For more than 80 years, the Continental was a major fixture in the Lincoln lineup. For the fifth generation that ran from 1970 to 1979, they were bigger than ever, sharing their platform with the Mercury Marquis and Ford LTD. Sedans were more popular than coupes, yet more than 21,000 2-door hardtops were built in 1975 (during the first U.S. oil crisis). This one has been sitting for a decade, and rust and general neglect have set in. Located in Minocqua, Wisconsin, this non-running project is available here on craigslist for $2,000.
Lincoln was on a roll in 1970 after launching the successful Mark III the year before. The Continental switched back to body-on-frame construction (last used in 1957). Four-wheel disc brakes would become an option for the first time on a Lincoln. These cars were powered by FOMOCO’s biggest engine, a 460 cubic inch V8, paired with a C6 automatic transmission. Despite the rising price of gasoline in 1975, the Continental continued to sell well, so I guess the “rich and famous” weren’t bothered.
For unknown reasons, this car was running when it was parked around 2016. It may not have moved since, given the flat tires and accumulating rust in a few places. One corner of the rear bumper has become disconnected and is dragging on the ground. The odometer read 90,000+ miles when it last served its owners.
This fixer-upper has a decent interior compared to the exterior. The seller can’t locate the title, so you’ll have to be happy with a bill of sale to do battle with your local DMV. This certainly is a set of cheap wheels, but restoring this vehicle can be a challenge because of all the electric gizmos that have been idle for 10 years. Do you need a donor for another Lincoln project? Credit goes to Barn Finder Zen for the tip.
Hey! I’m glad to see the “Good Bye or Goodbye” title come back! I took some heat for that a few years ago, hopefully it goes over better this time. I should have trademarked that, ha.
I think it sums up some of the vehicles we see here on Barnfinds rather well. This Lincoln actually looks like a great candidate if bought for the right price and doesn’t have any rust issues underneath.
Kind of up there with Chicken Coupe, or Chicken Coop.
If the “bummer” is down in one corner, I would imagine that’s because the mount or cylinder that was holding it to the car rusted away. Does not bode well for the rest of it.