Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Only 2,415 miles
Cartier Designer Series
Correct 460 cubic inch Ford 385-Series V8
Correct Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission
Correct Versailles interior / Factory air conditioning / Power moon
roof
Correct Dove Gray paint / Correct Valino Grain vinyl roof / Correct
outlining stripes
Correct 15-inch forged alloy wheels
Correct power steering / Correct 4-wheel power disc brakes
Correct Ford 9-inch rear axle / 2.75 gears
Sale includes the car's original Window Sticker
Until you've been behind the wheel of a 'Motor City Behemoth' from
the disco era, you just don't know what smooth cruising truly is.
Lexus has made a fortune selling isolation, but classics like this
1976 Continental Mark IV, a Cartier Designer Series car, take that
mindset to an entirely different level. A special treat for Lincoln
gurus, this fantastic full-size is an extremely well preserved
survivor that's driven only 2,415 miles in roughly 40 years. And if
you've been looking for a collectible that's not only pristine but
original, and not only original but unique, you'll have a hard time
finding ANYTHING cooler!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Mid '70s metal features some of the most ornate styling from the
Malaise Era. And this coupe's classy gray-on-gray color combination
is the perfect canvas for far-flung detail. In fact, the car's
luxurious yet traditional pigment is decidedly stately, proving
once again that good taste never goes out of style. With that paint
comes vast sheetmetal, which, thanks to decades of spending time in
a dry garage, appears straight, clean and as crisp as the day the
Motor City stamped it. That solid fuselage lines up beautifully,
featuring wide doors, which open and close with ease. Spears of red
and white outlining stripes stretch 19.5 feet down the sides of one
of the longest profiles ever built. And overall, this Lincoln's
looks defy the decades its VIN suggests.
Speaking of fit and finish, everything on this incredible Detroit
creation is exceptionally well planned. And the car carries just
the right amount of ostentatiousness to make an impassioned first
impression. At the front of its massive body, a broad bumper frames
folding, "Continental" branded headlights and an oft-imitated
grille that centers a sharp Lincoln emblem above a vivid "MARK IV"
badge. A characteristically linear profile complements modernist
parking lamps, flush door handles and clean cornering lamps with
optional door guards, premium bodyside molding and polished rocker
guards. Like-new glass, including an electric moon roof, rides
between classy mirrors, a correct Valino Grain roof, designer opera
windows and polished metal fairings. And at the back of the car, a
second broad bumper frames spotless taillights and a requisite
Continental decklid that's dressed in full Lincoln regalia.
ENGINE
Motivation for this 5,300-pound beast is provided by a proven Ford
385-Series 460 which, according to the factory, twists 202
horsepower into 353 ft./lb. of smooth torque. Highly original, the
massive engine bay is in great condition throughout, featuring many
correct components and factory markings. All major service items
are 100% functional, including factory air conditioning. Bright
Ford Blue skin covers the mill from its unique air cleaner all the
way down to its deep oil pan. The car's Satin Black fenders are
clean, its firewall straight, and all the places you'd expect rust
to hide are essentially solid and untouched. And overall, this
Lincoln looks every bit as road ready as it was in 1976.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Bottom-side, this Continental is equipped with Ford's reliable and
sturdy C6 3-speed automatic transmission, which drives a 9-inch
axle and mild, 2.75 gears to effortless highway cruising. That
powertrain hangs in a heavy duty suspension, which mixes fresh KYB
Gas-A-Just shocks with power disc brakes and requisite power
steering. Exhaust is handled by factory Ford converters and "Ford"
branded mufflers, which are balanced by a familiar H-shaped
crossover. Like the car's engine bay, that undercarriage is clean,
honest and certainly not afraid of wet weather. And everything
rolls on gorgeous forged wheels, which spin 235/70R15 Vogue Tyre
radials around a combination of gold lines and white walls.
INTERIOR
Naturally, the plush Versailles interior is just as cool as the
rest of the car, wrapping minimal wear in exquisite '70s luxury.
Pillowy seats, featuring a reclining option for the front
passenger, are nicely padded pieces that feel every bit as supple
as they look. In front of those mitts, a wood-trimmed dash hangs an
optional Quadrasonic 8-track player and requisite Cartier clock
amid factory climate control and conservative factory telemetry.
Below that dash, monochromatic floor mats ride virtual acres of
shag carpet. At the sides of that carpet, padded and wood-trimmed
door panels found an array of power accessory switches. In front of
the driver, an attractive steering wheel spins factory Speed
Control around around a tilting column. And behind the cockpit, a
massive trunk features correct Cartier carpeting.
HISTORY
It should come as no surprise that a car this well maintained is
also fully documented. Here's a breakdown of this Lincoln's
original Window Sticker
CONTINENTAL MARK IV
ASSEMBLED AT: WIXOM ASSEMBLY
SOLD TO: BERENS MOTORS INC. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Continental Mark IV/65D ($11,060)
Cartier Model Designer Series ($2,000)
- Versailles Interior
- Landau roof
- Forged aluminum wheels
- Premium bodyside molding
- Color-keyed trunk carpeting
- Illuminated visor vanity mirrors
- Unique paint and tape stripes
- Designer signature in opera windows
Dove Gray paint ($00)
Dove Gray vinyl landau roof ($00)
Power operated glass moon roof ($885)
Dual exhaust ($67)
Engine block heater ($19)
Headlamp Convenience Group ($101)
White sidewall radial tires ($00)
Tilt steering wheel ($69)
Speed Control ($117)
Reclining passenger's seat ($76)
Electric rear window defroster ($81)
AM/FM radio that's complete with a Quadrasonic 8-track player
($387)
Interval windshield wipers ($28)
Power Lock Convenience Group ($87)
Power vent windows ($80)
Transportation and Handling ($118)
TOTAL VEHICLE PRICE: $15,175
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
The aforementioned Window Sticker
Now that they're over the AACA's 25-year age limit, '70s luxury
cars are becoming increasingly popular as both show queens and road
kings. These days, it seems everyone wants a high-strung curve
carver, making this Continental's superlative road manners,
full-size comfort and smooth V8 the fruits of a bygone era. There
simply can't be many Malaise Era cruisers that are nicer than this,
and a classically themed Lincoln is most definitely the one to own.
If you're looking for a spectacular classic that also happens to be
a rather unique survivor, this opulent coupe will not disappoint!
