1971 Ford LTD

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT (a company buying the car will always have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, it will require recommissioning prior to full road use and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with most cars from the vendor’s collection it comes to us with no history or service records.

We know its chassis number is: 1G63S213482.

We know that it entered the vendor’s collection in 2016.

We know it has Ford’s 400 cu in (6.6-litre) 2V engine.

We know the odometer currently reads 75,621 miles.

We have a sales description for the car from a St. Louis dealer. We don’t know the date, but the mileage at the time was 75,619.

It reads as follows.

“For sale in our St. Louis showroom is a 1 owner 1971 Ford LTD Sedan. This time capsule was purchased and resided in the same town its entire existence, right here in O'Fallon, IL.

Options for this 1971 Ford LTD Sedan include: AC (non-functioning), AM/FM Radio with an 8-track and cassette player adapter, cruise control, hub caps, power brakes, power steering, seat belts, cloth interior, and white wall radial tires.

Powering this LTD is the original 400 CID V8 and 3 speed automatic transmission.

This survivor has been garaged since it was purchased new, and has won awards in several car shows. The odometer reads 75,619. The entire interior: dashboard, cloth seats, carpet, and headliner have all aged very gracefully and are still in fantastic condition. An FM converter and a cassette adapter has been installed via the 8-track player which was added to the original AM radio, all of which work and function as they should. The power brakes and power steering make this long 70's sedan manageable in any environment.”

Although we have not tried to start or drive the car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic state, we’d say that the above description largely still holds true and that this vehicle is in very good overall condition.

With the exception of very small dinks on the n/s/f wing, above the o/s/f side indicator and by the door lock on the same side, the bodywork is in very good order with no dents, ripples or creases of any note anywhere.

The chrome work throughout is bright, shiny and free from tarnishing, foxing or pitting.

The wheels and most exterior trim are equally good, as are the lights and badging.

The pale green metallic paintwork looks pretty impressive all over and presents very well from every angle.

The black vinyl roof is good except for below the rear screen where there is some underlying bubbling in evidence.

There are a few paint chips and scuffs on the bonnet and the driver’s door, and one or two others on the passenger side.

Some paint has rubbed away along the swage line on the n/s.

The good news continues more or less unabated on the inside, where everything appears to be original, authentic and in pretty much time-warp condition.

The green fabric upholstery is in fine fettle and there are no rips, nicks, splits or tears anywhere that we can see.

The seats, front and back, are comfortable, supportive and functional. The colour of the front seats has faded somewhat.

The carpets and mats are in decent nick but are showing some signs of wear in the driver’s footwell, unsurprisingly, and could do with a decent clean in general.

The door cards are excellent and the headlining is in very good order.

The steering wheel, dashboard, instruments and all interior fixtures and fittings look fine.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

Aside from a quick rub down with a damp cloth, there’s really no remedial work required in the interior of this car as far as we can see.

The boot is good, save for a bit of staining, and contains a spare wheel and some spare parts.

The undersides appear to have a plenty of structural integrity and we’ve seen nothing that concerns us.

Clearly though, you’ll want to see it for yourself before reaching your own conclusion.

The engine and engine bay are clean, tidy and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals are in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this very well-preserved and looked-after Ford LTD is a rare and handsome example of the model.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £6,000 - £10,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’