Only 56K Miles: 1976 Continental Mark IV Cartier Edition
The Continental Mark IV was one of those cars I think many of us were surprised it sold as well as it did. Sharing a body with the Ford Thunderbird from 1972 to 1976, in 1976 the Mark IV outsold the Thunderbird by 4,000 units while being priced $3,290 higher. That was enough difference in 1976 to buy the Thunderbird and a Pinto and have change left over instead of opting for the Mark IV. But the Mark IV had its followers, and it was a Continental, not a Ford. Here is a 1976 Continental Mark IV 2 door for sale here on Craigslist in Phoenix, Arizona. Due to medical conditions, the car has to be sold. Thanks to Barnfinds reader J. L. for bringing this car to our attention.
Ford seemed to have a more difficult time than other car makers designing their five mile-per-hour bumper to blend with the rest of the car. The rear of this body style never looked as good from 1974 to 1976 as it did in 1972 and 1973 when the taillights were incorporated into the rear bumper. The Continental hump was still there to let everyone behind you know what you were driving. This Mark IV is described as being in fair condition that needs some love. From the pictures, it appears to be in good condition with no issues with the paint, body, or vinyl top. Of course, pictures can’t always show everything as an in-person inspection does. This car has a sunroof.
These seats look like after you sit down, you would keep sinking for about 30 seconds with that rich looking crushed velour. The seats appear to be in good condition along with the carpeting. We see dash cover padding so that could mean some cracks in the dash or just someone that was preventing the Arizona sun from cracking it.
The engine is the 460 cubic inch V-8 that has only been driven 56,000. While the car runs, it will need the water pump replaced before it can be driven. I’m guessing there may be a few more mechanical needs. But for the reasonable asking price of $2,200, there should be plenty of money left in the budget to get this Continental Mark IV running in tip-top condition.
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Comments
Have to agree with the comment about the bumpers. 72 was the last year of these that appealed to me,just because the bumpers were so well integrated into the design of the body.Never knew there was such a price premium on these either. They seemed to be a dime-a-dozen around here in the 70’s.If the right 72 shows up at the right price I’l complete my collection,-wink-wink.
I agree with Bill Owens and KSwheatfarmer regarding the bumpers. They seem like an afterthought or maybe Ford had Bob in the mailroom design them. The water pump issue isn’t a big deal if that is all that’s needed mechanically. It seems like a lot of car for the money, especially if you could verify the miles.
Frank Cannon approved.
Not surprised they sold well. Why wouldn’t they. I’ve had 4 Lincoln Mark Series vehicles. Very well mannered and driving vehicles. The Lincoln had more structural bracing and insulation than the T Bird. Same frame maybe. But that’s not all there is to it. Alot of the materials used were different. Who cares about those bumpers. All cars had them back then. They were federally mandated. Thought they blended well. Back in the day they looked as good as the next one or better. Also in this time period Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs were noted to be similiar in ways, but which would you rather have. The Lincoln Marks with the 460 on a trip with a long stretch of road was incomparable. Nine inch rear with 235 gears, sway bars and 4 wheels discs, true duals with H pipe all factory was a road machine, especially 50 mph and up or whatever you thought your tires were good for.
I have my dad’s ’78. 103K miles. All original from the padded vinyl top to the pale yellow paint (referred to as “cream” by Lincoln) to the off white and gold striped plush seats right there with the 8 track tape player….. Was garage kept, covered of course, and nothing beats that deep rumble from that 4bbl 460 V8. Especially since my dad had flowmaster’s installed on it….lol… we ARE from the south….
Odometer numbers are way out of alignment and pic 3 looks like massive lumpiness under vinyl. But… I d prolly be there if it was 1500 miles closer.
Muscle was long gone in the 70’s but you can’t beat the 70’s luxo boxes!
I don’t understand every distaste for the 5 mph bumpers on the late Mark IV’S, sure the integrated bumpers were nice on the early ones, but that big sweeping curve upward on the rear seemed out of visual contrast with the rest of the body lines in my opinion, had they squared it off a bit more to match the rest of the body fine but they didn’t and the mid year ones with the 5mph bumper on the front but integrated on the rear I thought really looked odd, make them match but that is just me.
I just recently sold a mark 5 I owned since 2000. I likebit until I seen a mark 3 haha. All the mark Lincolns are nice driving cars and the 460 runs strong.