There’s a lot to not like about the Seventies as a car guy. Most of the performance cars got killed off entirely. The Camaro lost the Z28 option for “Rally Sport”, GM code for “neutered Camaro” for years to come. The Mustang quite literally lost two of something when the V8 was cut for 1974. These were dark times, indeed. So, let’s fondly remember plasticky interiors, velour seats, and crappy acceleration with today’s Would You Rather? choices.
I was kind in two regards: Both are coupes, and both came with big blocks. You’re welcome. Here are the rules:
1. You would have the car in fully restored stock condition.
2. You are limited to a $2000 budget to bring it up to your idea of “good”.
3. “Demo Derby” is NOT an option.
With those set, here are your two contenders:
1. 1977 Ford LTD II
Holding the title of the biggest car that was ever sold as a “midsize”, the LTD II is essentially a re-hashed Torino with some of the modifications from the Thunderbird. One would think that Ford had learned their lesson on adding “II” to any badge after Mustang II, but no. On the bright side, you could still get the 400ci V8 in the car, and Magnum 500s…in 14″ only. The frame was also stout enough to support Ford’s last ute, the Ranchero. While you could get the awkward twin-quarter-window treatment, I’d personally recommend the large-by-huge sail panel treatment like the car above.
2. 1977 Dodge Monaco
You are probably more familiar with the Monaco’s four-door sibling…usually right about the point it gets jumped, rolled, stuffed into a building or the back end of a similarly-sized Buick, with cop lights and markings. I’m pretty sure for ever Charger they killed on The Dukes Of Hazzard, five of these bit the dust. 400ci and 440ci V8s were still on the roster, and were, for the time period, still hot performers. It’s also large enough that a lot of demo-derby promoters look these things over VERY carefully before allowing them in, as these things can take abuse like very, very few others can. This also was the body style used for the last RM21-coded Road Runner, for whatever that’s worth.
OK, time to bite the bullet and make a choice! Which one of these two Brady Bunch-era orphans would you bring home and what would you do to it to make it better?
Wow, they are both pretty horrendous. But the Monaco is a little less offensive-looking, and it had a 440, plus I’m a Dodge guy, So I’ll go with the Monaco
In high school I had a 76 Thunderbird with a 460/c6. While it was the ulitmate female repellent, it was probably one of the best riding vehicles I’ve ever owned. I think I would have to take the LTD, even with the anemic 400m….
The Mopar – if you tuck in the crash bumpers, you can still see a little bit of early 70s “coke bottle” style. Of course, parts for the engine will cost more…
While I give the Monaco an edge in the underpinnings, the LTD II has much better styling. As neither could be made into serious performers on that budget, I’d go with the LTD II, and make it into a cruiser.
I would take a four door version of the Monaco over the T Bird. The T Birds of that era look to have been designed by an architect of government office buildings, square block on square block. Its only redeeming quality was the tool shelf front bumper convenient for working on the car.
I’m partial to the ’76 Grand Prix (I owned one, and loved it), but in this case, I’ll go with the Monaco…
A good case for public transportation.
The Monaco, because you can still have a big block, and one hell of a sleeper with it.
+1 for the Monaco. My parents had a ’77 Cordoba (same bodystyle). I’ve often dreamt of jamming a 426 Hemi or 440+6 in there but leave the exterior stock. Going one step further with the plethora of cheap 70’s land yachts available, they’d make great bases for a lead sled or custom (just check out the lowrider scene).
Either. $2K isn’t enough to do much with either of them. I’d daily drive one while saving my $2K as seed money for getting a decent project car.
You have to ask? the Monaco hands down.
LTD II a diamond in the rough
swap out the 351m for a 400 engine with aussie heads
hotrod magazine did one up made380 hp and 450 ft lbs of torque
slip a 3500 converter in the C6 and 4.10 gear s in the 9 inch out back
and surprise the hell out of people
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_9809_ford_406_engine_build/
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/hrdp_0702_ford_400m_engine_build/
I am a Ford guy so I would go with the LTD II. spend some money on the engine to up the power a bit and the rest tightening up the wishy washy suspension those cars had. They felt like you were driving a boat. Probably would need more than a couple grand to get it feeling decent though.
Gimme a Monaco 4 door with some new 17 inch cop tires and cop spot lights and a push bar and make a detective special/sleeper
Monaco with the 440.
Budget up grades intake, carb, headers , mild cam, scrap yard early heads “if you can find” , scrap yard truck rear end ” tall gear easy to find ”
could be done with in the $ 2000.00 budget ??
You would have an ugly but decent gas sucking performer . 🙂
I mean you would have to tow an oil well with you to get to the next gas station 🙂
But not as ugly as the ford
Seeing as I have an LTD II. I’ll go with it.
I grew up in a white and black LTD Sport and would cut a nut off for a nice example of one now. Rare car, I love them.
Didn’t those Ferds have trouble with the wheel stuck to the axle back then? I remember seeing a news story back in the late 70’s of a mechanic had to use a torch to get the wheel off a T-bird.
Monaco hands down.
Not just the Fords with the wheel problem…all aluminum wheels could do the same…they would almost weld themselves to the axle and heat was definitely necessary to get them off. If you had one…you learned to pull them off periodically and I would emery or steel wool the centers….Ford offered several styles in aluminum and sizes..14″ & 15″ so that’s probably why more people remember problems with Ford.
As for which car…since I worked for Ford during those years…and know a super Ford Performance builder to spend my two grand wisely…stock body sleeper for cruising…I had no less than two dozen of these as a demo over their life span!! Great comfort…loved the old velour!!!
I’d get the Dodge with the 440 I’m willing to bet that I can build a getto turbo setup for 2 grand, did it for 700 on a slant 6 soo.
I would go with the Monaco. I’m a GM guy, but of the two listed, I would go with the Monaco because the interior is less cheap looking than the LTD
Im going with the Dodge. Of course I prefer the GM cars of that era. Im sure 2 grand can get you a decent running 440 and the Rally wheels look cool. Id leave the keystones on the green one though.
I had a 1979 LTD II as my first car. It was a 302, but with a Holley 4bb headers and glad packs it moved ok. It did great burnouts in my high school parking lot.
Im a ford guy but the dodge – had a 76 cougar (first car) and the 400M was a joke – couldn’t even get headers for it- not even the blackjack cheap o’s
but air shocks looked cool!
I’ll stick with my ’71 Lincoln mark 3, 365hp 460ci, c6, 2.79 tracloc rear, and R12 A/C.
Well since my 77 monte carlo isnt there…
id do the ford
Monaco. It rides well and has a 440. We knew a guy with an LTD. We always called it the “la ti da”
Without a doubt, the LTDII. Take that 2 grand, buy a F series from the mid 90’s with a 351W 5 speed, and the massflo EFI. Use the wiring, and related. Crown vic 2003+ front suspension.
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