Vehicle Description
1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car
Your first impression when you approach this 1978 Lincoln Town Car
is that it's simply mammoth. On a 127-inch wheelbase, it rivals the
biggest cars of the '50s, and today anything with 127 inches
between the wheels is a full-sized dually pickup. In fact, this car
is more than 18 inches longer than a new Lincoln Navigator! But it
isn't merely big for the sake of being big, it has style and
proportion and a gothic look that has aged pretty well. These cars
have enjoyed a nice uptick in values ever since the guys in the
Scorsese flick "Casino" were motoring around in such things, and in
1978, if you owned one of these, you had well and truly made it to
the top.
For consignment taking up significant real estate in the Classic
Auto Mall, is this 1978 large and in charge Lincoln Continental
Town Car. With a mere 45,105 original miles and a 1 owner car, well
maintained with all documented paperwork on this yacht since new. A
no rust car, clean undercarriage, and oodles of convenience
options, you are entering the lap of luxury, only supersize me!
Exterior
A big chrome grille with the Lincoln star atop, hidden headlights
on either side, and cathedral style signal lights at each corner we
have the beginnings of a limousine like car and we are only up
front! A long luscious hood, big side panels minding their gaps,
plenty of side trimmings in vinyl and chrome, 4 big full access
doors, a 3 bedroom apartment size trunk and a full padded vinyl top
in matching Champagne body color complete with opera window in the
"C" pillar. Rocker trim is wide and shiny, as are all other
trimmings, door handles, mirrors, window surrounds, bumpers, and
wheel covers. Speaking of wheel covers, big shallow dish wheel
covers have a black Lincoln badge in the center and are wrapped by
thin white radials all around. No dents, rust, or other dings and
spots are seen.
Interior
A swing of anyone of the well balanced but big doors reveals
stitched leather panels, wood applique, nice chrome trimmings, and
a lower gold carpeted panel. A litany of power switches and toggles
for door locks, seat adjustments, windows, and a rear view mirror
toggle are within the door. Having a seat inside, and I feel like
I'm at the local Republican Club in the smoking lounge surrounded
by full leather wide buckets with extra pillows stitched on just
for good measure. A large pillowed leather armrest magically lowers
from the center of the buckets to create an armrest for the "lean"
when you decide to go low and slow. A rear bench like grandmother's
couch stretches from rear door to door, and has the same buttoned
pillows as the front as well as the armrest..smoke 'em if ya got
'em... The square and rectangle dash is simplistic in its design
but retains luxurious looks with brushed aluminum panels and burled
veneer applique housing various controls, the speedometer, trip
odometer, and fuel gauge. Climate controls are to the right of the
steering wheel (which is original) and a factory Ford radio is
installed above the controls. On top is a digital clock right out
of late 1970. More A/C vents and large glove box in front of the
passenger. Gold clean carpet floods the floors, and a tight
headliner stretches above the passengers.
Drivetrain
A big powerful 460ci V8 16 Valve engine is within a patina but
clean engine bay, all original. On top is a Motorcraft 4350
4-barrel carburetor. This "proper" engine is mated with a Ford C-6
select-shift 3-speed automatic transmission.
Undercarriage
The 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe has the luxury length of
233", rides upon a long 127.2" wheelbase, and is 79.6" wide. This
is the largest passenger production car ever built in America. It's
even larger than the 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Sixty-Special
Brougham sedan. The Brougham has a larger wheelbase at 133".
Underneath is showing some surface rust on the driveshaft, rear
pumpkin, and suspension. Floorpans and rockers are clean and look
as if they may have been resprayed with rustproofing, however this
is not verified. Disc Brakes for the front, and big drums for the
rear, along with the front coil over suspension and rear coils, it
rides like a dream.
Drive-Ability
This car started with little effort, ran smoothly and handled the
test track with flying colors (well, at least champagne and light
tan!) Good acceleration, smooth shifting, and a very luxurious
cruise at highway speed, where you barely know you are moving. It
stopped in a straight line, and stopping power was sufficient.
A low mileage 1 owner car, who babied it, and was careful about
maintenance and repairs when needed. Now you can show up in classic
luxury style, turn heads, and enough seating for 6. They do not
make them like this anymore, and what a kick to drive such a large
car. I think I'll light a cigar and go for a ride to see what the
little people are doing!