The Ford Landau was a full-size car launched at the 1970 São Paulo Auto Show and built in Brazil by Ford Brasil from 1971 until 1983. Based on the American 1966 Ford Galaxie, it became Ford’s flagship in that country.
Ford Landau at a glance
| Maker | Ford Brasil, São Bernardo do Campo |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1970 São Paulo Auto Show |
| Production | 1971–1983 |
| Base | 1966 American Ford Galaxie |
| Body | four-door sedan only |
| Position | Ford Brazil’s flagship |
| From 1976 | top of the range above the Galaxie 500 and LTD |
| Engine | 302 cu in (4,942 cc) V8, 198 hp |
| Colour at launch | Prata Continental, a silver metallic clearcoat |
| Ethanol version | from June 1979, high-compression engine |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only.
History of the Ford Landau
An American car, made Brazilian
The Landau was launched at the 1970 São Paulo Auto Show and built from 1971 at Ford Brasil’s Via Anchieta plant in São Bernardo do Campo. It was based on the American 1966 Ford Galaxie and was sold only as a four-door sedan, even though the American car came in many body styles. It became Ford’s flagship in Brazil.
Top of the range in 1976
The Landau joined the existing Galaxie 500 and LTD in the showrooms in 1976 as Ford’s new top model. All three used the new 302 cubic inch engine of 4,942 cc and 198 hp, which replaced the heavier 292, but the Galaxie and LTD kept the design elements of the American original while the Landau after 1976 was given a radical restyling that clearly resembled the 1965 Lincoln Continental. At first it came in a single colour scheme called Prata Continental, an exclusive silver metallic clearcoat, with the vinyl roof painted silver to match.
Alcohol power
On 25 June 1979, during Brazil’s oil crisis, Ford added to the Galaxie and Landau ranges a 302 engine with a much higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 instead of 7.8:1, using a true dual exhaust, an aluminium intake manifold and a nickel-covered carburettor so that it could run on ethanol made from sugar cane. The first such car was a present to the Brazilian president of the time, João Figueiredo. Of the 77,647 Galaxie versions built in Brazil over sixteen years, 2,492 ran on alcohol.
Design and features
- Galaxie base: the 1966 American full-size Ford under a Brazilian body.
- 302 V8: 4,942 cc and 198 hp from 1976, replacing the older 292.
- Lincoln look: the 1976 restyling echoed the 1965 Lincoln Continental.
- Ethanol option: a high-compression engine for sugar-cane alcohol from 1979.
Ford Landau versions
- Landau (1971–1975): the original version based on the Galaxie shape.
- Restyled Landau (1976): with the Lincoln-style body and the 302 V8.
- Prata Continental: the launch colour scheme.
- Ethanol Landau (1979): the high-compression alcohol version.
The Landau was built on the Brazilian Galaxie and shared its range with the Brazilian LTD. More Ford vehicles are in the Ford collection.
Sources
- Ford Landau, English Wikipedia: origin, engines, restyling, ethanol version
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