A trend that has been increasing in popularity lately is referring to any car that has been kept out of the public eye for a period of time as a “barn find.” While we still feature these vehicles on this site because they still fit our basic criteria, it is always very exciting to see a car for sale that is not only a true barn find, but is pictured still in the barn it has been languishing in for so long. This 1984 Lincoln Town car is likely the most mint example available for sale and has been parked in this barn for “several decades” with the most recent registration year on the license plate being 1993. Find it here on eBay in Tennessee with an $8,000 price tag and the option to make an offer.
The condition of the interior of this car coupled with the quality of the seller’s camera makes these pictures almost look like period or advertisement photographs from the 1980s. There is no doubt that this car is in the best possible condition for having been parked in a barn and the interior is far too nice to have covered any more than the claimed 15,279 miles. Though I’d like to know the story as to how it ended up being parked at 9 years old after seeing very little use, I think we can all make a close guess. Regardless of the background, this very well might be the nicest 1984 Town Car on the market if not in existence and although not currently collectable if kept in this condition it is highly possible that this car will be valuable in the future.
Under the hood is exactly what you’re expecting: a Ford 302 V8, also known as a Ford 5.0. This is possibly the most versatile V8 engine Ford ever produced as it was found in many variations over many years under the hoods of trucks, luxury sedans, and of course Mustangs. Presumably this car was parked in 1993 or earlier, based on the license plate sticker. If that is the case, then it probably has not run or even been started since then and there is no mention of whether or not the car is in any sort of running order. The new owner can count on doing a full tune-up as well as replacing or cleaning all of the fuel system components.
Seldom are “barn finds” actually barn finds and even less often are they still in the actual barn. Aside from being mint and low-mileage, this town car is still in its barn (at least in the photos) and ready to be returned to a life of luxurious cruising. The only tough decision the new owner will have to make is how often they will drive it, as the more miles it has the less special it becomes. What would you do with it?
One vote here for keeping in the barn for another 20/30 years. Get it running, put for sale sign on it now and it will be used as a pizza delivery car until it dies again. Then off to junk yard.
Where do people get their prices?
When you can get a running and driving car in good condition for a couple of thousand dollars, this seems way out there.
If price is the only comment you have to offer, then why bother!
Are you interested in buying, if not… your opinion of value has absolutely no merit. Indeed, you can go out and buy a running and in good condition 6 or 7 year old Honda civic, or other from the same cookie cutter mould for $4,000. They ‘ll be transport from A to B. Don’t expect however for people to stop you wanting to know about your beautiful grey Civic, and wanting to know its history.
Used car lots abound with that type of vehicle.. so go for it… most people reading this site want to see something different, unique, with automotive historical significance, and that’s why this vehicle is featured, too bad it elicits critical comments such as yours that have no basis or merit.. My opinion, and that of many others..
Oh, Howard A, where are you,, we need help here!
photo-a crowning touch for a……….Honda Civic???
Well, now they know where Grandpa parked the car!
I hope no one believes this far fetched story. This car is in a barn in TN, hardly a dry climate. It is sitting on a dirt floor and look at sunlight streaming through the barn siding and the barn door. Does anyone realize how much surface rust and lower body and frame rust through will develop in 25 years in such an environment?
I like it.i would drive it. by the time it would be of value if it ever would be
I’d more than likely be dead.
No way do I believe this car has been sitting in this barn for two decades covered or not.
Seeing these kind of stories makes me think that when it comes to selling cars even the Pope can’t be trusted.
Definitely not worth $8K
Beware…that back bumper is one bump away from dropping….they had alum. Inners steel outers…corroded right though…i had 83 Cartier much nicer than this but w more miles…also front corner markers just seem to fall out….still….best car i ever owned…living room on wheels…carry back up ign. module…..
Bumper and ft turn lenses fell on my 83 Cartier and it was mint
Too clean to have been in ANY barn that long.
Yep, that’s called electrolysis. The chemical reaction between steel and aluminum that causes corrosion and seizing of parts. Those aluminum turbine wheels always welded themselves to the steel hubs and had to be either beat off from the back with a 10# sledge hammer or even heated up to get them off. That happen on my 89 LTD Crown Vic. if this car has been sitting as long as the owner says, have fun changing a tire and if and when you DO get the tire and wheel off of the car, make darn sure you put some anti-seize on the back of the rim and the lugs so it won’t happen again when you are out in the middle of nowhere and get a flat tire.
Both of my Sisters married farmers many years ago. I remember at a wedding on the farm going behind the barn to, well you know. Inside the barn was a beautiful Caddy, great shape and low miles. My Sister told me her FIL rarely drove it, Mostly took the truck to town. I know a ton of farmers, they save everything! That being said, this site will have a great future.
Whether or not this car is legitimately a long-term barn resident or not…..no one mentioned whether the car’s interior smells bad. Even at high-profile auctions like Auburn, I’ve noticed a decent-looking car on the lot, ran over to it, and when sticking my head in the open window for a better view of the interior, been overwhelmed by the “barn” or “mold” or “animal” or “whatever” positively-putrid smell that, for me, makes the car completely worthless.
Where one stores a car can make a mighty big difference. If it’s a wet location, you’ll smell it, and also will notice rust on metal parts that have no business being rusted….like ashtrays, seat frames, screw heads, and the like.
It more likely has a mouse urine problem, like my Ford LTD did and still does. Nothing gets rid of it.
Miguel hit it on the head. That or cat urine. I have had 2 classic cars with that issue and no matter what I did the smell never went away. Faded…yes…but never went away.
Nice car. Price not unreasonable.
Gonna buy it and deliver Pizzas
Ok guessing it doesn’t run. So they are not getting 8000 or close to it with these crappy photos. Not to mention if this thing has been in a barn in East TN for that long there is no telling how many mice are in it! I had a car stored in a garage in East TN. Even up on jack stands in a sealed garage it became their house! This was only a short time of 1 1/2 years.
If it has been sitting in a bard for 2 decades. beware of mice settling into the wiring harness.
Back here in New York city those Lincoln Town cars were the classic Black cars of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Just a few thoughts on these post. 1. Never put Never Seize on lug nuts or studs unless you want to see the tire out running you. 2. While it is very unlikely that this car was stored in this barn for all those years, old leaky barn does not necessarily mean rusted floors. I’ve seen cars and motorcycles stored in the upper birth of bank barns for decades with very little to no rust. The upper floors have wood floors with lots of cracks, and air circulates easily. Rodent damage is more likely than rust. 3. I have a very close friend of the family who purchased one of these in 1984, and drove it for 2 years, then got sick. He has never been able to drive again, but the car is still in the garage. I expect at some point in the near future it will be sold in an estate sale, he is now 89 years old.
great old land yatch, bye it drive it, cruisin babe
I acquired a similar car back in July, an ’85 Grand Marquis LS with 8,023 miles. Fortunately, it has spent it’s entire existence in a climate controlled environment, on lifts, so no wear on the suspension. It appears to have been kept in a “bubble”. Never smoked in. An amazing car that gets attention everywhere I go.
And yet, time rolls on, even though you don’t actually DRIVE the car. Rubber bits, especially, are victims of time, and will need to be replaced for dependability. After an additional $3K, the car is ready for a trip to Point Barrow, AK. I have a 3 page list of everything that was done to the car. No cost was spared. These are GREAT riding cars that handle like, well, not like a modern car, but adequately. The pillowed velour seats are sinfully comfortable . The Lincoln, to me, seems to be worthy of some TLC, take it to local car shows, take it across the country, and enjoy it.