There’s something about a Lincoln Continental Mark IV that gets to me. It could be the era that I grew up in or just the look and the luxury. Or maybe it’s the Frank Cannon connection or all of the above. This triple-white survivor 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV is posted here on craigslist in the Oregon City, Oregon area, and the seller is asking an interesting $7,072. Here is the original listing.
The 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV “White” paint doesn’t look as white as the vinyl top, but it’s what they called white, according to period color charts and brochures. I would have thought it would be called Ivory, but they called it plain ol’ white, color 9A, as shown on the driver’s door tag photo. Thanks to the seller for providing that photo, by the way. The Continental Mark IV was made from 1971 for the 1972 model year until 1976, and Hagerty lists a #4 fair-condition example as $5,300 and a #3 good example as $11,300.
There’s no mention of the chrome wheels seen in the photo above, so I’m not sure what this is, and the interior appears green or teal. It’s confusing, although the license plate number appears to be the same. I need a drink. Could that teal color be just from the green-tinted glass or tree reflections? If so, what’s the story of the different wheels? We also don’t see even a glimpse of the passenger side, which is always scary. The seller says this car has 60,000 miles, and their health is forcing them to sell it.
The optional white leather seats look good except the driver’s seat bottom and passenger seat back, which both crack heavily. We don’t see a photo of the rear seat but it looks good in this photo, as does the rest of the seating surfaces other than the passenger seat back, which oddly, shows more wear than the driver’s seat back does. The window seals look like they could use some help.
This is Ford’s 460-cu.in. OHV V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, which has 212 horsepower and 342 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through a three-speed automatic to the rear wheels. The seller says that it ran great last summer, so I’m assuming it hasn’t been started in almost a year. Do you have any thoughts on this Mark IV?
The previous generation Mark III’s were impressive and successful. The Mark IV’s like this one had similar styling cues but ended up looking different. I always found them attractive, especially the 1972’s before the big bumpers set in. This one isn’t bad, but the minimalist Craigslist ad ends up resulting in more questions than it answers. I like the car better with the stock wheel covers. It could be a decent cruiser for not much money.
Thanks Scotty, good job.
Beam me up Scotty! There doesn’t seem to be any sign of intelligent life 😕! LOL. But the listing is ambiguous. Nevertheless, this COULD be a good space age Cruiser. But it would likely be quite an ENTERPRISE to launch it.
I do have a thing for most older Lincolns, had 3 including my current 1979 Town Truck. This one has a nice color combination. I think the reason that the driver’s seat back looks better than the bottom and the passenger seat may have something to do with what looks like red leather showing through the white dye at the bottom. Just needs some time and money to go from good to great.
I thought the same thing. That the seats were dyed white!
Jack & Ted, thanks for mentioning that! I saw that red and thought the same thing but wasn’t sure – thinking it may be a stain or something. Then I saw the photo with the teal-looking back seat through the rear window and that was even more confusing. Thanks for pointing that out, I should have mentioned that.
Hey Scotty,
The Teal color you are seeing is the tinted blue tempered glass that is reflecting on the top of the rear backrest of the seat. You can see the same reflection on the drivers door glass…has the same tint. Also tempered glass.
Cheers!
Triple white never has the effect of triple black. So many variations of white paint. For years “off” white was a better description and Ford’s Wimbledon white in particular. I used to hear guys say that GM Frost white, a truck color, was the whitest followed by Chrysler’s Bright white.
As for the car, I liked the toned down styling of the Mk IV especially with the taillamps in the bumper. Decent looking ride. Why don’t sellers sweep out the car before photos?
For me, white is best combined with red. The later Lipstick edition on Marks and 🤔 Thunderbirds( 75 & 76)really made them stand out.
What a beast. I love it, and the price sure seems right. I would leave the seats alone and just drive it. The wheels are a bit of a mystery though.
I was a senior in high school in ‘72. A young lady in my class had parents who bought a Mark that year. My understanding of the story is that they ordered the car from the Wixom plant in a special color – purple. With a white interior with purple piping trim around the seat edges. Unsure of the color name (Goofy Grape?). The Dad was a local television executive and Mom was a pharmacy rep. They could afford it.
Being special order purple, I’d bet it’s still alive out there somewhere…the folks? prolly not…
My Mom had a 73 silver/red during the years I was in high school. I used to use it instead of one of my ratty cars for dates. That car rode so nicely!
I’m thinking this car may not have had red seats. Thinking more of a transfer staining from perhaps a red coat or other outer garment. If the car has a red interior, the dash, carpet and door panels would have been red.
Wish I could put eyes on this. I really miss that old Lincoln.
Had a ’72 it was the best look and ride!!! Triple white and I loved it also had a mark v yellow tan interior moonroof !! What a ride but the 72 had balls to the wall no 225 horse more like 300 horse it was a rocket the mark v was a dog comparably! Gas crunch killed the horses!! Still rode great only problem now 10miles to the gallon . Oh well.
LINCOLN, What a Luxury CAR should be and once WAS! Among my numerous upscale vehicles, 78 Town Coupe, 89 Signature Series, and current 2007 Signature Limited. Also several GRAND MARQUIS, and an 89 Crown Victoria LX. Somehow the Second MARK III missed the mark for me, this MARK IV had more appeal, but MARK V, was the best. Overall FMC was superior to GM luxury vehicles. Sadly now EVER LINCOLN no longer builds a traditional Luxury Sedan, concentrating on 🤮 SUVS and crossovers. Never quite made it to VERSAILLES 🏰 . But the current automotive products ARE revolting! 😉
Versailles please glorified Granada! My mom had a Granada I like it better than the Lincoln. Like the cimarron another loser! Marks where great 3-4-5 after that done ! Loved the look feel drive! Problem they took horsepower.my ’72 mark4 was a rocket but my ’77 mark 5 they took away the power sucked but styling the best of all!!!! Only now need to be rich at 10 miles a gallon high test!
Well, no one’s said it, so I will. Maybe Fat Tony got offed in the car and they didn’t clean the seat as well as they should have. lol
Someone needs to make an offer the seller can’t resist. Speak lowly ,Love! A Soprano may be listening! 🏰 🔫 🏰.💍💋
’72’s were the best looking IV’s. And if it’s clean underneath? This is a steal.
I wonder if he put the stock wheel covers for the one shot and if both sets come with it. Nice ride though.
Henry Ford once said paint it any color as long as its black. I’m not a dan of white cars especially interiors. But if the car was black I think the appeal factor would rise tremendously.
Can we all agree that we really don’t need emojis populating the comments?! I don’t think there are that many teens reading Barn Finds.
Isn’t it obvious why the passenger back part of seat is most worn? I’m sure that seat reclines you can figure out the rest. They can have it although a very nice example of the Continental Mark IV