FoMoCo was upping its game in regard to color names by this time, and this one is Pastel Adobe Clearcoat with a similarly-named Pastel Adobe vinyl top. 1989 was the last year of Lincoln’s first-generation Town Car series, and this car can be found posted here on craigslist in Visalia, California. The seller is asking $5,800, and here is the original listing. Thanks to Barney for the Town Car tip!
I started and operated a commercial cleaning (janitorial) service for several years after high school while trying to avoid college. I built it up to four vans and 14 employees, but when I was doing the work myself late at night, I’d often listen to an AM radio station (remember those!?) about money and finances with a host named Bruce Williams: The Bruce Williams Show. We even advertised on his show, which was pretty fun. I only mention all of that because I remember him talking about how much he loved the 1989 Lincoln Town Car, the last of the classic square Lincolns. He drove one, but he also bought a new one and kept it in storage for the day when his daily-driver was worn out. Ahhh… to be able to buy a new car and just store it for future use. I wonder if he ever used that “new” one?
Lincoln offered the first-generation Town Car from 1980 for the 1981 model year until the end of 1989, and there was also a two-door version. This example has been the seller’s daily driver for the last eight years, and they say they’re the second owner. It looks great overall, but if you zoom in on some of the details, you can see that it isn’t perfect; nor should it be after 37 years. This one has the optional aluminum turbine spoke wheels.
We don’t get to see inside the cavernous trunk, and there are no underside photos, but the seller has provided better photos than most craigslist ads. Great job, Tiger! – as Bruce Williams would say. Based on Ford’s Panther platform, the Lincoln Town Car was formerly the Lincoln Continental, but there was also a Lincoln Continental Mark VI, very similar in look but a bit higher in trim, and often with special editions or designer trim. If a Lincoln Continental can be a base model, the Town Car could probably be considered one. This one is wearing tan “cloth” seats rather than optional full leather, as you can see.
An engine photo in a craigslist ad is a bonus, and this clean tangle of hoses and wires is a Ford-sourced 302-cu.in. OHV fuel-injected V8, which was rated at 150 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when new. Passing silently through a four-speed automatic, power is sent to the rear wheels, and the seller doesn’t say how it runs, but I’m assuming all is well. Hagerty is at $4,800 for a #3 good-condition car; how much is this Town Car worth?
Pasted?
Yes, sir, the same paste that we ate in first grade… er… Thanks for catching that typo! In 9.9 years, that’s the first time I typed “posted” as “pasted,” it had to happen eventually.
Great color names. This Lincoln should have plenty of life left in it. Priced in “just an old car” territory.
Happens to be, I was listening to some talk radio on an AM station today. I think that’s about all there is on AM nowadays.
Thanks SG.
These cars were nice, back in the day, but they were so underpowered it was a joke. First day I had one of this era, I slammed on the gas to get onto the highway, and almost got slammed, cause the car went nowhere…
Had 4 Lincoln’s in my life. Best was ’69 Continental w/suicide doors and 460 ci engine. Worst was 89 Town Car. Couldn’t hold cruise control going up a hill, and a mild hill at that. Looked and rode great, if had time to spare to go someplace. Kept it for a year then found someone else who wasn’t in a hurry. Came across one last year with a built 302, cam 4bbl carb. Guy had video of it, it would smoke the tires like my ’69 did. Was $3500 but I missed it. Still looking for another. This one? $2K and need everything working and assurance will get cross country. Weather patterns start in the west, so should have tail wind.