1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV 2 Door Hardtop
Sharing a chassis with the Thunderbird, the Mark IV was produced from 1972 to 1976. Due to new regulations, the 1973 was subject to revised bodywork to accommodate the 5 mph bumpers. As a sign of the times, all Mark IV were equipped with a vinyl roof, a styling element that seems odd fifty years later but was commonplace on many makes and models.
For consignment, a 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV 2 door hardtop with only four previous owners and they all kept this car garage kept, and it now serves as a rolling time capsule of a time when the Continental was a top tier American luxury car. To quench your luxury thirst this car comes to our Hallowed Halls with a Deluxe Marti Report, the build sheet, and the window sticker.
Exterior
Approaching the car from the side, the astounding features include a long hood, with body creases to match the shape of the Rolls style grille, the low roofline, the amazing opera window, and the faux Continental kid bulge on the trunk lid. The single stage Yellow paint and wide white wall tires conjure up memories of Huggy Bear and Rooster from 70's detective shows, however neither of them drove a Lincoln! There is a sleekness to this car and when it says, "I've arrived" it means the hood got there an hour before the rest of the car. The hidden headlights add to the mystique and that front bumper does extend to absorb crashes, however the chrome here is in great shape and connects to a polished rocker panel trim that connects, visually, with the rear bumper, also in fine condition. At first, the tail lights seem like simple affairs, until you realize they are contoured with the bumper in which they are embedded, and curve around to join the outermost protrusions. An arrow headed double pinstripe runs parallel to the side body molding, both common features of the era. The white vinyl top shows some discoloration and bubbling under numerous areas. Other imperfections include scuffs on one of the wheel covers and another on a bumper.
Interior
Luxurious door panels are appointed with white leather inserts, woodgrain applique, and metallic switches. There is plenty of wear on these doors from minor discoloration to tears in the door pull strap covering, to some separation of the plastic panels. White leather covers the front bucket seats in a Chesterfield style design where buttons form pillowy squares. There's compression on the driver's seat, some patina creases, and some discoloration. The rear seat squares remain full looking, and the seams could benefit from some deep cleaning. As is, the luxury in back rivals a limousine and affords passengers some privacy with just a small opera window for exposure. The 3 spoke steering wheel leads to a dash panel completely covered with woodgrain applique and where every feature is square and housing dials with needles sweeping the square. If you've ever wondered how to get a circle peg into a square hole, here's your answer. Burlwood applique is used as a framing for the A/C control panel, AM/FM/Cassette, and other switches and it's all in very good condition mounted to a richly colored plastic dash. Plush black carpet covers the floor in "toes deep" luxury and the white headliner above is in great shape and house shoulder belts clipped to the ceiling.
Drivetrain
Relatively clean just above driver quality condition sits the big 460ci V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and rated at 208 horsepower. A C6 3-speed automatic transmission is behind it transferring power the Ford 9" in back with 2.75 gears. Power brakes are supplied in the disc front, drum rear configuration. Other than some dust and some surface rust, the engine appears very stock.
Undercarriage
With the exception of some oil near the oil pan and some red drops on the transmission pan, the underside is relatively clean and replete with surface rust in the usual areas including the exhaust, driveshaft, wheel components, and inner bumper and body panels. We observed no invasive rust. The single exhaust flows through a stock style muffler and then exits unseen behind the bumper. Coil springs in front and a 4 link with coil springs make up the suspension configuration.
Drive-Ability
Floaty, and that's what Lincoln was going for. A soft ride that absorbs road imperfections through suspension, 75 series tires, and thick padded seats. Sure, there's some body roll on turns but this is a luxury cruiser, not a slalom racer. Acceleration is good thanks to the 460 and braking is adequate for this 5,064 pound Lincoln. We're happy to report that all functions worked on the car! While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
You don't have to be a street savvy police informant to drive one of these, certainly not in 2024. Now you just have to be someone interested in a once common, now a classic luxury skate. Lincoln enthusiasts are an active bunch, and these are legendary cars now that European luxury cars have cornered the market on high end opulence. When the going gets narrow, keep your eye on the sparrow, and drop a dime on this one.
3Y89A873824
3-1973
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
89-Mark IV Hardtop
A-460ci V8 4bbl 202hp
873824-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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