With the Continental Mark V entering its final production year in 1979, Lincoln celebrated the milestone by releasing the Collector’s Series. Offered in four exterior paint shades, the company produced 6,262 of these classics before drawing the curtain on the Mark V. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, presenting as an honest survivor. The seller claims that it has a genuine 29,000 miles on the clock, and the interior condition seems to support that figure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Lincoln listed here on eBay in Mundelein, Illinois. The seller set their BIN at $14,900 with the option to make an offer.
The Mark V had served Lincoln well since its 1977 introduction. The company sold 228,862 vehicles across three model years, including an impressive 47,173 cars across various special editions. The final production year saw the release of the Collector’s Series, a celebratory model that seemed a fitting way for the badge to bow out. It wasn’t a cheap option, adding an eye-watering $8,000 to the Mark V’s sticker price. Externally, buyers could choose from four paint shades. This car’s first owner teamed Midnight Blue Metallic with the matching vinyl top. Close inspection of this Lincoln confirms that it isn’t perfect. The paint exhibits areas of developing wear-through and other deterioration. However, with no exposed steel, addressing these shortcomings could occur when, or is, the buyer deems it necessary. The panels are straight, and the comprehensive image gallery reveals that while there are minor areas of dry underside surface corrosion, there is no penetrating rust. The trim is in good order for its age, and there are no issues with the tinted glass.
Lincoln equipped the Mark V’s interior in a fashion befitting a luxury car. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio as standard equipment. Ticking the box for the Collector’s Series added plush Kasman II cloth trim with splashes of leather, deeper and more luxurious carpet, leather on the center console armrest, a driver’s seat power lumbar support, a tilt wheel, a leather-wrapped dash pad, additional faux timber trim, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player with a power antenna. This Continental’s interior presents exceptionally well for its age, with no evidence of significant wear, stains, or UV damage to the seats. The same is true of the carpet, pad, and upholstered surfaces. The overall interior condition is consistent with the seller’s mileage claim.
Typical of the period, Lincoln adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the Mark V’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 400ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power four-wheel disc brakes. The engine wasn’t exactly a fireball, hampered by stringent emissions regulations. It generated a relatively modest 159hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. However, those figures aren’t as bad as they may suggest. The 400 hit its torque peak at around 1,500rpm, making the engine quite flexible. There is a small slice of positive news for those seeking additional power and more refinement. The seller indicates that the original carburetor has been replaced with a Holley Sniper EFI system, which should provide a notable improvement. They don’t mention evidence verifying the mileage claim, but they confirm that the car runs and drives exceptionally well.
Of the 6,262 Collector’s Series Continental Mark Vs produced in 1979, approximately 3,900 buyers selected to clad the exterior in Midnight Blue. That makes this one of the more common examples of the Series, although the rarity increases when you consider that total Mark V production during that year was 75,939 vehicles. The seller’s BIN figure appears slightly optimistic, though it’s not far off the mark for a car of this caliber. If you hanker for a luxurious classic motoring experience, could this Lincoln be a strong contender?
The Mark V always put me in mind of an elderly Batman rushing to a senior buffet where the green beans were mysteriously too mushy.
Whitewalls, please.
This definitely hits a HIGH MARK for me. The only drawback would be the 400 engine, but the added Holley could provide needed power. I’d love to add this beauty to my garage. But it’s just a pipe dream. Nevertheless, the asking price is most definitely a Bon Marche. Hoping everyone had a Blessed Thanksgiving. I’m tripping on tryptophan so good night 😴
Hey Rick, how ya doing? Did you see the exterior paint and engine?
As I said in another comment, the paint almost gone in a few areas & the engine compartment in my Lucerne looks better than this. 129,000 miles, buddy.
Who are they trying to s__t? Not any of us.
What a gorgeous Nevada traveler! I’ve always loved the ride at 80 mph. Kinda toss up between this and the Eldorado. Nice car with a rich color mix.
had a 1978 same car longest hood ever remember looking out over it
Unless I missed something, is the mileage documented?
The paint and the dirty engine compartment suggest 129,000 or this car was “ridden hard and put away wet “.
I agree, the engine compartment could not look like this at just 29,000 miles. Paint is peeling from the valve covers and excess dirt and grime say at least 129,000. Outside and inside look nice though, too bad lack of trust.
Another case of asking for the sun, the moon, and the stars without detailing under the hood. Here that might be good, because the engine department tells the world that 29k miles is a lie
And it’s just as well that they didn’t detail the compartment in this case or it would have been disguised.
And it’s just as well that they didn’t detail the compartment in this case or it would have been disguised.
Wow, nothing like mounting the battery knife switch directly over the vent caps so a spark could ignite the hydrogen gas.
Brilliant!
Wow! This would be fun to own after having had a ’77 Ford LTD 4-door. I loved that car. These long, luxury coupes were quite a bit more exclusive despite keeping it in the Ford family.
Whoever owns this next better drive it!
Hey Rick, how ya doing? Did you see the exterior paint and engine?
As I said in another comment, the paint almost gone in a few areas & the engine compartment in my Lucerne looks better than this. 129,000 miles, buddy.
Who are they trying to s__t? Not any of us.