For Sale: 1976 Lincoln Continental in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1976 Lincoln Mark IV Bill Blass Hardtop

Designer edition Lincolns were introduced in 1976 and survived all the way to 2003. But in the days when People Magazine was a must read and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" must watch TV, the designer series provided an extra air of wealth to normal Lincolns. Givenchy, Bill Blass, Gucci, and Cartier got into the act and co branded with Ford to offer the luxury Designer Series.

For consignment, 1976 Lincoln Mark IV Bill Blass hardtop with a title verified 38,556 actual miles. Just 3,213 Bill Blass editions were made in 1976 with design influence from the legendary fashion designer.

Exterior
Each Blass edition arrived in showrooms with dark blue metallic paint and a white quarter vinyl roof with oval opera window, a long trunk, Rolls like grille, and Continental kits on back and this, ladies and gentlemen, was the embodiment of American class and wealth in 1976. Shiny wheels also meant something and they're here on all four corners, looking good, and tied into the chrome encased windows and wrap around chrome bumpers. Both robust bumpers undulate to follow the form of the body just as the tail lights clink to the bends and the front markers define them. Hidden headlights below the pinstriped hood add to the mystique and Renaissance period scrolling on the side trim is fantastic in its excess. Imperfections are limited to typical discoloration of the vinyl top, a spot of rust below it, and various paint chips.

Interior
Things are pretty fancy on the inside too, beginning with button tufting on the doors in conjunction with simulated burlwood and chrome accenting and both doors are in very nice condition. A bold design of white buttons on tufted blue leather with white stripes covers the broad buckets seats and the rear bench, all with extra cushioning to serve as the lap of luxury, all in great shape over some of the deepest blue carpet you'll find in an American car. Up front, the blue dash pad and steering wheel take a back seat to acres of straight grain and burlwood the dress the wheel and entire dashboard while square gauges and a Cartier clock add panache. You were really living with a sunroof in '76 and it's here, surrounded by foam backed blue cloth on the headliner. Blue carpet, less deep than the cabin, finishes the sizable trunk and covers the spare tire.

Drivetrain
A clean engine awaits under that long hood and it's the venerable 460ci V8, putting out 202 horses in 1976 and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a C6 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the Ford 9" in back with 2.75 gears.

Undercarriage
Typical surface rust but otherwise clean conditions underneath where dual exhaust flows through original equipment mufflers and factory resonators on their way to a terminating point in back. Power disc brakes are supplied to all four wheels and coil springs are front and back with a 4 link included in the rear.

Drive-Ability
The 460 does its thing and guides us around the test loop with plenty of power to spare, even with the 70's emission restriction's tight grip. The car rides butter soft and seems right at home on long straightaways and likely, highway adventures. A few items of note include the passenger seat power switches, clock, and reverse lights not working. The driver's seat does not move front or back and the wipers stick a bit. Beyond that, all functions operate as they should and we take this fashion maven back to the mall. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

There's almost a British air to this American cruiser which is odd for a Bicentennial year car. This is a special edition to be sure and still representative of the premiere American luxury car in the mid-70's. You didn't have to opt for the designer edition, but if you did, it stood out, even in the 70's when graphics like an eagle on the hood were commonplace. This is a well preserved example of a particularly uncommon car.

6Y89A917242

6-1976
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
89-Mark IV Hardtop
A-460ci V8 4bbl 202hp
917242-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

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