45K Original Miles/1 Owner/Big 460ci V8 4 BBL/Rust Free

1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Your first impression when you approach this 1978 Lincoln Town Car is that it's simply mammoth. On a 127-inch wheelbase, it rivals the biggest cars of the '50s, and today anything with 127 inches between the wheels is a full-sized dually pickup. In fact, this car is more than 18 inches longer than a new Lincoln Navigator! But it isn't merely big for the sake of being big, it has style and proportion and a gothic look that has aged pretty well. These cars have enjoyed a nice uptick in values ever since the guys in the Scorsese flick "Casino" were motoring around in such things, and in 1978, if you owned one of these, you had well and truly made it to the top.

For consignment taking up significant real estate in the Classic Auto Mall, is this 1978 large and in charge Lincoln Continental Town Car. With a mere 45,105 original miles and a 1 owner car, well maintained with all documented paperwork on this yacht since new. A no rust car, clean undercarriage, and oodles of convenience options, you are entering the lap of luxury, only supersize me!

Exterior
A big chrome grille with the Lincoln star atop, hidden headlights on either side, and cathedral style signal lights at each corner we have the beginnings of a limousine like car and we are only up front! A long luscious hood, big side panels minding their gaps, plenty of side trimmings in vinyl and chrome, 4 big full access doors, a 3 bedroom apartment size trunk and a full padded vinyl top in matching Champagne body color complete with opera window in the "C" pillar. Rocker trim is wide and shiny, as are all other trimmings, door handles, mirrors, window surrounds, bumpers, and wheel covers. Speaking of wheel covers, big shallow dish wheel covers have a black Lincoln badge in the center and are wrapped by thin white radials all around. No dents, rust, or other dings and spots are seen.

Interior
A swing of anyone of the well balanced but big doors reveals stitched leather panels, wood appliqu, nice chrome trimmings, and a lower gold carpeted panel. A litany of power switches and toggles for door locks, seat adjustments, windows, and a rear view mirror toggle are within the door. Having a seat inside, and I feel like I'm at the local Republican Club in the smoking lounge surrounded by full leather wide buckets with extra pillows stitched on just for good measure. A large pillowed leather armrest magically lowers from the center of the buckets to create an armrest for the "lean" when you decide to go low and slow. A rear bench like grandmother's couch stretches from rear door to door, and has the same buttoned pillows as the front as well as the armrest..smoke 'em if ya got 'em... The square and rectangle dash is simplistic in its design but retains luxurious looks with brushed aluminum panels and burled veneer appliqu housing various controls, the speedometer, trip odometer, and fuel gauge. Climate controls are to the right of the steering wheel (which is original) and a factory Ford radio is installed above the controls. On top is a digital clock right out of late 1970. More A/C vents and large glove box in front of the passenger. Gold clean carpet floods the floors, and a tight headliner stretches above the passengers.

Drivetrain
A big powerful 460ci V8 16 Valve engine is within a patina but clean engine bay, all original. On top is a Motorcraft 4350 4-barrel carburetor. This "proper" engine is mated with a Ford C-6 select-shift 3-speed automatic transmission.

Undercarriage
The 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Coup has the luxury length of 233", rides upon a long 127.2" wheelbase, and is 79.6" wide. This is the largest passenger production car ever built in America. It's even larger than the 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Series Sixty-Special Brougham sedan. The Brougham has a larger wheelbase at 133". Underneath is showing some surface rust on the driveshaft, rear pumpkin, and suspension. Floorpans and rockers are clean and look as if they may have been resprayed with rustproofing, however this is not verified. Disc Brakes for the front, and big drums for the rear, along with the front coil over suspension and rear coils, it rides like a dream.

Drive-Ability
This car started with little effort, ran smoothly and handled the test track with flying colors (well, at least champagne and light tan!) Good acceleration, smooth shifting, and a very luxurious cruise at highway speed, where you barely know you are moving. It stopped in a straight line, and stopping power was sufficient.

A low mileage 1 owner car, who babied it, and was careful about maintenance and repairs when needed. Now you can show up in classic luxury style, turn heads, and enough seating for 6. They do not make them like this anymore, and what a kick to drive such a large car. I think I'll light a cigar and go for a ride to see what the little people are doing!