It’s somewhat morbid to think about, but buying what is to be someone’s “last car” may actually be a shrewd purchasing strategy. After all, it’s the car they clearly wanted all their life; they probably used it sparingly, and even less often once the eyesight went; the kids were gone so it’s not as if smoothies and milkshakes were being spilled all over the interior; and so on. This 1989 Lincoln Town Car is being sold as part of an estate sale and the seller claims it is a one-owner example with the 95-year-old caretaker finally hanging up the keys. It is listed here on eBay with no reserve and bids to $5,100.
The first-generation Town Car was a handsome luxo-barge with reliable 5.0L V8 power under the hood. The styling was conservative but it worked well across many years of production. The body was sold primarily in sedan form, but a number of these top-flight cruisers ended up as limousines with the full complement of luxury features and equipment on board. Despite once being a fairly common sight on local roads, the mighty Town Car isn’t seen that much anymore, aside from the last generations of Lincoln’s flagship that still do duty as livery vehicles in places like New York City.
The featured car has just under 67,000 miles and comes with leather seats and corresponding gray carpets. The seller notes the exterior color as titanium metallic, and obviously, the interior materials match nicely with the paint job. The driver’s seat shows some wear, but that seems to be the extent of any cosmetic damage inside the car. The seller reports that the longtime owner was not a smoker and never had potentially messy passengers like dogs or kids. The listing doesn’t provide any details on whether the air conditioning and all the various power controls work, but one can hope there are no unpleasant surprises awaiting the next owner. Would you fix the damage on the driver’s seat bolster or leave it as-is?
The best thing about buying an appreciating classic like this Town Car is that the upkeep will be very cheap over the long term (and the short term) and prices will probably climb gently in the near future. The Town Car will never be a big money collector’s item, but for a classic model that will ride like butter and eat up the highway miles, it’s hard to beat for a practical classic you can drive every day. The seller is wise to have listed this one with no reserve as I’m sure he will eclipse his intended target price without scaring away bidders who might be in the market for a pristine.American-made luxury car.
These were the Town Cars that were so well loved by senior citizens who babied them. The 1980 to 1984 models had squared front and rear ends. The 1985 to 1989 like that one were super popular and had the rounded front and rear styling. They’re very reliable. You rarely see them on the road. However, I know of 2 that are right near where I live. Grab one. They must be in great shape. Low miles like that one are a huge plus!!
This WAS sold on March 19 for about $8,200. Just was there and forgot already. I would have loved to have seen it earlier and I would have bought it up to 10 K.
Good write-up Jeff. If you want to be part of the old car hobby and prefer your ride to be something easy to live with, comfortable, bulletproof, now rarely seen, and inexpensive, this fits the bill. A car to take on a leisurely cruise or to take out to dinner with friends.
I had a white 86 signature series with pillow cushion velour interior.Like driving a lazy boy recliner.Used to drive to Mountain Home ark 12hrs straight thru to visit relatives and this car made the ride pleasurable.Only upgrade I added to mine was dual exhaust.Sold it at 180k to buy a pickup truck.She was dependable never really had any major problems.
I bought a 1985 brand new and when I took my winter vacations in FL got on us95 set cruise control and was like seating on your living room couch best ride ever
I was a chauffer. order my 1987 sig w/ moonroof / tow packge which comes w/ dual exhaust – traction lock – HD battery-suspension-radiator-p/s cooler / trans cooler-full size spare-auto load leveling-etc 2 other I can’t remember for the sum of only $575.00 for all the goodies!
these T/C can run commercially over 500,000 miles & I have seen other driver done so without a rebuild.
Ken in Ohio
We purchased a new 1989 Lincoln Town Car Signature series. Best car we ever owned. Started motor homing and needed smaller vehicle to tow. Decided to sell Town Car. Big mistake. MPG on highway driving 25-27 mpg
I did know where it has been setting behind a barn and deteriorating. Sad
This is a very nice survivor. The price whatever it settles on will probably be worth it and provide a great cars/coffee piece of American history. If you think about it, almost “ ANY” Lincoln Town car is worth collecting, even the newer ones clear up to 2011 when they quit building them. NOBODY except the “high end luxury” builders make a RWD luxury car the same quality and “weight, solidity” as the Lincoln Town Car. They are all great cars. Good luck to all and thanks for the great article!
I picked up a 97 town car signature 4 years ago as my future retirement car. It has been a magic carpet ride ever since, oh yea, I did retire 1/22.
Picked it up for $3K with 98K on the clock. Now has 164K on it and runs like a champ, still gets 27 mpg on the highway, better than my Subaru Legacy I got rid of.
I like it!
Eddie
You do a lot of driving for a retired guy.
34,000 miles in 4 years for a retired guy, say 8,000 a year. Basically less than half of the average driver. Good for him he’s living.
My mom owned a black ’87 Town Car with gray interior for just over 10 years. That was a very reliable car and it was made for long drives.
We’d always rent one of these Lincolns when we’d road trip to NASCAR races. Room for 4 and our gear, and they rode like you were on glass.
I think the Mallard is the grandest of all the ducks. Any opinions on this?
I agree with you. Love to hunt them in the fall about 30 miles WEST of Boise, Idaho for the past 50 years.
This touches a dear place in my heart. My first wife’s last car was a 1989 TC that we ordered custom built for her. It was a dream vehicle, never giving us a minutes problem.