With a name that alludes to the 19th century English monarch and the luxury of her reign, Ford has used the Crown Victoria name more than 75 years.
The Sporty Original
The original 1932 Ford Victoria—affectionately called the "Vicky" by collectors—was something of a cross between a coupe and a two-door sedan. It was sporty for its time, and because relatively few were produced, it became quite a collector's item over the years.
The name was revived in the mid-1950s with the Crown Victoria, a flashy two-door hardtop that was instantly recognizable because of a broad chrome band that "crowned" its roof.
The Modern Crown Vic
The “Crown Victoria” name wasn’t used again until the 1980 model year, when it was chosen as the name for Ford's top-of-the-line, full-size, four-door sedan in the United States In the years since the reappearance of the Crown Victoria, it has evolved in both style and substance to keep up with the times and the needs of its loyal customers in the United States and in other areas of the world.
“Crown Vic,” as it is often affectionately known, offered electronic engine controls as early as 1980. A 5.0-liter V-8 engine with electronic fuel injection was standard equipment in 1983. Load-leveling suspension was offered in 1985; a standard driver's side supplemental air bag was added in 1990.
In 1992, the Crown Victoria was substantially redesigned to reflect the new "aero" design trend of the time. It received an all-new body and a new engine that was both powerful and efficient, and its suspension was modified for even greater strength.
The Right Choice for Families, Taxis and Police
As the years went by, Crown Victoria continued to offer a customer-pleasing interior, an impressive ride, responsive handling and exceptional interior space—a six-passenger car with room for luggage. It was a natural choice for a family sedan as well as for fleet and taxicab use. In addition, Ford Motor Company has led the market for many years with its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor for law enforcement agencies.
Green Crown Vic
The Crown Vic is now available as a flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV). FFVs may be fueled with E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), regular gasoline or a combination of the two, reducing both fuel costs to the customer and emissions for the planet.