Long Lincoln: 1973 Lincoln Continental Coupe

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By 1973, the fifth-generation Lincoln Continental had grown to over nineteen-feet in length, but it was still a few inches shorter than the peak 1977-79 models. This 1973 Lincoln Continental Coupe is long on quite a few things – beauty, condition, and desirability, not just plain ol’ length. This tan over white beauty is on eBay in Manheim, Pennsylvania with a current bid of just over $3,600, but the reserve isn’t met. There are still over seven full days left on the auction; this may be one to watch.

This is one gorgeous car. It’s not the classic, or what I consider the “classic” Lincoln Continental grille, but it would be fun to own this one. It’s hard to argue with this grille! This car has 69,425 miles on it and has had just two owners since it rolled out of the showroom. It appears to be in great condition with general wear and some fading on the vinyl top and some of the interior pieces.

The seller mentions that there has been one “quality repaint” at some point, but otherwise it’s an original car. There is no mention of any rust on the body or if there were any rust repairs, but if it’s a Pennsylvania car I would expect to see at the very least lots of surface rust underneath. But, it sounds like I’d be wrong, the seller says that the “frame and floors are clean and rust free.” I would have the vinyl top professionally dyed back to its original glory. I know that a lot of people think a vinyl top is the leisure suit of car accessories, but I grew up in this era and a vinyl top was the finishing touch for these cars. The base/cheap models had smooth, painted metal tops and we always wanted a vinyl top. It’s like tucking your shirt in but not wearing a belt, something just seems missing to me without that textured top on a luxury car from this era.

The same with a brocade interior. I absolutely love it! Most people now want leather interiors, but give me a fancy brocade fabric interior any day. Or, any fabric pattern. There is some fading and cleaning needed on this one, but this interior looks fantastic. Supposedly everything works, other than the AC needs (to be) (see what I did there?) charged and also the cruise control doesn’t work, but supposedly everything else works. The rear driver’s side armrest insert panel is missing, but other than that it looks great for being older than most Barn Finds readers are.

This is Ford’s 2.3L inline-four with.. HA, just kidding, you’d need two of those to move this 5,000-pound monster. This engine is the venerable 460 cubic-inch V8 which by 1973 had about 210 hp for the two-door model. Hagerty lists a #3 good-condition two-door Continental Coupe as being worth $8,300 and a #2 excellent-condition car as being valued at $14,000. There’s a lot of room to go on that current bid. What do you think this one will sell for?

Comments

  1. John M.

    One of the ultimate American land yachts.

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    • PAPERBKWRITER

      Good thing it isn’t being sold by the pound.

      Like 0
      • Bill Owens BillOMember

        This was in the day when cars practically sold for about $1 per pound. I guess the Lincoln was probably a prime cut even by 1973 and ran a little over $1 per pound.

        Like 0
  2. Al

    All the steel from ’50’s Packard’s went into this barge, and here I thought, that the Packard was too big.
    Imagine….!!, Ford built a bloated pig as well.

    Like 0
  3. Howard A Howard AMember

    Wow, it’s Bill Faust’s car,,,I’ll explain. In the 70’s, I worked for an auto body and paint supplier in Milwaukee. One ( of the 2) salespeople, named Bill Faust drove a car exactly like this. This guy could sell air conditioners to the Eskimoes. We had the paint account for the Excalibur, ( where I got to see them being made) and I’m sure it was Bill’s salesmenship that got the account. Stuffed a lot of supplies in that trunk, mostly bondo. That place sold a LOT of bondo. Great car.

    Like 0
  4. Fred W.

    This was a really good year for Ford, from a build quality standpoint. I followed the “frequency of repair” charts in Consumer Reports as a teenager, and Ford peaked in ’73 with a very reliable car not likely to rust (compared to the competition). A trip cross country in this Lincoln would be a real pleasure cruise.

    Like 0
  5. Gunner

    Here is the brother. Beautiful condition as well, and well priced.

    https://boise.craigslist.org/cto/6171629379.html

    Like 0
    • JACKinNWPA Jack in NW PAMember

      A 1977 too, I like the upright grill better as it sets them apart more from the Mercury’s. I hade a 1979 Continental and still have a black 1977 Towne Coupe. Love them and this white one too!

      Like 0
  6. Jubjub

    I had a ’71 in this coupe body. Was a Benedictine green with dark green top and leather interior. It had a cleaner, all horizontal bar grille a less corporate looking, three spoke, rim blow steering wheel, the turbine wheel covers and a pre-emission 460 with 365hp. What a monster.

    Like 0
  7. Mr. TKD

    A big American coupe with fender skirts? I dig it!

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  8. Ness

    I’ve peeked into a lot of cars at car shows, and own a 1979 Continental, but I’ve never seen a brocade fabric upholstery. Wow, it looks like my grandparents living room years ago. With this one you have the typical Lincoln look from the 70’s with some less common details, I think that makes it special. Its definitely not the color for me, but still a beauty.

    Like 1
  9. Rock On

    I have owned 3 Fleetwoods and driven a few of these. The Continental is by far the most boat like barge that I have ever piloted.

    Like 0
  10. C Carl

    Winner winner chicken dinner. Drive this one to the lake bed.

    Like 0
  11. boxdin

    Same length as a dodge maxivan 15 pass.

    Like 0
  12. Luke Fitzgerald

    Last of the real cars

    Like 0
  13. Mike

    Try parallel parking this beast in downtown Seattle, or drive through any Seattle neighborhood and see how many side mirrors you can knock off. You could be considered the Kraken to cyclists in town.

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  14. glenn

    anyone noticew the back electrics and ashtray area its all missing. i would say that some electrical problems are present in this car

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    • boxdin

      I have a buddy w one of these, those window etc switches are problematic.

      Like 0
  15. Paul

    1973 Ford’s rusted very fast, I am from Rochester NY by 1977 in that area you would be practically ridding outside! Ford used recycled metal in 73 (much more than any other brand). The fact that this 73 is in great shape means it wasn’t exposed to heavy road salt. Or it would have rusted back to the earth!

    Like 0
  16. Brad C

    Same year that I was born, and and Grandma / Grandpa owned a ’73 Town Car: white with a silvery-blue vinyl roof, and no opera window cluttering the C-pillar. They’d spend Sunday dinners with us (and a Cary Grant or Astaire-Rogers movie)… and us kids would stand in the long driveway as they slowly backed out. Grandpa would make the “eyelids” blink and flash as we waved goodbye, eliciting endless giggles.

    Like 2
  17. XMA0891

    Bless the original owner, idling this yacht in lines of The Gas Crisis right through to its “resolution” and beyond. Ain’t America Great? Love all these enormous early ’70’s two-doors! Great find!

    Like 1
    • Mr. TKD

      The original owner probably restrained someone to handle those pedestrian tasks.

      Like 0

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