It’s been several years since the Ford Crown Victoria was discontinued, but the large sedan remains a favorite of many – a list that includes police departments and taxi cab services. Regardless, we’ve seen the Crown Victoria slowly face retirement at many of those entities across the U.S. over the past few years – along with the Transit Connect – replaced by other vehicles including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which began serving as a taxi in New York City nearly two years ago. Now, it seems as if the very last Ford Crown Victoria taxi cabs in the Big Apple are inching toward their proverbial grave as well, according to The New York Times.
Amazingly, there are still two Ford Crown Victoria NYC taxi cabs in operation, both of which are 12 years old, and one of which has a whopping 550,000 miles on the clock, while the other has 491k showing on the odometer. Ravinder Sharma purchased the higher-mile sedan new, and loves it so much that he has fought to keep it going ever since, even as the Taxi and Limousine Commission notes that both have already passed the seven-year mark in operation and should be retired.
Regardless, the owners of these Crown Vics have been keen to fight the city to keep them on the road, skipping inspections that would have resulted in their meters being seized and rendering them unfit for service. The drivers must now head to administrative hearings to answer summonses issued following these violations, and if they lose, the agency can send wireless signals to shut down their meters remotely. Additionally, the drivers face possible fines and could even have their licenses suspended. Regardless, the drivers aren’t giving up by any means.
“You know you are in a classic taxi,” Sharma said. “I love this car. I’m thinking if they allow me to drive, I drive. If they don’t, I take my Social Security and retire.”
We’ll have more on the Ford Crown Victoria soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Crown Victoria news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
As long as it works and is safe why not. With proper care, they’ll easily last a long time. Hats off to those guys.
Just too large for the times.
Did the streets shrink ?
Now they use Suburbans and Expedition’s. Still too big for the times ?
I prefer to travel in one of those Crown Vics than in a boring forgetable SUV. Those Crown Vics are much more comfortable, look much better and have style, character and personality.
Why would it be too big for the times.
Whenever I visited Chicago, I always hoped for a CROWN VICTORIA as a cab. I was always disappointed when I got a FORD ESCAPE. The early versions were not nice. Cramped rear seat and bad ride. TOYOTA CAMRY hybrid is always smooth and comfortable but nothing beats the VIC. Imagine if they still built them. No doubt a hybrid version would have been a cabby favorite.
Who ever decided to discontinue the crown Vic and also the Taurus and fusion ought to have their nuts cut off one big mistake lots of police departments want a 4 door sedan not a suv case in point Pa state troupers are buying dodge chargers one reason they are cheaper Pa troupers used nothing but ford products for years and years but that has ended good job for the morons who decided to quit making above said cars.
The fact that such regulations exist is an affront to a free society. May the Panther never die.