1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III

Description

If untouched, original cars are your thing, this 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III should get your attention. With an all original interior, mechanicals that have that silky smoothness that only the factory knew how to install, and a known ownership history from new, it's an incredible survivor that still delivers luxury and style like few other cars can.

Aside from a single repaint a few years ago, this 47,039-original-mile Lincoln practically defines the word "survivor." The code E Light Blue (Lincoln marketers were by far the laziest when it came to naming their colors) was lovingly applied over some laser-straight sheetmetal, and it looks spectacular. The combination of the bright paint and black vinyl roof is a striking contrast, giving the big luxury cruiser a sporty flair that easily masks its size. Check out that contrast line that runs from nose to tail, paralleling the fenders, the traditional Continental tire hump on the trunk, and the gothic-looking grille, all of which defined American luxury for a generation. The folding headlamps, which were new on the Mark III, work just as they should, and all the chrome is bright and clear. Even the padded vinyl top shows no signs of age. Amazing!

Dark blue leather makes the interior a very luxurious and upscale place. Diamond-tufted seats show a nice patina and a few comfort marks, but the leather itself remains supple and smooth, without any dryness or cracking that seems inevitable on older luxury cars. Perhaps it was the quality of the original materials, but this car looks maybe five years old, not 43, and the back seat has to be seen to be believed. Both the door panels and dashboard are similarly well preserved, and it seems that a set of floor mats since new has kept the black carpets looking fresh. This car is also loaded with every luxury and convenience item Lincoln could come up with, including A/C, power windows, power seat, power door locks, and a tilt wheel, and the massive trunk is positively spotless.

Power for the Mark III came from Ford's biggest V8, a 460 cubic inch monster making a stout 365 horsepower thanks to a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. This one starts and runs easily with just the turn of the key, and idles with a muscular hum that suggests great power waiting in reserve. And the engine bay is simply astounding, even on a car as clean as this. The Ford Blue paint on the block, heads, valve covers, and air cleaner is vivid and bright, and all the hoses and other soft parts are supple and undamaged. It's backed by Ford's indestructible C6 3-speed automatic transmission, which delivers luxuriously smooth shifts that are always unobtrusive, and with 3.00 gears in the 9-inch rear, it cruises at highway speeds with barely a murmur from the dual exhaust system. There's no trace of rot or deterioration anywhere underneath, either, with clean floors and OEM components throughout. Wearing original turbine wheel covers and relatively recent 235/75/15 Michelin whitewall radials, it cruises effortlessly down the road.

Survivors simply don't get much nicer than this, and few restored cars can duplicate the feel of an unmolested, original vehicle. With a gorgeous color combination and astounding preservation, this one is special. Call today!