There’s nothing quite like living life in the lap of luxury, and that is an opportunity that this 1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV offers to its next owner. This one-owner luxury vehicle has a genuine 31,000 miles on its odometer, and you only have to look at it to see that it has been the recipient of some pretty careful ownership. If you fancy the prospect of traveling through life in splendid isolation, then you will find the Lincoln located in Pompano Beach, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding now sitting at $6,055, the reserve has not been met.
From a styling perspective, the Mark IV was an evolution of the design that first saw the light of day in the Mark III. Both were based on the Thunderbird platform, and the idea for the styling was the brainchild of the late Lee Iacocca. His directive for the Mark III was to “put a Rolls-Royce grille on a Thunderbird,” and the resulting vehicle was an enormous sales success at a bargain-basement development cost of $30 million. The Mark IV continued this trend, as once again, it shared its platform with the Thunderbird. It also shared a restyled version of the Mark III’s distinctive grille and headlight treatment. This Mark IV is a real treat in triple-black, and its condition is extremely impressive. The car has always been garaged, and when you combine that fact with the low mileage, it is no surprise to discover that it looks as good as it does. There really isn’t a lot to be critical of with the Lincoln, because the panels appear to be as straight as an arrow, the paint has a great depth of shine to it, and the vinyl top would seem to be perfect. The external trim and chrome provide a great contrast to the black theme, and along with the glass, it all appears to be in first-class condition.
It is hard to believe, but I think that the condition of the Lincoln’s interior might be even better than the exterior. I have been searching through the supplied photos in a bid to find something to be critical of, and I’ve found nothing that’s worth noting. The upholstered surfaces would all appear to be faultless, while the carpet is free of wear and fading. The dash and pad look great, while the wood-grain inserts have managed to avoid the sort of deterioration that can affect this sort of treatment in cars from the 1970s. Life in the lap of luxury includes leather seat upholstery, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power front seats, a power antenna, cruise control, a remote trunk release, and an AM/FM radio/8-track player. This car isn’t just about its physical condition, because the owner states that all of these luxury items, along with all gauges and lights, work exactly as they should.
Lifting the lid on the Mark IV reveals a giant of an engine. This 460ci V8 produces 220hp, which finds its way to the road via a 3-speed C6 automatic transmission. While the power output figures aren’t that high, what the Mark IV does possess if a veritable mountain of torque. This is a necessity when a car tips the scales at a rather portly 5,361lbs. The result is a car that can get moving surprisingly easily, but it is also a car that consumes fuel at an alarming rate. With an average consumption of 10.1mpg, this is probably not a car best suited as a daily driver, unless you have either a large wallet or a very friendly bank manager! Unsurprisingly on a Mark IV with such low mileage, the owner claims that the vehicle runs and drives perfectly. It has recently received a new battery, along with new tires, an alternator, new hoses and belts, a new radiator, new brakes, and a full fluid flush.
The Lincoln Continental Mark IV is not a car that is going to appeal to everyone’s tastes, because it is brash and bold. However, I would be willing to bet that we will have a good supply of readers who will really like this one, and will be tempted by the prospect of parking it in their driveway. If they do, then I can’t say that I blame them. It is quite common to see examples today that are starting to look a bit frayed around the edges, but this one would appear to have led a life as someone’s very treasured possession. It is a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately, and if that sounds like a tempting proposition, maybe now is the time to think about making a bid for this luxury classic.
A great looking automobile. Sure would like to have a nice place to put it in and money to buy it. Who knows–tomorrow I might. Knew a guy in Tennessee .He came on the job sight one day after the guys finished work. He had one.Said it was his wife (1977) His was a 74–looked just like this one. I went to get in the back and I could not believe it. The feet space was very little. He said its why he didn,t like it.His had alot more. Nice smooth riding car and beautiful. I love it.
Back when I was in high school (late 70’s) this was a car that was driven by the cool & successful fathers of my classmates.
I can think of 3 examples, & all of those easily met that definition.
These were extremely respectable cars back in their day, & when you pulled up in one of these you turned heads.
Yes, gas mileage was not the best. …but, then again, all domestic full sized cars got HORRIBLE gas mileage during most of the 70’s. (Fortunately, gas was relatively cheap. IF you could remember which of the “odd/even” days you were supposed to fill up on, & IF the line at the gas station wasn’t too long.)
It was a difficult decade for automobiles. But these Continentals were one of the few gems of the day. :-)
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(For the record, MY Dad drove a 4-door Gran Torino. He would never have allowed himself to enjoy the luxury of a Lincoln Continental. Which is too bad, because he certainly deserved one, & he would have SO enjoyed driving one.)
Yes I am sure he did. When I bought my new truck. It set at my friends car port for almost a year. Mom told me I earned it–drive it. It didn,t feel right and still don,t. I was used to the old rattle ones and felt more at eas and I still do. I love this Lincoln and wish I had a place and money to afford it–who know–maybe tomorrow my boat will come it.Waiting and hopeing–trying to get the rest of my back pay–$252,000. I,m sure if or when it does happen. I,ll find a place and get one–maybe this one.
Even today, this car is a commanding presence, just look at it.
Luxury from Ford today (Lincoln} .. has a long way to go in grabbing this type of Aural presence.
Nothing like black Marks man. This is a wicked machine
Beautiful car that I would love to have in my parking bay, however, I just don’t get the obsession that Americans have with a triple black car. If I wanted a triple black I would buy an ex funeral car. As it is, I own a black Chev station wagon with grey interior and that’s bad enough.
Well black has is good and bad faults. They show dirt and dent real easy. Who want to wash a car everyday. You can loose it in the dark, Who wants to look all night for their car—– just like a white one—–who want to show all the rust on one. Who want to get hit in the snow–because someone didn,t see it—What is the difference in single black and triple black? I like any Lincoln in black or white–or just about any color–its a Lincoln.–IF YOU LIKE BIG CARS and I do. This black Lincoln is a beautiful car.
Not concerned about the car being painted black, only that on top of that the carpets are black, the hood lining is black, the seats are black and the tyres are black.
Did exactly that once; backed into a white car at night parked in front of a tall snowbank. Just didn’t see it. Hardly felt the hit driving that 23 ton truck and mashed the front end of the car pretty good. The boss was not pleased. But that’s truck drivin’!
It’s hard to get into the mindset of what the appeal would’ve been in 1974. From a 2020 perspective black with black leather is the most boring possible color combination since the new-car market is in grayscale overload.
It does look like you have a 2020 vision. To each his own. Look at the gray car on the highway at different distances and at some.It blends into the highway. Very dangereous and has caused many highway accident. More then black has. I,ve had different colors and the gray one–yes only 1 gray one and it was enough for me. This Lincoln is a sharp car. The looks -all the way around has the –the comfort and ride–except for gas—but if you own one. I,m sure you can afford the gas,
Man … that interior looks like a Manhattan men’s club. Jacket required.
Auntie had identical car, but with deep red interior. I can attest to feeling like king of the world when I drove it.
My old man had the almost same car, but in white back in the late 80s.
Remember it being a nice ride.
Had one.Nice to look at and sit in,but driving – forget it!
Reminds me of the 70’s show Cannon! Beautiful car, but looks so much better with the flat hubcaps imo. I’m glad it’s not a ’72 with a sunroof, I wouldn’t be able to resist!
Wow brings back great memories of dads, he also had a 64 and a 68 town car it felt like a living room sofa in the back seat going to Florida for winter break.
Can someone help me? I thought they had a small plastic “eye” on the dash to dim the high beams but haven’t seen one on any of them since.
Thanks
I believe the auto dim sensor is located behind the headlights on the driver side.
Love this car, but black is so had to keep clean and the interior gets so hot in the Florida sun.
At 15 in ’75, went with pop when he bought his 1st Marks. Back when you checked boxes. If you caught my ’63 Split window story, his friend Staffy that had 2, also owned a ’73 Mark & convinced pop the ride was better than pops ’73 Coupe d’ville. So ’75 marked the biannual trades of Caddys for Marks. Dad loved it though the Caddy seemed to have more power with that 500. I inherited his heavy foot lol. One day he got a recall on the Mark. Brought it in & supposedly fixed. One Saturday at noon with him going for groceries, he gave the gas at a light to take a left b4 oncoming traffic. All hell went wild! This lincoln took off as if dumping a clutch on a 500hp muscle car! I looked at him as the posi smoked the tires WIDE OPEN like never before when he floored it! As he made the turn I looked over and he had both feet on the brake, tires still smoking away till pulled over & turned the key. I said WTF was THAT about? He looked at me with a look never seen before said IDK. We exited and the rear rotors were Cherry red still! He called lincoln & was towed back to Weiss in Bridgeport. Two days later still clueless, they had the head honcho flown in from Rochester carbs that night as that recall fix, was to prevent exactly what happened, although was never explained when orig brought in. I recall hanging in the service dept with them after 11pm while all gathered around the eng bay. New carb was put on eventually but mom was freaky nervous driving that thereafter. Me too in the passenger seat lol! Any readers have a ’75 Mark, beware!
Al -reminds me of the time my sister asked me to take her built up 77 Trams Am down to my friends place and FIX IT–like we did ours. hahaha I did and did we. haha After we did the before and after run. That car really opened up good.. So I was taking it back home and her and my other sister was walking back home. I stopped and told he we fFIXED IT–Get in and take it for a spin–but watch it. It didn,t run like BEFORE. I drove back down the road and had her drive back. I PLAINLY TOLD HER–TO WATCH IT WHEN SHE OPENED IT UP–AND BE READY. She went to pass a couple of cars and she kicked it down and almost took the car out. Scared the shhhhhooot –hahah–out of her. AND SHE WAS A HOT RODDER. HAHA S he said I have a notion to have you put it back the way it was. I told her she could get used to it. Yes a little carb work makes alot of difference
My 2nd was a ’75 Formula so I know exactly what you mean. A little makes a lot!
I remember watching Cannon drive one of these. I remember seeing old guys in plaid pants driving these around. Nice car
You’d never catch my dad in plaid lmao. Fuzzy blue flat bank robber style cap yeah lol
The kinda car a mobster would have drooled over, that thing just looks connected!
My Mom had one of these in silver metallic. I use to hand wash it and wax it from time to time and although it was a giant sled to me the paint and chrome quality on it were better than just about anything being produced at the time.
Your mom had style and class. They were and are beautiful cars.
Dad owned his business, as the business grew, so did his taste in cars. In ‘68, he got his first Caddy, a base Calais coupe. By ‘70 the Caddy gave way to a ‘70 Mark III, triple dark green and a beautiful car. My uncle wrapped it around a Palm tree in Ft Lauderdale one night so it was replaced by a giant ‘73 Lincoln Town Coupe. On a subsequent vacation to the Smokey mountains with another family, Dad realized the huge Continental was no match for the other family in a Mercedes 250 Coupe. Plus the Lincoln blew two Michelin’s on that trip, both with separated tread. When we got back to S Florida the Lincoln was traded for a M-B 280SE and that was the end of Dads allegiance to Caddy and Lincoln until ‘16 when he bought a XTS as his last car. I have fond memories of those huge domestic sleds but those Mercedes were a revelation in ride and handling back in that day.
When I was stationed at Eckterdingin Air Force base in Germany . In 1971. My friends and I would get a couple of taxi,s and head down to Stuggart. They had Mercede s taxi,s. We would pile into two of them and bet who would get their first. The race was on and do the same coming back. Back then the roads going down into Stuggart were brick. You talk about tires screaming. Those Germans knew how to driver those 4 speed on the column taxis. First car I seen with a 4 speed column shift and good riding cars. Once we got on the autoban—hear would come a Chevel–Mustang–Charger or some American muscle car and make us look like we were parked. Now they really carried the mail.
Just checked. Bid to $12,200 but did not meet reserve, no longer listed, removed by owner. Sure was a beauty.