The Lincoln Continental Mark III represented Lee Iacocca’s best thinking. By sharing a platform with the Ford Thunderbird and restyling it with a distinctive grille, the company produced a luxury product that commanded a premium price and cost mere pennies to develop. This 1971 example is a beauty, with only 24,000 miles on the clock. Its presentation is seemingly faultless, and it is loaded with the comfort touches you would typically expect from this type of vehicle. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Mark III listed here on Craigslist in Seattle, Washington. The seller priced this amazing survivor at $26,900.
Launched in 1969, Lincoln based the Continental Mark III on the Thunderbird, although Gene Bordinat’s styling gave the Lincoln a distinctive look. The buying public embraced it, with sales climbing each year it graced showrooms. Production ended in 1971, and the badge went out in a blaze of glory as it set a new sales record of 27,091 vehicles. This final-year example is a beauty, finished in Light Yellow Gold with a Brown vinyl top. Its presentation is first-rate, which is unsurprising considering the odometer reading and the fact that it has been garage-kept since Day One. The paint shines richly, the panels are straight, and the vinyl looks perfect. Its sheltered existence has protected it from rust, and the seller says the Mark III is rock-solid. The trim looks excellent, and the original glass is crystal clear.
The Mark III is a luxury car, and the interior appointments reflect that. It features Ginger leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power front seats, a remote trunk release, cruise control, a Cartier clock, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, and an AM radio/8-track player. The presentation reflects the car’s history, with no wear on the leather or carpet, and no evidence of UV deterioration. Lincoln initially used faux timber trim, but the Mark III received genuine walnut veneer from the 1970 model year. This car’s walnut looks flawless, and the dash is in excellent shape. The seller renewed the A/C so it blows ice-cold, but says the tape player needs some jiggling to operate and the clock has a mind of its own.
Lincoln adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the Mark III’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 460ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes with “Sure-Track” to prevent rear wheel lock-up in slippery conditions. The 460 is an admirable performer, delivering a factory-quoted 365hp and a mighty 500 ft/lbs of torque. The seller indicates that this beauty spent years in storage, with the previous owner coaxing it to life monthly to keep the fluids circulating. However, it needed work to become roadworthy, and they invested a significant sum to do so. They replaced the shocks, brakes, brake lines, and torque converter. They rebuilt the transmission and the original carburetor. They have clocked 2,000 miles since becoming its custodian in 2022, and potential buyers can consider the Mark III a turnkey proposition.
Lincoln aspired to produce a car that would eclipse the Cadillac Eldorado in the sales race, but it always fell short. The Mark III delivered on debut, and continued to sell strongly for the rest of its production life. This 1971 example is an absolute gem and would be ideal for enthusiasts seeking a spotless luxury classic. The seller’s price looks realistic compared to recent successful sales, and I suspect they will taste sales success fairly quickly. The big question is whether any readers might consider giving this classic a new home. What do you say?
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