Vehicle Description
1983 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition Sedan
Designer edition Lincolns were introduced in 1976 and survived all
the way to 2003. But in the days when People Magazine was a must
read and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" was must watch TV, the
designer series provided an extra air of wealth to normal Lincolns.
Givenchy, Bill Blass, Gucci, and Cartier got into the act and
cobranded with Ford to offer the luxury Designer Series.
For consignment, a 1988 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Edition. The
renowned French maker of fine jewelry was the only designer to lend
its name that was not related to clothes. The garage kept edition
is equipped with some extra bling as the Designer Series were
strictly cosmetic, adding elements to the exterior and interior to
dress things up.
Exterior
The definitive paint scheme of Silver Frost over Dark Titanium was
an outward statement of your discerning taste. A darker Landau roof
and polished rocker trimmings completed the profile which assured
that the valet at the country club would not mistake your Town Car
for another. The Rolls Royce inspired grille and double square
headlights have a commanding appearance while the reflector strip
on the trunk lid connects with the taillights for a distinctive
Lincoln look. Additional exterior highlights include side opera
lights, rear quarter windows, (where "Cartier" first appears),
tinted glass, 15-inch chrome wire wheels and a factory moonroof.
Overall, the paint on our car is near showroom with only a few
stone chips and mars, as is the metal work and vinyl Landau top. We
note some clear coat delamination on the wheels as the only major
imperfection.
Interior
All the doors have gray panels, faux wood applique on the control
pad, a door actuator housed in chrome, gray cloth inserts and
carpeted bottoms. The broad and plush front bucket seats are
covered in special edition cloth in pillow top padding and are in
great shape with the Cartier logo embroidered mid-back. The back
bench gets the same treatment to complement the cloud-like ride. A
leather wrapped steering wheel contains cruise control switches and
shares the column with the shifter. Three symmetric squares make up
the digital gauge cluster while a panel of red idiot lights is
located left. An aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio is enhanced with a Ford
compact disc player, state of the art for 1988. A Cartier badge is
on the dash strategically placed in front of the passenger and
especially effective on date nights. Thick pile gray carpeting
covers the floor and is topped with Cartier embroidered carpeted
floor mats. The soft headliner is like new and the trunk, finished
in a carpeted cover, is clean.
Drivetrain
A fuel injected 5.0 liter V8 is under the hood and is rated at 160
horsepower. It is tied to an AOD 4-speed automatic transmission
which sends power to Ford 8.8" rear end with 3.27 gears and
TracLoc. Power disc brakes are supplied up front with power drums
in the rear. Under the hood we find a relatively clean engine bay
but we note the hood pad shows some wear.
Undercarriage
Surface rust on all the usual components is expected but otherwise
relatively clean underneath. We note some residual oil on the oil
pan, flywheel cover, and transmission pan. Coil spring suspension
in front with a 4 link and coil springs in the rear. The car is
also equipped with a self leveling system which automatically pumps
air into the rear shocks when it senses weight in the back. The
exhaust comes off the engine into a Y and remains a single exhaust
into the stock style muffler and exiting without fanfare in the
back.
Drive-Ability
It seems like everyone had a family member at one time or another
who owned a Lincoln and the ride brings back all the good memories.
A smooth and quiet ride, soft seats and suspension, floaty around
turns and a bit like steering a boat. Regarded and remembered as
some of the best riding cars in modern times, Lincolns are renowned
for comfort and this one doesn't disappoint. That said, we do have
to note imperfections and that includes a radio that is operable,
rear windows that need assistance up and down, and high beams that
flash but do not lock on.
The Design Editions were for discerning luxury car buyers who
wanted just a little bit more. Today, they're a remnant symbol of
80's opulence and our fascination with high end brands and
recognizable names. The top of the line in 1988 is now an
affordable collectible that stands out among the cookie cutter
world of modern cars. Styles change, but Lincoln and Cartier are
still around, a testament to their greatness.
1LNBM83FXJY821861
1-USA
L-Lincoln
N-Passenger Car
B-Manual Belts
M83-Town Car Cartier 4 Door Sedan
F-5.0L V8
X-Check Digit
J-1988
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
821861-Sequential Unit Number
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