Affordable Luxury: 1997 Lincoln Continental With 33k Original Miles

With our society seemingly moving at a frantic pace, many people wish to step back, draw breath, and enjoy the finer things in life. Some will turn their attention to hobbies like fishing, while others will immerse themselves in music. Motoring enthusiasts need not miss out, because there are vast choices when it comes to selecting a classic to park in their garage. For those with luxury leanings, this 1997 Lincoln Continental might be irresistible. It ticks many of the essential boxes that may prompt some to pursue it further. It has been part of the same family since Day One and has a genuine 33,000 miles showing on its odometer. However, the final piece of the puzzle could be the seller’s decision to offer it at an affordable price. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this luxurious survivor.

Lincoln introduced the Ninth Generation Continental range in 1995. It rode on the same wheelbase as its predecessor, but overall length had marginally increased. Our feature car rolled off the lot in 1997 and has been part of the same family since Day One. It is worth noting that it has been garage-kept since they took delivery, and that it has never seen adverse weather, snow, or salt. That makes its level of preservation unsurprising. Its Deep Navy Blue Metallic paint looks close to flawless, with the supplied close-up shots showing no signs of anything beyond a few minor marks on the front bumper. The panels are laser-straight, and the car’s history makes its rust-free status unsurprising. The bright trim is excellent, and the Lincoln’s appeal is accentuated by its beautiful 16″ wheels. The tinted glass is spotless, allowing this Continental to present exceptionally well for an unrestored vehicle with twenty-seven years of active service under its belt.

I’ve long said that when assessing the condition of any classic, the interior is an excellent starting point. It is easy and inexpensive to touch up exterior paint chips and imperfections. However, installing any new interior trim items almost inevitably leads to color inconsistencies that can stand out a mile away. Don’t even think about new seatcovers, because the cost typically isn’t justified in many cases. Therefore, the impact made by this Lincoln is extremely positive. The supple and inviting Tan leather looks superb, with only the typical age creases that add character. The carpet is free from stains, which is a significant accomplishment considering its pale shade. The dash and pad are spotless, and the lack of wheel wear is consistent with the odometer reading. I think there might be a small dress trim piece missing from the front passenger-side door, but that is the only flaw worth mentioning. This interior doesn’t merely look good, because it allows occupants to live life in the lap of luxury. They receive climate-controlled air conditioning, and power operation for the windows, locks, mirrors, front seats, and trunk release. Throw in cruise control and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette stereo, and there will be little for the new owner to add to their Wish List.

The biggest change to the Ninth Generation Continental remained hidden under the hood. For the first time since 1987, buyers received a V8 to power their new purchase. The company took a “one size fits all” approach, with every Continental receiving the 4.6-liter InTech eight producing 260hp and 265 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed automatic transmission, with power-assisted steering and brakes standard equipment. The Continental’s curb weight of 3,884 lbs is quite modest for a vehicle of this caliber, and Cadillac’s focus on aerodynamic efficiency helped its cause. These classics will cover the ¼-mile in 15.7 seconds and can wind their way to 144mph. Those figures were considered quite impressive in their day. The news for potential buyers appears to be universally positive. The seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence for the claimed odometer reading of 33,000 genuine miles. However, the car’s history makes it plausible that the family might hold Service Records which would eliminate any doubts. The car was recently serviced and received new tires and new brakes. It is ready to hit the road immediately with its new owner behind the wheel.

The terms “luxury” and “affordable” aren’t often used in the same sentence, but both are appropriate when assessing this 1997 Lincoln Continental. The seller has listed this classic here on Craigslist in Providence, Rhode Island. Considering the car’s condition, history, and odometer reading, their asking price of $8,990 looks highly competitive in the current market. The ’97 Continental hasn’t set the classic market alight, but nor have values dropped significantly during the past couple of years. Whether that makes this a decent long-term investment prospect is unclear. However, if the sole consideration is to park a fairly affordable luxury car in your garage, this Lincoln could be a strong contender.