For Sale: 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV in Ft Worth, Texas

The '70s were both a great time and an awful time for American luxury cars. On the plus side, cars like this 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV had effortless power, incomparable ride quality, and a bigger-than-life persona. The downside was the color pallet of the 1970s: browns, tans, and brick reds. Fortunately, this car avoided that and instead offers a handsome green-on-green color combination that makes it a sure-fire future collectable.

OK, so Mark IV values haven't skyrocketed, but if you want a great American luxury car with big block power and a great look, there is no more sheetmetal for your dollar than this. The gothic Mark IV was longer, wider, and lower than the Mark III and delivered what was arguably the best combination of full-sized luxury and muscular performance. This car is very well preserved and has obviously been properly maintained all its life. The Light Jade Diamond Fire finish is glossy and rich, just the way you'd expect from a high-end luxury car. It's not perfect and it's got a few signs of age (we believe it's original paint), but between the razor-sharp fender creases and almost chopped roofline, this is one great-looking luxury coupe. Chrome was still in fashion for luxury cars, but Lincoln, as usual, took it easy on the bright stuff, giving it a traditional upright grille and shiny bumpers, but not much else. The attractive parking light lenses up front are miniature works of casting genius, while the deck lid features the Continental's trademark spare tire hump. There's also a green vinyl half-roof in good condition, adding formality with a set of oval opera windows.

The wild two-tone green leather interior is probably original, and with that in mind it's in remarkable condition. The bucket seats show minor signs of use and age, but it would be easy to believe this car was a few years old, not a few decades. You'd think that all that green in there, including the carpets, door panels, and headliner, would make it feel like a flower shop, but you'd be wrong. Instead, it feels sophisticated and elegant, and kind of private, like an upscale club where they don't let just anybody in. There's plenty of fake wood on the dash, and all of Lincoln's trademark square gauges are in good condition. Options include a sunroof, factory A/C, cruise control, power windows, locks, and seats, and an AM/FM stereo radio, all of which are working, even the clock! The back seat is as spacious as many full-sized cars today, and the giant trunk is outfitted with more plush carpeting and a spare tire with its own matching cover.

Ford's smooth and refined 460 cubic inch V8 provides effortless performance in the Continental. Horsepower may have been down, but the word in the luxury car world was torque, and the 460 delivers. Still quite stock, it shows plenty of evidence of proper maintenance over the years so it's in excellent condition today and runs superbly. That is original Ford Blue engine enamel on the block itself and the A/C has been upgraded to R134a refrigerant for ease of maintenance. It's backed by a C6 3-speed automatic that is unobtrusive in operation, as it should be in a luxury car, and with highway-friendly 2.73 gears this is a superlative highway car. You can see more signs of easy living underneath where there are clean floors, a recent dual exhaust system, and newer 235/75/15 whitewall radials on the factory wheels.

Regardless of their collector status, these cars are iconic machines, the likes of which we'll never see again. For fans of American luxury, few cars can touch the effortless ease of these great land yachts. Call today!