Transmission started leaking slightly at about 75,000m.
Starter motor died at 210,000m.
Steering box started leaking some power steering fluid at 230,000m.
Some rust just above rear wheel lips.
This car is amazing!
It's closing in on 250,000 miles and has yet to be rebuilt once.
The big 429 has enough power to push this 6000lb car to 15 second quarter mile times. Which is usually enough to whoop up on 5.0 Mustangs and more than it's fair share of Camaros and Firebirds.
It's floaty, like most Fords from the era, but that's what makes driving it so nice. Most comfortable car I've ever driven.
It has 2.90 highway gearing, so gas mileage is surprisingly good. Even though you have to fill up with the highest octane you can find... which can sometimes be difficult.
Other than the problems I listed before, the only other problem with the car is sometimes you have to jiggle the gear lever around in park to start the car, because of the safety switch which keeps you from starting the car in gear.
All in all, I'd have to say it's one great and often overlooked piece of engineering history.
Good review but here are a couple of correction on your stats.
These cars do not weigh 6000 lbs. Depending on equipment and number of doors (the 4 door cars were slightly longer and heavier), they weigh 4100 - 4500 lbs.
Also, your rear end gear ratio was not 2.90:1. The stock ratio was 2.80:1, with an optional 3.00:1 ratio.
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