In a period when downsizing was the norm and cars measuring over 19 feet long were fading fast, Lincoln proved there was still demand in the late seventies for a large sedan delivering 13 MPG, or 15 with the standard 400 engine, by finding homes for nearly 90,000 Town Cars in 1978. But it wouldn’t last much longer, as a couple of years later the automaker followed suit with the other big brands and shaved their flagship offering, it just took them longer to do so with the ’80 models finally weighing in at half a ton less and shedding 14 inches front to back, so if you’ve been in the market for a nicely-preserved larger example this 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car here on eBay may have you covered. So far, bidding has reached $3,867 or it can be yours today for $8,500, just plan a visit to Sycamore, Georgia right after Christmas for pick-up.
I’d have to commend the original buyer here for choosing the optional 460 under the hood, and for making that decision quickly as this was the final year before the 400 was all you could get. Putting a 460 in the bay for ’78 not only increased the displacement but also got you a 4-barrel on top, making an advertised 210 horsepower instead of the 166 offered by the standard engine. The seller tells us his Lincoln was an estate purchase that had been parked since 1997, which recently received lots of attention on the top end of the block including new valves, lifters, and pushrods, along with a new carburetor, fuel pump, and even a new gas tank and float plus a fresh tune-up, with more than $4,000 invested when all the work was completed and a new set of tires had been installed.
The seller also tells us the car has always been garaged, but other than that we don’t learn too many specifics regarding the body, such as how much of that gold paint is still original. But looking at the photos, the Town Car appears sharp and spiffy all the way around, with straight panels and no apparent rust issues present. Even that padded half-vinyl top is still holding up well, although I’m not sure why those cornering lights are illuminated since the Lincoln’s not making a turn.
Inside, the condition seems to reflect what I’d hope from a 45-year-old auto with a claimed 50k miles followed by a quarter-century of non-use, but one aftermarket item that just doesn’t fit the luxury status this car was supposed to exude is the trio of gauges under the dashboard. Sure, they’re functional and a good idea for keeping tabs on things in the engine compartment, but seem a bit out of place here from a cosmetic standpoint. On second thought, maybe I’m unwisely taking a form-over-function stance, and a better choice might be for these 3 dials to remain. What are your thoughts on this 1978 Lincoln Town Car? Does the $8,500 buy-it-now price tag sound reasonable for what we’re seeing here, or is chancing a bid the way to go?
Why are the cornering lights on, on both sides?
Not crazy money, and a deal if you price your cars per pound
That’s a lot of car. If you like a spacious car and a cloud like ride you almost can’t go wrong. Plus they’ll know it’s you when you pull in the driveway.
Agree with the gauges. The chrome stands out like a sore thumb. I put a set of black Bosch gauges in an older Pontiac and they almost blend in
Yeah, those gauges look like socks on a rooster.
eighty-six the gauges, they stick out like a sore thumb. Who knows, you might find something in the Ford parts bin that might fit into the dash. Would love to take a ride in this beast. I’ve driven eighties vintage Town Cars and they can’t be beat for ride quality.
Agree with the gauges. The chrome stands out like a sore thumb. I put a set of black Bosch gauges in an older Pontiac and they almost blend in
Love that ride would love to have it l had a town coupe with 460 and all the good stuff but the price is little to much for now for me l have found two in NC in excellent condition and the price is no where near this 8000 plus hope you the best
I had a 77 Town Car it didn’t matter if I beat on it or babied it I got 11mpg and the most comfortable ride.
Looking out over the 2 sheets of plywood sized front end made one feel impervious
Gorgeous car, must be so much fun to cruise, or ooze down the street in such style and comfort. I wish I could buy it. I hope it finds a good home where it’s preserved and enjoyed for what it is.
Ah yes the 460 and had a shop put a cut out on the exhaust that switched over to 6 foot straight pipes. I could lock the steering wheel and floor it..the car would shake for a second and then the front end would raise up then the car would do a 180 on its own axis. And nobody I mean nobody would pull out in front of that mass hurtling down the road. Sadly I let my kid borrow it and he got t-boned by a ups truck but walked away from it.
Nothing says you have arrived than a nice one of these, even more so today. I have had a convertible version for 3 decades now and it is one of my favorites. I will even go out on a limb and say I like it over my 59 Caddy convertible. Wonderful to drive. The ultimate in reliability. I have put 80 or so thousand miles on mine and have don nothing but regular maintenance and a radiator replacement. One will not be disappointed with this unit and yes ditch the gouges. Trust me these cars have extreme personality, they communicate very well with owners they like.