“Batten down them hatches, we’re about to set sail!” This 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe is one titanic-sized car- and it only has two doors! Being a ’79 puts it the end of an era as Lincoln hopped on the down-sized bandwagon, like all other domestic auto producers, the following year. This example, uncovered by T.J., is a survivor through and through! It’s located in Chattaroy, Washington and is available, here on craigslist for $13,500.
Tipping the scales at 4,800 lbs. and stretching out 233″ in length, we’re looking at a lot of Lincoln “Dark Red” paint! Seeing a Continental Town Car of this era with its four-door body style isn’t that rare or unusual but a two-door coupe, as Lincoln refers to it, is not an everyday occurrence. The numbers help explain as approximately 92K Continentals were cranked out in ’79 but only 16K wore two doors. Not rare, but not commonplace either. The seller claims the mileage to be 68K miles but is clear that he can’t guarantee that recording. Regardless, this Town Coupe appears to have been pampered and it shows like new. Of course, having a garage that will accommodate a car of this size is helpful too. As the seller states, “It has been extremely well cared for and it shows it. This is a needs nothing car“. There were “collector” series Continentals available in ’79 but our subject car is not one of them, it’s just a plain old Lincoln Town Coupe, as plain as one can be which isn’t very plain.
The stroll factor is provided by a 159 net HP, 400 CI V8 engine. I refer to it as the “stroll factor” because Notorious Luxury’s assessment of the ’79 Continental states, “Longitudinal acceleration is rated as 0-60 mph in 15.6 seconds, 0-100 mph in 76.7 seconds with a top speed of 104 mph without governor. It can do the ¼ mile @ 71 mph in 21 seconds“. OK, so a Hot Rod Lincoln this car isn’t but that wasn’t its charge in life. The seller adds, “It drives as good as it looks with no mechanical or functional concerns whatsoever. The engine, tranny and brakes are smooth as glass“.
I get groggy just looking at that interior. Slide in, belt up, start-up, drive off, nod off and hope for the best. The light gray fabric appears to be crushed velour though I’m not sure how one actually crushes velour. Regardless, it’s in fine nick without a trace of wear or other visible foibles. The seller mentions, “Everything works except the clock and it works when it feels like it“. I had one of those in a ’67 Chevelle and it used to take winters off. I have to say that the instrument panel is kind of cheesy looking for a Continental – it’s actually a Mercury sourced piece and the Federally required 85 MPH speedometer is just pitiful and doesn’t help with the cause. Of course, this steamer doesn’t really need one any more robust.
This is a great find! And the price seems reasonable for what the next owner will be acquiring – especially if you price it by the pound. This Continental hails from the days when a Lincoln was a Lincoln. I don’t know what they are anymore other than a CUV/SUV infested operation that may or may not be long for this world. Along with this ’77 Chrysler New Yorker featured last week, these big two-door coupes are truly the end of a remarkable automotive era. If you’re in the market, I suggest you hop on this one!
Another great color combo!
If Elvis were still alive in 79 he would have bought two. The man could sing, but had awful taste in cars.
Bwana not familiar with the Pantera?
E had one of those? No kidding. Might have to reappraise my assessment of his car loving personality.
I’d have to say his taste in cars was better than his singing.
He most certainy did. And he fired a couple of rounds into it when it would not start. Guess he didn’t belong to the Memphis AAA.
This looks to be an exceptional example of the last land yacht. The full vinyl roof is a surprisingly elegant touch. I remember most of these having a landau roof treatment.
Trivia time: Despite appearances to the contrary, these wore rear fender skirts. Lincoln apparently wanted to mimic Cadillac’s skirtless look. Rather than tool up a new, un-skirted quarter panel, they just scooped out the fender skirts. Cadillac would do the same thing with the ’89-’93 Sedan DeVille
Beautiful car from the Luxury division of Ford.
I would love to own this one.
My dear Father went through phases with his choice of driver cars during his 94 years on this planet. He worked with Pete Estes at GM warranty in the late 1930’s, so GM was his first loyalty. Then Hudson to Cadillac to Chrysler to Lincolns. We were going down I-5 to Medford when we stopped to eat and he grabbed a local shopper newsletter. It had a ’61 (or ’62 or ’63) Lincoln slabside in turquoise with only 44k miles for $900! It turned out to be the local dentist’s mother’s car and she had quit driving. We changed the air in the tires and drove it 2000 miles that month. He never bought any other make during his last 10 years. One of these was his last. It was a gold color with the leather and was a slicktop. I wish I had kept the car longer.
These were beautiful cars. I liked the 1975 version best. And two door hardtops are my favorite and this maroon one is a beauty!
The 1977 Lincoln Towncars wore skirts. The 1978’s and 1979’s, no skirts. The wheels onthis red 1979 are theKelsey Hays aluminum turbine wheels. I have several Lincolns with these wheels, enjoy my Lincolns greatly.
Gone
Nice ride overall, but saggy in the rear. Not sure if it’s an air ride problem or weakened coil springs.
Here it comes- “That’s what she said”
I love these old barges, although 1979 is a bit late for my tastes.
The odd thing is that when I drive my big boats around town, people really love them, but when I take them to a cruise-in or car show, nobody bothers to look at them, especially the other car guys.
Would’ve been even nicer with a half vinyl top.
Absolutely gorgeous color and love the cloth interior. I have very nice 76 continental 4 door which I enjoy driving periodically.
The downside to the 79s were the anemic 400. While fine for lighter vehicles they just didnt have the torque owners of earlier 460 powered cars were used to.
Definitely the end of an era and certainly worth preserving
When these cars were shipped to California they had only the Ford 351 engine due to the smog test requirements