Pick of the Day: 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV

An all-original survivor

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If an analog clock in a classic car is broken, does that make the car timeless? Discuss amongst yourselves. The car in question comes from a long-term estate and looks like a mid-1970s time capsule.

The Pick of the Day is a 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Toronto, Ontario. (Click the link to view the listing)

“A true all-original survivor car, never restored, but in like-new condition! Purchased in Windsor in 1975 by the original owner who babied the car for 44 years until his passing at 93 in 2019. His daughter subsequently sold the car,” the listing states.

The Continental name bears a lengthy history with Ford Motor Company, initially coming to life in 1939 as a coach-built one-off personal luxury vehicle for Edsel Ford. Since that time, the Continental has been produced in ten different generations and finally set sail into the sunset just recently in 2020.

Today’s example comes from the Continental’s fourth generation (notwithstanding the 1958-60 Continentals), which debuted in model year 1972, sharing underpinnings with the Ford Thunderbird. The following years, the design changed slightly to adapt to regulations requiring 5-mph front bumpers beginning in 1973. Another refresh took place in 1974 with vertical taillights in conjunction with new rear bumper regulations.

The listing states that this Continental was garage-kept long-term and was rust-proofed when new (an important thing to consider for a car living in Canada). The silver exterior is complemented by a matching vinyl top, and the interior is dressed in burgundy leather along with the requisite 1970s luxury treatment like automatic climate control, cruise control, reading lights, a Philco stereo, woodgrain trim, and multiple ash trays (it was the 1970s, after all!).

A big luxo-cruiser like this needs ample power to get up to speed, so a big-block 460cid V8 does the hard work to make it happen. Power is fed rearward through a three-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. Good news here: The seller notes that maintenance is up to date, including a recent tune-up, replacement spark plugs, and a rebuilt carburetor.

“This luxury cruiser is a dream to drive and a pleasure to behold,” the listing reads. “A true classic.”

The asking price is $20,900 or best offer for this Continental, which seems like a fair deal for a garage-kept beauty — even if its clock stopped keeping time long ago.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

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Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Lincoln Continentals and TOWN CARS from early 70s until 89 were magnificent for OTT luxury and elegance! This is a beauty. Had 78 TOWN COUPE and 89 Signature Series. 🏆. Currently fortunate to have beautiful low mileage Town Car Signature Limited. Great car, recently referred to in an article as American ROLLS-ROYCE. But not quite the traditional formal image of previous Lincolns. Still will not let this one get away!

  2. I remember that old TV show Cannon. William Conrad who played the heavy set private eye drove a car like that. It was silver with a burgundy leather interior.

    • Cannon- oh, that brings back memories. Was a charter member of the Cannon fan club, a creation of a friend who loved the show more than I. We used to watch it in syndication at our dart league pub; Big Bill chased the crooks in style!

  3. My very first car at 16yo! Mine was a 1976 Mark IV in Maize Yellow with Chocolate Brown leather interior and a matching landau top. I think my grandparents bought it for me because it got around 6 mpg and I had to pay for my own gas. It was the mid 80s. I couldn’t imagine keeping her fueled up today! Oiy! Loved the car nonetheless!

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