BF Exclusive: 1960 Continental Mark V

• Seller: Sergey Y ablochkov (Contact)
• Location: Lafayette, Colorado
• Mileage: 71932 Shown
• Chassis #: 0Y83H420784
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 430 cui MEL V8 – Rebuilt
• Transmission: Automatic

Affordable luxury. This 1960 Continental Mark V offers that opportunity. It is a rock-solid driver with a rebuilt V8 under the hood. It has cosmetic shortcomings, but the buyer can address them as time and circumstances allow. That said, spending the winter months toiling in a home workshop could have this Continental looking stunning when summer arrives. The current owner wants a genuine enthusiast to have that opportunity, listing the Mark V exclusively with us at Barn Finds for $13,000.

Ford discontinued the Continental Division as a standalone marque in 1959, absorbing the brand into Lincoln to cut costs. However, with the designs already locked in for the 1960 model year, cars didn’t wear Lincoln badges until the company introduced a new generation in 1961. The Mark V arrived during the final year and was available in four body styles. This car’s first owner selected the Two-Door Coupe finished in Polaris White. This beauty is a genuine survivor, meaning the image gallery reveals minor panel and paint imperfections. However, this Continental has no serious rust issues. The exterior and underside have areas of dry surface corrosion, but the only penetrating rust is in the trunk. Therefore, treating those areas to prevent deterioration would be straightforward if the new owner wanted to preserve the car’s survivor credentials. Otherwise, this gentle giant is a prime candidate for a cosmetic restoration. The fender skirts accentuate the vehicle’s low lines, and the retractable “Breezeway” rear window is a funky design feature that improves interior ventilation. The plated components look acceptable for a survivor of this vintage, and although the windshield and front door glass are cracked, the remaining tinted glass is in good condition.

This classic’s interior is a work in progress, but it is serviceable in its current form. The owner repaired the front seat springs and installed new foam before fitting a new seat cover. The carpet is new, and the back seat leather has aged nicely. Remaining tasks include fixing the headliner and restoring or replacing the door trims and dashpad. Interior appointments are quite impressive, even by modern standards. This Mark V features air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power front seat, a remote trunk release, a clock, and a pushbutton radio. The owner rebuilt the wipers and serviced the A/C system. Unfortunately, after a week, the refrigerant leaked out. So there are still leaks in the system that will need to be sorted out. The seller also notes that while the radio has been rebuilt, it still isn’t functioning properly.

Continental adopted a “one-size-fits-all” approach to the Mark V’s mechanical specifications. All cars received a 430ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The V8 produced 314hp and 465 ft/lbs of torque, and though the Coupe variant weighed over 5,000 lbs, it was still surprisingly energetic. This Continental might deliver more to its buyer. The motor has only clocked around 10,000 miles since the owner rebuilt it, installing a 1963 intake and a new carburetor. He replaced the fuel tank and sender unit and installed an electric fuel pump, the insulated mechanical pump is still present as a backup. He flushed and serviced the transmission and rebuilt the master cylinder and power steering pump. The list doesn’t end there: he bled the brakes, fitted a new power steering pressure hose and reservoir filter, and installed new tires, a battery, a voltage regulator, belts, and fluids. It is a turnkey proposition that the buyer can enjoy immediately.

This 1960 Continental Mark V offers potential buyers the best of both worlds. In excellent mechanical condition and with no significant rust, the new owner can enjoy it immediately while planning its future. Some people are intimidated by the prospect of restoring luxury classics, but they shouldn’t be. The materials and construction techniques are no different from those of any passenger car the Ford Motor Company produced during this period, meaning there are no hidden surprises. So if you want a classic project with a touch of luxury, this Mark V deserves a serious look.