The Continental Mark III was introduced in early 1968 as a 1969 model. Borrowing from the Ford Thunderbird to keep costs in check, the personal luxury car became Ford Motor Co.’s flagship automobile to compete with the Cadillac Eldorado. Nearly 80,000 copies were produced before it was replaced by the Mark IV in 1972. This beauty, finished in red to match the colors of Continental Airlines, is said to have been specially ordered without its signature vinyl top. Located in Simi Valley, California, this pristine example, brought to us as a tip by “numskal,” is available here on craigslist for $29,500.
Mark III and its successors were inspired by the low production, original 1956-57 Mark IIs. Because a lot of hand assembly was involved, Ford lost money on every one of those cars they built. Economies of scale came to play with the development and execution of the Mark III, which is remembered today for its spare-tire trunk bulge, Rolls-Royce-like grille, and hidden peepers. They were produced at the same Michigan manufacturing plant as both the T-Bird and non-Mark Lincolns.
This ’69 Mark III has the big 460 cubic-inch V8 that was used in all Mark IIIs and some other Lincoln products. It has 86,000 well-maintained miles and is said to be in show-quality condition, although no mention is made of originality vs. restoration. Though these were well-equipped vehicles when new, the options list wasn’t short and the window sticker on this car shows that more than $1,100 of them were included in this build in 1969. Assembled in September 1968, this car was delivered to specification for Continental Airlines (according to the seller).
A Marti Report for this beauty indicates that the red chosen for this vehicle was used on only 240 Mark IIIs in 1969 and just 19 of them shared the same paint/trim codes which may be where the decision to leave off a vinyl roof was made. Unfortunately, nothing on Google ties this car directly to Continental Airlines, so perhaps it was ordered for use by executives of the company. I can visualize a print ad or television commercial with this auto parked next to one of their passenger jets on the tarmac.
I’m intrigued by the Continental Airlines story. Even with 1969 being near the peak of two-door-mania, surely a car bought for corporate execs’ use would’ve been a 4-door since they’d often be chauffeured and/or travel in groups, and if it was a prize in a giveaway there’d be advertising for that contest that would’ve come up on your search.
I’m not putting a lot of stock in the Continental Airlines story. Sounds good I guess, but lacking legitimacy.
I stopped by a restoration shop near Bassett,Virginia,
& one of the guys working there told me that they’re a nightmare
to work on (as far as electrical circuits).
But they are really cool looking.
Something the fire chief would drive in town!!😂 Wow special order is right! They should of gotten leather interior. I had a 69 in white /black vinyl top leather interior. Love that ride and it was fast. Had to get used to the vacuum operated wiper blades and head lamp covers when they worked properly. My girlfriend didn’t like it at the time it reminded her of a coffin on the inside. All black but it was great. The price is high on this one. Yes its special and how many are left out there in this color? When I found my Mark lll with 45,000 miles I paid $ 1,800 and it was in great shape. I wish I still had it. Some rimrod rear-ended me. Total my ride. I had more options then this one. I wish the seller lots of luck. 🐻🇺🇸
I’m not sure red would be my first choice for a classy and stately car like the Mark III, but it certainly ups the “look at me” quotient. These were well-executed luxury coupes. It’s fun to look at the window sticker to see the many items which weren’t standard equipment, even for a luxury car (e.g. tilt wheel, power locks). I too am intrigued by the Continental Airlines angle, if true who knows what it might have been.
Maybe it was Audrey Meadows car?
She would’ve looked good in it.
Who is the real ‘father’ of these cars? Lee Iacocca or Henry Ford II? Both claim it as their creation.
I would go for Lee Iacocca at a guess as he was also very forward thinking.
Nice!!!
I owned two of these (tho’ not in red- mint green and yellow) back in the day, and the most curious thing is the lack of cruise control on the sticker or Marti report. IF this car was part of an airline fleet sale, and considering the extra work the factory had to go through to finish this (these?), it would seem that the airline tie-in would demand it without saying. Maybe if the fleet order could be dug up, it would confirm this. Perhaps Kevin has the data?
Hot Rod Lincoln. Some good video’s on you tube of these big girls kicking butt on the 1320.
I’ve always wanted a mark lll. This one is nice and for me the best part is that it does NOT have a vinyl roof.
Red doesn’t work for me and I’ve never liked the fake spare tire … but it’s a Lincoln coupe with a 460 nestled in the engine bay. Great motors! When I was in high school we had 2 cars and one was a mercury marquis wagon with a 460. Loved that motor and never tired of opening those 2 extra cab venturies.
If I had the pockets I’d have that hump professionally cut off the trunk lid and then give the car a repaint. Add stiffer springs, shocks and sway bars. And drive it like I still it. What a great road car.
Of course that asking price seems a but rich … especially with what it’s going to cost to keep it fueled.
… carb venturies … drive it like I stole it ….
Cut the hump off the trunk! That’s blasphemy!
Probably. But not in my mind.
If an individual destroys a a ride like that that calls themselves having the rear deck lid professionally hump removed. No. 1 needs to have their head examined 3 to 7 times several times over no. 2 have the taste slapped out of their mouth so fast and so very far, far, far, far away, Google or not even Siri won’t even be able to find let alone locate it.
Why a person would want to destroy an epitome of class, elegance and style to an antique, classic and vintage luxurious luxury ride like that.
Your opinion Ivan.
I’ve always disliked the hump. So I’d get rid of it if it were mine.
Your rant is childish at best.
End of story.
Dude, that car maybe if it’s Shaq’s car back seat pulled or world’s fattest lardo…is lots of unnecessary girth and curb weight. For normal humans. I’m 6’2 210 and don’t need a 5000+ pound car with a monster truck engine to get around in. The new roads aren’t wide enough everywhere to roll this down the road so easily. And thirstily.
I’m curious why you’d even read an article about a Mark III or one of the other cars MOSTLY of that type & that vintage. Oh, I get it, you’re trolling. We’re always open to comments like yours 🤡
AND I can’t believe you’d fat shame somebody like that either! My God, what are your pronouns anyway??? Take your woke azz back to Texas put yourself to work welcoming “newcomers” at the border 🤣
Something is wrong with Texas. Must be all the cali people moving there is finally getting to them.
Where’s that can of Black paint I had lying around the house somewhere..
Most comments are, I owned one , or I would like to own it. Who cares. Should be just facts about the cool car.
Cut the roof open just behind the back seat. Remove the trunk. Add a pickup camper. Home on wheels. Too big for just driving around in unless you’re using it to live in or for cargo transport. Like a motorcycle carrier you can live in.
So, the short 3.00 axle and the words “high torque axle” – I wonder if it’s a limited slip axle or not. Ford has/had a habit of not being clear on rear axle related accuracy in my experience. Personally, I bought a 07 Mustang GT off the lot with 3.55 rear and NO nomenclature whatsoever that it WAS, in fact, a limited slip axle. At this moment I have a 12 Lincoln Navigator (4X4) that clearly states “regular axle” referring to the rear. So I guess they got it right with this one, but yeah I am curious what this Continental has. It’s in beautiful condition and although it’s certainly not loaded with options, the ones it *does* have are the right ones. I like the fact it does not have a vinyl roof, but the color is meh. Maybe there is some truth in the Continental Airlines deal. Not sure if I’d go quite that high in the price, but again it is in nice condition. Wondering too if it’s restored or original. To me the engine compartment makes it appear restored. This may be somebody trying to recoup money(?)
One can see that the car was originally white , by the fact that there is white paint showing with red overspray on it in the third picture, at the rear of the hood opening. Yet another car sprayed with a bad resale red paint job. God knows what that’s covering up.
Nah, it’s a survivor original. Look at the interior, it’s like new! No “respray” here. The engine compartment – I think that was taken apart and repainted the valve covers and pie pan…