The Beastly 1999 Ford Crown Victoria: A Hidden Gem of Performance
Let’s take a moment to appreciate this 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, a rare piece of automotive history and one of only 18 “Cobra Vic” examples crafted by Roush Performance for the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving based in sunny Chandler, Arizona. Underneath its unassuming façade lies a performance machine, equipped with a Mustang Cobra-sourced 4.6-liter DOHC V8 that makes this car anything but ordinary. This isn’t just a family sedan; it’s a finely-tuned monster waiting to be unleashed.
What Sets This Car Apart?
This beast doesn’t just stop at its powerful engine. It boasts a whole array of modifications:
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Traction-Lok rear differential
- Upgraded cooling components
- Fuel cell
- Performance-tuned suspension
- Slotted disc brakes
- 17″ Cobra R wheels
- Custom front bumper
- Roll cage
- Corbeau racing driver seat
- Simpson multi-point harnesses
- Fire suppression system
This Crown Vic was picked up from Bondurant back in 2007 by a previous owner and eventually made its way to a new dealer in May 2024. Today, its odometer reads a low 22,000 miles, and it’s being offered at no reserve down in Alabama. To sweeten the deal, you get a complete set of service records, spare parts, a clean Carfax report, and a pristine California title.
A More Aggressive Look
The car has been given a sleek black refinish in 2023, incorporating fresh weather stripping and trim, along with new headlights, taillights, and turn signal housings. It doesn’t stop there—this beast features:
- Custom front bumper cover
- Power-adjustable side mirrors
- Tinted windows
- Decklid spoiler
The Wheels and Suspension
Wrapped around silver 17″ Cobra R wheels are sets of 285/40 Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires, dating back to 2021. The Bondurant models come with a lowered suspension, thanks to Eibach springs, Monroe shocks, and beefier anti-roll bars. And stopping power? No concern here—the car utilizes power-assisted four-wheel discs with slotted rotors, ensuring that you can bring this beast to a halt when needed.
Inside the Cabin
Slide into the driver’s seat and you’ll find a black Corbeau fixed-back racing seat. The passenger enjoys a factory bucket seat while the rear bench is trimmed in Light Graphite cloth. The cabin isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s equipped with:
- Roll cage
- Front and rear Simpson multi-point racing harnesses
- Air conditioning
- Power windows and locks
- CD stereo
- A Ford Contour center console housing the shifter and emergency brake handle
- A switch for the Halon fire suppression system
It’s a functional space, though a few signs of wear might catch your eye, like the faded racing seat material and a cracked instrument cluster lens. The sun visors have found a new home outside of the vehicle, and you might notice holes left behind from the window nets; good news is, the nets are included with the sale.
Instrumentation That Tells You Everything
The steering wheel houses white-dial instruments including a 160-mph speedometer and a tachometer that redlines at a fiery 6,800 RPM. Add supplementary gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, voltage, and oil pressure, and you have a comprehensive dashboard layout at your fingertips. According to the digital odometer, approximately 200 of the reported 22k miles were racked up during the current ownership.
Powertrain and Performance
Now, let’s talk power. The 4.6-liter DOHC V8 was originally retrofitted by Roush Performance specifically for Bondurant’s training purposes. A replacement engine found its way under the hood in 2002. This isn’t just an engine swap; the setup also includes:
- 6.8-liter V10-sourced cooling system components
- Cobra R-style oil cooler
- Silicone cooling hoses
- Trunk-mounted battery
- 22-gallon fuel cell relocated behind the rear axle
- Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system
The radiator has recently been replaced, along with an oil change that took place in November 2023. To top it off, power is channeled to the rear wheels via a Mustang Cobra-sourced Tremec T45 five-speed manual transmission and a Roush-modified Traction-Lok rear axle with 3.73 gearing. The underside of this beauty has also received a rust-inhibiting coat, applied in March 2024.
Final Thoughts
This Crown Victoria isn’t just another car—it’s a piece of history that blends school spirit and performance prowess. With a clean Carfax, no accidents, and a California title listed as a duplicate, it stands ready for someone who understands that real treasures are often hiding in plain sight.