The year 1973 was a point of realization in the domestic automotive biz. Cars were becoming bigger and heavier, with a focus more on luxury, while power output was diminishing due to federally mandated emission control regs. No worries, just stuff an ever larger engine under the hood to keep that outsized rig a rollin’, right? Well, not so fast, as there’s more to the story than that. But for now, in late ’72 as the ’73 models, such as this Lincoln Continental Mark IV, were making their way to America’s showrooms, everything was hunky-dory. The seller refers to this outsized personal luxury coupe as a “clean, well-maintained classic.” Hmmm, let’s give it a review and decide. Bentonville, Arkansas, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on craigslist for $10,900. Barney gets a salute for this tip!
So, what was the realization that I alluded to? Well, after the Arab Oil Embargo of October 1973, the basic reality was “we gotta make these things smaller.” While the run-up in fuel prices wasn’t extreme by modern standards, it was notable for the continuity and consistency that had been maintained before this surprising and unexpected oil shock came knocking. I clearly recall waiting in line, long lines actually, to buy gas in February of 1974, and at one point said, “forget it,” and I made tracks by other means. That bigger-engine-to-move-more mass model was suddenly a bad idea. The Continental Mark, having gotten a promotion from Mark III to Mark IV status with the ’72 model, sold well in ’73, ringing up sales of 69K units. Things would scale back by 18% for ’74 – a fall off that’s not as steep as I would have expected.
These Mark IVs are big cars; they stretch out 233.3 inches in length while tipping the scale at almost 5,100 lbs. Some of that poundage is due to the new five MPH federally mandated front bumper requirement. Some manufacturers pulled this trick off better than others – FoMoCo wasn’t one of them. Still, a jutting jaw on a car this size works pretty well; it’s miserable on something smaller like a Maverick or a Pinto. Regarding this car’s appearance, the seller states:
BODY & CONDITION
• Clean car for its age
• Minimal rust for a 1973 Lincoln
• Nice lines and trim
• Good glass and chrome
Yeah, it looks pretty good. The finish still has a nice shine, the chrome bits possess a luster, the full vinyl top (so much better than that half-stack Landau rug IMO) is intact and doesn’t appear to be ingrained with dirt – the entire presentation reflects a car that has been well cared for and properly stored.
Overcoming resting inertia is a 208 net HP 460 CI (7.5 liter), “385 Series” V8 engine that is said to “start easily and run strong.” So much for efficiency, however, I guess. The seller adds, “Rebuilt front steering components, new suspension all around (front and rear coil springs), new shocks, front brakes rebuilt, new rear brake components during recent service, new engine starter, and tires (that) are two years old with good tread.” The Cruise-O-Matic, three-speed automatic transmission is said to “shift smoothly.”
Inside is about what you’d expect in a car of this stature – white leather upholstery. From what can be seen, it looks good. The mileage reading is 35K miles, and while there’s no claim to that recording, the driver’s seat shows a bit more wear than the passenger side, but that’s to be expected. The exceedingly wide dash has its share of faux wood trim, but that too is to be expected. The great plain’s sized dash top is unmolested, and the door panels do not indicate permanent elbow indentations or ground-in grip grime. Speaking of the doors, note how the ashtray for back seat passengers is in the rear edge of the door’s armrest. The doors on this baby are so long, I’m surprised Lincoln engineers didn’t consider hanging these things with three hinges instead of only two.
Why the sale? The seller tells us, “I no longer have the time to drive or tinker with my classics, and I need the garage space.” Well, he’s going to free up a ton of real estate once this Mark IV departs its berth, and that should be the next owner’s concern. This Lincoln is in such nice shape that it needs to be garaged. And that will be the first question to answer: Will it fit?
I like the Mark IVs, and I love the Mark Vs! Now, look at what they call Lincolns. Jelly beans with 4 cyl turbos.
My wife is on her 3rd jelly bean, 2 MKXs and now a Nautilus. The 2.7 is listed @ 335HP and 380# torque. These cars scream and get 20+ mpg. Although I love the old tuna boats, I would much rather drive the jelly bean around!
Apples to oranges. Other than the Lincoln name , the two have nothing in common. You will either like the land barge for its virtues, or the jelly bean for its.
If you want big, Zen? Lincoln will sell you all the Navigators you want. I too, drive a Nautilus, and it’s a wonderful SUV. 32 MPG on the highway, in total comfort, makes me smile. And yes, my bucket list includes a ’72 MK IV.
Nice looking Mark IV. The “faux wood” is, according to the Lincoln brochure, is real wood. Also, “the runup in oil prices wasn’t extreme by modern standards” seems to underestimate the situation. Oil price doubled and doubled again in the space of 3-4 months. Gasoline went for basically $.25/gal. to $.50/gal. to $1.00/gal. in a matter of months. It lead to a global recession. Could you imagine what would happen now if crude oil went from $60/bbl. to $120/bbl. to $240/bbl. in 4 months? gasoline would be $12/gal.
Still a nice car.
The wood trim may be genuine; regardless, it’s cheesy looking.
I don’t know where you were buying gasoline for only $.25 a gallon in ’73, I know I was paying considerably more than that. I started driving in ’70 and don’t ever recall buying fuel for only a quarter a gallon.
The Department of Labor Statistics states that gasoline increased, on average, 35.36% between ’73 and ’74, (11.05% for inflation in general); not the 100%, or much more, as you claim. The ’72 to ’73 increase was a more moderate 9.77%.
Move forward to the Iranian Embargo in ’79 and you’d see significantly higher increases – a buck thirty-five a gallon (in ’79 prices), at least, for regular grade.
JO
Depends what you expect from a car, and how you are going to use it. My 1951 Buick Super had a serious carburettor problem that I couldn’t solve and couldn’t trust the usual mechanics to sort it out. It gave me about 24 litres per 100 miles which is near enough to 4 miles/gallon. No problem, I did one or two weddings per month for $500-$1000, filled the tank from that income and if fuel had risen to $12/gallon I would still be happy. I only sold the car in 2015 as I was emigrating back to the UK after 60 years in Africa. Wish I still had it!
I was paying 55 cents a gallon in ’76, when I started driving. Didn’t see $1 a gallon until 1979, driving home to Ohio from Myrtle Beach, and that was in Virginia. You must reside in California.
I was touring America in order to get to the Hershey Fall Meet in 1989 to meet a guy by the name of Pinky Randall who also had a 1912 Little like mine, and I hired a Buick in San Diego so that I could drive up to Seattle, catch a ferry to Victoria to visit my brother for a while. That didn’t work out as I met a lovely American, that had stayed in my house while entering the Durban – Johannesburg pre 1936 models motorcycle tour of about 350 miles over two days. He was such a sociable fellow that I couldn’t get away for four days! Anyway, what I was going to say was that when I turned the car in at LAX the fuel bill, after 300 miles, was +- $20.00. Eventually I arrived by air in Baltimore and hired a Toyota Camry and drove up to Hershey and handed the car back in Harrisburg after also just over 300 miles, and the fill up cost was $10.86. Most of the motoring people that I spoke to were complaining that it looked like gas was going to go up to $1 per gallon soon and they were devastated! Great trip, great people, roads, food, hotels, Delta Airline on which we flew 18 times in 23 days, great everything. Just wish I was young enough to go back!
The ugly mark haha
yeah, it’s a cool Connon mobile
perfect for poverty tour with Dalton