Elite Dealer

1978 Lincoln Continental

Michigan

$15,995

Vehicle Details

Make

Lincoln

Model

Continental

Year

1978

Mileage

116,000 miles

Exterior Color

Other

Interior Color

Tan

Transmission

Automatic

Drivetrain

RWD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

460ci V8

Condition

Excellent

Description

This 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car is a fully original land yacht that commands attention at 19 feet 6 inches long. The iconic 460ci V8 delivers classic American muscle through a professionally rebuilt Motorcraft 4-barrel carb with fresh wires, plugs, rotor, and EGR valve. At 116,000 miles, this Continental runs strong and presents in perfect condition throughout.

The Dark Champagne exterior with Light Camel and orange pinstripe trim pairs beautifully with power leather seats, power vent windows, power locks, cruise control, and those unmistakable peekaboo headlights. Period-correct details include turbine wheels, carpeted trunk, front and rear map lights, and the original AM/FM 8-track stereo. The comprehensive package includes four shop manuals, owner's manual, and clean title.

Spec'd at 13 mpg, this authentic example of American automotive excess represents an era when bigger truly meant better. An exceptional opportunity to own a genuine Continental.

Classic Lincoln Continental Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Sarah Whitfield

Pre-War Classics

1940–1979

~4 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Definitive buyer's guide for classic Lincoln Continental (1940–1979). Covers the original 1940–1948 pre-war model, the iconic 1961–1969 suicide-door generation, and the 1970s full-size era — with inspection priorities and current valuations.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Continental Buyer's Guide

Lincoln Continental Market Overview

Based on 79 Lincoln Continental listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$26,503

Avg. Asking Price

1941–1997

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $15,995

Low: $5,195 High: $98,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 76% ◄

Manual 1%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 10% ◄

Good 4%

Fair 5%

Poor 1%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 79 listings →

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What is this car worth?

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Classic Lincoln Continental Buyer's Guide

The Lincoln Continental is one of the few American automobiles that achieved genuine design immortality — not once but twice. The 1940–1948 original defined the American luxury car of its era; the 1961–1969 generation with its iconic reverse-opening rear doors defined it again for a generation that included heads of state and Hollywood royalty. Between those two high-water marks and after them, the Continental name carried Lincoln's flagship ambitions with varying degrees of success. Buying a Continental today requires knowing which generation you're actually after — they differ more than the shared nameplate suggests.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Inspect rear door hinges and latches (1961–1969) — Reverse-opening rear doors have unique hinge and latch mechanisms. Check alignment, seal condition, and hinge pivot wear. Parts are available but expensive.

✓

Check lower rear quarters for rust — Primary rust zone on 1961–1969 cars. Complex panel geometry makes repair expensive. Inspect with magnet and flashlight.

✓

Verify rear window seal condition — Water ingress at rear window is common. Check for water staining inside the rear shelf and boot area.

✓

Test convertible top mechanism (if applicable) — Four-door convertible top mechanisms are complex. Test full cycle — up and down — multiple times. Specialist-only repairs if anything fails.

✓

Check Lincoln V8 compression and oil condition — All cylinders should read within 10% of each other. Milky oil = head gasket. These are large-displacement engines — rebuilds are expensive.

✓

Test all power accessories — Power windows, power seats, power locks, air conditioning — these cars were heavily optioned. Multiple failures indicate electrical system neglect.

✓

Verify body panel gaps and alignment — Continental panel gaps should be even and consistent. Uneven gaps indicate accident repair or improper restoration.

✓

Inspect floor pans and trunk floor — Water ingress through window seals and body seams rots the floor from above. Inspect with carpet removed.

✓

Check original colour and interior documentation — Verify original colour against the trim tag in the door jamb. Factory colour and matching interior add 15–30% to value.

✓

Document with photos before purchase — Every panel, door gaps, rear door mechanism, engine bay, interior, and all identifying tags.

Common Issues

The 1961–1969 Continental has specific rust patterns: lower rear quarter panels, around the rear window opening, and floor pans from window seal failures are the primary concerns. The complex body geometry makes panel replacement expensive — budget accordingly. The reverse-opening rear door mechanism is unique to this generation. Worn hinge pivots, fatigued torsion springs, and deteriorated seals are common. These parts are available through Continental registries and specialist suppliers but are not inexpensive. The large-displacement Lincoln V8 engines (430, 462, 460) are fundamentally robust but their cooling systems need attention on high-mileage examples. The 460 in particular benefits from a thermostat upgrade and fresh coolant. The automatic transmissions are generally long-lived when serviced. Electrical systems on all generations from 1961–1969 have aged in ways consistent with any 55+-year-old vehicle. Power window motors, door lock solenoids, and the instrument cluster lighting are all common failure points.

What to Look For

Generation clarity first. Know which Continental you're evaluating — the 1940–1948 original, the 1956–1957 Mark II, the 1961–1969 suicide-door, or the 1970–1979 later car. Each has different values, different parts availability, and different inspection priorities. Rear door mechanism on 1961–1969 cars: this is the most critical inspection point specific to this generation. Open and close both rear doors fully. They should open and close with smooth, positive action, seal flush against the B-pillar, and latch securely. Any slop, binding, or poor seal indicates worn hinges or springs. Original colour and trim documentation. The trim tag in the driver's door jamb lists the paint code, interior code, and production date. Cross-reference with any available build records. For 1961–1969 cars, original medium-metallic colours (Midnight Blue Metallic, Black, Corinthian White) are the most desirable.

Price Guide

Original 1940–1948 Continental: $70,000–$140,000 for correctly documented survivors in good condition. The finest concours examples approach $200,000. Mark II (1956–1957): $55,000–$110,000 for correctly documented examples in good condition. Concours-quality Mark IIs with known ownership history: $95,000–$140,000. 1961–1969 four-door sedan: $22,000–$42,000 for driver-quality examples; $55,000–$85,000 for professional restorations. Convertibles: $45,000–$90,000 driver quality; $100,000–$130,000 concours. 1970–1979 Continental: $8,000–$18,000 for clean driver-quality examples. Values are stable rather than appreciating for this generation.

Did You Know?

President John F. Kennedy was riding in a 1961 Lincoln Continental when he was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The car — SS-100-X — was subsequently rebuilt with a permanent hardtop and remained in presidential service until 1977. It is now displayed at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The 1956–1957 Continental Mark II was priced at $9,695 — roughly double the cost of a Cadillac Eldorado in the same year, and the most expensive American production car of its era.

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$15,995

1978 Lincoln Continental

Michigan

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Original Factory Colors

Official paint codes for the Lincoln Continental.

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Model History