Jul 3, 2024  •  For Sale  •  22 Comments

Mark IV Survivor: 1976 Lincoln Continental

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The 1970s Lincoln Continental Mark IV was a true land yacht. In production from 1972 to 1976, it was up to 228 inches in length by 1976 (a full 19 feet) and weighed more than 5,200 lbs. That automobile that size took a powerplant equally big, Ford’s 460 cubic inch V8 engine. The seller’s luxury cruiser is said to have just 49,000 miles and looks like a stout survivor, but few details are otherwise provided. It reminds me of the car that William Conrad drove as the overweight private detective on the Cannon TV series.

The Mark IV directly competed with Cadillac’s Eldorado in the personal luxury car segment. It shared its platform with the similarly large Ford Thunderbird and came with hidden headlights and a Continental-style trunk lid. A vinyl roof was standard fare and included opera windows as part of the styling. During the car’s last year (before morphing into the Mark V), several “Designer Series” packages were offered providing different tastes in trim. No mention is made if this Mark IV was outfitted with any of them.

Sales of the Mark IV almost set a record in 1976 at 56,000 units. And that was despite the gasoline price increase that beset the industry in the mid-1970s. The MSRP of a 1976 Mark IV was $11,600, which equates to about $60,000 today. We wish we could tell you the story behind this 48-year-old Lincoln, but no details are provided. The seller simply says it’s “very clean” and “runs perfect.”

The body, paint, and interior all look great, so it becomes a matter if this bigger-than-life style of automobile is your cup of tea. Located in Baldwin, New York, this Continental is available here on craigslist for $14,000. Thanks for the cool tip, Mitchell G. And is your garage big enough to handle this Fabulous Ford?

Comments

  1. Chris
    Jul 3, 2024 at 8:10pm

    This is kind of cool and kind of absurd. I mean, look at the front overhang several feet past the front wheels, and the unharmonious roof. Not to mention the wheezing yet ginormous 460. Still, this disco-malaise-mobile deserves to be preserved.

    Like 0
  2. Fastblackmerc
    Jul 4, 2024 at 7:57am

    Worked on many of them at the dealership.

    Like 3
  3. Fran
    Jul 4, 2024 at 9:37am

    I don’t make purchases in NY anymore.

    Like 2
    • Gary
      Jul 4, 2024 at 10:38am

      Why?

      Like 0
    • Frog
      Jul 4, 2024 at 6:50pm

      Did you get robbed or car jacked?

      Like 0
  4. RICK W
    Jul 4, 2024 at 10:02am

    Love those LAND YACHTS! Although I actually preferred Town Cars of this era, this looks to be a bon marche and MONUMENT to an era unfortunately never to be seen again 😕. But I’m still thinkin Lincoln, happily piloting my 2007 Town Car Signature Limited as the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans!

    Like 4
    • G Jamieson
      Jul 4, 2024 at 1:06pm

      We love our 2020 Lincoln sedan. Keeping it forever. This is our third one, never been better.

      Like 0
  5. RICK W
    Jul 4, 2024 at 10:05am

    I don’t believe this to be a DESIGNER SERIES, but still a beautiful car at a reasonable price.

    Like 1
    • Tony
      Jul 4, 2024 at 11:28am

      Didn’t every designer series either have the designer’s name in script in the opera windows and/or the designer’s logo somewhere on the car? Bill Blass had the BB logo on the trunklid in ’79 and didn’t have opera windows, but I think all the ones with the windows had the embedded script to identify them.

      Like 0
    • Frog
      Jul 4, 2024 at 6:48pm

      This looks to be the Cartier edition.

      Like 0
  6. RICK W
    Jul 4, 2024 at 10:08am

    To the seller, keep the Continental and ditch the POS in the garage! 😉

    Like 1
  7. Marc Mendelson
    Jul 4, 2024 at 10:31am

    9 mpg!

    Like 0
    • RICK W
      Jul 4, 2024 at 10:36am

      And worth every bit! Much better than today’s Glorified trucks masquerading as Luxury vehicles and still guzzling gas! 🏰 On to VERSAILLES! 👑

      Like 4
      • StanMember
        Jul 4, 2024 at 2:40pm

        Lol 🎯 👑 right on Rick. The thumbs up may not be working, so here you go.
        👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

        Like 0
      • RICK W
        Jul 4, 2024 at 5:02pm

        Stan, you ARE the MAN! Welcome to the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY(GALYS) 👍 to you! LOL 🏆 😆 🤣 . 🇺🇸 🎆 G 🎇 A🧨L 🎆 Y 🇺🇸 S! 👑

        Like 0
    • mike piwinski
      Jul 4, 2024 at 5:18pm

      So I’m coming home from work in my 1978 Grand Marquise. Black with a gray top. 32 k miles at the time. I stop at the gas station for a snack.As I come back to my car a few people are looking at it. People ask the normal questions. What year, has been repainted ect. Then a guy says what kind of gas mileage? I look at him and say who cares, atleast I’m not driving that pos and do a head bob toward a Corrolla or Civic. Whatever it was. He says “that’s my car”. Oops! sorry!!LOL

      Like 1
      • RICK W
        Jul 4, 2024 at 5:38pm

        👏 BRAVO! Give those revolting Peasants the clap👏 as you Drive your GRAND MARQUIS on to VERSAILLES! Let them eat your dust.

        Like 1
      • RICK W
        Jul 4, 2024 at 5:41pm

        Gee TANKS! 😁That’s a GAS🤣

        Like 0
    • Frog
      Jul 4, 2024 at 6:52pm

      Cruising down hill with the engine off.

      Like 0
  8. Geof Oliver
    Jul 4, 2024 at 10:39am

    I remember these well! And still love em! I had a 76 Pucci Edition. This was I believe the Cartier Edition. Someone correct me please?
    If my situation would allow I’d grab this in a heartbeat! Can’t say enough about style, power, ( of the time…) and comfort!
    My wife has a Navigator and we love it. I’d love to add this one to our small collection.
    Best fortune with the sale!

    Like 2
  9. Tony
    Jul 4, 2024 at 11:32am

    I’d definitely want more info. Too bad sellers are so lazy not providing the info we’d want to know: tire condition, mechanicals like sunroof, windows, and stereo functioning properly, any indications of rust, etc. etc. Not enough info here to pursue unless I was right around the corner.

    Like 0
  10. Bill Kabatsky
    Jul 5, 2024 at 8:28am

    I think the Cartier Ed had the red slats on the seat cushion and back rest as well as sig on opra glass

    Like 0

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