America is an enormous place, and it was as soon as populated with commensurately massive vehicles, as demonstrated by at this time’s Good Value or No Cube Lincoln. Let’s resolve if this massive automobile calls for a contrastingly small value.
In Ode on a Grecian Urn, Keats wrote, “Magnificence is fact, fact magnificence,–that’s all.” Reality be advised, vehicles just like the 1980 BMW 635CSi we thought of final Friday are arguably stunning. At $6,750, our magnificence’s value proved very enticing as effectively, incomes the big-boy coupe a stable 76 p.c Good Value win.
OK, I need you to maintain Friday’s BMW in thoughts for only a second longer. Now examine that automobile to at this time’s 1979 Lincoln Continental. It’s fairly a definite distinction, isn’t it? Contemplate: these have been up to date choices. And whereas the 635 was massive for BMW requirements on the time, the Lincoln was simply plain massive. Not solely was this version of the Continental the longest customary manufacturing car in Ford’s historical past, it was the most important automobile in the marketplace, bar none.
Along with being massive—233 inches lengthy on a 127-inch wheelbase—this Lincoln can also be ostentatious and audacious. The outside design is pretty clear, though the half-landau roof, opera home windows, and Doric column fender caps do give the automobile a wholesome dose of ’70s gravitas.
It’s the inside, nevertheless, the place the automobile’s excesses are allowed to run rampant. This was the period of color-coordinated interiors, and this Continental doesn’t disappoint with its full-send bordello-red trappings. The throw-pillow seats look alarmingly comfy and are as flat as Kansas, so the one situation getting out and in could be emotional. Pretend wooden and plenty of silver trim add to the old-school vibe.
Most every thing on the automobile is claimed within the advert to be authentic, and if the photographs are to be believed, it’s all in amazingly good situation. There’s even a manufacturing unit 8-track stereo within the sprint and a period-correct Citizen’s Band radio mounted under that.
The one discordant factor of the inside is an aftermarket triple gauge unit mounted subsequent to the CB. That’s a sensible addition, so we shouldn’t ding the automobile an excessive amount of for that.
This was the final 12 months for this technology of Continental. The mannequin noticed vital shrinky-dinking for the 1980 mannequin 12 months with the change to the extra fashionable Panther platform. That additionally spelled the tip for large block engines within the Continental.
For this swan music, nevertheless, massive was all you would get as the usual and solely engine providing for 1979 was Ford’s 400 CID (6.6 liter) 335-Collection V8. Sapped of its power by emissions and gasoline financial system calls for, the 2-barrel-equipped engine supplied 179 horsepower and, extra notably, 315 lb-ft of torque. That’s paired with a three-speed C6 automated with set-it-and-forget-it column shift.
Every part seems full below the hood, proper right down to the espresso can vacuum canister for the headlight doorways and the GM-sourced Delco AC compressor.
In keeping with the advert, this Lincoln has simply 83,062 miles below its baroque belt and, primarily based on its presentation, must be thought of a “9 out of 10 situation basic.” It comes with a clear title and what look like present plates. The asking value is $8,200.
Sure, that’s greater than was requested for our comparability BMW, however then with this, you’re getting a heck of much more automobile. I imply, this factor weighs half once more greater than the 6 Collection and has two extra doorways, so rightfully, it ought to value a bit extra, proper?
Nicely, that’s simply what we’re right here to seek out out. What’s your tackle this authentic gangster of a Lincoln and that $8,200 asking? Does that really feel truthful, a minimum of on a price-per-pound scale? Or is that asking nothing however an enormous dud?
You resolve!
Denver, Colorado, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!
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