It was Lee Iacoca's idea to put the so called: "Rolls Royce" Grill on the Mark, when that badge re entered the market. The Mark II was Edsall's dreamchild, and was built in the late 50's as the most expensive car in the U.S. ($10,000). That division was called: Continental, NOT Lincoln. After three years, the Continental "Mark" was retired, and not used again until Lincoln revived it as the Mark III, the '69 being the first year (many people think 67, but you'd lose a trivia game). By most accounts the 69 was the most beautiful of three year run (69-71) At 17 feet, the ride rivaled Cadillac, Rolls or any luxury 4 door. Its big heavy doors have 3/4 inch thick pure american steel hinges. It was this "Black on Black" version used in the movie: The Car. By 1972, the Mark IV had rounder mid and front features, single exhaust pipe, and was losing some of it's muscle. Indeed by the late 70's Ford reduced horsepower to a meager 165HP, and increased the length to 19 feet! But in 1969 emissions meant little or nothing, and the idea was to pack as much HP into these huge big block Mark III's.
I paid 27,000 for this car 6 Months ago, and compared to this market, one other is for sale at 50,000 and another about 40,000. Meaning those with super low miles, mint, mint with no rust. I am selling as I have been diagnosed with Terminal Stage IV Cancer, and frankly, need the money for another operation deductible. [off putting green/green sold for 24,500 in lakeland, FL recently. It's still on the Internet, just type MK III Lakeland FL, you will see that ugly green monster sold for yes, 24500.. You can find cheapy Mark III's, few are black on black, most you will have to do a lot of work to be proud of them, and they have rust. A good rule of thumb is that if the car is under 10,000 then it has not been kept out of weather, and usually those are used for resto mods. Always cheaper in the long run to find a car where nothing has to be done]
I've been a fan of these all my life, and purposefully wanted a "Black on Black" Mark III. If you run to the store for a gallon of milk? Be prepared to take an hour, because EVERYONE who sees this car, will stop you and talk to you. I can't take it anywhere without there being someone who stops me and wants to strike up a conversation. I will also shoot a video of it smoking the tires if you like and eMail it to you LIVE! This has a Beast of the Legendary 460 Cubic Inch Big Block, 4V (Ford Meant Four Venturi) Carb, factory duel exhaust all the way to the back, factory traction bars, no tears in the leather, original EVERYTHING. Cartier clock keeps better time than my computer.
When we pull the hood, you will note the engine pures smooth, and does not have a miss (many large blocks sometimes have a bit of a miss, not this one). You've heard it before, you drive a big block engine, and even though one cylinder is misfiring, and you can hear that sputter sputter, there is so much torgue, the car is still driveable. Well image how much better, if the engine ran like factory new? That's what this engine is like. Not only does it respond, but there is no sound as if once cylinder is firing. I can set a full glass of water on the intake and you will not even see a vibration. The only thing that I have done (or had to do) was when we first took delivery, my antique mechanic tightened up the downpipe bolts about half a turn, as they seemed to loosen, until we realized we needed some lock washers. This took care of that. ALSO, I put a Factory FoMoCo solenoid ($24 bucks from Ford) under the hood, I will take a photo. Remember, Ford Parts Only! No aftermarket stuff. If you look closely at the engine pics, you will see the original factory hose clamps from 1969. The full passenger side photo is a reflection of my house, nothing wrong with the paint, no dents, no rust anywhere, mint.
I drive it and start it frequently. I've put only about 600 Miles on it, it is registered with Virginia DMV as the Original 11,400 Miles. I have Clear Title.
A bit of history on this car, because it's all about the story, right? I purchased it from a Lincoln Dealership in Long Island, where for it's first couple of years there, the Owner of the Dealership drove it two or three times a year to cocktail parties with his rich clients, and as a conversation starter. Then, as also for the next ten years, it was primarily a show piece, where it was put on a pedestal inside on the showroom, as a way to attract buyers to the brand, of course, it would draw in the eyes.
He'd purchased it from a midwest dealership, where it was resigned to the same fate for about 15 years. This is such a show stopper, that you can see where a Dealer would do this, as opposed to it sitting in some rich guy's garage.
I have the Original Window Sticker, I have THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR MANUAL, that only a Dealer Repair Manager would have! (almost forgot about that) which is extremely rare. If you wanted to for instance take it to a dealer and have something done, let them borrow this book, it allows them to rebuild anything back to factory specs, even windows, upholstery, or hard to do things.
Back to the Window Sticker, and Original Provenance. The car was purchased at Hollywood Lincoln Dealership in 1969, to an Individual who lived in Hollywood. Either the guy was single, or never drove it much, or only drove it a few miles to work (I am just imagining) because the Passenger Leather, and rear seat are NOT in anyway ever been used! Only the Driver seat is a bit worn, but no tears, nothing like that, only what you would expect if someone was sitting on it. Everything works on the car would pass inspection, here in Virginia, of course, it gets an Antique Plate, given the choice of orange or black, I went with old school black, which matches the car. It has the Original Freon Air Conditioning Compressor, A/C works, everything works on the car, there are four ashtrays, and all the lighters work. We went over it with the car overhead. No rust, nowhere, never had any. It was a Cali car, obviously garage kept, lightly used. The dearlers never drove it. I've never driven in the rain. Only on nice sunny days here in Virginia.
My mechanic anytime he comes over, to work on my benz or 77 Linc, get's under there just to stare! He loves climbing under it, and seeing that there is not once spec of rust in the undercarriage of this car. Truly a remarkable specimen.
This is an extraordinarily affordable price for a car you can get in, start, drive it, and not feel like you are ruining the value of it if you take it to the store, or a 1,000 mile trip. It's not like you are clocking miles on a million dollar Ferrari. As a matter of fact, if you don't put more than 5,000 miles on it, I'd buy it back from for the 27,000 I originally paid, that's how much I love the car.
I'd snatch it up, I've priced it to sell cheaper than any other keeper out there. I calculated wrong on when I should have started back to work, and now my insurance and deductible all start over again with ObamaCare, and I need the money for that. All paperwork, including my sales price, tax base sales price I have retained.
Thanks for using ClassicCars.Com and I truly appreciate you interest in my 69 Mark III Continental.
(Im going to upload some more, I just wanted to get this account set up). The Video Below was filmed by someone else, not me. This was at the dealer. To demonstrate it would start, run, etc. no burn outs. This was done before I purchased it, but that is the car. It's been used in some other videos too, can't seem to find those on YouTube.
The nighttime photo is just after pulling up to a restaurant. even by the lights of the parking lot, she sparkles and shines, really love this car ~~ whats even better if you want to hear it start and that the throaty sound of the 460 big block.
