An airport is the perfect location to take photos of a 1970 Continental Mark III, in my opinion. The image of a jet-setting money-is-no-object owner, flying off to some exotic location to check on a bridge engineering project in another country or maybe just flying to their personal island somewhere. This one is posted here on craigslist in the Holly Springs, North Carolina area and they’re asking $19,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
The seller clearly has an eye for photos, they nailed quite a few of the ones in this listing. In fact, breaking with a long-standing tradition on craigslist ads, they’re all great photos, and the maximum number of photos are uploaded, 24 of them! To kick it up yet another notch, they’ve included a great video here on YouTube showing the car in action. Very well done, seller!
All that gushing about the seller’s photos means nothing if the car is a (insert lame car here), but this is a 1970 Continental Mark III in seemingly outstanding condition, in a great color with a great interior and a clean engine. To make it even more enticing, their asking price may be on the lean side according to Hagerty. Hagerty is at $13,900 for a #3 good-condition car and $31,600 for a #2 excellent car. If this car is between those two, condition and value-wise, that would put it at $22,750.
The Continental Mark III was made from 1968 for the 1969 model year until the end of 1971 and Lincoln advertising referred to them as, “The most authoritatively styled, decisively individual motorcar of this generation.” I have to wonder if a young Frank Cannon drove a Continental Mark III… (his first Mark series was a Mark IV, for those keeping track). As expected, the interior looks great, the top-grain glove leather is “tumbled in huge drums for exquisite softness” and it looks perfect both front and rear.
The clean engine is Ford’s 460-cu.in. OHV V8 with 365 horsepower and a stump-pulling 500 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a three-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, this one is said to be functioning correctly, it has a few new parts along with new tires, and it looks like a winner to me. Any thoughts on this Mark III?
I was a pre-teen when these were introduced, mostly interested in muscle cars. But they caught my eye; I remember thinking how clean and classy they looked. And to me they still look clean and classy.
Another one of Iacocca’s greatest hits: taking an existing platform/car and repackaging it. And in this case, making a ton of money for Ford doing so.
This one looks to be in good shape, for reasonable cost. Thanks Scotty.
We knew someone years and years ago that bought one of these new ( 69 or a 70) and kept it for years in immaculate condition. White black top, black interior. I remember looking at it and saying to myself that at that time the Mark III really gave the Eldorado a true run for the money.I like both cars. But these have such a clean design like Bob said above.
There is a copper colored Mark that is well known for rippin’ the drags on the east coast. Runs elevens, IIRC. These would’ve never interested me when I was younger, but now, I think they’re pretty dang cool. This one looks very clean. Nice Lincoln.
These early “Marks” are the ones to have. They’ve got big motors with big power, as compared to the smog-era Mark IV and V that could barely get out of their own way. This particular car looks like a nice example too.
460 Fords deliver.
I had a sweet 1998 Mark 8 which is the last version of 2- door coupe. All SUV after that, Marks were always top of the line and most innovative Lincoln had. The all aluminum Tekskd engine in my car was rated at only 300 HP but me thinks more like 400 with the 4 cams. That car hauled ass as I suspect this one does as well with it’s 365 HP wink wink
Reminds me of the movie “The Car”. Would make a great tribute.
An early episode of Cannon he drove a Mark 111
Thats right! Frank Cannon’s 1st car was the Mark111 and I believe all his cars were silver on outside! Some of his mark IV’s has red velour interiors but I saw one had a blue interior in one episode! I always liked actor Bill Conrad even when he played bad dudes! Actors like him and these cars we will never see made again!!!
These cars have always been, Bad Ass
Yes. I always liked passing them at a red light in my Cadillacs with a 472 or a 500CID. Even my 65 Cadillac with a 429 would dust them.
Ohhhhh….The ‘69 my friend had in the early ‘70’s was such a nice riding auto! Fast when needed,too!
Do not forget that for one brief, shining moment there was a magical kingdom called Camelot and that a Mark 3 was parked in the driveway.
Correction Scotty, Cannon drove a Mark III in the entire first season. After that it was Mark 4’s for the rest of the series.
You’re right, Karl, Rems, Mike, and others!
I knew he had a four-door Continental in the two-hour pilot episode and I remember the Mark III but the light blue Mark IV was the one burned on my brain. Thanks for catching that!
These luxo-barges are sweet, but death on maintenance and repairs. LOTS of things break on the Mark III and it will cost you plenty to have them fixed. That 460 will lay down some awesome burnouts though …
Man, I do loves me some Lincolns.
these are highly collectible cars but are not cheap to maintain, they are pretty fast but terrible on gas almost 5000 lbs,all that power options are great until u have problems with them. I like these better than the eldorados because they are not front wheel drive, but the price seems to be a little on the high side depending on the mileage if it is correct and original, but looks to be in great shape but remember pictures sometimes can be misleading, but lastly it is a 55 year old car??