Here is a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V in Collector’s Series trim being offered from the collection of “The Big Guy”. This car was purchased by his dealership by a franchised Ford dealer in Oakville with no mileage disclosure at the under 28,000 km on the odometer as you see photographed in our gallery. Beyond the Oakville past, we surmise that this Canadian market car has history in Alberta given the Mercury dealership plaque on the trunk lid out of Edmonton. This final-year Mark V wears Midnight Blue Metallic paint accented by gold pinstriping over a blue leather interior. Under the hood is a 400 cubic-inch engine, with an automatic sending the power to the rear wheels. The hideaway headlights are a conspicuous feature of the ‘70s Marks, this ’79 also equipped with 15” turbine wheels, whitewall tires, Landau roof – fore of which is a power sunroof. Prominent features in the cabin are power-controlled centre-split Comfort Lounge seats up front, Ford AM/FM/8-track Quadrosonic stereo head unit and a Cartier-branded clock. This Continental Mark V is offered with original brochures featuring Tom Selleck, factory took kit by WTC in the trunk, a selection of 8-track tapes, original literature and Ford CB radio.
The Lincoln is finished in Midnight Blue Metallic (Ford code 3Q) complemented by gold colour accenting in the form of pinstriping, vertical grille bars and Collector’s Series emblems in the colour-matched vinyl portion of the roof. The paint is called excellent in a 2020 appraisal, under 200 km ago, which is included in the gallery. The concealed headlights, powered glass sunroof, and chrome bumpers are also noteworthy exterior features of the Mark V.
The original turbine-style wheels are lined in a set of Travelstar UN106 whitewalls sized at 225/75R15 bearing date codes of 2020. There is a set of four-wheel disc brakes underneath while the factory spare has been retained in its spot in the trunk. The 1979 Mark V, the only model year where all were powered by the 400 c.i. engine, was factory-equipped with power steering.
The Comfort Lounge front seats are split in the centre with three belts to make this a six-passenger car. They are trimmed in blue leather, as is the rear bench. The dash, carpets and door cards wear a matching blue, with simulated woodgrain accenting. The fitted floor mats remain in good condition, protected by a set of rubber mats. Exterior heated mirrors are controlled remotely while cruise control is managed through buttons mounted on the two-spoke steering wheel. Equipped with tilt functionality, beyond the wheel in the driver’s view is a speedometer topping out at 180 km/h and the functional Cartier-branded clock. The odometer shows under 28,000 km and there is a more centrally-mounted early driver information computer, which a “Miles to Empty” display, to go with the Ford-branded CB radio. The appraisal text speculates that the trunk is unused.
The 400 c.i. V8 was equipped with a two-barrel carburetor and capable of producing 159 horsepower out of the factory. The power was complemented by 315 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine compartment possesses a level of cleanliness equal to the promise shown the exterior and cabin. The underside also matches this, please review the photos in our gallery. The 3-speed automatic C6 Transmission sends the 400’s power to the rear wheels. Without a clear trail of documentation since new, we are offering this Mark V at TMU, true mileage unknown, despite the condition being consistent with such a low mileage car, supported by the write-up provided in the appraisal, also in our gallery. Please read the appraiser’s comments, which refers to this Mark V as an outstanding example, a third party testament to the pedigree of this automobile.
This 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V Collector’s Series is available from the collection of The Big Guy with original documentation, original took kit in tool roll by WTC, owner’s manual, car cover, a selection of 8-track tapes, and Ford CB radio in Carp, Ontario.