America is a giant place, and it was as soon as populated with commensurately large automobiles, as demonstrated by right this moment’s Good Value or No Cube Lincoln. Let’s determine if this large automobile calls for a contrastingly small worth.
In Ode to a Grecian Urn, Keats wrote, “Magnificence is fact, fact magnificence,–that’s all.” Fact be instructed, automobiles just like the 1980 BMW 635CSi we thought-about final Friday are arguably stunning. At $6,750, our magnificence’s worth proved very enticing as nicely, incomes the big-boy coupe a strong 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 right this moment’s 1979 Lincoln Continental. It’s fairly a definite distinction, isn’t it? Think about: these have been modern choices. And whereas the 635 was large for BMW requirements on the time, the Lincoln was simply plain large. Not solely was this version of the Continental the longest normal manufacturing car in Ford’s historical past, it was the most important automobile in the marketplace, bar none.
Along with being large—233 inches lengthy on a 127-inch wheelbase—this Lincoln can 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, nonetheless, 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. Faux wooden and plenty of silver trim add to the old-school vibe.
Most every part on the automobile is claimed within the advert to be unique, and if the photographs are to be believed, it’s all in amazingly good situation. There’s even a manufacturing facility 8-track stereo within the sprint and a period-correct Citizen’s Band radio mounted under that.
The one discordant component 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 era of Continental. The mannequin noticed vital shrinky-dinking for the 1980 mannequin 12 months with the change to the extra trendy Panther platform. That additionally spelled the top for giant block engines within the Continental.
For this swan tune, nonetheless, large was all you possibly can get as the usual and solely engine providing for 1979 was Ford’s 400 CID (6.6 liter) 335-Collection V8. Sapped of its energy by emissions and gasoline financial system calls for, the 2-barrel-equipped engine provided 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.
All the pieces appears full beneath the hood, proper all the way down to the espresso can vacuum canister for the headlight doorways and the GM-sourced Delco AC compressor.
In response to the advert, this Lincoln has simply 83,062 miles beneath its baroque belt and, based mostly on its presentation, must be thought-about a “9 out of 10 situation traditional.” It comes with a clear title and what look like present plates. The asking worth 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?
Properly, that’s simply what we’re right here to seek out out. What’s your tackle this unique gangster of a Lincoln and that $8,200 asking? Does that really feel honest, at the least on a price-per-pound scale? Or is that asking nothing however a giant dud?
You determine!
Denver, Colorado, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to RevUnlimiter for the hookup!
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