Continental was a marque originally commissioned in 1939 by Edsel Ford who wanted a coachbuilt convertible to attract potential Lincoln buyers. Since then, the Continental created the “personal luxury” market–big cars built more for the sake of comfort and standard features than handling and performance. Over ten generations and a few hiatuses along the way, the Continental nameplate has been pretty much consistently at the top of the Lincoln model range. This fifth-generation facelifted two-door 1975 model can be found here on eBay.
Under the hood, the Ford 460 V-8 engine looks to be in decent shape, and it ought to be with just 11,204 actual miles. This was the first Continental to be fitted with catalytic converters so filling it up is not going to be cheap. A vehicle that requires premium fuel, shaped like a brick, with 7.5 liters of engine displacement, only a three-speed automatic, and rear-wheel drive is not a cost-conscious combination for someone who would want to daily this.
But even if you are a billionaire and can afford this car’s drinking habit, inside you’re going to be rewarded with automatic climate control, power everything, and plush leather bench seats–each with its own ashtray. Because it was 1975, and if you weren’t less than two feet away from an ashtray, then why even bother? The back seat is cavernous, with more legroom than most SUVs of today, and both bench seats can fit three across. You’ll get tired of saying “of course my coupe can seat six large adults and all their luggage in complete comfort, why wouldn’t it be able to?”
The seller says it’s a barn find, and on the spectrum of “complete basket case” to “Concours-ready,” this big coupe sits somewhere closer to the latter than the former. There are no pictures of the frame, but given the spotless condition of the almost bottomless trunk, an area usually used and abused, I’m sure the frame is fine. This car has lived a pampered life, only racking up 11,204 miles, and though this would make a truly excellent highway cruiser, I’d feel too guilty watching that odometer climb and the fuel gauge drop. Maybe this car’s new destiny is to be a Sunday driver you take to the beach three times a year, rather than something someone can drive all day every day.
On their website for 16,900 so guessing the reserve is close to that. I’d go look but out of pocket for couple of weeks. So who know the difference between a Coupe & Coupe’ as Lincoln called them? …..About $5 Grand.
What a great example of a 70’s Lincoln, in this case in coupe form. It sure has presence. I agree with Ben’s last statement, this car’s best use would be for the occasional leisurely cruise to the beach or through the mountains.
Great deal (for the seller). “Sold for $3,600 at 2021 Carlisle Auctions : Spring.”
https://www.conceptcarz.com/profile/32493,18603/1975-lincoln-continental.aspx
Looks like he will do very well out of this beautiful Lincoln. He put his money where his mouth is and is now going to reap the rewards. As for the mileage, I am inclined to believe that it could be a true reading at 11,000 miles but if it isn’t. it won’t matter because it will stilll drive like an 11,000 miler.
Had one. Nobody and I mean nobody pulled out in front of it. Thing looked like a locomotive coming at you and I had a cut valve put in that ran the exhaust through six foot straight pipes when I pulled the tee handle. I can still hear that 460 V8 idle through those pipes..
I had a friend in junior high, whose Mom was the hottest MILF, and she went from driving a Datsun B210, to driving one of these. Lets just say she wasn’t the best driver in the world. She hit more stuff, would lose control on icy roads, her depth perception was not top notch. It was an adventure everytime we would get a ride from her. But the car was so huge we weren’t afraid. That was the most boat-like riding car I have ever been in. I liked going to his house because on Saturday mornings she would make us breakfast in her bikini and smelled like coconut. It was an uplifting experience and I never ate so many pancakes.Good memories.
She probably got the Lincoln for her talents in the bikini
Amongst other things, no doubt…
Or out of it!
In high school, they called her Abe Lincoln, because everyone took a shot at her in the balcony!
My friend in high school’s mom drove one of these. She was 4’10” and I don’t know how she was able to see over the steering wheel or hood to drive it! Theirs was a medium blue with a white vinyl half roof, white leather interior, but with blue seat belts, blue carpeting and a blue steering wheel and dash. It was super comfy! It made an impression on young me. Total elegance! They even drove it to and from New York City in all that traffic. That is not something I ever would have done with such a large and wide car! Isn’t this a “Town Coupe”, the Town Car was the 4 door version. Nice car!!
The author sounds as if he disapproves of this Lincoln and the era it was engineered to appeal to. Are you jealous or just negative? That Lincoln was a great car. It was mausoleum silent at speed. The car made a low thump-thump sound over road imperfections. I loved it. It could easily hold all of your luggage. It was stately and the coupe was decadent. When those long doors closed, it was with authority. This Lincoln was a real car in the American tradition. Todays SUV’s seem similar but are top heavy and definitely not elegant. I enjoyed large American cars and they used to come as sedans, four door hardtops, two door hardtops and convertibles. Mercedes still does. The car magazines destroyed traditional Detroit products like this Lincoln because they thought every car should be like a BMW. Limousines and hearses look stupid based off of a BMW. Mercedes is a little better. Our Presidents limousine is a SUV. Hearses are being built off of them as well. However, there is nothing like driving down the boulevard in a full sized, six passenger convertible. Lincoln used to make them. Now they make trucks. Maybe their name should be changed from the Lincoln Motor car Company to the Lincoln Truck Company? It would be more representative considering what they now build.
Absolutely agree with you. The car mags pressure campaign is part of the downfall of american classy cars. I’ve read bmw and driver,…er car and driver for years along with Honda Trend and they absolutely loathed american cars that were quiet nice riding cruisers. Not everything has to pull 1 g on the skid pad.
I picked up a 75 continental sedan last year with 33000 on it and the ride and silence is incredible. All you hear is the gentle rumble of that big 460. What a car. I get 11 to 13 with it which isnt bad considering the transmission technology of that era. It’s sad now that I’m at an age that I can afford a nice luxury car, nobody makes anything I’m even remotely interested in.
When you see rough riding Bronco’s and gas hog pick up trucks going for big bucks, this beautiful Lincoln looks more appealing. It’s funny how they never criticize the terrible fuel economy of a truck.
Ben Rybiski’s loathing of this car could not be more apparent. I agree that this is a car from the federally regulated crash bumper and emission controlled era where technology had yet to catch up with the ability to control emissions. Nonetheless it is a part of our history even if only to show what government interference can do to a once great car. If interested I would want to see that the tires that have been replaced were actually original because 111000 mostly highway miles would show little wear on a well built car like this. Also it is a moot point a 10 mpg but regular unleaded not premium is needed for this engine.
I’m willing to bet that the car is a well cared for, garaged, 111,000 car. There are enough clues that I’m certain. Let the buyer beware. Undoubtably a great car though in beautiful condition.. Remember, the car could have had 70-80,000 put on within the first two or three years if it was drove.
Looked some more, under the hood, it’s easily 111,000. Compare the front seat leather cracking with the virtually mint rear seat.
If you look at the plastic wood on the steering wheel, the stated mileage is believable. Those are generally ‘toast’.
However, there is nothing like driving down the boulevard in a full sized, six passenger convertible.
Couldn’t agree more! If Lincoln had a convertible in 1969, it would be my Marquis convertible, which is within an inch of that year’s Lincoln sedan! But what puzzles me is how the engine bay in this Town Car can look so bad with such ultra low mileage. Other than the cracked dash, a very appealing car!
Had one just like in silver with that same red leather interior in the late 1980’s and yes, all the ashtrays and lighters were out of another era for sure….
Item location:
Lakeland, Florida
The ad says mileage exempt per Florida law. That is not true. None of my classic cars have exempt on my Florida titles. However, once someone sells it as exempt, it can’t be changed back.
Just be sure you look very closely to the details, to be sure it is truly a low mileage car.
Wish I had room for it. I would go check it out.
To get a car that rides remotely as well as this one a d quietness inside, your talking S class Mercedes, 115,000 and up per vehicle, if you google the old commercials for this car, they showed a Diamond setter in the back of a 4 door, cutting a Diamond
To John Oliveri: That Diamond cutter was in a Mercury Marquis Brougham,
I’m getting old I guess, I swore it was a Lincoln
“Buyer Beware” of what, exactly? Getting a luxurious, clean comfortable cruiser at a bargain price? Once again the emphasis on miles driven on something that’s not headed for a museum anyway baffles me. Oh, and no once asked about “numbers matching”. That is so important at cars and coffee it seems. Wish I had room for this comfortable, elegant vehicle.
When I said that it refers to the mileage stated by seller. There are so many vehicles come up for auction that have the odometer roll over, and the seller claims original miles. This is really a great car, and magnificent shape, but it has to have over 100,000 miles. Why doesn’t the seller say something like, “Car looks to me like only 11,000 miles, but I can’t say for sure” That would be more honest.
Ended:
Jun 03, 2021 , 11:44AM
Winning bid:
US $12,600.00
[ 43 bids ]