1979 Lincoln Town Car

Description

Big American luxury cars of the '70s were unlike anything that came before or since, and the biggest, most luxurious of them all had to be the Lincoln Town Car. By the time this 1979 Town Car was built, Cadillac had already downsized, making it the undisputed champion of the luxury car wars, and with just 58,231 original miles, this is perhaps the most sheetmetal per dollar you'll find anywhere.

Basic white is a fine color on a luxury car, and the all-original finish on this Lincoln shows off what you got for a rather substantial chunk of change in 1979. Finish quality is quite good and for it to look so well-preserved after 35 years is a testament to the car it has received. The long, straight almost gothic lines of the last of the land yachts have aged well and still look attractive today. Traditional Lincoln styling cues abound, including the bright strip of trim that runs along the tops of the fenders and doors, a featured that first showed up with the 1961 Continental. The rubber filler panels for the bumpers remain in very good condition with minimal discoloration, and if you're familiar with these cars, you already know that these parts deteriorate fast if the car is exposed to the elements. The white vinyl top appears to be almost new and might be a replacement, but the overall look is quite uniform, so someone has obviously loved this car. Nice chrome bumpers, a tall, vertical grille, and folding headlights complete the look.

The interior is about the size of a Manhattan starter apartment and as luxurious as a penthouse suite. Blue velour on tufted seats is both durable and comfortable and shows minimal wear. Ornate door panels have controls for the split power front seats, windows, and locks, all framed in fairly convincing faux wood. The weather seals are still supple, so this car seals up like a tomb and just whispers along on the highway, and thick carpets underfoot certainly help with that effect. Other features include automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic dimming headlights, and a rather sophisticated AM/FM/8-track stereo. The back seat has enough room for the starting front line of the LA Lakers and the beautifully finished trunk will carry all their gear and then some.

Ford's 400 cubic inch V8 was the only powerplant available in the Town Car in 1979, and it's a good choice. Smooth, torquey, and almost completely silent, it moves the massive sedan without ever feeling like it's working hard. It's quite original and nicely maintained, with many of the factory markings still visible under the hood. The A/C has been upgraded to modern R134a refrigerant, so it's easy to service in the future and still quite effective, and there are quite a few recent service items visible under the hood. It starts easily and idles so smoothly you'll be tempted to hit the starter again, and the single exhaust system offers just a distant hum to advertise the engine's operation. A 3-speed automatic transmission shifts almost imperceptibly and with towering highway gears in back, this is perhaps the best long-distance cruiser you'll ever drive. Factory alloy wheels remain in excellent shape and carry easy-riding whitewall radials as original.

They called this a "Collectors' Edition" and perhaps its time has come. We'll never see cars like this roaming the highways again, so take advantage of this opportunity to drive America's finest for pennies on the dollar. Call today!