It feels like Barn Finds is returning to its roots with some of our recently featured classics. This 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV demonstrates that, having spent over eight years in this shed. The seller assures us that beneath the heavy layer of dust is a surprisingly nice car with no major cosmetic needs. Having spent its life in a dry location, it shouldn’t have any rust issues requiring attention. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Barney for spotting the Lincoln listed here on Craigslist in East Mesa, Arizona, for $18,000.
Lincoln launched the Continental Mark IV in 1972 as its successor to the enormously successful Mark III. As “difficult second albums” go, the Mark IV was a success. The Mark III’s best sales year was 1971, when 27,091 buyers took one home. The Mark IV sold 48,591 examples in its first year, while our featured classic is 1-of-69,437 that rolled off the line during the record-setting 1973 model year. The seller indicates they are this car’s second owner, having purchased it from their mother-in-law. It has spent eight years in this shed, and a heavy layer of dust now camouflages the Dark Brown Metallic paint and the contrasting White vinyl top. The seller says the paint and vinyl are in good condition, suggesting a few days of washing, polishing, and careful cleaning should make a big difference. Therefore, achieving tidy survivor status may not cost a dime. The panels are straight, and there’s no sign of rust.
As with the exterior, this Lincoln’s interior appears to need little but a deep clean. The Dark Brown cloth and leather are in good condition, and the carpet looks acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle. I think the wheel might be marked, but the dash and woodgrain trim appear to be in good order. The seller describes the interior as fully loaded, meaning it features climate-controlled air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, cruise control, a rear defogger, remote exterior mirrors, a tilt wheel, and what appears to be an AM/FM radio/8-track player.
There weren’t many mechanical options when ordering a 1973 Continental Mark IV. Buyers could specify the 3.25 rear end, but the rest of the drivetrain was standard fare. It included the 460ci V8, a three-speed C6 automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The V8 produced 208hp and 338 ft/lbs of torque, with both figures representing a minor drop from 1972. However, the Mark IV still performed acceptably, achieving the stated aim of transporting occupants effortlessly in eerie silence. The seller says this Lincoln has 39,000 original miles and, given its ownership history, may have verifying evidence like Service Records. It is unclear whether the motor runs, but since this classic hasn’t sat for decades, its revival may not be difficult.
This 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV is an unknown quantity because it’s impossible to know what hides beneath the dust. If it’s as good as the seller suggests, returning the exterior to its former glory would be an easy, rewarding task for the new owner to tackle. The other unknowns are whether hidden rust is waiting to raise its head, and what it would take to return it to a mechanically roadworthy state. That makes the seller’s price look optimistic compared to recent sales, but if it takes more time than money to return it to active service and the mileage is verifiable, it might be worth it.
I always liked these luxury barges. A friend of my dad’s did too. He was driving back from AZ one spring and spotted a pristine one with only 17K miles on it sitting in a used car lot in WY. The price was rock bottom and after a minor cuffuffle getting the title transferred he was on his way home with his “New to Him” car.
Well, about three months later the sheriff pulled into the guy’s yard and started asking questions about where the car came from, and all that.
Joe, the guy’s name was, had nothing to hide and even offered to put the car up on the lift in his own shop so the officials could examine it more closely.
Well, it turned out that the car was hotter than a $2.00 pistol. Stolen in CA, run through a car mill in AZ and sent to WY, where Joe bought it. The deputation showed Joe how the numbers had been tampered with and a short time later, Joe watched sadly as his dream car was winched onto a flatbed and hauled away.
Long story short, Joe was the loser. The used car lot folded up its tent and vanished. The original owner demanded his car be returned and Joe was to receive some compensation but he never did.
Really sad. Buyer Beware!
Wow, that IS a sad story!
At least Joe didn’t get into any legal trouble over it. But it had to hurt. Nobody likes/wants to be duped like that. But Karma never forgets.
Wash, wax, shampoo and maybe steam cleaning called for.
I’m guessing this might be a nice car, underneath all the dirt. Assuming it isn’t running, and it is not do-able to easily get it running, it would certainly help if a bit of clean-up could be done. A hose and bucket of soapy water, to at least wash the back third? Or, a bottle of waterless wash and a bunch of micro towels to clean up an area of the trunk to at least show the paint color and condition? Anything to generate additional information to back up the claim of low mileage and good condition.
I usually don’t cry to hard about dust on a car, but, when your asking that kinda money, for something that could be worth it, throw a battery in it, disconnect the fuel line and at least crank it… Unless, your 95 years old, a hose can do wonders too…
I want the boat.
Ironically, the boat is cleaner than the Lincoln!!! At least you can tell what color the boat is.
Hose it off, please !
My wife’s paternal grandmother had this exact car but with the colors reversed. Oxford White with brown vinyl top and brown cloth interior. Beautiful car. It rode like a dream. I tried to buy it from Maw Maw when her new 1980 Mark VI was delivered. Instead, Maw Maw GAVE it to one of her daughters who, almost immediately, wrecked it😖. I guess in this case blood was thicker than cash but apparently it wasn’t thicker than that tree! Her loss was also mine 😞.
Complete TURD. Hard PASS !
Way too much money
This is the second 70s Mark IV listed here in the last few days, the last one was a 75 for $25k. Way overpriced. That guy from Vice Grip Garage on FB could throw a new battery in her, check the carb and sparkulators and drive it 500 miles, I bet. I really prefer the Mark 111s to these Mark IVs. I had a 76 Thunderbird and they were pretty much the same car.
Derek mostly definitely could and would.
You are paying a big premium for that dirt!
During my 3 year stint at Williams AFB just east of Chandler, AZ. Years 73-76. My 72 Chevelle SS turned into a baked potato.
I can imagine how dried out this interior has become. Let alone all of the hoses and diaphragms necessary for all of the vacuum operated gizmos, for all the plastic crap that this era of ALL cars were made of.
It’s worth what it would cost to have it towed to the new owners cottage.
Down the street.
for 18k and a 39k mile claim drop a few hundred bucks on a professional detail in and out and a set of tires. see if it can run too. seller wants all the money and i mean all the money with no effort. seems to be lazy seller Monday.
It might sell, if it were cleaned up.
Bad color , no leather .If zero rust and needing nothing ,the car is worth 10k TOPS .Immaculate Mark 4’s sell for 15 everyday (which is a true bargain for such a neat car )
The phrase “Always ask high so you dicker down” definitely applies to this car.. Unless the seller, and his friends, are total nincompoots they should have got it running enough to back it out and wash it.. This car has the possibilities of being an excellent survivor entry vehicle into the classic car hobby?? Unless his mother-in-law was really mad at him and sold / gave him a piece of junk.
$18,000??? must be some good dope in his neighborhood.
Another Lazy Seller! $18K is nuts!
“Okay, honey, I listed the damn Lincoln. Not my fault no one wants it,”
Another over priced 8 mpg heap of dust that’s tires are flat and 39,000 is nothing if the head gaskets were ate up and needs another engine! These are the $1800 cars not the finished Barrett Jackson version that’ll bring $12k unless Elvis or Sinatra owned it at one time and you can PROVE IT!
Hagerty has this vehicle in good condition at 13k. This vehicle is way off. It’s going to need tires a complete fuel system cleaning, complete detail, and who knows what. I’m sorry, 5k at the most!
The thicker the dust, the barner the find.
69 and 70 Mark 111s are bringing $10-$15k in running and driving condition, with driveable tires, on other sites. Mark IVs are bringing alot less than that. This is a Lazy seller whose asking crazy and misguided prices, for a dirty, non running or driving car with flat tires.
18k and I gotta flatbed it home? You must be kidding
I believe he may have put an extra zero in there.
With those back bumpers loos more like a 1972!