It seems like there a lot of old low mileage Lincolns for sale. They were the luxury barge of choice for a lot of retirees in the 1960s and ’70s and as a result, just weren’t driven much. The grandparent’s old car often lies buried in the family garage for decades under the detritus of life. When the old car is finally dug out and sold it’s often a chance for someone to purchase a nice old low mileage car for a reasonable price. It may take some serious cash to correct the years of neglect though. Pat L. found this interesting Lincoln for us listed here on craigslist in Washington, somewhere east of Seattle. It’s a fifth-generation Continental, basically, a “badge engineered” Ford LTD with a three-inch stretch and lots of luxury tacked on. This one is a “Collectors Edition” Town Car so it came with almost every option.
The Collector Series was to commemorate the end of the line for full-size Lincolns. The seller’s father bought this car for his wife who only drove it for 2200 miles before she died. He couldn’t bear to sell his wife’s car, so it stayed in the garage. He started it every week and occasionally changed the oil. He replaced the tires a few years ago and kept the old ones. There’s no mention of how or if it runs and drives, but there will no doubt be lots of dried out rubber bits that will need to be replaced. The carburetor will need to be rebuilt, of course, with parts not affected by the alcohol in today’s gasoline. The seller didn’t provide any pictures of the dash or driver’s seat, so there’s no way to see if the mileage claim might possibly be true. From what little is pictured the “Cashman” (“Kashmir velour” option in Lincoln speak) interior looks really nice.
There’s a 400 CID V8 under there somewhere. The engine compartment looks completely original and untouched. It actually looks like it could really have just 2,100 miles on it.
This old Lincoln looks factory fresh in the pictures. Hopefully, it won’t take too much to get it running like new. It will be a really nice driver for someone, but it’s not likely that there’s a buyer willing to pay anything close to the $15,000 asking price. This was the last year before downsizing, but this model is neither rare or collectible. However, it would make a roomy and plush driver. It won’t handle very well, but with 4 wheel antilock disc brakes it will at least stop in a reasonable fashion. Anyone up for a cruise back to the days of excess and lazy comfort?
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I was a lot jockey for the new-car dept. of our Lincoln dealer here in Omaha in `78-`79. I remember distinctly when the ‘Collector Series Continentals & Marks came in–they lasted on the show floor no more than 3 days. We could not order them fast enough. What majestic beasts these were. You had to plan left turns 3 blocks in advance! Those were memories I will cherish forever!
I wouldn’t call the Lincolns of that era “badge engineered.” Aside from engine and drivetrain pieces, the two don’t really share any other substantial components.
You are correct. Unlike todays hondcura, lexota, and nisfinity, these Lincolns were completely different from the LTD and Marquis. Not just badge engineered posure luxury like the 3 mentioned above
ABS huh?
Lincoln introduced ABS in the mid 70s. The collector series were loaded, so this one likely has ABS, or “sure-track” as they called it.
These have a stretched Mercury frame and suspension, with coils in each corner, and even have a Marquis dashboard. The engine is based on Ford’s Cleveland 351. So no, the 1975 to 1979 Continental was not a new design.
Not a new design for sure. Mercury and Lincoln certainly share underpinnings, but the dashes are not the same.
Lincoln dash
My ’76 Thunderbird offered them as an option. Yes, ABS in ’76. Olds also offered a steering wheel airbag in the early 70’s. What goes around comes around.
Odds are that it really does have only 2200 miles. I don’t know that he’ll get 15K for it, but it’s a nice old Town Car and I hope they do well with it. I’d put a couple of little flags on the front fenders and have my better half chauffer me around town. Party like it’s 1979!
I hope the seller uses some of the proceeds to buy a lifetime supply of periods and capital letters.
What a perfect car for the retiree looking for their last grand ride. Sure beats a new car for twice the price.
This car is like cruising on the Queen Elizabeth oceanliner. It was at the peak of luxury for it’s day and it’s like a trip back in time. Nice find.
Lets hope it doesn’t have the same fate as the QE!
Hopefully this one wont end up burnt out n sunk in hong kong harbour 😉
This is NOT A “badge engineered” car. This is the last of the true Lincoln’s likely assembly in Wixom. Smaller motor than the original 460 these were designed for but still a land yacht of floating comfort meant to ease you home from that long commute while letting everyone know you had the bucks!
This bad boy will eat up the interstate at 90 with out breaking a sweat. Our MC, has a bit of a bias against this impeccably engineered sled. 15k is a bargain, some holiday retreat will snacth this up and transport guest to and from the airport.
Oil field service company in town has two Lincoln Marks in storage with ultra low mileage on both. For sale but can’t get the guy to throw out a number on either one. The fact that they haven’t moved in many years scares away many potential buyers,me included.
I’d love to drive one of these land yachts some time, preferably with the 460, of course!
This was the last year for the really big Lincolns. The following year they downsized to the panther platform and kept that basic style until 1989 making the 302 the only engine available.
Seen a lot of them around here,AZ, in the past. They were mostly old, beat up, high milage, and cheap. Around here they were called “methmobiles” because for some odd reason a lot of methheads seemed to have them. Drive one late at night in certain neighborhoods and you always got lit up by the cops
I recall a time when I saw a special model, I forgot what it’s called, a Town Coupe with tinted glass for the front half of the roof. It was black with a black landau top and a tan velour interior, a beautiful car. I saw it at a car auction in Atlantic City, NJ, the one they have every Feb.
If this were any closer to me – I would be on it like white on rice.
Luv It family ran a 50 car Limo Operation in NYC back in the 60’s 70’s and early 80’s and these town cars were a statement where’s the Bill Blass edition. Good Luck and enjoy the ride
I loved driving mine on the highway.
Great car and cool but do you know that these cars are doner cars to repro bat mobiles?
I drove one for several thousand miles, North of Chicago, towing a trailer with lawn & garden equipment. It was smooth, QUIET. Got terrible fuel economy, especially with the 460, and handled like a pig in mud in the twisties. The car was designed to go in a straight line with aplomb. And it did it very well. I prefer the instrumentation of the ’77, with the horizontal speedo, and square instrumentation.
Always wanted one of these. Badge engineered yeah. But back in high school in the late 1970’s always wanted to have one and drive down the strip on 86 street in Brooklyn, blasting Saturday Night Fever….
15 miles to the gallon? What say the experts here? What a boat!
I thought Ford would have already adjusted for gasohol by 1979 but maybe not.
I had a 79 for years, it ran well on today’s gas. Mine was maroon with red int. Bill Blass. It has a 460 with bad mileage. Quadraphonic 8 track am/fm. I bought it cheap and then later purchased an 86 Caddy cheap also, white with red int. It also had a Quad 8 track am/fm. Combined I had 25+ yrs of pure heaven.