December 31, 2021 Update – We were unable to find a buyer willing to pay the private seller’s firm $30,000 reserve price, so he’s elected to keep the car in his collection until further notice.  If you would like to make a serious offer, please contact Rudy at (877) 468-6497

May 25, 2021 Update – The actual auction ended for this 10K original mile 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition ended without meeting the seller’s firm reserve price of $30,000, so we’ve moved the car to our “Rides Still Available” page.  The seller remains firm on his reserve price of $30,000, so if you are interested in the car and in agreement with that price, you can select the blue”Click Here to Buy Now” button and once you have agreed to pay that amount, we will get you in contact with the seller.

GuysWithRides.com is excited to offer this 10K original mile, 1978 Lincoln Continental Diamond Jubilee Edition for our latest reserve auction lot. Bidding opens Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 9:00 am Eastern Time and continues for 14 days through Tuesday, May 25 at 7:00 pm. This Lincoln Continental is currently located approximately one hour south of Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ford Motor Company in 1978, the Lincoln Division released a Diamond Jubilee Edition of the 1978 Continental Mark V. Adding $8,000 to the price of a Mark V, the Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee was the most expensive vehicle ever sold by Ford Motor Company at the time, raising the price of the Mark V to over $21,000. Only four options were available: the 460 V8 (with or without dual exhaust), a power moonroof, and a 40-channel CB radio.

The example presented here is one of 2,557 produced in the special Jubilee Gold color scheme. The only option this example does not feature is the CB radio.  Worth noting is that in addition to the leather-bound tool kit, this car also comes with the custom Lincoln garage door opener kit tailored specifically for this car. Unfortunately, the original umbrella that was included in the center console lost.

In a style similar to the Designer Series, the Diamond Jubilee Edition was given its own design. The exterior was given a nearly monochromatic exterior, with color-keyed body moldings, vinyl top, wheels, grille, hood ornament, and trunk lid (with Lincoln badge); two colors were available and exclusive to the edition (Diamond Blue and Jubilee Gold). Chrome trim was largely limited to the window and grille surrounds, bumpers, and trim of the fender vents (exclusive to the edition). Alongside the Lincoln Versailles, the Diamond Jubilee Edition was one of the first Ford Motor Company vehicles to utilize clearcoat paint.

The interior was given its own model-specific trim. The split front bench seat was replaced by cloth bucket seats with a center console with a padded armrest; the rest of the interior included padded leather on high-wear areas. Designed to provide extra storage, the console stored an umbrella on the underside of the armrest. Matching its name, the opera windows featured simulated diamond chips inside the glass, with a Diamond Jubilee script on the window the hood ornament featured crystal-style inserts. All Diamond Jubilee Marks were supplied with a leather-bound owner’s manual and tool kit. Every new owner was given car keys matching the interior trim and could request a Ford-created cookbook entitled “Ford Diamond Jubilee Recipe Collection.”

You will be bidding on what is a very luxurious and highly optioned for the period 43-year-old new car.  The only thing the current caretaker needed to replace during his ownership to date was the battery.  We personally photographed and inspected this low-mileage survivor. While the original paint shows some minor patina consistent with age,   Reported to be always garaged throughout its life, the undercarriage shots confirm this Mark V is rust-free underneath.  While every option and light worked during our filming of the car, we note that the air conditioning system appears to need a charge from lack of use.  We note that the system still relies on R12 refrigerant, so buyers should plan to have this Lincoln’s A/C system converted to R134a.

If you are looking for a car to complete in the Antique Automobile Club of America Touring and Preservation Class Judging events, this Lincoln is a weekend’s detailing away from potentially earning you and the car an AACA “Junior” grill badge.

To help you make informed bids, below is a summary of both the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool and Collector Car Marketplace estimates. Additionally, this similar 10K Mile 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition sold at Mecum Kissimmee for a high bid of $32,000 in January of 2021.

We’re pleased to report Joe agreed to a market-correct reserve price we believe will help find the next caretaker for this neat piece of history!

If you have any questions about this 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition, please leave a comment below or feel free to call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking and happy bidding!