There’s something about a car that is so overzealous in its execution that you almost respect it more than if it didn’t try so hard. The Lincoln Continental Valentino Edition is such a car, hailing from the era in which neoclassical styling cues actually moved some consumers into the showroom for a closer look. The ornate qualities of this Continental have not aged well, but it seems Lincoln was trying awfully hard to recapture some of the magic that initially fueled its success. This Midnight Black over Burnished Pewter Clearcoat Metallic example has low miles and looks incredibly well preserved – find it here on craigslist for $12,500.
The bustle-back design is one that seemingly screams “Look at me – my old-school charm is undeniable!” – even as history marched forward in the middle 80s with short wheelbases, smaller engines, and scaled-back opulence. The hubcaps, two-tone paint, and the fake spare tire mount are not so much gaudy as they are desperate, but in that desperation is its charm. Lincoln so badly wanted to keep the fever of yesteryear going that, even while installing a digital gauge cluster, they still pretended the spare tire was accessible via a hump on the decklid. It’s astounding, really. Speaking of astounding, this Continental is in amazing condition, and the seller notes it belonged to a Lincoln club member and enthusiast.
Honestly, I’ve never spent time in one of these 80s luxury sedans, so the dash layout took me by surprise. It’s surprisingly modern inside, with a handsome and clean array of driver controls and functions. Really, looking at it from the outside, you wouldn’t expect to see a cabin layout like this. In fact, it was loaded up with technology ranging from the digital dash to an electronic suspension to four-wheel disc brakes. The Continental was loaded and even had front and rear sway bars. It seems to check a surprising number of boxes as it relates to driver-focused features and the usual comfort-focused options.
Of course, none of that spelled sales success, and the Continental didn’t push Lincoln to new heights of sales success. As we saw recently, even a BMW-sourced turbodiesel was added to the mix, which seemingly points to the Lincoln team trying any number of engineering and feature-driven innovations to make the Continental interesting enough to attract new customers. This one isn’t a diesel; however, it relies on a traditional 5.0-liter V8 rated at 140 horsepower. This Continental will never be the most valuable vehicle in your collection, but it may very well be the most interesting. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M. for the find.
I love a black Lincoln!! I never owned or drove one but they are candy for my eyes 👀 just really nice cars! For me, it’s gotta be ⚫️ black. I just can’t picture people driving these cars wearing jeans and work boots, they always had people in dark suits cruising around in them. Important people with 💸…not me 😆
The bustleback began with the 1980 Cadillac Seville and this was basically Ford’s response. Chrysler also copied it with the 1981-83 Imperial.
Cadillac did this because the 1976-79 Seville did not win over Mercedes or BMW buyers like Cadillac had hoped but was impressive to older people, particularly older women, and it sold very well. So they figured the bustleback, which harkened back to their core buyers’ youth, would do even better in this space.
Unfortunately, sales declined pretty significantly from about 54,000 to 39,000. So I guess in hindsight, it seems like a perplexing decision, sure, but product development takes time, and Ford was just going in the direction of its competition.
If the miles are true this is a great find. Love the color comb. never seen one with cloth interior.
Worth every penny. The manager of the service bays i worked for in the early 90’s had such an 85 two tone blue. Every once in a while i took it to drive back prefered customers home.while their car was in the shop. Every time i stepped out i said wow
The seller does a good presentation. 1980s electronics give me the heebie jeebies though.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved this version of the Continental. Whatever the trim level and colour, it’s always been my favourite version of the Continental. My least favourite is the digital instrument display. Call me old-school, but I’ve always preferred a blend of digital and analogue display.
I drove a company car, Mercury Monarch at that time and I think this Lincoln was built off that subframe. I may be wrong, though. It was Lincoln’s way of getting into that smaller luxury market without building a whole new car. More bells and whistles, upgraded interior, upgraded grille configuration and the simulated Lincoln spare on the trunk lid. Cadillac tried the same deal taking the Chevy model and upgrading it (or trying to) make it a Cadillac. Cadillac’s famous moniker: ‘It’s A Cadillac!” was replaced for the Cimmaron…”It’s BY Cadillac!” I guess they didn’t have much confidence in it! It was most likely the ‘bean counters’ at GM that were responsible for that decision to build it… El cheapo!!
The air suspension was a nightmare on my used ’87.
Had a family friend who had one of these. The killer was the digital dash. Think he had it 3 or 4 years, but I hardly remember it having the dash in it, always broke and waiting for replacement parts that worked. As now my state requires a working dash for inspection think will pass.