As a Rockford Files fan of long standing, ever since I watched old reruns after school in the early ’90s, this 1977 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe makes me think of one thing: bad guys. I’m not so interested that I’m going to pore through the series to count, but I’d be unsurprised if 1970s Continentals didn’t outnumber all other luxury cars driven by Rockford antagonists. And although I’m not a superfan of big ’70s Lincolns, this one is great. It’s a two-door, which is relatively uncommon (27,440 sold versus 68,160 sedans), and its color is—wait for it—Light Jade Diamond Fire. Plus, it’s a faded-paint original with a great interior and a zip code of its own, so how could you not be a little intrigued? You can find it here on eBay in Bolingbrook, Illinois, where the high bid of just $530 has not met the reserve.
I’ll never understand why sellers fail to include engine compartment pictures, especially on the auction sites, but unfortunately this has been the case with this Town Coupe. The seller does say that it has the 179-horsepower 400, which became the Continental’s standard engine later in the model year. The mileage is listed as 92,609, and the seller has included a list of recent maintenance and updates, including the following:
- New carburetor (a two-barrel in the case of the 400)
- New fuel lines and filter
- New “high-performance” radiator (aluminum, I assume)
- New power steering pump
- New belts and hoses
After all this, the Connie “runs and drives great” and “floats down the road.”
But really, it’s the interior that we’re all here to see, with optional green “Twin Comfort Lounge Seats” with “loose pillow seat appearance.” Of course, it has a good helping of the power options, such as windows and seats, but that gloriously gaudy upholstery looks immaculate.
The dashboard, with its standard “high gloss walnut woodgrain applique,” is surprisingly well-instrumented for a luxury car. Yes, it has its share of warning lights, but there are gauges for oil pressure and alternator output, too. That’s not always a given in old Ford Motor Company products.
The “coach” vinyl roof appears to be “Dark Jade,” although a complementary “Light Jade” was also available (as was Dark Jade Metallic paint that closely resembled this vinyl top).
But this gorgeous Light Jade Diamond Fire paint is what makes this houseboat-on-wheels so appealing. The paint is clearly faded and thinning, but it would be a shame to do anything to this car aside from polishing what you can and enjoying the ride. A 1977 Continental might not make a lot of sense with gas prices being what they are, but the upfront price is likely to be attractive enough (we hope), that you’ll have a little extra in the cookie jar to fill the tank this summer. After all, what price looking like a 1970s PI-show heavy?
What a great Lincoln!!! My Dad had a friend with a late 70’s 4 door Lincoln in dark jade with this color interior. Its a beautiful color in person. I really like this light Jade. I’m torn. It would look phenomenal repainted and it would go great with the interior. On the other hand, its only original once, maybe just polish very carefully whats there and leave it and enjoy it. I always thought these really needed the 460 4 barrel. But with the stricter MPG standards Ford had to do what they had to do utilizing the 400 2 barrel ( I didn’t know it was a 2 barrel, I always thought it was a 4 barrel). Either way, a great way to “glide” effortlessly to a Cars and Coffee event. Very nice one Aaron, I enjoyed it.
My 1977 was a Town Car in Medium Chamois with a Copper full vinyl roof and medium tan leather interior. It was an earlier model ‘77 with the 460-4V. While it wasn’t Commander Cody’s Hot Rod Lincoln, that 460 moved my Boulevard Barge down the highway with the greatest of ease. Considering it’s “tonnage”, it got 16-17mpg on the open road. Best riding car I ever had. Wore out at around 250,000 miles. Would love to have this one even with the 400-2V. Think I would agree with you and first try to polish it out at least to a nice “glow”.
Thanks Aaron. These big Lincolns sure do have presence. I like to see the two-doors. Love the colors, especially the “gloriously gaudy” upholstery.
Man I would love to own this Lincoln! Luxury at its best! Yes, gas ain’t cheap now, but they just don’t make cars like this anymore. Nice to keep her all original. And the ride is most likely being on a magic carpet. I dig these big land yatchs!
This may be the best time to buy, as many may be afraid with the present gas prices. Look forward to this time next year with optimism?
Wowee! This is some luxobarge! I got to drive one just like this when they were new. It wallowed like the Argo Merchant but as quiet and comfortable as a leather armchair in a library. We’ll never see these again so someone will take home an irreplaceable artifact from the Golden Age of Big for Big’s Sake!
My wife and I watched the Rockford Files, she because of Jim Garner and me because of that loveable rogue Angel Martin and Noah Beery as Dad. Those villains always wore those 3 piece polyester suits.
Beautiful Lincoln. Great color. The interior is sumptuous. This is american luxury. Ford threw it away with SUV’s.
love a 2dr Lincoln but the paint is beat. you’re looking at a minimum of 10k plus for a repaint if no heavy work is needed. lot of sanding to do here. i bet the reserve is around 10k
Very clean Lincoln here. Wow that is a very GREEN interior.
This is definitely not your everyday Coupe! That accent mark over the “e” means it is pronounced “Coo-Pay” in Lincoln ad talk. Ooh La-La!!!
I love it, but, I won’t pay to enter any bid on anything if I don’t know the buy it now price so I can make sure it’s in reach before I waste any money on auction fees just to bid. Also, I want to know the engine size too because there would be a big difference in my top bid.
Pay to bid on EBay? I didn’t know that.
I wish I could afford her! A great car to own I am sure!
Wow, those colors scream “70’s!” Beautiful car!
I too am a diehard Rockford Files fan, have been since the 80’s as reruns as well as being born and raised Pontiac. Aaron you are right many of the baddies drove these, and have ever noticed how many actually had a factory sunroof? Some of the baddies drove LTD’s of the era as well, with many having sunroofs too. I wonder who was in charge of getting the extra prop cars. I can think of three episodes now. It is on 3 hours a night on GET tv so I have recently seen them.