Bill Blass Edition: 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V – Sold?

March 28, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Mark V “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Lincoln actively promoted 1979 would be the last model year of its full-size Continental Mark V by offering Collector’s Series such as this Bill Blass Edition originally listed in February 2021 on Craigslist in Sterling, Virginia where the current caretaker is asking only $7,500 firm.  A review of the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool for this car confirms the asking price is $1,1000 less than the #3 “Good” estimate of  $8,600.  A second data point based on the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool indicates the seller’s asking price is $400 below the #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $7,900.

At 230 inches long, the Mark V is the largest two-door coupe ever sold by Ford Motor Company.  To commemorate the end of Continental Mark V production, Lincoln repackaged the 1978 Diamond Jubilee Edition for 1979 as the Collector’s Series. An $8,000 option for the Mark V, the Collector’s Series Edition had a base price of nearly $22,000.   The most notable feature of the Collectors Series versus other Mark V examples was the lack of opera windows. The Collector’s Series came in only one of four colors: White, Diamond Blue Moondust Metallic, and Light Silver Moondust Metallic, and the Midnight Blue Moondust Metallic on the example featured here.  All examples were given a gold-colored grille with a gold-trimmed hood ornament. Inside the trunk, both the trunk floor and the underside of the deck lid were lined with color-keyed midnight-blue 18-ounce carpeting. The Collector’s Series included virtually every available feature as standard equipment on the Mark V. A cloth interior with a center console, rear-seat armrest, and bucket seats came standard; as a delete option, the Collector’s Series could be ordered with a standard Mark V leather interior. Another delete option replaced the 8-track player with a cassette unit such as the one this example appears to feature.  Of the 6,262 Collector’s Series editions produced, 3,900 Midnight Blue examples such as the car featured here were built, with 2,040, 197 Diamond Blue, and 125 Silver.

The small YouTube Channel Auto Moments provides some great reviews of a few oddball classic cars, one of which happens to be on the 1979 Collectors Series Continentals.  Interestingly, the private seller also referenced this video, so we are wondering whether it is the very same car.  If so, this is a great example:

We love this Mark V as it truly represents the end of an era in American car manufacturing that will likely never be duplicated.  The sheer length of this land yacht makes this classic car a deal killer for many garages and the nautical-themed Bill Blass Edition is a classic color combination that has aged very well.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V
Bill Bless Edition.
Clean title.
Runs & Drives.
Not Negotiable!
Learn more about this beautiful classic car.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Lincoln Mark V?  Comment below and let us know!