1970 Lincoln Continental

Description

Hopefully someone will clue me in as to why the Lincoln Continental Mark III hasn't caught on with collectors. Big engine, leather-lined interior, classic proportions, and that American big car ride, what's not to love? This 1970 Mark III offers the ideal color combination, triple black, and given all the power and style built into it, how can it still be so affordable?

There's no mistaking a Continental from any angle: up front there's the gothic grille and hidden headlights, from the side it has a roofline that almost looks chopped, and from the back, well, the "spare tire" has been a Continental trademark since Day One. And dressing it in black only makes all those things more effective. This is American land yachting at its finest. Black also means it has to be straight and it is indeed well-kept; aside from a small ding in the driver's door, the flanks are good enough to wear black with pride. The doors fit well, probably because they aren't quite as giant as they would get with the Mark IV and Mark V and ornamentation is kept to a minimum, quite unusual for a luxury car maker in the early 1970s. Classic styling elements like the vertical parking lights at the leading edges of the fenders and the stainless strips running along the tops of the fenders were Lincoln trademarks for years and remain in excellent condition here. The chrome that is on the car, including the heavy bumpers, shines up beautifully and the black vinyl top is in very good shape.

Inside any Continental, you're treated to the finest that the era had to offer. In 1970, that was plus white leather bench seats and room for six in a giant 2-door coupe. Familiar styling abounds here, too (nobody can accuse Lincoln of forgetting tradition), including squared-off gauges, tastefully applied wood appliques, and all the power amenities. The driver gets most of the interesting stuff, with the A/C controls to his left and the AM/FM stereo to his right, and there are power windows and locks in the doors. The leather is original and in good condition with light signs of age and wear but nothing serious, and the black carpet keeps a sense of style inside, offering just the right contrast. Door panels are in good shape, the headliner doesn't sag, and if there's a perfect car for a road trip, this is it. The trunk is cavernous and will-lined, including a cover for the spare tire.

Lincoln's 460 cubic inch V8 purrs smoothly and pulls the big coupe around with effortless ease thanks to big torque numbers. The engine bay is quite stock and very, very clean, dominated by the big A/C compressor that looks big enough for a 4-bedroom house, as well as the original factory air cleaner. A 4-barrel carburetor makes this luxury car feel smaller than it is and power steering and brakes are probably mandatory on something this size. A sturdy C6 3-speed automatic fees a 9-inch rear with 3.00 gears inside, making this car just about silent on the highway save for some light wind noise around the A-pillars, and the dual exhaust system gives it just the right sound, neither too loud nor totally silent. It's fairly original underneath, but obviously this car has lived someplace warm and dry its whole life, and with 235/75/15 blackwall radials, it looks downright sinister.

Great looks, great colors, great power, and a great price, this Continental Mark III just has to be the next big thing, right? Call today!