If you want to transport yourself back to the 1970s in luxurious style, look no further than this 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Advertising of the day positioned Lincoln as “the final step up.” I’m not sure about that, but this first year of the third-generation Mark IV definitely made a statement in the evolution of the prestigious Mark series. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this claimed “true survivor” is for sale here on craigslist for $9,500.
The seller is a person of few words when it comes to advertising copy. All that’s shared with the next owner is: “Starts right up, no funny noises, sounds great, solid heavy car, classy car, best looking of the mark IV before the bumpers changed in 1973. Comes with two sets of keys. Clean NV title. Turnkey car. Drive it anywhere. Great car for the money.” It’s also listed as a “true survivor” without going into any detail. The seller describes the Mark IV’s color as “orange,” but based on a little color chart research, I’m guessing it’s actually Copper Moondust Iridescent. Is that a great name or what? The Lincoln team was really into moondust that year because eight colors had moondust in their name. Based on the photos, the paint looks very presentable as does all the bright stuff, trim, glass, as well as the white vinyl top with the iconic opera window (based on what I could find, the opera window and cornering lights were optional equipment in ’72).
Oh, wow. That interior kind of leaves me speechless. That opulent brown interior (which I’m assuming it original) is absolutely 1970’s luxury and elegance at it’s finest and looks to be in super shape. I’m not sure what’s going on with the discoloration on the steering column, but the rest of the cocoa cabin looks pretty amazing. Of course, these luxury liners came fully loaded and this one even has the rare optional sun roof and AM Radio/StereoSonic Tape System with an 8 track Acid Rock tape in it. I’m not sure the original owner listened to Acid Rock, but who am I to judge?
There’s a great print ad of a bearded dude holding a bow beside a solid white ’72 Mark IV in the middle of a green field. Again, who is this old advertising guy to judge? In the ad, Lincoln touted evolutionary changes in the grille and a longer, lower hood. Under that football field sized hood is a 460-cubic inch V8 paired with a Select-Shitf automatic transmission with 97,000 miles on the odometer. Based on the photos, this appears to be a well-preserved Mark IV. Although 1972 marked the first year of cost cutting and sharing a common chassis and some sheetmetal with the Thunderbird, those that could afford a Mark IV liked this new, longer version and 48,591 were sold – a 44% increase over 1971. So, what do you think about this one? How would this Copper Moondust Mark IV look in your garage?
Arguably the most desirable of this series of Marks, due to the small bumpers. Even with the fake continental tire look, I always thought the styling was halfways restrained and clean. This looks like a well-kept example.
Kind of hard to grasp the sheer inefficiency of the gargantuan two-door coupes of this era, but today we drive four-door pickups of roughly the same size. Cruise in style for not much money.
I agree about ’72 being the best, cleanest year of styling before the railroad tie bumpers were mandated in ’73. Since a ’56 T-Bird is my all-time favorite car, I didn’t mind the faux continental hump. I thought it was a nice homage to the Mark II, one of the most beautiful, graceful automobiles ever produced in my opinion.
I had a mark 5 and now own a 1970 3. I thought the 5 was the best looking until I seen the Mark 3. I always thought the 4 was the ugly 1 haha.
Not a “brown” interior. It’s Caramel Moondust.
Ha! I should’ve figured the Lincoln team would find more uses for the word “Moondust.” I just did a little searching and that color appears to be called “Dark Tobacco,” an even more appropriate 70’s name. No cupholders but a dozen ashtrays were standard…
Great ride that exemplified the 70’s luxury car. I drove quite a few on the Dearborn test track back then.
Definetely a different unique paint color and trim combination. Two things I would be concerned with on this vehicle. One, that steering column has issues. If you blow the picture up it’s not complete. Real questions on that? Two, it has the desirable sunroof option. No mention made on its operation. Very difficult to find parts if it’s not working correctly. Interesting car.
Guessing the steering column was replaced. Why else would it be white? Then there’s the mention of “two keys.” Maybe it had been vandalized hence the replacement? Or maybe it had no keys? Just think it’s odd that the column wasn’t painted prior to installation.
This catches my attention because years ago my Olds 88 Diesel was stolen (I know, right?) & the column was destroyed. We got a 98 column from the junkyard but I painted it myself before they put it in.
Learned to drive in this exact car. The good was a long as an aircraft carrier. It seemed to go on for miles. The 460 had power for days. Awesome car, brings back many memories from 48 years ago. Good luck to the seller.
Beautiful cars but can’t stand brown. I once owned a dark blue with white top and white leather interior Mark iv. It also had the moon roof. I love the car, it cruised effortlessly on the highways. The braking system was a complicated thing. Loved gas, but in those days (early 80’s) I wasn’t worried about that. The point about the bumpers is nothing to me, mine was a 75 model and wasn’t in the least bit concerned about that, to me it looked great and I loved it. Hope this one finds a good home.
God Bless America
My mom had the exact exterior combination, but hers had the way cooler white leather interior.
Franks Cannon drove a ’72. Beautiful car!