If the Eldorado wagon was a little rough for you, then this 1978 Lincoln might be a better choice. Supposedly this station wagon was built by a coach builder in Detroit to try to convince Lincoln to put it into production. Unfortunately, that never happened so this is the only one around. It is in excellent condition though with only 12k miles on the odometer. Find it here on craigslist in the San Francisco bay area. Thanks to reader Robert J. for sending this in.
One of my buddies used to drive a Lincoln of this same vintage and that thing was a smooth riding machine. It was also big and heavy, but if you wanted comfort and didn’t care about the gas bill, it made a great car.
We are sure those attributes that made the Mark V great have carried over here because the conversion looks so well done. We doubt that they had to extend anything in the process because these cars were already so long. Any guesses of what donor provided that rear door and roof panels?
Power-plant options included the 400 cubic inch Cleveland V8 or the last of the big blocks, the 460 V8 (the largest engine ever fitted in a Police car). We are not sure which one is tucked in the engine bay, but either way it is going to use a lot of fuel. Luckily, these Lincolns were fitted with a useful “miles-to-empty” gauge.
The seller mentions that this coach built wagon could have once belonged to Wayne Newton, but that they don’t have any documentation to prove it. It might be fun to track down the history here to see what surprises you can find. The seller does not list a price, so we doubt they are going to let it go cheap. We also doubt there are many prospective buyers out there, but you never know.
My parents had a Ford Country Squire wagon, that rear roof line and door look very close to the 1978 Country Squire
Mark V’s had a 460 so that’s most likely what this has. Since the door handle matches, I’d say the rear gate came off of a Ford or Mercury wagon?
With that breather, it was a 400 cu in. 460s usually had a dark blue breather for a 4v carb.
78 had 400s
The turbo looks like it’s leaking and so does the rad, I can’t get over how rusty it is, interior is filthy, but with the right set of cragers, it would really make a difference
~ wow, a Lincoln 2door wagon possibly belonging to Mr.Las Vegas! danke schoen, BarnFinds. far more desirable than his 380SL; http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/wayne-newton/
how does it compare to Rock Hudson’s ’59 DeSoto? http://youtu.be/xhrUZrvuRSc
equal or not? in everything butt rear load capacity.
let me rub that….that hurt
Not my thing but from the looks of it it looks like a Quality job.
Engine is the 400ci V8.. 460’s had completely different air intake & air cleaner assemblies, it’s a dead giveaway. My ’79 with 400 gets an honest 15mpg. For what it is, it’s not so bad mileage like they always seem to get a bad rap for.
The tailgate came from a Ford/Mercury midsize wagon. I’ve owned a Mk V and loved it. This thing does not look totally kosher, but it”s SO close I have to like it. I would gladly own it.
This car reminds me of the Seinfeld “two face” episode: someone who looks attractive sometimes and looks bad at other times, depending on exterior conditions, such as lighting. I like some of the pictures make it look attractive but others do not.
“It’s Not Unusual”
It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone
It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone
but when I see you hanging about with anyone
It’s not unusual to see me cry,
oh I wanna’ die
It’s not unusual to go out at any time
but when I see you out and about it’s such a crime
if you should ever want to be loved by anyone,
It’s not unusual it happens every day no matter what you say
you find it happens all the time
love will never do what you want it to
why can’t this crazy love be mine
It’s not unusual, to be mad with anyone
It’s not unusual, to be sad with anyone
but if I ever find that you’ve changed at anytime
it’s not unusual to find out that I’m in love with you
whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Uhhh tha’s Tom Jones, not Wayne Newton if that is where you were headed
LOL. In any event the wagon exemplifies the cheesy low rent taste of everything Wayne Newton and Las Vegas. Perfectly believable that he sang Danke Schoen as he drove the road tugging on his gold chains and patting his unmovable hair.
Wrong guy, that’s a Tom Jones song
If I owned this I’d bet there would be someone at the Winter auctions in Scottsdale who would bid for this unique, perfect-condition, coachbuilt Lincoln in a heartbeat, and it would probably be for more than $12K.
I could probably open a consulting business advising people on how to get the most for their nice vintage / collector / oddball / coachbuilt car. I would only need one line to run the business:
“Consign it to one of the car auction houses in Scottsdale and don’t even think of putting it on Craigslist.”
Well, then I’d need to suggest an auction house to consign it to, but how hard can that be?
@scot:
“equal or not? in everything butt rear load capacity.”
You sly dog
~NSJ, thanx.
. i presumed my twisted humor was going to waste. i had pyles of bad jokes but didn’t want to sound like a gomer.
Dolphin, I agree. I think it would bring more at auction. I would believe a regular 78 Mark in the same remarkable condition would be worth the asking price as this wagon (maybe more, I am not well versed on Lincoln pricing) This car has been loved and it shows. I’ll have to admit. I would throw the price guide away. Given how unique plus condition I would be a buyer.
On second thought. You would think the guy would remove the battery charger for a decent pic of the engine compartment. Um….I think I’ll need to bring a battery!
Looks like a Chunderbird with an outhouse on the back.
In the bottom photo it looks more like a Lincoln version of a Ranchero with a matching canopy or camper shell depending on what part of the country you are from.
~ @ Dan, i’m nearly certain the contemporary Ranchero will accept the Lincoln, Cougar or Thunderbird front doghouse with out much work. have a friend who built a couple of them.
https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKnmgsexqFhtwYClQBOP7iBFIFk0wlniD2kNZg-rxRxHbPV2mO
NOW THAT I AM DISABLED FROM TWO STROKES THIS WOULD BE GREAT TO HOLD MY CUSTOM MOTORIZED WHEEL CHAIR. MAYBE GIVE THEM BOTH THE SAME PAINT SCHEME.
Perfect car concept……a family hearse! No wonder the concept was rejected.
I wrote and asked – they are asking $20k which seems over the top. I like the looks but not that much
I think it’s fine(moving, front-to-rear)until, you reach the end of the door). Then, the rear portion looks either, A) lower, than the front half or, B) looks like it angles, downward. I’d, always, be aware of that so, wouldn’t be interested.
The 400 V8 has a silver air cleaner, and the 460 V8 had a blue one. So this car has the 400 motor.
There are some cars that should not be made.
This car is one of them.
Whatever. That’s awesome.
I’m looking at Wayne Newtons wagon on a TV tour of his garage. His wagon has 4 doors. Not the same car