For long-time car enthusiasts, the “RocketCouch,” our 1992 Crown Vic LX, is a familiar project. Given the build thread for our 2004 CVPI Casper, it’s time to share the story of the RocketCouch for those newer to the scene. This is the journey of transforming my first car, a 1992 Crown Victoria LX, from its stock form to what it is today – and we are actively working on getting it back on the road!
This Crown Vic started as my high school ride. Unlike friends who opted for Mustangs, I held onto this car, acquired from my father’s office pool. With only 45k miles, it was already a solid vehicle. The initial modifications were typical bolt-ons: underdrive pulleys, a 3.55 rear end, Trac-Lok differential, and a PI aluminum driveshaft. Looking back at some early photos:
These are the Fittipaldi 17×8 wheels, initially paired with tires that were too low profile. The custom dual exhaust with oversized turndowns was prone to scraping – lesson learned! I experimented with Flowmaster mufflers, moving from 2-chamber to 3-chamber, and have since changed them again in pursuit of the perfect sound. Comparing the original stock wheels to the new 17×8 Fittipaldis highlights the change. (In hindsight, creating a “bigs and littles” setup from the stock wheels would have been a cool direction).
Moving forward, I addressed the tire size, opting for the correct profile. Addco sway bars, PI springs, and Bilstein shocks were installed to improve handling and ride quality, complemented by window tint for a sleeker look.
Testing out the upgraded rear end with a good old smokey burnout at the track.
Inside, the modifications continued. This picture shows one of the tachometers I installed – and no, it wasn’t the largest one I tried! This setup was with the pre-PI speedometer, which has since been swapped for a 140 mph version to match the performance aspirations.
Finally, a glimpse of the original “porno red” interior, now featuring Cobra Daytona seats that have been recovered. And a nostalgic touch – check out that old school Nokia cell phone! These interior upgrades aimed to blend performance with comfort in this classic sedan. For those looking to enhance their own Panther platform vehicles, exploring resources like Adtr Car Parts can provide inspiration and components for similar modifications, though this project predates widespread online parts availability.
The RocketCouch was more than just a car; it was a companion through high school, drag strip runs, and weekly car shows at Cruiser’s carwash. Then, during my first year of college, the project took a significant turn. Inspired by Paul “TurboVic,” a well-known figure in the Panther platform community, the idea of a PI headswap and naturally aspirated 300 hp build took hold. Parts acquisition began, initially kept secret from my mom. However, the plan escalated when Paul discovered a great deal on a used Paxton Novi 2000 supercharger and aftercooler setup. This marked a major shift towards serious performance.
Stay tuned for the next installment as the supercharger build takes shape and the RocketCouch journey continues!
