The seller says this 1988 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series has been in a collection its whole life and has only added 37,383 miles to the odometer over the last 37 years. Let’s do the math, wait, you can do that in your head. It isn’t perfect, but they have it posted here on craigslist in Farmingdale, New York, and they’re asking $8,900. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zen for the tip!
Whoa. Plan on the expense of redoing at least the clear coat on this otherwise fine-looking high-roller. Is this color Regatta Blue? It looks more silver than blue in a lot of the photos. It looks more like Light Crystal Blue, which is a 1989 color; it’s not listed on the 1988 Lincoln color chart. Hmm… Whatever it is, parts of it need work, as you can see. Maybe that’s why this otherwise almost-like-new-looking Town Car is priced so low. Hagerty is at $15,300 for a #2 excellent condition example, and the seller is asking $8,900 for this one. The “Lacy Spoke” aluminum wheels are hard to beat; they look great here, but I have to say I’m not a fan of the optional vinyl “full carriage roof.”
The first-generation Town Car was made from 1980 for the 1981 model year until the end of 1989, and it came in only this body style, a four-door sedan after 1982. In 1981 and 1982, they offered a two-door version. They never offered a convertible, but I wonder what one may have looked like? I like it!
Ok, so after spending way too much time trying to figure out the color situation, I ran across this exact same car as having been sold by a company called Motorcar Classics in Farmingdale, NY, where this car is still located. It was listed at $19,900! Their photos in that listing are fantastic, and they included a door tag showing a paint code of 4R, which decodes to Crystal Blue Frost Pearl Metallic! I was right, and the Lincoln color charts were wrong? Weird. The VIN decodes to this being a 1988 model, so there ya go. You can now all sleep tonight without worrying about the color. (zzzzzzz)
You can see the seats have some cracking, and I’m wondering if dying those would make a difference? Have any of you done that with leather seats? Otherwise, it looks great inside, and as expected, the back seat looks good as well, with some creases showing.
The clean engine compartment is where a Ford 302 (5.0-liter) OHV V8 lives. It would have had 150 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, backed by a four-speed automatic. They say this car has had just two owners and has been in a collection all its life. Although I’m assuming it was parked outside enough times to have the clear coat fail, unless there’s another cause for that. Any thoughts on this $8,900 Town Car Signature Series?
This was a New York car… Looks in unbelievable condition 👍
Oh yeah forgot to add ..what an awesome looking convertible rendition SG 😎 That beauty would’ve been a hit 👍 and had major hotrod Lincoln potential 🏁
Thanks, Stan! I wouldn’t mind a convertible edition of this one myself.
This is a very nice Lincoln. It would definitely be worth it to adress the paint issues. I’m not sure if you could adress the leather interior, maybe a leather conditioner could help it? Years ago my Father in law had an ’83 with these same rims ( I always thought they dressed these up) . Very nice driving cars too. And Scotty, your drop top version sure looks nice, it looks like Ford actually should have made one.
These silvery blues (whatever its correct color is called….) are a favorite color of mine, but it seems they top the charts for poor longevity. Too bad this nice Lincoln is a victim of clearcoat failure disease. If this is its biggest problem, get it fixed and carry forward. It’s not expensive and should provide years of service.
Good work Scotty. The convertible looks good.
Saying a low mileage 40 year old luxury car, especially one that might have not been a daily driver was part of a collection since new is a good marketing ploy.
My mom had an 1984 Honda Accord with 25,000 miles when they sold it around 2015. She didn’t like to drive and rarely used the car when my dad retired, unfortunately they weren’t smart enough to say it was in a “collection” since new when they downsized to one car.
This is a nice looking car, but as speculated, spent time outside cooking off its clear coat. It stands or falls on its own merit. It sits right in the middle of a competitive segment if the market. It’s been on the market for nearly three weeks, at some point, at some price it will find an owner.
Steve R
The “Lacy Spoke” wheels were lovely, but genuine wire wheels were available, which are considered “Maximum Town Car.”
The odometer looks as if it has turned over. The drivers seat shows much more wear than that of a barely used car.
I agree about the seats, a lot of cracking for the mileage. The glove box door is separating, just like they all do from age. I feel it’s priced high if the hood and trunk lid have to be addressed, otherwise seems to be in nice shape.
NO MOONROOF. IM OUT. OVER 100K MILES
John, very hard to find Moon Roof in either T/C reg / Sig / Cartier. to give you an example in late 86 I ordered 87 Sig & my must options was M.R. w/ tow package from Reedmans Langhorn P.A. probably largest Lincoln/Mercury dealer at the time – tremendous dealer w/ 200+ TC @ the lot – no kidding! not one had Moon Roof & forget the tow package w/ dual exhaust. dealers just didn’t order extra $1300 option M.R. & $525 Tow packages.
I ? the mileage claiml
As others have said what does ‘in a collection since new’ really mean?
This Lincoln was in the family’s private collection of driving vehicles. What kind of “collection” allows a car to sit outside long enough to get sunburned?