Vehicle Description
Until you've been behind the wheel of a 'Motor City Behemoth' from
the disco era, you just don't know what smooth cruising truly is.
Lexus has made a fortune selling isolation, but classics like this
1976 Continental Mark IV, finished with a cushy Versailles
interior, take that mindset to an entirely different level. A
special treat for Lincoln gurus, this fantastic full-size is an
extremely well-preserved time capsule that's driven only 19,858
miles in roughly 40 years. And if you've been looking for a
collectible that's both largely original and decidedly unique,
you'll have a hard time finding ANYTHING cooler!
APPEARANCE
Mid '70s metal features some of the most ornate styling from the
Malaise Era. And this coupe's classy silver-on-red color
combination is the perfect canvas for far-flung detail. In fact,
the car's luxurious yet traditional pigment is decidedly stately,
proving once again that good taste never goes out of style. Under
that color, itself a single PPG respray of the car's original
Silver Diamond Fire single-stage, vast sheetmetal appears as
straight, clean and crisp as the day the Motor City stamped it.
That solid fuselage is well aligned, featuring re-dyed vinyl and
wide doors that open and close with ease. Spears of red outlining
stripes stretch 19.5 feet down the sides of one of the longest
profiles ever built. And overall, this Lincoln's looks defy the
decades its VIN suggests.
POWER
Motivation for this 5,300-pound beast is provided by a proven Ford
385-Series 460 which, according to the factory, twists 202
horsepower into 353 ft./lb. of smooth torque. Highly original, the
massive engine bay is in great condition throughout, mixing a
roster of correct components and vivid factory markings. All major
service items are 100% functional, including factory air
conditioning. Bright Ford Blue skin covers the mill from its unique
air cleaner all the way down to its deep oil pan. The car's Satin
Black fenders are clean, its firewall straight, and all the places
you'd expect rust to hide are essentially solid and untouched. And
overall, this Lincoln looks every bit as road ready as it was in
1976.
DRIVABILITY
Bottom-side, this Continental is equipped with Ford's reliable and
sturdy C6 3-speed, which drives a 9-inch axle and mild, 2.75 gears
to effortless highway cruising. That powertrain rides a heavy-duty
suspension, which mixes sturdy disc brakes with requisite power
steering. Exhaust is handled by factory-style pipes, which front a
factory replacement muffler and factory replacement tailpipes. Like
the car's engine bay, that undercarriage is clean, honest and
certainly not afraid of wet weather. And everything rolls on
gorgeous forged wheels, which spin 235/75R15 Suretrac Power Touring
whitewalls around elegant Lincoln center caps.
COMFORT
Naturally, the plush Versailles interior is just as cool as the
rest of the car, wrapping minimal wear in exquisite '70s luxury.
Pillowy seats, pairing a reclining option for the front passenger
with standard power adjustment for the driver and front passenger,
are nicely padded pieces that feel every bit as supple as they
look. In front of those mitts, a wood-trimmed dash hangs
conservative factory telemetry amid factory climate control, Philco
AM/FM audio and a classy Cartier clock. At the sides of that dash,
padded and wood-trimmed door panels found an array of power
accessory switches above virtual acres of shag carpet. In front of
the driver, an attractive steering wheel spins factory Speed
Control around a tilting column. And behind the cockpit, a massive
trunk features enough space for a massive shopping spree.
Now that they're over the AACA's 25-year age limit, '70s luxury
cars are becoming increasingly popular as both show queens and road
kings. These days, it seems everyone wants a high-strung curve
carver, making this Continental's superlative road manners,
full-size comfort and smooth V8 the fruits of a bygone era. There
simply can't be many Malaise Era cruisers that are nicer than this,
and a classically themed Lincoln is most definitely the one to own.
If you're looking for a spectacular classic that also happens to be
largely original, this opulent coupe will not disappoint!
SUMMARY
A well-maintained survivor that's benefitted from one repaint
Correct Dark Red Versailles interior
Correct 460 cubic inch Ford 385 Series V8
Correct Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission
Correct PPG Silver Diamond Fire paint / Silver vinyl top
Factory air conditioning
15-inch forged alloy wheels
Factory power steering
Factory 4-wheel disc brakes
Correct Ford 9-inch rear axle / 2.75 gears
