1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car 400 cu from North America

Summary:

The Grand Dame of American Luxury Automobiles!

Faults:

Car had a radiator and hose issue when purchased.

The landau vinyl roof was cracked and crumbling, due to being parked outside most of the second ownership.

Had to replace an idler arm on the left side due to being damaged.

Exhaust was loose at muffler attachment and a new pipe was needed.

Recently replaced the front passenger window motor, purchased off eBay due to the original died.

General Comments:

Always wanting a large old American car for a hobby project; finding 2 at an estate auction in the dead cold of January was a surprise. The owners were going to assisted living and everything was to be sold. The owner had a 79 White Mark IV and my triple black Continental Town car. The Mark had 70k original miles but the body was rotting off the frame and my Town Car had only 57K miles. The high bid sold for $800.00 and I was the backup bidder. Thinking the high bidder was taking the Continental, he took the MARK! So I was offered the Continental as back up for the SAME PRICE! What luck!.

The car itself was horribly oxidized and I wasn't sure it was dark blue or black. After a good interior and exterior cleaning, some repairs on the radiator and others. I now have a car that cruises like a dream, holds a football team and gets tons of looks wherever I go.

It IS a gas stations best friend (I get about 13MPG) but the 400cu runs well, flies great at highway speeds and is a 1 finger steering machine.

I had an upholstery shop put on a new top in NOS exact black vinyl, and have found a few salvage yards in the area that know me by first name for scavenge trim parts, chrome pieces, and anything that is in better condition than I have now.

I LOVE THIS CAR, and my foreign car snobby friend thinks I'm nuts.. But this is truly the BEST fun toy I have ever bought.

My friends love the big fuzzy seats, which I call "Bordello Velour", and I'm looking to upgrade to the digital Quadraphonic 8-track CB system. The 8 Track that's in it now is good, but I've heard the other system and it's much clearer and will make that Old Donna Summer 8 track sound even better!

This truly was the GREATEST YEARS of American Luxury Cars. If you can find one.. BUY IT!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th August, 2008

1979 Lincoln Continental Town Car 400M from North America

Summary:

Nice Riding Luxury Car

Faults:

Nothing Yet.

Does have a little bit of rust.

The Padded vinyl Roof needs replacing.

General Comments:

Bought for $600 in November 2001.

Found receipts for $4200 in work done to car in previous five years before I bought it!

Shouldn't need anything for a while.

Everything works as it should.

Very comfortable.

Gas mileage good on the Highway, fair in town.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th July, 2005

3rd Aug 2005, 17:12

Hi, Sounds like a great car as Lincoln's always are. I'm interested in your answer when asked "if you would buy another car from this manufacturer" and your answer was "NO", I thought that was an interesting response, and I was wondering why you wouldn't ?

12th Jul 2006, 00:46

He answered "no" to that question because L/F/M haven't made a remotely decent car in a decade.

1979 Lincoln Continental AHA Landau hearse 6.6L 400CID from North America

Summary:

An Elegant Funeral Coach

Faults:

When I first got the car, I had to replace a bend piston rod due to the car overheating. I did the repair myself, so the price of the repair was only about a 100 dollars.

Other than that just minor maintenance like adjusting the carburetor and minor rust repair.

General Comments:

This car is a Behemoth! Being a hearse, it is 22 1/2 feet long. Don't try to maneuver this car into tight places. Over all it is fun to drive. I get looks from all over when I take it out. Most people like it while some others think its just a bit creepy. The luxury of these Lincolns just can't be beat. It glides down the road like no other luxury car I've driven. Obviously (Length x Width x Weight = Luxury)

Also the Lincoln funeral coaches built in 1979 were low production vehicles and only 4 documented 79 Lincoln AHA's are known to have survived out of the 25 produced. I plan on keeping this car completely stock and showing it at local car shows.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2004

19th Mar 2004, 07:37

Ugh.

20th Mar 2004, 02:00

You should put pictures of it at cardomain.com.

6th Apr 2004, 18:06

Only 4 survived? now I feel even worse about not buying one when I had the chance.

21st Apr 2004, 09:21

Why don't you just get a Chilton's or Haynes manual for it? it would have all the carburetor adjustment and other maintenance info needed, and it would be correct, unlike a lot of the information you may be given.