For Sale at Auction: 1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V in Houston, Texas

Finished in Rose Diamond Fire, this 1977 Lincoln Continental is one of 163 cars built in this color and trim combination. The original owner was singer/songwriter Mickey Gilley. This Lincoln has a story to tell that changed the history of country-western music and pop culture in the United States. The story begins in 1973 in Pasadena, TX, where club owner and session musician Mickey Gilley was in the studio recording singles for a local jukebox company. As a joke, he recorded a take on a classic country western song in the style of his more famous first cousin, Jerry Lee Lewis. The song, "Room Full of Roses," became a #1 single on Billboard Top 100 list, catapulting him to the top of the country-western world overnight. Soon his nightclub, Gilley's, was the place to be. People came from far and wide, and the top acts in country-western music played at the venue. As Mickey Gilley piled up hit after hit and toured the country with Conway Twitty, his partner, Sherwood Cryer, purchased lavish gifts for each of his #1 singles: a new Lincoln that Gilley gave to his parents, diamond rings and - last but not least - this 1977 Mark V in a Rose hue to commemorate the "Room Full of Roses" single that made it all possible. Mickey Gilley forever changed pop culture with his pop-friendly country-western music, bringing it to a new, broader audience, opening the door for many artists and even influencing clothing styles. He often could be found enjoying this very car around the Houston area, usually parked prominently in front of his club. Hollywood came calling after a famous article about the club was published in Esquire magazine, and the movie "Urban Cowboy" was filmed at his facility. Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee and many other performers contributed to the soundtrack. The significance of this car and the story behind it is huge to country music, pop culture and especially Texas. This car represents a single that made Gilley a star in the U.S. When his career began to decline in the late '80s, he sold several cars in his collection, but kept this car, realizing its importance. He moved to Branson, MO, and opened a theater, where he enjoyed great success throughout the '90s and early 2000s, once again front and center in a booming economy. This special car has been freshly painted in its original factory color of Rose Diamond Fire with all trim and bumpers straightened, plated and polished, and the factory vinyl top was restored to its original Rose color. The seats, carpet and headliner are original and have had a recent detail. The Lincoln also had a recent tuneup, full service and a new exhaust. Comes with a Marti Report and two Build Sheets.