42k Original Miles: 1973 Lincoln Continental

When an enthusiast embarks on a quest for a classic car to park in their garage, the best strategy is to start the process by compiling a list of requirements. Beyond the preferred make and model, they should decide what they require from that car. Do they want a turnkey vehicle, or are they happy to perform a partial or total restoration? Should the candidate be 100% original, or are some modifications acceptable? If you’re in the middle of making that list and conclude that a low mileage, rust-free and unmolested luxury car would fit your needs, this 1973 Lincoln Continental might be worth a closer look. It meets all the listed requirements and is ready for a new owner to slip behind the wheel and enjoy the classic motoring experience. The seller has listed it here on Craigslist in Sacramento, California. They have set their price at $11,300 but may consider trades for the right vehicle. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting this solid survivor.

While Lincoln sold 69,437 examples of the Mark IV in 1973, there were 45,288 buyers willing to hand over their cash for a Continental 4-Door Sedan. Part of their decision may have revolved around practicality, although many would have viewed a premium of more than $1,500 for the Mark IV as difficult to justify. The more expensive vehicle may have offered more luxury bells and whistles, but owners would hardly feel like paupers behind the wheel of the 4-Door. This one is an original survivor that has spent its life in sunny California. That makes its rust-free status no surprise, but the condition of its original Bright Lime Gold Moondust paint is a positive attribute. It has a couple of small matte areas and a few marks and chips, but it retains an excellent shine for original paint with nearly five decades under its belt. The matching Green vinyl top looks excellent, as does the trim, chrome, and glass.

Buying a 1973 Continental meant lifting the hood to find a 460ci V8 producing 219hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque that feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed C6 automatic transmission. Power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes would have helped provide an effortless driving experience. When a car with 219hp on tap tips the scales at 5,231lbs, it will hardly break land speed records. However, this one’s ability to cover the ¼ mile in 18.5 seconds was considered respectable in an era when power outputs dropped dramatically. The seller indicates this classic is a numbers-matching vehicle with a genuine 42,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but they say it is in good mechanical health. It sounds like the new owner could fly in and drive home behind the wheel of this gentle giant.

The Cadillac’s interior is tidy, but it sends some mixed signals. The cover on the dash makes it impossible to determine whether it conceals any sun damage, but the cracked wheel makes that a possibility worth considering. However, that isn’t a hard-and-fast rule because I have a cover on the dash of my daily driver purely for protection. That could be the case here, but that is something best determined by an in-person inspection. The control panel is hanging out of the driver’s door trim, and a small piece of trim is missing from the same area. Otherwise, the interior presents well. There is no wear or physical damage on the upholstered surfaces, carpet, or dash. It may not be as loaded as a Mark IV, but air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, a remote driver’s mirror, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player would combine to make life on the road pretty pleasant.

There’s nothing like slipping behind the wheel of a beautifully restored classic car and going wherever the road leads. However, original and unmolested survivors in good condition can command as much attention because people appreciate that such vehicles have been treated with respect throughout their life. That is the case with this 1973 Lincoln Continental. While it has a few minor needs, none appear bad enough to be classed as deal-breakers. If an in-person inspection confirms its condition, the price looks highly competitive in the current classic market. Combined with the seller’s apparent willingness to consider trades, I believe a new home is in this Lincoln’s near future.