1978 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe
Your first impression when you approach this 1978 Lincoln Town Coupe' is that it's simply enormous. At 233" long, it rivals the biggest cars of the '50s, and today anything with 127" between the wheels is a full-sized dually pickup. In fact, this car is more than 14 inches longer than a new Lincoln Navigator! But it isn't merely big for the sake of being big, it has style and proportion and a gothic look that has aged pretty well. These cars have enjoyed a nice uptick in values and are a mafioso's dream come true, and in 1978, if you owned one of these, you had well and truly made it to the top.
For consignment, taking up a large section of the South wing at the ever-changing Classic Auto Mall is this 1978 large and in-charge Lincoln Continental Town Coupe. With a mere 51,420 actual miles this 4956lb luxury barge has aged gracefully. A no rust car, clean undercarriage, and oodles of convenience options, you are entering the lap of luxury, only supersize me!
Exterior
A Rolls Royce-esque big chrome grille with the Lincoln star atop, hidden headlights on either side, and cathedral style signal lights at each corner we have the beginnings of a personal limousine like car, and we are only up front! A long, luscious hood, big side panels minding their gaps, plenty of side trimmings in vinyl and chrome, 2 huge access doors, a 4 bedroom apartment size trunk and a half padded vinyl top in matching white body color complete with carriage lights and Lincoln logo in the rear side glass. Rocker trim is wide and shiny, as are all other trimmings, door handles, mirrors, window surrounds, and bumpers. Speaking of wheels, big shallow dish wheels transform to a spoke pattern and have a black Lincoln badge in the center cap and are wrapped by thin white radials all around. No extensive damage to see here at all.
Interior
A swing of either of the well balanced but big doors reveals stitched cloth and leather panels, wood appliqué, nice chrome trimmings, and a lower blue carpeted panel. A litany of power switches and toggles for door locks, seat adjustments, windows, and a rear-view mirror toggle are within the door. Having a seat inside, and I feel like I'm at the local smoking lounge surrounded by soft luxurious wide buckets with extra pillows stitched on just for good measure. A large pillowed cloth armrest magically lowers from the center of the buckets to create an armrest for the "lean" when you decide to go low and slow. A rear bench, like grandmother's couch stretches from rear door to door, and has the same buttoned pillows as the front as well as the armrest...smoke 'em if ya got 'em... The square and rectangle dash is simplistic in its design but retains luxurious looks with brushed aluminum panels and burled veneer appliqué housing various controls, the speedometer, trip odometer, and fuel gauge. Climate controls are to the right of the steering wheel, (which is original), and a factory Ford radio is installed above the controls. Residing on top is a digital clock right out of the late 1970's. More A/C vents and a large glove box is in front of the passenger. Blue clean carpet floods the floors, and a tight headliner stretches above the passengers.
Drivetrain
A big powerful 460ci V8 engine is within a patina but clean engine bay, all original. On top is a Motorcraft 4350 4-barrel carburetor. This "proper" engine is mated with a Ford C-6 select-shift 3-speed automatic transmission. A Ford 9" rear axle with 2.75 gearing puts power to the ground.
Undercarriage
Underneath is showing some surface rust on the driveshaft, rear pumpkin, and suspension. Floor pans and rockers are clean and look as if they may have been resprayed with rustproofing, however this is not verified. Power disc brakes for the front and big drums for the rear, along with the front coil suspension and rear coils with a 4 link make it stop and ride like a dream.
Drive-Ability
This car started with little effort, ran smoothly, and handled the test track with flying colors. Good acceleration, smooth shifting, and a very luxurious cruise at highway speed, where you barely know you are moving. It stopped in a straight line, and stopping power was sufficient. The whole experience was reminiscent of driving one's overstuffed couch down the freeway.
A low mileage mostly original paint car that was the height of American automaker luxury in 1978. Now you can show up in classic luxury style, turn heads, and enough seating for 6. They do not make them like this anymore, and what a kick to drive such a large car. I think I'll light a cigar and go for a ride to see what the little people are doing!
VIN DECODE
8Y81A855404
8-1978
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
81-Continental 2 Door Hardtop
A-460ci V8 4bbl 210hp
855404-Sequential Unit Number
