Welcome to the Crown Vics ETC blog!

On April 6, 2000, I purchased a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria LX HPP with 23,490 miles. I decided to start a little website for it featuring a running log of my experiences with the car. Vic 1.0 was retired in 2015 due to rust and electrical issues. Vic 2.0 was a 2006 P71 in Blue Pearl that belonged to my boyfriend. It was a Ford demo and never saw actual police use. It was damaged in September of 2018 with well over 186,000 miles. It was replaced by Vic 3.0 in October 2018, a 2008 P71 in Silver Birch with 120,971 miles. To read posts prior to 2010, click a link at right, or go to Crown Vics, ETC.

Friday, June 24, 2011

UPDATE: Might as Well Jump...

Had to jump Vic today... no idea why as the battery isn't that old, maybe 2 years.  Hopefully there isn't an underlying reason...

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Greenlight Collectibles: Hot Pursuit Series 7 in 1:64

Greenlight has a selection of Crown Victoria cruisers in 1:64 scale within their Hot Pursuit series.  The latest set has cars marked for Texas Highway and Iowa State police.  They also have a new Ford marked Taurus cruiser! 

Past series include cars for New York state, Virginia state, Wayne County, and more.  I myself have a few of these, and they are very nice quality.  A recommended addition to your collection!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

A Secret Treasure Trove of New York City Taxis

This brand-spankin'-new yellow New York taxi-ready Ford Crown Victoria fleet I stumbled across yesterday, springing up like a patch of daisies through the cracks of the concrete urban jungle of Hoboken, New Jersey, is both poignant and beautiful.

It's poignant because, after 20 years of production, the Ford Crown Victoria will finally shuffle off this mortal coil at the end of the 2012 model year..........

READ WHOLE ARTICLE: A secret treasure trove of New York City taxis

UPDATE: Wired...

Vic is back on the road. Once again, the culprit was a broken wire. This time, it was somewhere along the driver side fender-well, leading to the main fusebox under the hood. So I don't need any fancy computer bits. It still cost some $$$, but FAR less than I expected. So, we are back in action... thing is, I think I need an alignment now!! It may be due to the tows, or it is all in my head...

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

UPDATE: Not again...

Yesterday Vic took a ride via flatbed across town to a Ford dealership. "Taxi Guy" did everything he could think of to get the car going, but said the dealer would have different diagnostic equipment that would be better.

As of this second, the problem is NOT with the keys or computer... it is (yes, say it with me...) a broken wire. Yup. Again. But I am waiting to see if this is indeed the issue. Why did the first shop have so many issues keeping the car running with different keys? Was it a coincidence?

We shall see... stay tuned...

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

UPDATE: The Key to My Madness...

Vic is still in the shop.  And the issue seems to be with the transponder keys/immobilizer system.  I don't know all the details yet, but it seems that as of 30 minutes ago, only one of the three keys I gave the mechanics work.  The car works normally with that one key.  BUT, in order to make more keys, or finish programing the computer, or SOMETHING like that, I need one more key that works.  I just used Todd's car to drop off one more key that I had forgotten about.  I hope that one works, or else I will have to go to a dealership or locksmith to get the car's computer reprogrammed. 

... or something like that...

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

UPDATE: Dead in the Driveway

Well, I guess wax can be hazardous for a car's health... I just tried to start Vic, and all it does is crank.  I don't hear the fuel pump kicking on, so that is what I am assuming the problem is.  Hoping to get it towed to "Taxi Guy" today.  One thing is for sure, after yesterday's cleaning session, it will be the shiniest looking Vic in his shop!!

UPDATE: Vic is on a flatbed, headed for the shop...

Monday, June 6, 2011

UPDATE: Pampering Vic...

I finally got a coat of wax on Vic today.  Needed it BAD.  It rained for a month, then there were green worms falling out of trees onto it, then bird mess, then little black poo from the worms, then pollen.  Now, it seems to be just pollen, so the car got a wash, then Meguiars polish and wax.  I didn't do a clay-job this time, as I just wasn't up to it.  It is a shame the sides of the car don't gleam as much as the hood, roof, and trunk.  There was a time when they did... (sigh)...