52k Original Miles: 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III

Many people view the First Generation Mustang as Lee Iacocca’s enduring legacy from his time at Ford, and that is a legitimate call. However, I have always believed the Lincoln Continental Mark III is worthy of that title. It demonstrated Iacocca’s ability to tap into the customer’s psyche and to develop a car for peanuts that sold in impressive numbers. This 1970 example is an exceptionally tidy survivor with 52,000 miles on the clock. Addressing its few minor cosmetic shortcomings would be easy and inexpensive, and could happen at the buyer’s leisure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Mark III listed here on Craigslist in Orange, California. It could be yours for $17,950, although the seller indicates that figure is negotiable.

The Mark III’s development story is interesting, reflecting Iacocca’s vision of delivering a car that offered buyers something special, but which cost the company relatively little and delivered a healthy profit. The story goes that he contacted Design Vice President Gene Bordinat in 1965 and suggested that he “put a Rolls-Royce grille on a Thunderbird.” Although focus groups didn’t universally praise the design, Iacocca and Henry Ford II admired it enough to green-light production for the 1969 model year. What made the project impressive was that the company developed the entire package for under $30,000,000, a figure that was considered peanuts at the time. Our featured Mark III rolled off the line in 1970, ordered by its first owner in subtle Code M White with a matching vinyl top. The car’s presentation is extremely tidy. There are a couple of small paint and panel imperfections on the passenger side, but the rest of the exterior is in good condition. I can’t spot any rust, and the tinted glass and trim are in good order.

Perhaps this Lincoln’s most impressive feature is its interior. White trim is always a bold move, because it is prone to stains and yellowing. However, this car hasn’t suffered that fate, with the seat leather looking clean and soft. The remaining upholstered surfaces are equally impressive, the contrasting Black dash and carpet look excellent, while the walnut trim isn’t worn or damaged. Creature comforts include air conditioning, power windows, six-way power front seats, a Cartier clock, a rimblow wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio.

Lincoln adopted a “one size fits all” philosophy when developing the Mark III’s mechanical specifications. All buyers received a 460ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The Mark III was quite a heavy beast, but the motor’s ability to deliver a factory-quoted 365hp and a whopping 500 ft/lbs of torque provided surprisingly energetic performance. Some potential buyers may find the added engine bay bling disconcerting, but the seller says the deal includes the original valve covers and air cleaner. The listing text suggests that the Lincoln received significant recent mechanical work, but the seller doesn’t elaborate. However, they confirm that the car runs and drives perfectly.

Platform sharing is a common industry practice, but the Lincoln Continental Mark III demonstrated the possibilities of taking a largely unsuccessful model from one marque and adapting it to generate significant success wearing different badges and unique panels. The Ford Thunderbird experienced declining sales, but served as the foundation for the Mark III. Ford’s long-term ambition was to produce a Lincoln model that could outsell the Cadillac Eldorado, and the Mark III fulfilled that dream. This 1970 example is a beauty, and the seller’s price is realistic. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Lincoln, could this be a contender?