Vehicle Description
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!
