While many historians view the First Generation Mustang as Lee Iacocca’s most successful contribution to automotive history, the Lincoln Continental Mark III demonstrated that he had his finger on the pulse of luxury car customers. This 1969 example presents fairly well for its age, with only minor rust that the new owner could address as time and circumstances allow. The interior is probably its highlight, reflecting a life of care and attention. The seller has listed the Lincoln here on eBay in Oakland, Michigan. The bidding sits at $2,025, and with No Reserve to confuse matters, it is days away from finding a new home.
“Put a Rolls-Royce grille on a Thunderbird.” Those eight words, spoken by Lee Iacocca to Design Vice President Gene Bordinat, were the catalyst for the Lincoln Continental Mark III. Iacocca knew the value of platform sharing, and his approach resulted in a distinctive luxury car developed for what could be considered mere pennies in automotive terms. That philosophy not only guaranteed a healthy profit on every sale but also allowed the Mark III to trump Cadillac’s all-conquering Eldorado in the sales race. Our feature Lincoln rolled off the line in 1969, finished in subtle Wimbledon White with a Black vinyl top. It makes a positive first impression, with no glaring paint or panel shortcomings. That doesn’t mean it is perfect, because a couple of images show rust in both lower rear quarter panels. The issues aren’t extensive, and should respond positively to a couple of well-executed patches. Otherwise, the car appears to be rock-solid. The trim is in what the seller describes as presentable condition, and the damage-prone wheel covers are excellent.
Lincoln adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the Mark III’s mechanical specifications. Every buyer, and there were 23,088 of them in 1969, received a 460ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The curb weight was almost 5,200 lbs, but with the V8 producing a factory-quoted 365hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque, these were remarkably spirited vehicles off the line. The seller has recently invested a considerable sum below the surface, and the winning bidder will reap the benefit. Rebuilt items include the transmission, brakes, suspension, carburetor, power steering pump, and water pump. They replaced the distributor and cleaned and sealed the fuel tank. A selection of invoices and receipts verifies the work, and potential bidders can consider the Mark III a turnkey proposition that they could drive home.
Trimmed in Black leather, the interior could be this Lincoln’s highlight. The seats are virtually wear-free, while the remaining upholstered surfaces are equally impressive. The dash and pad are spotless, as is the woodgrain trim. The seller recently rebuilt the climate-control air conditioning, upgrading it to R134a refrigerant, ensuring it blows ice-cold. They state that the fuel gauge, power door locks, windshield washers, and passenger seat switch require attention. Still, it appears that virtually everything else, including the power windows and power driver’s seat, functions as it should.
This 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III isn’t perfect, but addressing its rust issues would be an excellent, productive way to spend the upcoming winter months. That would allow it to roll out of the winning bidder’s workshop next summer in a state that would receive attention and respect. It has received plenty of attention since hitting the market. However, if the bidding doesn’t intensify, the No Reserve factor could result in someone driving away in a very affordable luxury car. If that piques your interest, monitoring the listing could be worthwhile.
“Cannon”, a Quinn Martin production. I always wondered how many cheeseburgers that guy must have eaten to be that heavy. I think his was a ’71, but it was the 1st time we saw a car phone. WOW, we thought, just think of the possibilities,,,yeah, well, turns out, Frank, ( William Conrad) that car phone, has replaced DUI crashes today 10 to 1. Progress.
The car is probably the nicest US car EVER! A hefty claim, you say? Perhaps, and all these cruisers were top notch, but a Lincoln,,,well, enough said. I’d love to have it. And I theoretically could. $2grand? I’m not alone in my surprise, it really is a wacky world. $5grand for a measly Chevette, and only 9 bids? The last was 2 bits? Where is this now? Michigan, sounds like lower Michigan, near Detroit, which is even more astounding. The finest car made in Detroit, and nobody wants it? I mean, Motor City for cryin’ out loud,,,it’s even worse than it appears. It only clarifies how different we’ve become. If this was in CO., I’d be driving it right now. Can’t you see me wheelin’ into the apt. parking lot with this, (puts down windows), LOOK YOU BUNCH OF LOSERS, HOWARD A. IS DRIVING A LINCOLN,,,just like my father before me in his 1st Cadillac, it’s true, the apple doesn’t fall very far. Wonderful car.
OK, I have to admit Howard that it would seem that prices for certain old cars are dropping. Not as precipitously as you have been prognosticating, but dropping, nonetheless.
This Mark 3 will climb I am sure, probably to 10 grand. They are desirable cars. The 4-door old car prices are certainly softening; case-in-point is my new 32-K mile 65 Electra 225 I just bought for 6200!
Love these year Lincoln Mark 111s. Our local International Harvester dealer owned one just like this one and kept it meticulously maintained. One heck of a luxury land yacht and its 460 can easily keep up in modern highway traffic.
Original paint?
Had one back in 1978, paid $500 for it. Retrofitted a later P/S pump and did a color change from maroon to black on black with maroon interior. That car would get down and boogie when you hit the gas. Miss it to this day. Still have the service manuals and wiring schematics. Never know when another will come along.
Murray was an IH dealer in Cortland, NY. That car? If so, he absolutely loved that car.
The IH dealer I knew was Bob Crowley in Ga. He loved his Mark 111 as well. He kept it for years and I always wished I had bought it from him before he traded it in.
These are probably the nicest person of luxury coupes ever made. I remember when the Lincoln Continental Mark III came out in 1968 1/2. It was spectacular. I thought at the time that they needed hidden wipers, which they did add later. Interior with pure American luxury. It was a beautiful car. I like the darker colors much better though on this car. But this car is very nice. Although I truly liked the Cadillac Eldorado, that was the peer to the Lincoln, it did not compare to the sheer luxury of the Lincoln. The Cadillac with technologically more advanced, I suppose. But the Lincoln screamed I am the best!
I remember my neighbor Lady many many many years ago. She bought one of these brand new and decided to check the water in the radiator and there was no water in it so she filled it up. Unfortunately she had the oil cap off the engine and she filled it full of water. The engine, of course, was not as big or as powerful as our Cadillacs were, but it still held a lot of water and I had a heck of a time draining that engine. Her husband wanted me to fashion a padlock on the hood release so she could not lift the hood up, but I would not do that as I felt that was a fire hazard.
It ran for a few months and smoked like crazy. She finally traded it.
The clean and stately styling of these Marks, inside and out, looked great when they were introduced. And still does. This example isn’t perfect but overall seems fine. A wonderful cruiser.
When we were about 18 years old a good friend of mine bought one of these used in 1978 green with white leather interior. That car was like driving while sitting in your favorite recliner. To this day I have never driven in a car that came close to that Lincoln it was like floating on a cloud. When it came time to taking the girlfriend to the Drive in movies we would switch cars for the night I would get the Lincoln he would get my 69 Mach one. I miss that car but still have the girlfriend we will be married 43 years this Sept.
A car Cadillac could never match.
Cadillac never wanted to lower their standards to match that car. They were always above it so why would they lower themselves? Cadillac was and is the standard of the world” that every car compares themselves to, not Lincoln.
I have never heard anybody that owned a Cadillac say “ my Cadillac drives almost as good as you’re car, it’s always the other way around and for a good reason.
Lincoln is a very nice very decent. Very good car but they’re one step below and they always will be.
Cadillac, what a Lincoln wants to be.
Now I’m going to get it!!!
Shields up full Mr. Scott!
I really did like that Caddy station wagon, with the V-8 and the 6 speed. But as far as a personal luxury car, in the early to mid 70’s? Cadillac could only stand there and watch.
Well your name is Cadillac Kid, so what would anyone expect you to say? I love both Cadillac and Lincoln equally, and for different reasons.
That’s fair enough and I accept that.
And don’t forget Imperial!
SOLD for $7170.
42 bids.
Damn, what a great deal on this Lincoln Mark 111. For $7170