the ford ltd crown victoria uses the rear-wheel drive ford panther platform architecture. as part of a major downsizing over the 1973-1978 ltd brougham/landau, the ltd crown victoria shed 18 inches of length and nearly 1000 pounds of curb weight. although much smaller than its predecessor, the ltd crown victoria would carry over the basic suspension design of its predecessor, with a live rear axle suspension and double wishbone independent front suspension. brakes were of a vented disc/rear drum configuration.