1979 Lincoln Continental 18.5K Mile – SOLD!

December 5, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

November 7, 2021 Update – In response to their original listing that just expired, the private seller of this 1979 Lincoln Continental just created a fresh listing and it, dropped the asking price from $19,500 to $15,000.

With full transparency, in 1979 Ford’s Lincoln Division openly communicated its 1980 models would be significantly downsized, so they hyped demand for the final year models with special Collector’s Editions. The original owner eschewed those special editions when they ordered this all Light Jade, 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Ballston Spa, New York. For reasons not explained in the seller’s brief description, this 1979 Lincoln Continental Town has only been driven a total of 18,488 miles since new.

Currently offered at a revised $15,000 (the original ask was $19,500), comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller still has their Town Car priced between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $16,200 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $25,500.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool provides a much different assessment as in this case the revised asking price remains $1,400 above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of only $13,600.

After five years on the market, Lincoln made an extensive revision to the Continental. Coinciding with the 1975 introduction of the Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln and Mercury sought to better visually differentiate their two flagship model lines, in spite of their mechanical commonality. As part of the revision, the Lincoln Continental was able to adopt a greater degree of styling commonality with the Continental Mark IV. In 1975, the exterior of the Lincoln Continental underwent a major revision. Although the body below the beltline saw only minor changes with the taillights redesigned with vertical units, the roofline was completely restyled. To separate itself from the Mark IV, the two-door Continental/Town Coupe adopted a fully pillared roofline with a square opera window in the C-pillar.  Town Cars were given the oval opera window introduced on the Mark IV. Along with the styling upgrades, 1975 Lincolns received substantial upgrades to the braking system. Designed by Bendix, the Lincoln Continental became one of the first American cars equipped with an optional four-wheel disc brake system. To further improve the emissions performance of the 460 V8, the engine was fitted with catalytic converters, ending its compatibility with leaded regular gasoline.  For 1979, the interior underwent further updating, as the Mercury-sourced dashboard received additional wood trim. The 460 V8 was deleted from the Lincoln/ Mark V model line entirely, leaving the 400 V8 as the sole engine.

This 1975 Lincoln-Mercury dealer video takes you through all of the changes of the redesigned model line that carried through to 1979:

With only 18,488 original miles and everything original right down to the original tires, this 1979 Town Car is a potential contender for someone looking to win Antique Automobile Club of America (“AACA”) Junior and Senior level awards in Preservation Class judging.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1979 Lincoln Town Car One owner, only 18,488 documented miles! 400 cubic inch V8, automatic transmission. All original paperwork comes with this car (purchase order, bill of sale, build sheet, warranty card, original showroom brochures, and maintenance records). this car deserves to be in a museum, but would rather see it loved and driven. This car is all original including the original Michelin tires. Always kept in a heated garage and only driven on sunny days.“

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