Faults:

My grandma ran her out of gas once, and that sucked some junk past the filter into the carb. I rebuilt the carb, replaced the fuel filter and that took care of that.

Other than that nothing has gone wrong. I've never been stranded.

General Comments:

This was my first car. I bought her when I was 19, and took her to college in 2010. Has always been the most reliable vehicle in the garage. I daily drove this car for 3-4 years, and she's been a seasonal driver ever since.

She gets 12 miles to the gallon. Regular gas with 10% ethanol is fine.

She needs zinc in the oil, so diesel oil or racing oil is the way to go.

I have no problems keeping up with modern traffic, and she stops fairly well for a big car. Smooth ride. The only thing that doesn't work is the clock.

I like the fact that she's easy to work on, and parts are relatively easy to find. In the last 5 years, a lot more full-size Ford reproduction parts have become available, so you don't have to do as much junkyard-scrounging or swap-meet haggling.

For anything mechanical, O'Reilly's usually has the part I need in stock.

My car has the 352 4 bbl, the Interceptor engine on previous models. Power goes thru the Cruise O'Matic trans to a 3.00 to 1 rear end. Definitely a cruising set-up. She runs real nice at 75 on the freeway. She's got enough power and torque that she's fun, but you won't win any street races.

All in all, a fun and relatively cheap classic car. A reliable driver too, if you can afford the gas.

Faults:

Fuel pump went bad, rebuilt for $35.

Mufflers needed replacing. Used lifetime warranty from Midas mufflers to replace at no charge.

Master cylinder was rebuilt for $60.

Turn signal canceling cam broke - replaced for $35.

Original engine, never rebuilt. Runs like a top.

General Comments:

Grandpa purchased new, kept in perfect condition.

I received in 1980 - only driven to shows and events.

The car is very powerful, comfortable and solid.

15 mpg on the highway, 12 around town.

Other than fuel, it's very inexpensive to operate.

Other than tires and shocks, it's all original.

A real testament to Ford's emphasis on quality that year.

A real joy to drive.

Faults:

It had the top end of the engine in the trunk with a cracked head when I bought it for $50. So a friend and I put in a rebuilt motor ($400).

Down the line I had the transmission replaced because it wasn't 100% perfect (I worked at an AAMCO trans. shop).

General Comments:

My first car and best car I have ever owned. Lots of power, especially in the '80s when most folks were driving economy cars.

Excellent driver position for my 6'2" frame (Hey, that was considered tall back then).

The A.C. still blew ice-cold after 22 years.

It got 12 MPG using premium gas (or regular if you retarded the ignition a couple degrees), which is about par for a '60s vintage full sized car.

It was large with "bench" seats, which meant I could pack 5-7 friends in there. (try that with modern bucket seats).

Sure wish I had kept that car. I was moving (I thought) to Thailand in 1986 and sold it for $200!!! It was near perfect in all respects.