How is it possible that we’ve only seen one other 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe here on Barn Finds over the years, and that one was less than a year ago? They’re big cars, heavy cars, they use a lot of gas, and they were considered quite luxurious in their day, and they’re just as impressive today. This example is listed here on eBay in Dunbar, West Virginia, and they’re asking $15,900.
If you click on the seller’s eBay link, and we always hope you do that to read what they have to say and see all of the photos, you’ll read that they were originally asking $17,900 for this car. Hagerty is at $11,900 for a #3 good-condition car and $22,400 for a #2 excellent car. I’m not sure if anyone on the globe would pay $22k for one, sadly, and even $11,900 may be a stretch, unfortunately. The other car we saw last April looked almost as nice and they were asking $5,000. I’m hoping the headlights close when this car is started. I know there are often slow vacuum leaks, but I would have probably started the car to get those closed before taking photos. They don’t say how long this car has been sitting here.
The seller lists the condition as “excellent” several times, but the overhead shop light is pointing out a ding on the right quarter panel, and you can see other flaws, however minor, around the car. It’s hard to argue with the colors for me; it’s the same blue as my 1974 Schwinn Varsity 10-speed. It looks like the optional Diamond Blue Metallic color to me, as seen on the last page of this brochure. The vinyl top appears to be Dove Gray to me, what do you think? The fifth-generation Lincoln was made for model years 1970 through 1979 in two-door coupe form and four-door sedan, as we all know.
I looked at a yellow Town Coupe about a year ago and should have gotten it. The seller wasn’t asking a huge number for it, but it was starting to bubble over the left side rear wheel well, and when I started it, it was a little loud, so I was worried about rust, especially hidden rust underneath. Lincoln also offered a 2-Door Coupe without the body side moulding and some other fancy features, and no pillow-top (Twin Comfort Lounge) seats, which this car has. As expected, the back seat looks like new. The seller says this car has 42,500 miles on it, but there’s no way to know without a CarFax or other report. The five-digit odometer shows 41,460 miles.
The engine could use a thorough detailing to bring it up in appearance, but that’s almost always the case. I would do that if I wanted to get top-dollar for my vehicle. This was the only engine available, Ford’s “400,” a 402-cu.in. OHV V8 with 159 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque when new. We’ve gone over and over again on why Ford named a 402 V8 a 400, and I’m guessing it’ll come up again here. The transmission is a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, and they don’t say if or how it runs and operates. Maybe because it’s been stored? We don’t know, but with a glowing report by the seller, I sure hope it runs perfectly. How much is this Continental Coupe worth?
Back when these were new, I had zero interest in them. Way too big, gaudy trim, not sporty at all, etc. Now, being much older, I respect them for what they were: huge cars which quietly and smoothly cruised down the interstate, with plenty of luxury and presence.
This one looks pretty good. I like the blue/blue colors. Should make for a fine cruiser.
Good write-up Scotty.
This “SCREAMS” your 70’s Grandparents car! I had a Murray Bicycle the same color as this back in the day that we purchased from a retail store (Zayres) and it was big as well. Seems to be big money for such a cruiser but crazier things have happened!
Great write up! Keep them coming!
I remember going to Zayers, Norman Crosby was the pitch man for Zayers in New England.
My brother in law had a few Lincolns and they were always a smooth ride. We were out with him once and the alternator quit on the highway, I got lucky there was an auto parts store right off the highway. We got an alternator and a cheap socket set and it was in and running in 20 minutes.
And speaking of Norm Crosby, I once walked into an Italian restaurant (whose name I don’t recall) in Brookline & there was Norm sitting there.
This generation was probably the zenith of Lincoln. Government demands would end cars like this but not pick ups or SUVs, amazingly! Hence, today, we have huge pickups and SUV’s instead. Lincoln coupes are much more rare than sedans. In this particular, example looks to be in pretty good shape. I don’t care for blue cars but I know many people do. This particular style came out in 1970, updated in 1975 and was changed slightly over the years until it ended. I think these look strange without the fender skirts and I did at the time too. What a shame, Ford motor company has let Lincoln become such a dude today. Supposedly, they lost billions of dollars on cars. But yeah, they can still make them for China. Seems funny to me. China has a brand new Lincoln sedan. How hard could it be preferred to ship that to the United States? Wouldn’t it be funny if Ford lost billions more in China? And funnier yet, if huge F150s weren’t selling and just filling their dealer lots? I hope someone buys this Lincoln and gives it a good home.
I have said the same thing. If Lexus still sells coupes and sedans why can’t Lincoln? All the parts are there. Just import and rebadge the Zephyr or whatever they’re calling it for starters. Oh wait, there’s that issue of tariffs. Enough said.