ST.THOMAS, Canada - As the last Ford Crown Victoria sedan drove off the production line at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant today it marked the end of production at the 44-year-old plant.

"We have always pursued the highest levels of quality and craftsmanship here at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant and that commitment continued right down to the last car built here today,” said Gareth Ford, the plant manager. 

St. Thomas Assembly Plant opened in 1967 to build the Ford Falcon and then moved on to produce more than eight million vehicles including: Ford Maverick, Ford Pinto, Mercury Bobcat, Ford Fairmont, Mercury Zephyr, Ford EXP, Mercury LN7, Ford Escort and the Mercury Lynx.  Since 1984, the plant has produced the Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria, and then added the Mercury Marauder between 2002 and 2004, as well as the Lincoln Town Car from 2008 until last month.

Crown Victoria Timeline by Model Year
1930-1931: Model A is the first Ford to have Victoria as a body style. 

1932-1934:  The new Ford V-8 and four-cylinder both offer a Victoria body style.

1951-1964:  Victoria returns as a body style in the Ford Custom Deluxe series.  Victoria, and variants like the Town Victoria and Club Victoria, continue as deluxe body styles of the Ford through 1964.

1955-1956:  The Crown Victoria is a special body style, distinguished by the chrome "tiara" roof trim.  For 1955, there is also a Crown Victoria Skyliner, which replaces the forward half of the top with transparent green plexiglass.

1980-1982:  The LTD Crown Victoria is the top trim level of the full-size Ford.

1980:  The Crown Victoria name is reintroduced as the top trim level of the LTD.  It is billed as a traditional full-size, body-on-frame, 6-passenger sedan with "top-of-the-line elegance."  It features a 'crown' wrapover molding reminiscent of the 1955-1965 Crown Victoria, a crown hood ornament and a deluxe interior.

1983-1991:  LTD Crown Victoria is its own model.

1983:  LTD Crown Victoria is now the model name for the full-size Ford, rather than a trim level.  (The LTD name is used for a new smaller car.)  Electronic fuel injection (EFI) is added.

1985:  LTD Crown Victoria receives new gas-filled shocks.

1987:  Air conditioning, tinted glass and digital clock now standard.  Product brochure states that the LTD Crown Victoria is "roomier than 99% of today's automobiles."

1988:  An exterior restyle includes a new grille and hood, bumpers with rub strips and trunk lid.

1990:  Driver's side airbag is added as standard equipment, as are power windows and mirrors.

1992-2011:  Crown Victoria is its own model.

1992:  The brand-new Crown Victoria debuts in spring of 1991.  It features a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that is more powerful and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.  Other standard features include variable-assist, speed-sensitive steering, 4-wheel disc brakes, and new front and rear stabilizer bars for more precise handling along with a smooth and comfortable ride.  Anti-lock brakes with Traction Assist are optional.  Airbag is standard on the driver's side and optional on the passenger's side.

1994:  Dual front airbags standard.

1995:  The Crown Victoria is refreshed both inside and out, including new grille and taillights, contoured and padded seats, solar tinted glass and a new instrument panel.

1996-2006:  Crown Victoria receives 5-star government front crash test rating.

1996:  Debut of the Crown Victoria NGV (natural gas vehicle), the first factory-produced, dedicated natural gas passenger car and cleanest internal combustion engine car in North America

1998:  Crown Victoria is refreshed with a more contemporary, sleeker exterior including new front grille, hood and park/turn lamps.  A new Watt's linkage rear suspension provides a smooth ride with more precise steering response.  A handling and performance package is optional.

2000:  Emergency trunk release becomes standard.

2003:  A major update includes new frame, suspension and steering systems for enhanced safety, ride and handling.  Also new are optional side airbags and dual media stereo with AM/FM, CD and cassette.

2006:  Flexible-fuel capability added to models sold in select states.

2008:  The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is available as a flex fuel vehicle capable of running on E85 ethanol or gasoline.