For Sale: 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III in Chicago, Illinois

FABULOUS ORIGINAL "TRIPLE BLACK" COLORSEXCEPTIONAL AND HIGHLY ORIGINAL CONDITIONOPTIONAL FULL LEATHER INTERIOR UPHOLSTERY365 HP 460 CI V-8/SELECTSHIFT AUTOMATICEXCEPTIONALLY WELL EQUIPPED & OPTIONEDSTANDARD SURE-TRACK BRAKE SYSTEMHANDSOME & HIGHLY ACCLAIMED DESIGNACCOMPANIED BY TWO BUILD SHEETSREADY TO OWN, COLLECT & ENJOY The successor in name to the Continental Mark II of 1956-57, the Mark III continued the Lincoln "Mark" heritage at its debut as an early 1969 model at the 1968 edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 23, 1968. Sharing its chassis with the 4-door Ford Thunderbird, the new Lincoln Mark III was an inspired combination of Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental styling, featuring a sculpted and uncluttered 2-door formal coupe body with hidden headlight and a faux spare-tire bulge to the trunk lid. The crowning touch was a bright Rolls-Royce style grille a bold feature demanded by industry titan Lee Iacocca, then serving as V-P of Ford Motor Company's car and truck group. Positioned opposite Cadillac's heavily redesigned front-drive Eldorado, plus the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado and Chrysler New Yorker coupe, the premium-level Mark III was powered to match by Ford's biggest available V-8 engine, displacing 460 cubic inches and developing 365 factory-rated horsepower. Befitting its market stature, the Mark III came one way fully loaded, with a limited and desirable selection of additional options. Unparalleled opportunities for personalization were available with the Mark III; considering available paint, accent stripe, vinyl roof, and interior color and material choices, several thousand specific combinations were theoretically possible for buyers. As with its 1950s Mark II predecessor, the new Mark III was simply branded "Continental" within Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division structure, without Lincoln branding anywhere on the vehicle. Production was at Ford Motor Company's Wixom, Michigan facilities alongside the Lincoln Continental and Ford Thunderbird. While certainly a commercial success, the Mark III was built in relatively low volumes, with 1969-model production of 7,770 in 1968 and 23,088 during 1969, followed by 21,432 for 1970 and 27,091 for 1971 before the advent of the updated Mark IV for 1972. Top-quality, highly original Continental Mark III survivors are few and far between today, making this beautifully preserved example from 1971 a truly outstanding find with its original "Triple Black" color combination including Code A Black paint, Code AV Black Vinyl roof covering and Code 4AA Black interior including optional leather seat trim. Just over 44,500 miles are indicated at the time of description writing. In addition to its standard 365-horsepower, 460 cubic inch V-8 engine and SelectShift automatic transmission, this stunning 1971 Continental Mark III includes the Sure-Track computer-controlled barking system standard on all Continental Mark IIIs for 1971, an early form of ABS capable of actuating and releasing the brakes at a rate of 4 cycles per second. In addition to its wide array of standard features and equipment, this collector-worthy 1971 Continental Mark III is equipped with such desirable options as a rear-window defogger, power trunk release, power door locks, a six-way power split front bench seat and speed control. Two build sheets accompany this glamorous and highly equipped 1971 Continental Mark III. Surely one of the finest and most original and well-equipped cars of its kind, this 1971 Continental Mark III is ready to collect and enjoy. Contact us today to see it for yourself, obtain full details and get ready to add this American personal-luxury icon to your collection.