Like a paleontologist studies the fossils of long-departed animals and plants, the folks here at Barn Finds are at work 24/7/365 studying the automotive relics of the past and sharing their groundbreaking work with our readers. Reader and tip submitter extraordinaire Rocco B. has forwarded to us a relic of the seventies that could be called the brontosaurus of automotive history. Rocco’s submission is a 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car Williamsburg Edition for sale on Craigslist in Justin, Texas. With 48,150 miles on the odometer and bathed in a beautiful green metallic, is this pristine relic of a period never to be seen again worth the $19,900 asking price?
It is no secret that the Barn Finds community, both the writers and many of our loyal readers, has a soft spot in our evil, black hearts for gargantuan luxury cars from the sixties through the eighties. In some ways, this is a paradox. Nearly all here are fans of sporty cars, and these parade floats are the antithesis of everything small, light, and powerful. Still, many of us grew up with a parent or grandparent who had a car of this girth and remember just how awesome the ride was. We also know that, like the dinosaurs, vehicles will never be returning. We are all getting older as well, and as the darkness creeps up on us even as I type this, in age, you see the wisdom in traveling in such a luxurious vehicle.
Of all of the luxury barges that have been profiled on these hallowed electronic pages, few are as impressive as this 1979 Lincoln Town Car. The seller tells us that they purchased it from the original owner five years ago and it has all the appearances of a car that has been garaged since new. It was also equipped with the seldom-seen Williamsburg edition package. This package added such premium options as a vinyl roof, power vent windows, and what the seller says are “Comfort Lounge Seats.” The car is said to have left the factory with every option other than a sunroof.
As you can see in the picture above, those “Comfort Lounge Seats” are still living up to their names. To add to the comfort, the seller maintains that everything works perfectly and that the air conditioning still blows cold. While there may be a small amount of sun fading the pictures show the interior looks to be nearly perfect given the age of the vehicle. The original full-size spare tire and jack assembly are still in place in the trunk according to the seller. We are also told that “The suspension is quiet and smooth as you would expect from a land yacht like this.”
Under the hood is Lincoln’s torque monster 400 cubic inch V-8. The seller assures us that it starts quickly and has a smooth idle. The car has benefitted from a recent service that included new spark plugs, a distributor cap, a fresh oil change, a valve cover gasket, carburetor adjustment, a freon conversion from what was likely the original R-12 and the transmission pan was dropped so that the fluid could be changed along with the pan gasket.
You would be hard-pressed to find a better example of a seventies luxury barge. Other than a few minor bumps and bruises here and there, the car is extremely presentable and shows no sign of rust. It is described as running perfectly and that awesome color just seals the deal. Is it worth $19,900? Please share your thoughts on that number and your land barge reminisces in the comments.
I had an NL Fairlane that I described as a lounge chair on wheels, trust me you do not want to 2200m’s in a car that will put you to sleep.
This Lincoln, definitely not an interstate traveller (well not here in Aus).
But I wouldn’t say no to her.
She’s just beautiful.
And power vent windows? Wow. She’s got everything, who needs a sunroof anyway?
I’m seriously doing the maths to bring her here, convert to RHD and just enjoy.
Oh my current ride is a NU Fairlane.
Dave, you said you’d convert it to RHD, is it illegal to operate a LHD in Australia?
Bob S,
Not illegal as there are a few LHD vehicles here ( recently saw a 68 Cadillac that was LHD ). It is more for convenience I would suggest & avoids unnecessary road conflicts
Odd that the car is in TX, but has two different IL plates in the pictures. Did the buyer ever transfer the title? Cool car nonetheless!
The Williamsburg edition, I’ll admit that is a new one on me. But back when they were around, I had zero interest in huge Lincolns like this. Now I find them interesting. Mainly for the reasons Jeff points out: how they fit in history, how well they did their job as luxury cruisers, maybe a family member or someone in your community had one. This one looks good. I like the minty green inside and out.
We went out to eat with another couple tonight. It would be a blast to use this Lincoln for fun outings like that, in addition to shows or Cars & Coffee.
Wow ! That’s a real Oceanliner !! They certainly don’t make em like that anymore . That must have been ” Top of the line ” for that year and make . The original buyer paid a MINT for that Lincoln when new ! 1979 was also the final year of those huge Lincolns , as the 1980 models were all new designs and downsized to lighter vehicles . They proved popular among buyers and were in production through 1989
. Happy Motoring !
Beautiful car indeed, I had a 1977 Town Car and now own a 1979 Town Coupe pick-up conversion. I believe that 19K is a good starting price but they may have to settle for something closer to 14.000. Also it’s has been my understanding that the Williamsburg edition always had two tone paint.
And they all had the power vent as it came down (not out) before the main glass.
Your pick-up sounds pretty cool Jack. Do you have any photos that you can share with us?
You are right about the vent windows going down first before the main part of the window. I drove my cousin’s similar car many road trip miles, and as a smoker, that little window was one of the coolest things ever. It was the first thing that impressed me about the car. That, and “Resume” on the cruise control. I had driven a ’63 Cadillac Fleetwood with four power vent windows (two in the front and two in the back) for several years, and that crazy Lincoln setup blew my mind.
I knew about power vent windows, but first time I’ve heard of power rear vents. Learn something here all the time.
Those Cadillacs were referred to as four window and six window sedans (even though it was really six & eight re the side windows). The six window’s had the rear power vent windows.
This was it, folks, as far as the Town Car would progress, far as I’m concerned.That front center plastic filler piece always “went missing”, but the epitome of transportation. Milwaukee, as mentioned many times, was a HUGE industrial giant. For that reason, Lincoln was a big seller. A dealer named Uptown L/M did a great business. Ironically, on my body shop paint route, it consistently was a big customer. Perhaps because of the cars size and who drove them. Many were driven by feel. Certainly $20 grand worth of vehicle, considering the mishigosh that’s come through here lately. I know many may think what a gas hog, but driven conservatively, 20ish should be no problem.
Think the public will ever see new cars like this offered again? With some atomic motor? Not likely any time soon, so here’s your chance to have one of the best cars in the world,,,,in ’79. There will be no remorse here and I wager the ride back in this will top whatever they came in. Here’s a car to drive home. The old Ford pickup, not so much.
This vehicle’s 1979 EPA fuel economy estimate was 10 mpg. Even if driven conservatively, 20-ish mpg would seem…optimistic.
If You were to remove the catalytic converter and let the engine breathe it probably could! Also unleaded fuel wasn’t as efficient as lead ( still available in79′) so with the proper adjustment that milage COULD be attainable,not guaranteed but maybe attainable!
My landlord had a new Town Car in 1979. Nice car but my 1972 Oldsmobile 98 rode smoother.
This is truly a bon marche! Once had 78 Town Coupe. Rolling living room on wheels!
Hey Rick, since both of us owned ’72 Caprices, go to Smoky Mountain Traders. With the exception of the wheel covers, you can see an identical twin to mine. Actually I wish mine would’ve had the covers on the one pictured. They want the ridiculous sum of $45,000 for a $10-12,000 car.
A very good friend had the same year model but not the Williamsburg Edition. It was the same body color, same vinyl top color but it had a leather interior, in the same color. I loved the car. Only one problem and it was true of my grandfather’s ’71 Buick Electra 225 Limited, lose control on ice and hold on to your hats! I grew up in Clinton, Iowa and had the pleasure(?) of that experience in both cars.
I also think it odd that 2 different Illinois plates but the car is listed in Texas.
Williamsburg Edition. Can someone please confirm that. New to me as well. We nearly bought the town car in the late 70s. We went to the Lincoln dealership several times. We ended buying the Buick Electra Park Avenue which was an amazing cruiser. We never came across that edition. In the Mark series we saw the designer including the Diamond jubilee which was crazy sweet. By the pix of this Lincoln regular base wheel covers, full vinyl top not the half vinyl seems to be a base model. So please educate me the this edition. I looked closely as saw no Williamsburg badging. Do Help
It was an appearance package but the one I remember was a Tu tone silver with dark charcoal with red interior it was so beautiful the one I saw had the glass roof top option also still want that car
Beautiful, gorgeous car that would be a pleasure to own and drive, but I think that price is very ambitious. Even if it were a coupe, that’s a lot of money.
This is NOT a Williamsburg Edition.
#1 – All Williamsburg’s had two-tone paint schemes
#2 – There was never a dash plaque “Williamsburg Edition”
Ok, everyone agrees that this is not a Williamsburg Edition. The seller has owned it for 5 years, lives in Texas and it has Illinois plates on it.
The odometer numbers are crooked, which is is synamous with odometer tampering.
Should be two tone paint.
Has no sunroof, which most not only got a sunroof, but it seems odd that someone would buy a Lincoln without one, especially if this is a special edition vehicle?
The dash plaque is said to be fake, so do you really trust this seller?
It’s a good looking car, but most sellers hurt themselves when they place their ad by listing things they either don’t know the real story about, or trying to be untruthful?
I wouldn’t buy a Value Meal from this person.
Just my oponion!
If it’s not legit, maybe the dash plaque is from the owners post office box in Williamsburg, W. Va.!
Brings to mind that some of these cars for sale in are advertised as “limited edition”.
Upon closer exam, the ” limited edition” emblem can be bought at any parts store in the same area as the door lock emblems, etc.
Reminds me of a car show l was at in the ’80s. This guy had a ’68 Caprice with a round “SS” emblem on the sail panel. Someone asked me if Caprice ever had a SS model. Hell no!
I imagine a few people admired the “rare” model though since it did have a center console.🙄🤔
It’s worth $5K, tops.
When it comes to Town Cars of this era, I always preferred the leather seats because they were easier to maintain and they aged better; over time there’s no telling what’s lurking beneath that velour. And I prefer the 75s or 76s because of the 460; that 400 was weaker and didn’t deliver appreciably better gas mileage. Never heard of a Williamsburg Edition and I’m unsure if that adds anything in value over a regular Town Car but I like that color.
This Lincoln is worth perhaps $9K.
“WILLIAMSBURG EDITION?” C’mon man…
With your initials and the fact that our sleepy leader in Wash., D.C. has a habit of saying, “C’mon, man!” are you one and the same?🙄🤔😆
According to Hagerty the Lincoln Continental did come in a Williamsburg Edition. This option started in ’77. The edition came with a two tone paint and full vinyl roof with no opera window. This car is not a Williamsburg Edition. I googled this information. There are photos of Williamsburg Editions on google.
You’re correct, plus, the fact that the Lincoln Continental is not the same car as the Lincoln Towncar. The Continental was the Mark series of coupes, fhe Towncar is the sedan series shown here. They did make a two door coupe Towncar, but the Continental was a different machine altogether.
Sorry, Quadrasonic
Williamsburg or not, it is a great survivor. I am partial to these as I have had a 78 custom convertible for nearly 30 years now. mine is a 460 and has hit 14 mpg a few times, but who cares. I am always amazed how many worry about fuel mileage on these luxury liners but never seem to care when it is some bippity boppity 4 mile to a cam 2 gallon noise fest. I like the Eldorado of this time, 71 to 76 convertibles but the Lincolns say nothing less than,”You have arrived”.
Definitely end of spring beginning summer and middle of fall Luxury Land Cruiser, Luxury Land Liner, Luxury Land Yacht. As far as i’m concerned with the interior it would have to be all Leather easier to keep clean and take care of. For the Wheels i would have two sets of four Factory Lincoln Mag Rim Wheels: a set of Highly Aluminum Buffed, Polished Dish Rim Wheels & Aluminum Highly Buffed, Highly Polished Turbine
Mag Rim Wheels, But have the Turbine Mag Rim Wheels Painted the Color as the Ride the way they always did from the years 1975 to 1989.
Even on the Mach Series from 1974 or 75 to the Mach VI Series. As a matter of fact it was an option done to the Aluminum Turbine Mag Rim Wheels even the Spare in the Back Trunk. But you know what even if the interior of that beautiful ride is Plush Velour or Velour I still would have two sets of Mag Rim Wheels i mentioned. For the Tires they would have to be either Two and a Half Inch Wide White Wall Double Eagles or Uniroyal Royal Seal Self Sealing All Season Terrain Weather Tires P225 75/R15. That Ride would be another addition to my Antique, Classic and Vintage Automobile Collection.
I owned a 1973 Lincoln Continental 2 door. It was the 73 version of this green with a dark green full vinyl top, dark green leather interior. It had the 460 with the four barrel carb as well. Found the car for sale at a fence company in Lockport Illinois, the seller had inherited the car and had no use for it. I paid him 300 dollars, and gave him my overused 78 Chevy C10 longbed Silverado in trade for the Lincoln. I had two sons in car seats at the time, so the Chevy didn’t work out as a family vehicle. Long story short, I drove that Continental for about five years. My wife hated the car, but I loved it. It met its doom when I crashed it into the back of a semitrailer trying to prevent someone from cutting me off in traffic. That 460 sure could belt out a song rivaling the acceleration, but physics in play, the brakes couldn’t give the opposite in whoa power. The semi stopped, and I couldn’t.
I DEFINITELY think it’s worth every penny, By 79′ the General had already DOWNSIZED the caddy and this was the last car of the FUL SIZED 70s! The Color was beautiful and I love the interior!! That is what Detroit is about!
You are correct, it is a Town Car. My family had several from the 60’s to the 79 models, purchasing one every 2 years. Our 79 was Cordivan,
equipment was identical to this beautiful 79. From the comfort lounge seating, vent windows and electronic tuned quadratic 8 track stereo. Loved the car, ran till 300,000 miles with no major repairs.
From the mid 70’s to about early/mid 80’s my friend’s grandparents would drive “a” gray Towncar from Cape Cod to NJ…”a” because it was new every 2 years or so for reliability of course! Grandmother would drive both ways, a stout Irishwoman with a thick Boston accent fully bundled in good driving weather for every season. I remember the 83 in the driveway and we all thought wow…how small. That was their last one. The greatest generation navigated these barges without cameras or sensors…yes some added curb feelers …which sounded much like the sound of ripping metal of a small Japanese compact…but still you have to respect their transportation determination.
Beautiful car, and a great survivor. It’s the model UP from the base entry of all the lineup. Nicely preserved and well cared for. HOWEVER – if I am going to spend ANY AMOUNT of money MORE than $10,000.00 , I’m getting a 2-dr version of whatever I’m admiring. Two barrel 400cid V-8 engines in these big beautiful cruisers actually did a pretty decent job. 14-16 miles per gallon. Not bad for the size and prestige. I WOULD CONSIDER this car, ( it is beautiful), but only for around 10k.Good luck to everyone!
My parents owned a 77 town car, black over tan leather that 460 was a smooth running engine! I drove it to Ann Arbor for a concert in the 80s. If you have ever driven the highways in Michigan you will be aware they are not always in the best shape but the Lincoln absorbed the bumps like a champ. A very comfortable interior! Don’t think that I would shell out $19 large for this car though.
Also, he says it has “every option but the sunroof”
Where are the turbine or aluminum wheels?
Wouldn’t that car also have electronic climate control if it was a highly optioned car? It looks like standard adjust the fan speed and temp yourself controls to me.
My memory is not as good as it was but what I do remember the Williamsburg edition was silver over dark silver/ grey on the side. Also it had a 1/2 vinyl roof not the full. Turbine wheels too?
To My knowledge, Turbine wheels were EXCLUSIVE to the Mark series in 79′, The Town Car had either Hub Caps or wire wheels! As for the paint schemes, they probably had a choice, the green in the featured car or the one you mentioned! Final thought, That could be a paint deviation, Ford would offer a special color wheel to loyal customers ( My father did order this on several cars we had). In the late seventies and eighties Ford was obsessed with customer satisfaction ( Remember the Pinto disaster) they wanted to keep there customers!
I remember the town car without the Opera window and that they were exceedingly rare! I know metallic paint was an option, but I’m wondering about that color? It seems more of an 80s color, I suspect it might be a paint deviation and the original owner probably bought a lot of Ford products and could get that done!
Okay, so far everything under the sun has already been said, so not much to add except MY opinion I guess: somebody’s talking about “turbine” wheels here first off. I would throw on a set of wires and it would immediately transform it to GORGEOUS. As for “Williamsburg Edition” it’s cheesy. Pull off that stupid plaque on the dash and make like it never happened. Some ppl saying not “REAL” special edition. Well, it’s ALL fake anyway in’t it? As for this ONE, if it’s a fake edition, no doubt the dealer decided to make their own special edition – pretty common among shady dealers. The local alarm, window tint, pin striper vendor does the work for $250 bucks and the dealer tacks on a thousand with a special addendum to the window sticker. And yeah, it’s probably a base Lincoln Continental.
In the end, absolutely, have the pointless dent guy fix that one little thing, throw on a set of Truspoke wire wheels with Vogue Tyres and you’re good to go. I believe the mileage, because if it were 148 or 248, not 48, THESE vehicles take on a different look and you can spot it a mile away. Check Hagerty and other sources for a good number to throw at it. 48k is lower mileage, but by no means ultra low mileage and that makes a difference. I don’t know where his price comes from, I don’t want to say it’s wrong, but it does sound on the high side.