Shed Find: 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV

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.