Elite Dealer

1979 Lincoln Continental

Addison, Illinois

$22,900

Vehicle Details

Make

Lincoln

Model

Continental

Year

1979

Mileage

15,200 miles

VIN

19457390457645768

Body Type

Other

Transmission

Automatic

Engine

V8 Other

Description

1979 Lincoln Continental Collector Series 15,141 Original Miles Engine: 6.6L / 400 HP V-8 Transmission: 3-speed automatic Exterior: White with matching Landau top featuring opera window Interior/Trim: Gold-trimmed grille, power seats, power windows and locks Wheels/Tires: Chrome wire wheel covers with whitewall tires This classic Lincoln Continental Collector Series is in excellent condition with only 15,141 original miles. Iconic styling includes the Landau top and opera window, while the luxurious interior offers comfort and convenience with fully powered seats, windows, and locks. The 6.6L V-8 provides smooth, strong performance, making it a true collector s car.

A rare find for Lincoln enthusiasts! Trade-ins welcome! If you can dream it you can do it!? Check out my video for a full walk-around and start-up! MGM Buy It Now Price: $19,995 Financing Options: Down payment starting at $2000 Long-term loans available No prepayment penalties pay off anytime Monthly payments as low as $275 (with approved credit) Sales tax and delivery can be financed Good credit required How to Get Started: Apply today on our website Text your ZIP code for a delivery quote Call or text us at 847-848-1850 Vehicles are sold as-is Viewing by appointment only WHY BUY FROM MGM? Over 200 cars in stock We own our inventory no consignments No inflated commissions Buy with confidence: 100% positive eBay feedback Over 500 five-star reviews MGM Classic Cars LLC 150 S. Church Street Addison, IL 60101 Mon Fri: 9 AM 5 PM Sat: 10 AM 3 PM Visit: MGMClassicCars.com
Trim: COLLECTOR SERIES - ONLY 15K ORIGINAL MILES
Body Style: 2
Fuel Type: Unspecified

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: $22,900

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 →

💰

What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1979 Lincoln Continental

Valuation Tool →

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.

How Does It Compare?

Head-to-head matchups for the Lincoln Continental:

Cadillac DeVille vs Lincoln Continental Cadillac Eldorado vs Lincoln Continental

Browse all comparisons →

Elite Dealer

$22,900

1979 Lincoln Continental

Addison, Illinois

Contact Seller

Listed by dealer

MGM Classic Cars

ⓘ

Nationwide consignment dealer

MGM Classic Cars lists vehicles from sellers across multiple states. The vehicle may not be at the dealer's address shown. Contact the dealer to confirm the vehicle's actual location before traveling.

⚠

Buying safely?

Read our scam-avoidance tips before paying →

Listing Actions

Browse by Era

1970s Classics for Sale

All 1979 Classics

Browse all 1979 Cars for Sale

Original Factory Colors

Official paint codes for the Lincoln Continental.

🎨 View Factory Colors

Model History