Built from 1972 to 1976, the Lincoln Continental Mk IV was one of the true luxury land yachts of the decade. At a full 19 feet in length and weighing more than 5,200 pounds, they didn’t get much bigger than this. Especially as a 2-door hardtop like the seller’s edition from 1974. This one is said to have just 37,000 miles and – other than a small scrape on the passenger side – it shouldn’t need much attention. Located in Bath, Pennsylvania, this larger-than-life Lincoln is available here on craigslist for $10,000 OBO. Another great tip from Mitchell G.!
The Mk IV was the successor to the 1968-71 Mk III. It was a bigger and heavier car, sharing its platform with the Ford Thunderbird which was built at the same Michigan plant. It was a direct competitor to the Cadillac Eldorado and would see more than 278,000 copies built before the Mk V replaced it. 1973 would be the car’s best sales year, but production took a hit in 1974 as the aftermath of the OPEC oil embargo sent buyers moving to smaller vehicles.
Ford’s biggest engine, the 460 cubic inch V8, was employed to propel the beefy Mk IV. These cars are memorable to me watching the 1970s TV show, Cannon, where the rotund star William Conrad piloted one of these automobiles wherever he went. The 1974 models took on a heftier appearance as federally mandated big bumpers were in play at both ends for low-speed impact protection. If accurate, the seller’s ’74 might be one of the lowest mileage surviving examples at an average of 750 miles/year.
The car is described as being in great shape, but that might be a little optimistic. There is that scrape which may have resulted in an altercation in the garage. And the vinyl top could use some reconditioning and a bubble is present in at least one corner around the big rear window. But it’s said to drive very well and has had some recent work done, including the installation of a new carburetor. If this ride will fit in your garage, is the Mk IV a car for you?
This must’ve been a stunning car back in ’74 when black cars were pretty rare.
I have always had a soft spot between the ears for the Continental Mark IV.
Thanks Russ. Interesting observation nlpnt, back then black was another color choice and not super-popular like today. These Marks exuded class and presence. This one may not be the best one out there but the price isn’t bad.
Never a huge fan of this style. I love the III and the V but just never went for these. They were popular in the inner city where I grew up. A buddy in high school’s father had this exact car only with the moon roof. He had it into the mid 80s and rust was eating it like a square box Chevy pickup. Best color combo for these if they are your cup of tea and rarely seen any longer.
The Cannon car. The car driven by Frank Cannon.
It would be an easy restoration. You surely wouldn’t find a nicer one at this price.
The black paint and red leather are a great combination.
The car is v clean and low miles! Light restoration is in order and the 10k price is reasonable. Negotiate it some and drive it home! It’s definitely a buy.
That was the car Frank Cannon drove around in. I remember watching the TV show Cannon.
I still watch it, on METV
Me as well; though I was still not old enough to understand the episodes’ plots (which my grandmother could understand and enjoy), I watched it mainly for the car. For a while the Mark IV was my favorite of the humpbacks. It still is a favorite, though I’ve grown to like the Mark III a little better.
For me the Mark lll was a much nicer looking car. The price of this car is not bad but there are some issues and these cars don’t bring big money !
This would be an ideal weekend driver. Keep it forever, and when it needed a new drivetrain. I would put an Inline 6 with more torque and hp with the appropriate rear end and transmission replacement. That would up the power and shave some weight off.
More Torque and Horsepower? Out of a 6 cylinder? Maybe torque, maybe. Put a Cummings Turbo Diesel and yes on both Torque and HP.
I don’t know about horsepower; maybe on the chart, but that is academic where diesels are concerned. Diesels are designed for load-bearing, not racing. Besides, IDK about putting an engine designed for Chryslers into a Ford vehicle, though it may be easier than with, say, a ’60s Lincoln model.
That 460 has a lot more oomph than the numbers give it credit for; I know from riding experience with a guy who owned a ’73 model. Plus, there is a huge souping network for those engines out there, that can give this heavy cruiser enough thrust to give any SRT model a run for its money. After all, it’s essentially a 429 with larger bores…and Ford nuts can tell you all about the 429.
I owned 2 of these when I was still married to 2nd wife. Bothe were dark blue with white vinyl top, white leather interior and moon roof. Very nice riding cars though they did float a bit.
God Bless America
The IVs do have their share of design flaws and issues even back then with their build quality. However, having experience with removing design flaws on a model of Lincoln that’s even harder to work on, I like to think that there’s nothing that can’t be dealt with. The new owner of this car should beware for a brittle steering-column shell; those were notorious for cracking up, especially on the last couple years of this model. Not an attempt to scare prospective buyers off, mind you, just a bit of caveat. And there is a sizable online forum with a lot of sage advice on pursuing and fixing problems.
Priced to sell!
The best one is in Arizona.A full-service customer with a triple black Mark 1V that looked immaculate.Always clean, shiny and waxed.Man what a presence that car was at the station.Best preserved classics in the nation-AZ.
There’s one bopping around on the internet 11/28 or 29 – maybe it was here(?) – same car, different wheels in perfect condition. I don’t think it was for sale so it wouldn’t be on barnfinds.com I guess…