There's simply no other driving experience that can compare to the full-sized American luxury car from the '70s. With effortless power from a big, under-stressed V8 and a ride that soaks up bumps like a hovercraft, this stunning all-original, 24,279-mile Lincoln Continental Mark V Cartier Edition is the last of the full-sized personal luxury cars that defined an era.

If a car that's nearly 20 feet long can look sporty, the Lincoln is it. With chiseled good looks that is all sharp angles and creases, it's definitely a product of the '70s, but the design has aged gracefully and still looks stylish today. As a low-mile survivor, that's factory paint, a color called, unsurprisingly, Cream that remains in outstanding condition throughout. There's hardly a mark on the entire car, and it's shocking to imagine that this car has survived more than 30 years without incident. But no, it remains as it was when Mary Lee Ingold drove it off the dealer's lot and could easily be ready for HPOF judging at the highest levels without a lot of work. The chrome is equally well preserved and there's quite a bit of it, of course. All the plastic is also excellent, and the padded half roof looks like new with no UV damage or signs of trouble underneath. And yes, the folding headlights are fully functional.

Continentals only came one way: loaded, but this one seems to have almost every available option for 1979, including a power moon roof. The tan fabric interior is as beautifully preserved as the exterior, and shows few signs of use over the past three decades. Only the driver's seat shows any notable wear, and it is quite minor, amounting to a few extra wrinkles in the fabric. The carpets are original, protected by both factory floor mats and a set of newer carpet remnants that have kept even the mats looking new. All the gauges are fully functional, as are all the power accessories, from the ice cold A/C to the AM/FM/cassette Quadraphonic stereo system. Even the trunk still wears its original mat and spare tire cover. Impressive just doesn't seem to cover it.

The big Continental is powered by Ford's 400 cubic inch big block that loafs along and makes the most buttery-smooth torque this side of a cruise ship. Nicely maintained and highly original, it needs little more than a thorough detailing to be ready for show, and it runs like new with barely a whisper at highway speeds. A 3-speed automatic was the only gearbox, and it's so unobtrusive that you'll find yourself gliding away from a stop without even noticing the shifts. This car is so clean that it even still wears its original catalytic converters and the floors are immaculate. Gorgeous Lincoln alloy wheels are unmarked and wear appropriate 235/75/15 whitewall radials.

The day is fast approaching when these become genuine collectables, and there's still a strong market for ultra-clean survivors like this. Call today!

This vehicle is located in our Charlotte, NC showroom. For more information, please call (704) 598-2130 or toll free (866) 542-8392.