Foundational bluesman Howlin’ Wolf chided listeners not to “call me fat,” because he was “Built for comfort… (not) for speed,” and Lincoln described its 1973 Continentals as “sized for comfort.” Keep the fat jokes to yourself regarding this 1973 Lincoln Continental Sedan in Fall River, Wisconsin. Comfort is the standard for this slab-sided beauty. Thanks to lov2xlr8 for the library of original brochures, and to reader Bruce M. for spotting this gold standard of ’70s luxury.
Brocade upholstery, a fine-looking dashboard, and power amenities greet this road schooner’s skipper. Only the ridiculous steering wheel cover suggests age or wear has afflicted this claimed 90,000 mile gem. Twin Comfort Lounge seats invite you to traverse a state or two visiting your adult children and 2.5 grandchildren. You gave your best years to the company while no one recognized your true potential. Nepotism filled your boss’s chair with know-nothing punks. Now your time is your own, and the Continental your final reward, a mobile parlor of peace. Your happy place. You pause to greet a fellow traveler: “Learn how to drive, idiot!”
First introduced in the 1968 Lincoln, the mighty 460 cid (7.5L) V8 became known for smooth power and longevity, proving itself in luxury cars, trucks, and motor coaches. This 1973 version may have been down on brochure horsepower, but much of that occurred on paper thanks to the industry’s move from gross horsepower to net. Real losses came from lower compression ratios and other changes to meet emissions regulations. Even with all that, the 460’s torque could not be suppressed, and the big-inch motor should prove adequate and reassuring in this stately sedan.
Always include this picture when selling a car, regardless of the wear it shows. In this case the brocade upholstery and vinyl look great. Even if the seat is worn, showing its condition suggests you’re not hiding other shortcomings. If you want people to think you can’t be trusted from the start, compose your pictures to cleverly avoid the bad points. Buyers will see them anyway before making a deal. Do the right thing so people don’t think you’re a scumbag.
Despite its barge-like proportions, this Continental weighs 150 lb less than a 2006 BMW 750Li. Take that, body-shamers! The back seat looks just as good as the front, and the car is said to run “great,” according to the Facebook Marketplace listing. The $8500 asking price seems reasonable considering the never-restored yet well-preserved condition. It might bring double that value with fresh paint and a new top, but there’s no reason you couldn’t enjoy this cruiser just as it sits. The powertrain will run forever, and mechanical parts come cheap for these Ford-based high-rollers. Any Badger State classic should be thoroughly inspected for rust, but nothing suggests this Lincoln is about to crumble. With 2024 Lincolns selling for $80k+ would you consider this rolling lounge instead?
Todd, I like your sense of humor – good one!
I think the first 460 was in a 59 Lincoln.
Cadillac had a 390 with a lot more Horsepower.
Could be wrong about the year.
Never followed Lincoln’s, always passed them.
That was not the 460. The 385 Family is comprised of the 429 and 460. You are thinking of an earlier engine family MEL (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) that included a 462 at one point. Not related at all, do not share any architecture or parts.
I stand corrected, thank you.
Ha, that’s destined for the Barn Finds Hall of Fame (do we have one yet?), nice work, Todd! I love that car, those seats make me weep like a child they’re so beautiful.
We DO have The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, founded by Angel, Frog and yours truly! Always accepting new members. 😉
Fun write-up Todd. A well-kept Lincoln with period-correct colors, for not much money. The listing is already gone.
My mom had the same year and style in blues and black instead of the colors shown. I took my drivers test in that car and the instructor made me reset for 15 minutes outside with him pretending to take notes because we had air conditioning we most cars didn’t then and it was 90+ degrees in Maine that particular week when we got out, he said my mom was worrying.
The drivers’ test story reminds me of my Sis. She took he test in a ‘58 Cadillac Series 62 Extended Deck Model. The person in front of her was zipping through the pylons in a VW Beetle. The young male DOL Tester was giving her a bad time as she maneuvered the Caddy. She got payback when he called for a panic stop. She nailed the power brakes, and he literally ended up next to the windshield on top of the dashboard.
No Surprise! Today I had to slam on my brakes to avoid losing the front end of my Town Car as a big red truck cut too close. The truck waiving a flag in the breeze!
My late father in law was a traveling salesmen and bought a new Lincoln in 74. Not sure what engine it had, but he always said he could pass anything but a gas station.
Nice car. Looks almost like the same car and color used in the movie Charley Varrick !!
Good eye, Mark. Here’s some inspiration for the new owner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z01IZ4KI_tE
As a current and past Lincoln owner and liker I …. Dang it’s gone.
…not a FUTURE Lincoln owner, evidently.
What o’ beast!
The year I graduated high school was the year of UGLY front bumpers with few exceptions. This Lincoln was no exception!
My parents had a 72. With a recurve of the distributor and moving the accelerator pump from notch 2 of 3 to 4 it would lit the tires with 5 people in the car and no powerbraking and get over 17 mpg on trips. Yes, the 460 was a torquemeister.
A great find! Love that brocade interior and that Lincoln had once again returned to true LAND YACHT size. I once owned a 78 Town Coupe, luxury, class, comfort and with the 460 WAS built for speed as well. As I’ve frequently stated, my 2007 Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans. LINCOLN, what a Luxury car should be and ONCE was.
I have a 1977 Lincoln Mark V for my daily, she’s a little rusty on top with those vinyl roofs being the worst part about these cars. I tell people it’s like riding on Grandma’s porch swing at 85mph
Has a 75-79 steering wheel.
I own a toyota hybrid but I have to admit it would be a lot of fun to drive this thing to Alaska on somebody else’e credit card.
You could put the Toyota in the trunk as a spare! 😉😁🤣
I had a classmate whose very successful grandfather had one of these. He would drive up to watch our football practices…that car had PRESENCE AND BEAUTIFUL STYLE. Dark blue with matching top and full leather interior. Sadly, a few years later the classmate died at the hands of a punk with a gun…terrible loss for his family and the community. RIP CHRIS.
Owner of a local corner grocery had a ’79 Town Coupe well into the mid ’80s. I remember having to walk into the street around it because it was too long for the parking lot (strip, really) and it overhung the sidewalk and the part of the parking strip that corresponded with the greenbelt further along.