It’s funny; the seller’s description makes mention of the fact that this redesign of the Town Car was crucial for welcoming in a new generation of buyers to the Lincoln showroom. That may have been the goal, but I doubt the age of the shoppers changed all that much when the refreshed model was introduced. Still, there’s a growing appreciation for this land beasts for being supremely good at what they were designed to do, which was to transport its occupants in extreme comfort while enjoying the heavily-muted howl of the familiar 5.0L V8 under the hood. Find this nicely preserved 1990 model here on eBay with bidding to just over $4K and no reserve.
Still, even if the age of the drivers didn’t change, the second-generation Town Car was a huge sales success for Lincoln. The redesign was a conservative refresh, but it likely still felt night and day compared to its predecessor which had been in service for quite a few years. The looks certainly aged well, with the basic design soldiering on for a fairly long time in car years with only some modest tweaks to reflect the need to show something in the way of progression. Narrower headlights, updated wheel options, and a more modern dash stand out as major adjustments to the recipe, but overall, this phase of the iconic Town Car aged extremely well. Still, Lincoln did drop the vinyl roof option as its popularity began to wane.
The interior of this example is in phenomenal condition, a tribute to its careful owners and having just 36,788 miles on the clock. The leather still looks quite supple, and the fake wood dash trim shows little signs of age or wear-and-tear. The same goes for the huge steering wheel, which apparently didn’t spend too much time being gripped by grubby hands. The seller notes it wears Cartier trim, which was a cosmetic offering that usually affected color schemes, upholstery choices, and badges scattered throughout. The Town Car was similar in its construction to a Mercury Grand Marquis of the same era, but the Town Car got digital gauges, perhaps a nod to owners becoming slightly younger.
It’s amazing how many models had the venerable 5.0L V8 under the hood, and it certainly makes owning an older FoMoCo product a breeze for sourcing good spares. I can’t think of an engine I’d rather drive through the desert with, both for its can’t-kill-it reliability and ease of finding spare or replacement parts in local NAPA stores, the junkyard, or even just total strangers who happen to have a few parts cars in their yard. This one won’t have that level of need anytime soon based on the mileage and overall presentation, especially since the seller notes it will come with documented service records. It looks like an absolute bargain at the current bid price, especially given the no reserve listing.
I think Jeff hit the nail on the head with his “supremely good at what they are designed to do” comment. Along with their Crown Vic and Grand Marquis brethren, they excelled at transporting people in comfort (older owners, limo service), and when placed in more strenuous jobs (taxi, highway patrol).
A few years ago I remember being taken to the airport in a couple Town Cars. I of course was checking out the car(s) as I made the ride. The car(s) looked a little worn inside and out, but not bad. I asked the driver(s) how many miles were on the odometer. One had 369k, one had 393k. The driver said “they run and drive fine.” As Jeff said, just doing their job.
This is a nice example. It obviously doesn’t have all the current technology, but it would make a fine daily driver, weekend cruiser, or vacation travel car.
Just a couple of years Ago we were picked up at SeaTac by an Uber driver in one of these which was all black. Car was in fantastic shape and the driver was wearing an old fashioned chauffeurs uniform. Even with the terrible Seattle streets the ride of that Lincoln was smooth. We were so impressed with the car and driver that we booked him to pick us up for the ride to our cruise ship 3 days later.
A fine automobile. Considering the gas mileage, definitely a weekender & vacation traveler.
Is the original owner, a little old lady, from Pasadena?
Wouldn’t kick it out of my parking space
that’s for sure. It’s a shame that this car
turned up just after I bought my Charger.
Had it been available then, I would’ve
snapped it up at this price. Yeah, my SIL
might’ve been unhappy about it, but she
and my neice have been after me for years to buy something nice for myself.
And as the ’40s Lincoln ads once read,
Nothing could be finer.
Those cars rode like a dream BUT the engine couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding. We got our butts kicked by the 32 valve Northstar Caddys. BUT the 5.0 had good strong head bolts unlike the Northstars!!!
Didn’t these cars have the 4.6 engine?
I believe the 4.6 came in ’91.
These make fantastic road cars. By that I mean, a third car to have in the family where comfort over a distance is preferred. 36K? Hardly even broken in. I would hope wearables like belts/hoses etc. are in decent shape? If you can snag it for a decent price & have the room, its a nice extra car to drive.
A set of iron GT40 heads, an Explorer intake, 65 mm throttle body, a Cobra cam, 1.7 rockers, along with shorty headers would wake this car up.
I am an enthusiast of these old Lincolns. If I’ had the room I’d jump on it.
Barring the gas mileage, they are great drivers, certainly with comfort and all the toys besides. I am concerned about digital dashes. I had a ’93 Signature Lincoln that gave me fits with the digital dash. Don’t let that stand in your way. This one has a lot less miles and will probably be a joy to have.
Remember when we called a digital dash, idiot lights?
Actually not true. The term “idiot lights” came about when warning lights that depicted given areas of trouble without any useful information started showing up, replacing instruments. A battery symbol versus a voltmeter is one example. Sometimes you could order an optional “Rally guage” package to get actual guages.
Digital displays still show actual, useful information much like an analog gauge, just in a different way such as with a bar graph.
I had a ’94 and ’97 and loved everything about both. I keep hearing gas useage, but I got 17 around town and 22-24 on interstates. I drive my car the way they should be.If I want a hot rod, I would drive one. Room in front and back seating is wonderful. I have a 2011 TC and it is not roomy in the back I am a big man 200lbs and 6’3″ tall. I plan on keeping it. I do not want a cookie cutter car that appears if you interchange the grill, the dash, and the trunk end, all would fit.
Plainest Lincoln ever , god these are ugly.
I remember renting three of these in silver metallic for a buddy’s wedding in the early 90s. Cruised from San Diego to Yosemite. I love my sports cars but these are the bomb for a road trip. Would love to do a USA road trip in one of these. Screw a motor home. Just get behind the wheel one of these and stay in motels saving a ton of money and riding in style.
This was the only year with the 5.0, the lincoln then switched engines, which is the one everyone talks about getting a bazillion miles, not the 5.0. And the newer engine actually got about 21 city. 4.6 or 4.9, cant remember.
I had a 1990 Executive. It rode and handled well for its size. One issue for this new redesign were the small exterior mirrors. I was told by other Town Car owners to service the transmission before 130K, newer TCs weren’t as affected. My Parents had two later models (totaled one – they had some bruises and said the dashboard “just disintegrated on impact. Thanks airbags!”). I am looking for a last generation, preferably an “E” (Extended) Executive or Cartier.
Winning bid: $5,700.00.
WOW!!!! What a steal.
Congrats on your new boat.
A long ago girlfriend had a ‘90, a/c didn’t work (in 2003) but it was smooth on the road. That lo-po 5.0/aod combo was really doggy though.