is the ride there and back on public transportation. Up until March of this year, I had been working in the office almost exclusively, and my commute on the elevated portions of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line train had historically, and quite literally, provided a window into the world of the north side. New businesses would open, and I would make mental notes about places to explore. Familiar storefronts would close. Buildings would be demolished to make way for new developments.
Passing Wrigley Field during summer months often brings some festive, Cubs baseball-related cheer during home games, even if the trains are usually crowded. On more than a few occasions, I’ve been able to spot a vehicle on the street from my seat which has grabbed my interest so much that I’ve chosen to deboard at the next stop and get a closer look.
1971 – ’73 Chevrolet Vega hatchback. Wrigleyville, Chicago, Illinois. Monday, November 23, 2009.
Sometimes, I haven’t been so lucky. In the fall of 2009, I had seen the running, early Chevrolet Vega hatchback pictured above from the Irving Park station, and watched as its driver got into it, started it, and began driving south down Sheffield. I had fully planned on deboarding at the next southbound stop (Addison, home of Wrigley Field) to photograph it, but the train had temporarily stopped on the track for some reason, and this Vega got away. I “coulda, woulda, shoulda” had a contender for Paul’s Great Vega Hunt contest, but everything happens (or doesn’t) for a reason.
Most of the time, though, the object of my automotive interest has been parked and not in motion. Our featured ’73 LTD was sitting in the parking garage of a north side college when I saw it from the train. As generally risk averse as I am, I saw no problem with taking a few pictures of this LTD in this parking garage. I didn’t see any “no trespassing” signs, so I entered the car park, took a few snaps with haste, and was back on a different northbound Red Line in a matter of minutes. No harm, no foul.
The cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather. Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois. Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Flipping through the frames I had shot through my camera’s viewfinder as I rode back home to Edgewater, I had an increasingly… hungry sensation. You see, this LTD’s puffy, generous proportions, creamy white finish and wide-whitewall tires, and its overall shape reminded me of the frosted cinnamon rolls from Chicago institution Ann Sather restaurant. Even its deluxe wheel covers are round and swirly-looking, like the shape of those pastries. And without trying to sound like a thinly-disguised pitch for Ann Sather, these rolls are so good that at various points throughout the year when I entertain guests from out of town, ordering them usually ends up in the top-three things we absolutely must do over the course of the weekend.
1973 Ford LTD Brougham brochure page is courtesy of www.oldcarbrochures.com.
They’re too much: too many calories, too sweet, too delicious, and too addictive. There’s no way those rolls can be good for a human body in any way, outside of the pleasure endorphins that would be released upon their consumption. One side order of them gets you two, so by the time you’ve finished one pastry, you’re already full and satisfied even before your breakfast entree arrives. Regardless, they’re just so good, and so allowances are made.
1973 Ford LTD Brougham brochure page is courtesy of www.oldcarbrochures.com.
The ’73 LTD was born of a similar “more is better” philosophy. Compared to its ’72 predecessor, which was riding on the same 121-inch wheelbase, the ’73 LTD two-door had increased in every dimension, with our featured car measuring in at 219.5″ in overall length (+3.3″), 79.5″ wide (+0.2″, a nominal increase, but still there), and half an inch taller than the ’72 at 53.6″. Base curb weight (sans driver) was also up to about 4,500 pounds, which represented an increase of about 5%.
Sales of the redesigned 1973 Ford (all full-size models) were up by a nominal 2.7% over ’72, with about 854,500 units finding buyers for ’73. By comparison, the full-sized Chevrolet outsold the Ford that year by about 14% at 978,000 units, in the third year of its basic design. The third make that comprised the “Low Price Three”, Plymouth, sold just 261,000 Furys that year, though this number was basically flat over the prior year’s 263,000 units.
Every time I leave Ann Sather, I feel like my curb weight has gone up, but no one’s complaining. This generation of full-size Ford historically hasn’t gotten a lot of love at Curbside, much like the cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather aren’t going to win any nutrition awards. Both have their merits, though, and I can proudly say that my late grandparents had a great fondness for their large, mint-green ’78 LTD from the last year of this generation’s production.
Grandma and Grandpa were from the so-called “Greatest Generation” (the name given to those born between roughly 1901 and 1927), so their general sensibility was to appreciate any extra anything for their money, especially as they advanced in years. Thankfully, Sather is offering take-out right now. I wouldn’t consider these rolls essential to my survival, but if I need supplies from the discount grocery store across the street, I may stop in for a to-go box – with a side cup of extra icing.
Uptown, Chicago, Illinois.
Thursday, September 25, 2014.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Joe. You have an amazing talent with the camera.
I’ve always considered the 73-74 full size Fords the ugliest of the bunch.
But the pictures make this one look dare I say almost elegant.
I must go eat now. Your second picture has had an effect on me also😋
Thanks, William. I have a preference for the 1975 – ’78 models (over the 1973 & ’74) for a few reasons. I liked the restyle with the almost Lincoln Continental-esque rear taillamp-and-reflector-strip arrangement. I remember my childhood neighbors’ Country Squire being one of the most beautiful cars. And then, there was my grandparents’ mint-green LTD which was like a rolling palace compared to our Plymouths.
This ’73, however, looked really appealing.
As I sit here feasting my eyes upon one of the top five best looking Ford products of the 1970s, I’m now being reminded about the sugar I put into the tea I’m brewing.
I realize I’m in the vocal minority (a group of around 3?) around here who likes these. But I cannot remember ever seeing an LTD of this vintage in white. Ever. The whitewall tires are a bit much, but it’s also like the 14 year old boy who needs a rendezvous with a razor – it’s very quickly changed.
Joe, this was a great catch.
Jason, I like your like for these cars. In fact, I’m pretty sure it was one of your essays that had caused me to give these another look.
Before quarantine took place, it had been a while since I had seen this LTD in that parking garage, so I hope its owner graduated from the local college and moved onto other things – and that this LTD is still in great shape.
Who’d ever think of comparing a malaise era Ford to a pastry? Always impressed by your clever improbable automotive similes, While the LTD may be rather mediocre in the great pantheon of automotive history, some of the writing here belongs on a pedestal! Cool find!
Thanks, Randerson. Confession: I’ve been thinking about those cinnamon rolls ever since I re-read my essay today once it went live this morning.
I don’t eat a lot of sweets, and I don’t put sugar in my morning coffee either. But the sight of those cinnamon rolls says that an occasional indulgence is okay. Same with that LTD. It’s lot bigger and fancier than anything I’d ever consider buying but I wouldn’t mind taking it for a spin, and I’d be happy to top off the tank when I brought it back.
Well Joe, now you’ve gone and done it – I will never again look at a 73 without thinking of cinnamon rolls. And it’s a better association than I have had with these in the past, so you have done good work.
JP, you’re welcome. Hahaha!
Even 20/20’s Hugh Downs can’t convince me of the subject car being a good one. It’s in nice condition, but I just don’t like it. It’s like filling up on the cinnamon rolls instead of something good and healthy. I’m not seeing it as a smart buy then or now, and I doubt the legitimacy of its workmanship, if not the sincerity of the spokesman. It’s an ugly whale with strangled V8 and 1,000 pounds of gingerbread.
https://youtu.be/djDD4KzvzQI?t=122
https://youtu.be/fflXIek5NY0?t=29
Haha, I had forgotten all about those Hugh Downs commercials. He sure had me convinced in 1974. 🙂
The other day I found a commercial with Hugh driving a loaded ’73 Gran Torino sedan. While Hugh did not profess to be an actor, he had to have some acting talent to get excited about that poor unfortunate thing.
OK JS, here’s what I don’t get – You really hate the 73 Torino. Isn’t the 73 LTD just the same thing but in a bigger package? “Gee, this is an awful bottle of bourbon. Oh wait, it also comes in a bigger 1.75 ml size. I love that one.” 🙂
I guess Joe was right – sometimes more is better, even if the stuff ain’t that great to begin with.
You nailed it. If a person is going to purchase a pokey, fuel swilling Ford, don’t waste time with a Torino – go for the gusto with an LTD.
In the totally unlikely event I ever find a base model ’73 Torino sedan, I will share some early memories of that fecal brown metallic wonder.
I’m of the view that while GM may have been building a ‘better’ midsize in 1973, Ford (and Mercury, and Lincoln) were building a better ‘standard’ size car.
JP, just reading your “cheap bourbon” analogy gave me a hangover. I almost needed some Advil.
And what’s amazing is that Hugh is still with us, at the age of 99!
Dave, those ’74 Ford commercials are outstanding, with their “well made car” pitch. Thank you for linking those.
And Hugh Downs, bless him, is now 99 years old. I remember when my PBS kids shows would be over in the morning, and followed abruptly by “Over Easy”, a show he hosted in the early ’80s that was targeted toward senior citizens. It’s like they went straight from “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” to “you had better run to your bus stop” in the span of sixty seconds.
Awww, man. RIP, Hugh Downs. 2/14/1921 – 7/01/2020.
I’m enjoying the mental image of Joseph trailing vintage cars from the L train. Sort of the reverse of the chase scene from The French Connection.
I’ve always wondered why brochures of the 50s and 60s never seemed to show models with a lot of the optional features. Seems it took until the 70s before this became common.
For example, the LTD Brougham coupe being shown with a sunroof. How many 1973 LTD coupes left the factory with a power sunroof?
Luxury items like power windows were available on Chevrolet Chevelles and Bel Airs in the 1960s. How many brochure pics of these cars showed an interior with power windows? I’ve never seen one. Why didn’t they advertise these features more?
Here’s a driver’s side door pic of a ’67 Chevelle with factory power windows:
My turn… As many of you know (and are likely tired of hearing ;o), one of these was my first car. I need to find pictures of it that I took many many years ago, so I can do a proper COAL on it, instead of the many posted comments.
I’ll give them a little love, even though other than maybe Jason, I’m probably one of the three that you mention Joseph… hmmm… wonder who the other guy might be?
Other than the distinction of it being my Dad’s first (and only one of two) Fords, this car had its merits.
It had hardtop styling, and sadly would be the only car I ever owned so adorned, as those cars all went away, except for the few that still exist today for the one percenters.
There was room for EVERYONE! – an important feature as a teenager/young adult.
It was SLOW with its smog choked 351-2V… wait? This is a good thing? See the line above about being a teen/young adult… GOOD – for keeping a young male out of trouble.
Did I mention plenty of room? Awesome for date night! – Ok, that might be counterintuitive with the aforementioned “attribute”.
That comfortable quiet ride made me a Brougham Fan, even though mine was not a Brougham.
The power brakes must’ve been from a Boeing 707, as they would slow that nearly 2-1/2 ton car down from highway speeds (granted 55 in those days) to a stop in short order.
And it was the best car I had ever driven in the snow (most likely due to its “Road Hugging Weight” at which you all like to poke fun).
Did its gas mileage suck? Of course. But as an interstate cruiser for our family trips when I was just 13 after day bought it, it was excellent. We drove it from Baltimore all the way to Frazee Minnesota, and it never missed a beat, and during a very hot summer, that AC was the best.
Today’s featured car is sending mixed messages however. First, the Deluxe Dog Dishes… yeah, I said it because I had them, were on REGULAR LTD(s). The base wheel covers on the LTD Brougham were the ones in the car pictured below, which would be a dead ringer for mine if it WASN’T a Brougham. I’ll give the restorer of this LTD credit though on period accurate wheel covers.
Second, a proper Brougham wouldn’t be caught dead without the Deluxe Bumper Group… heck my Non-Brougham 2 door hardtop had the black bumper strips that this package included.
Finally, there is the lack of cornering lamps, which the Broughams had, but the regular LTD(s) did not… I may be wrong on this, as those things may’ve simply been options on both models.
And I have to agree with Jason’s post above regarding the Gangsta-White-Walls. A little too much here, especially on a white car. In fact I’m sure JPC would agree that the fact the car is white just doesn’t do its big-boned look any favors. A dark blue, say Ford’s Midnight Blue would look better.
As to a unicorn of an LTD… yeah, white was rare on these, but I’ll bet that brochure picture of the white one with the lady prairie dogging it out of the sunroof was the only one ever built. I’ve never seen one with a sunroof, let alone one in white.
Mine was a similar gold to the Vega in the second picture, which was very popular in 1973 (and earlier). The car pictured below was my exact color combination.
I know I’m in the minority, but I loved my ’73 LTD.
Great post as always, Joe, and now I want cinnamon rolls. :o)
Rick I knew I could count on you to speak up!
Our #3 is the young guy I recently saw climbing into the green ’73 LTD I wrote up a few years ago. He has made the LTD sparkle like a diamond in a goats, uh, mouth and it’s obvious he loves it a lot. He’s also likely in his early 20s as the LTD was parked on campus of the university here in town. He’s even kept the hubcaps that were on it when I found it.
So our group is small, but it is mighty. Here’s the link:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1973-ford-ltd-its-not-easy-being-green/
Thanks for that link, Jason… I was laughing big time when I re-read it. Priceless.
When I first attended Carlisle last year for their annual Ford show, it was my Dad that first spotted this beauty…
…and this proud owner must be a Big Ford Fan like you and I.
Parked right next to it was his other Big Ford, a beautiful 1970 model.
Had it been me that had these cars on display, I would have had ALL the windows rolled down to emphasize that hardtop look.
Rick, thank you for all of this, and I’ll echo what I told Jason Shafer – I admire it when people speak up on behalf of a car they genuinely like without sounding apologetic for doing so. I do actually like the wide-whitewalls on this car, though! I feel like this particular car, seen in person, is even nicer than in the couple of snaps I managed of it and included in this post.
Thanks Joe. I’m actually a fan of the white striped tires, but sadly they’ve fallen out of fashion. They wouldn’t actually look right on my Mustang naturally, and the last car that I tried that look on was my ’88 T-Bird, and even back then they looked out of place. But from the ’83 T-Bird on back, yeah, I always had the white stripes (and on occasion, white letters).
And I kept them gleaming white too. Beige was not acceptable. My product of choice? Soft Scrub. I haven’t bought that stuff in years, preferring other cleaners for the bathroom. But that product made the white walls look perfect, and it was used every time I washed the car.
As to wide stripes? Yeah, some cars look great with them. I even had them on the ’83 T-Bird, but they weren’t as wide as the featured LTD’s. IIRC, the brand was Dunlop and the tires were called “Elite”. The stripes were wider, without being over the top, and really set of the ’83 Bird’s base wheel covers at the time.
A modern day equivalent to these might be the tires by Vogue. They have wide white stripes with a thin yellow line. I saw these on a new navy blue Impala last year, and they looked amazing on that car.
Given the density and narrow right-of-way (often the width of two tracks), passengers on Chicago’s el trains are treated to intimate views into apartment and office windows at the same level, activity on the streets and sidewalks below, and, as Joe shows us here, the various cars parked in adjacent garages. Clearly, most of us are not as alert and quick as Joe, and much of this kaleidoscopic variety is lost to most el riders.
The comparison of this LTD to a monstrous cinnamon roll is apt, as both are loaded with empty calories and offer little nutritional value. This simile does beg the question, though: what pastry is analogous to a 1973 Lincoln Continental? Perhaps a 1,740 calorie slice of red velvet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory?
Would it be too much of a stretch to say a ’73 Lincoln is as much a “real” luxury car as Cheesecake Factory is a “real” restaurant?
William, thanks to you, I now also want some red velvet cheesecake! LOL I’m all for more metaphors here.
Joseph, thank you for this insight as to why I have a hard time swallowing these big Fords: I can’t eat cinnamon rolls either. Way too much sugar and white flour. It would risk putting me in hyperglycemic shock.
I discovered “health food” in about 1971 or so, which might well explain my issues with these Fords. Thank you Dr. Dennis. Now I have a good excuse. 🙂
Just glad to be of assistance, Paul!
” I had fully planned on deboarding at the next southbound stop (Addison, home of Wrigley Field) ”
Who else immediately heard a voice in their head say “1060 W Addison. That’s Wrigley Field”
Relative to their competition, these were very well put-together cars. They likely impressed their owners, many of whom grew up in the Depression and so the ‘classical’ nods would’ve been appreciated.
My dad owned a 76 LTD and I have a 79 Continental that give good service.
Lovely ghostly dreamlike photos of the LTD, thank you Joseph! I have a guilty confession, I’m also looking up and down side streets, peering into driveways and generally spinning my head around looking for CC’s while on the way to work and home [not happening now of course], but I’m doing it while driving! I drive a little slower to give myself some braking space, but not a good habit. I also sometimes take detours through areas I know are CC worthy.
Pikesta, thank you. And there should be no guilt in that confession! I feel like one of the benefits of living in a city for people who are naturally curious is the ability to observe so many different aspects of people’s lives on such a casual level without feeling intrusive.
I’ve often thought that if time were no object (or money, for that matter), one of my dream vacations would be to take a road trip somewhere using byways (if I would feel reasonably safe in doing so).
I love that LTD coupe in white, including the whitewalls. Look at my avatar, I love whitewalls! I especially like the little quarter windows and formal roof. It strikes me as a less expensive alternative to the big Thunderbird. The same basic proportions with less gingerbread, or cinnamon in this case!
Jose, it’s funny you mention the Thunderbird connection. The first brochure photo I included, with that picture of the white LTD coupe, makes the family resemblance with the T-Bird stand out to me in a way I hadn’t paid that much attention to before.
I’m going to add myself to the list of admirers of these cars. Back in 1981, after gas prices had risen then fallen, this car crossed my path. At the time, being but 20, I felt it would be my last chance to own a big car, so I went for it — a 1976 LTD Landau sedan in Light Gold with matching Landau Luxury interior. It was loaded, with the 460 and the trailer towing package. It drove and handled very well for a big car, and would knock down 18 MPG on the highway if you kept your foot out of it. It was truly a pleasure to own.
Hey, guys! This is my car! Glad you like it!
Joseph,
Yet another great entry on a great car. I was always a fan of the full size Fords. Growing up, i admired our neighbors 1972 LTD 4 door hardtop. It was a beautiful shade of gold with a brown vinyl roof and brown cloth interior, complete with clear plastic slipcovers ! If I would compare my neighbors 72 LTD to food, I think I’d say that his was similar to Chicken Fried Steak…. The color of the car resembled the deep fried exterior, while the inside was brown like the steak. Not the deliciousness of a big juicy porterhouse, but rather a cheaper cut needed a “little something extra” to give it some flavor.
It was a big beautiful car and our neighbor kept it in great condition all the years he owned it. Pretty sure it was trouble free and it honestly looked like it rolled out of the dealerships lot even when it was 15 years old.
It kind of stuck out on our block, as most families on the block owned full size GM C body cars with an equal amount of DeVille’s, Electra’s, and Ninety Eights. But to tell you the truth, his LTD fit right in.
I do really like the look of the restyled 73 and later versions, especially the 2 door ones. The slender back windows give it a very elegant look. I remember seeing many of these cars in Brooklyn where the dealer would install a T-Bird inspired oval opera window in the C pillar In fact, I think those windows could of been ordered from the JC Whitney catalogue. Its funny how the next restyle took on the multiple fixed window look that the 77 Thunderbird had.
Looking forward to your next entry. Please keep them coming !!
These were made during my formative years, and we were a Ford family at the time, so I’ve always had a soft spot for them especially the coupes. Oddly enough I love the Elite, Mustang II, Granada and Maverick too.
Was excited to have a plane ticket go to the Carlisle Ford Nationals this year; they just rescheduled for the end of July But I’m not sure my re-emerging schedule is going to allow my attendance. What a goofy-ass time this is.
Thanks so much, everyone, for your insights. I’m surprised, though, that everyone seemed to let me off the hook with the possible “icing vs. frosting” debate. Have a great rest of your week (leading up to Memorial Day Weekend for those of us here in the U.S.).
Heavy, cloying and way too sweet, but after the initial pleasure of consumption, give you a leaden feel in the pit of your stomach…just like these 1970’s Ford LTD’s! But, as you point out, those of the Greatest Generation who experience genuine deprivations and loss, these slathered with sweet, creamy icing Fords were a balm to long-over hurt feelings.
Now I want a cinnamon roll and a big Ford. Thanks Joseph
Great pics once again. That Vega looks like it was in amazing shape.
I will always be fond of the ‘73 big Ford. I learned to drive in my Mom’s ginger brown ‘73 4dr pillared hardtop LTD just in time for Madison WI’s then record 76” snowfall in the winter of ‘78-‘79.
For those fans of these malaise era Ford biggies check out re-runs of “Barnaby Jones” (‘73-‘80). Buddy Epsen drives a 2dr LTD, dark brown fully loaded (including sun roof) in nearly every episode, each season the car is updated from 1973 to the ‘79 -‘80 Panther body model.
Thanks, Paul. That Vega was in *incredible* shape. Some unfortunate scenarios ran through my mind as to why it was going somewhere on a workday. I hope this was not the case, but I could imagine that the driver was some young professional who didn’t know that much about cars and didn’t know what a terrible car the early Vega was. This car had been a garaged time-capsule, and he figured that since it was a Chevrolet, it would be a solid car, reliable, and a good investment. One Chicago winter later, it was in pieces.
I form this theory only because I had seen this very thing happen to an early Vega notchback in my neighborhood when I was an adolescent and had a paper route. This would have been in the late ’80s, when the car was already old. It was bright blue, and street parked. It was immaculate – bright blue paint, with a black vinyl interior. Even as a young teenager, I was shocked with the haste with which that car disintegrated before my very eyes.
Let’s just hope the gold Vega hatchback I photographed was just out for the day for a photo shoot or something.