government agencies, for example. Body-on-frame construction, which entails separate
sub-construction for the chassis and body with the two mated in final assembly, is
generally heavier and better suited to taking a beating than the near-universal
unitbody approach. That's why most trucks and sport-utilities are still body-on-frame
designs.
Custom coachbuilders like separate frames because they can stretch them easily.
Police forces like the high-mileage reliability of rear-drive powertrains, a roomy
back seat for passengers likely to be wearing handcuffs and a big trunk for emergency
gear. And large families still enjoy filling that large trunk with luggage and setting
out, six at a time, on long trips.
Ford figures that's a big enough market to warrant continued production of Marquis
and Vic, and to make continual improvements to them. Given the appeal of the current cars and the ever-dwindling number of competitors, they're probably right. Next Page