25th Mar 2018, 03:46
Always surprised to see how many 400 Modified-powered Lincolns there are still hanging in there :)
Keep up with oil changes or perish - the Cleveland/Modified engines are marginal for oiling.
Having said that, install a 600-CFM 4-barrel carburetor with a suitable aftermarket intake manifold on it, and a dual-exhaust system and that 400 will really wake up ;)
29th Mar 2018, 19:37
I love your review. I have a 1979 blue Collectors Series. I bought it in October 2017, and living in Michigan, it's sitting in the garage, can't wait till spring to drive it. It has 37,000 miles on it. I just want to play with it.
I also own 7 other Lincolns dating back to 1941, and a 2017 Navigator L. The 1970s Lincolns remind me of modern day Duesenbergs. Wish I had 8 of them. Just a car nut.
SAVE THE BIG LAND YACHTS. They will never build them like that again.
Sincerely, Mrs. M.
3rd Jun 2020, 18:02
Totally disingenuous. What does ownership of a Town Car or any of those other 1970's land yachts have to do with the fact that some people will always think older is better?
Give it another go, eh?
6th Jun 2020, 11:14
Typically well cared for and garaged. Now relegated to weekend duty. Nice luxury for a trip. Simple and not costly electronics and sensors, cats etc on modern cars. These are not considered disposable and make a nice second weekender. I’d rather have a nice Mark than a Town Car with low miles. Garaged, ABS, nice maintenance history. Garage Queen. Gas is higher, but this would be nice to enjoy in comfort. Buy a nice example.
10th Jun 2020, 18:22
You basically answered your own question to the comment you replied to.
Any car enthusiast that likes full-size cars will testify that the last of the true "land yachts" went out in the late 70s. That was a long time ago. Therefore those "land yachts" are considered "older". Yeah, the downsized versions that replaced them throughout the 80s-early 90s were in fact still big cars, but by no means considered land yachts compared to their predecessors.
As far as "older is better"; most if not all the full size V8 American cars from all 3 companies were reliable with solid built engines. Leave the better safety, technology and fuel economy for today's so-called full-size car.
10th Jun 2020, 22:59
Unless you want a 70s model at a higher cost that’s a well kept example with low miles. You do not care about fuel economy as it’s a car you like and want due to comfort and ride. My new door neighbor found exactly this. Weekend car once or twice a month usage. Like brand new.
13th Jun 2020, 20:48
As an a owner of a 78 Continental Sedan, and a 79 Mark V Cartier Edition. I can testify that these were the last ultimate land boats of the road. The downsized models don’t even compare as I’ve owned Cadillacs and Lincoln’s of the 80’s. The smaller versions are still huge compared to modern cars, but they don’t have the ultra soft serene ride that the 70’s models have, nor do they have the presence and build quality.
Now not everything is well made on the Lincoln’s. The dashes in both cars are very low quality and cheap feeling. The plastic are brittle in certain areas of the car, but the door panels are nice and solid for the most part. The seating comfort however is unlike you’ve ever experienced before. The cushy pillowy soft seating is just wonderful, especially after coming out of a car made in the last 20 plus years where the seats are all mostly stiff and rock hard.
Another point is although the 400 engine isn’t the most powerful motor, it easily can move these massive heavy Lincoln’s down the road without much effort. I never find my cars underpowered or super slow. They can easily make up steep hills and I can pass people on the freeway. They’re also pretty reliable as everything is still made with heavy duty parts. The only major issue I have with the Lincoln’s are the electrical stuff like the power windows not working as well as the door locks, HVAC system, radio problems and light flickering.
Other than that, the late 77-79 Lincoln’s are one of the smoothest riding, well built luxury cars I’ve ever owned. Better than most late model cars I’ve driven too.
18th Mar 2018, 19:16
It's all a matter of perspective. If this forum existed 40 years ago, someone would no doubt be raving about 1930s-1940s era models as the last "real" Lincolns and dismissing then-current 1978 models as plastic junk. There will always be people convinced that older is better.