Here’s how the Lincoln Town Car was the last old-school luxury car
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- čas přidán 20. 10. 2023
- In this episode I provide the history of the Lincoln Town Car, one of the three Panther platform models from Ford that were the last body-on-frame cars. The Town Car became one of the most popular full size luxury sedans in the 80s and 90s, and were very popular for limousines and chauffeurs. By the start of its third generation in 1998, Lincoln also introduced the Navigator SUV, which became far more popular, and the Town Car continued to lose sales each year afterwards, until finally being cancelled in 2011.
Is it me, or do the older cars look more appealing than modern ones.
💯agreed!!👍
I miss the 1970s Mark Series Coupes.
Big as heck, but road like a prince!
Yes true and actually are more reliable than modern ones because of lack of technology
Older cars had character, style and unique looks. Unless the cookie cutters we have today.
You are completely correct. They have more style than this new junk
I own a 2006 Town Car Executive L with 520,000 miles on it and it's still going strong!!!
What engine work was needed? I assume the timing chains needed to be replaced once or twice?
@@jimsvo4486 It would have had to have been the 4.6, one of Ford's all time most durable engines.
Awesome brother.
302 pushrod v8 5.0 was the most durable.@@ih302
WOW!
When the Ford Motor Company panther platform cars were finally discontinued it was the end of an era in automobile manufacture. These three cars, the Ford Crown Victoria, the Mercury Grand Marquis, and the Lincoln Town Car, were the last of the full size, rear wheel drive with a solid axle, the body on a frame, and a naturally aspirated V-8 engine in the front. With the push for higher fuel mileage, better safety and lower emissions we will never see cars built like this again.
Better safety ain't part of it. The gen 3 Lincoln TownCar was the first car to ever get all 5 star highway safety impact ratings, they're absolute tanks and I feel incredibly safe in mine.
@@implodinggoat Fully agree
They were also low emissions vehicles. They achieved LEV status without variable cam timing and direct injection. They were cancelled because Ford was making more money off SUVs and trucks. It had nothing to do with mpg because the Panther cars get better mpg than the SUVs.
I'm it's biggest fan. Got all four 2003 Panthers including the Marauder. I even got a 1990 Town Car with the new body style but with the 302 instead of the 4.6 that was introduced in 91 then in the crown vic and grand marquis in 92. I think i have almost 20 Panthers right now.
There's a guy here in Nashville that has around 13, I sold him a '95 Mark VIII.
I've owned: (in order)
'82 CVPI
'99 CVPI P71
'05 CVPI P71
'98 Grand Marquis
'07 Executive L
'05 Grand Marquis
Absolutely beautiful and one of the best daily drivers in GTA 4
That’s a video game. JFC. 🤦🏻♂️
They drove like you were driving a huge leather recliner , on long trips you appreciated that immensely
I had an 87 town car definitely a fine ride. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
One thing that was always lost on me was why didn't Ford put the Intech dual overhead cam V8 into this car. The Mark 8 had it, even the Continental got a version of it. I think a 300 horsepower, double overhead cam V8 would have definitely put this as more competitive against its German and Japanese rivals
Should've had it available for all the Panther cars and Trucks. Put some excitement into the brands, lower the costs by selling more of them.
I had a 97 Town Car. They were pretty quick for what they were.
Three hundred executives to go through before the boss even saw it probably.
@@pgtmr2713 Exactly mate, they should've made a 6.8L DOHC 40 Triton V10 as well.
Now imagine in 1993 if that Continental had rear wheel drive, 4 corner independent suspension and that V8, things would have been different for the American luxury segment.
The STS had the same issue...
When I was a kid (1970s) I thought I"d drive a Town Car as an adult. It just seemed so classy and traditional. They were everywhere. I also lived in Lincoln, so driving a Lincoln seemed patriotic.
This is a car worth having. The 1990-2011 models are the ones that I want to have. I remember reading that the 1989 version had the worst ABS system of all time (of course, it didn't have ABS that year).
I think the 2003-2006 were the best years for the last generation, if you look hard enough you can actually find them really well equipped with HIDs, Factory nav, THX sound system, Heated front seats with memory, and if it's an L you can get heated rear seats. After 2006 they started cost cutting and cut a few of those features out.
Owned to gen 2s, great cars.
I’m so glad to enjoy another MyOldCar episode the way it’s intended to be. Like driving a classic car. Just enjoying the ride.
What A Luxury Car Should Be. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Love the third gen Town Car personally. One of the better looking vehicles out there. If I ever got a "more modern" car, and a actual car, I'd consistently look to one of them.
I have a 1988 Town Car, an icon of the road. Thank you for making this video. Huge fan of all you do.
I grew up with these cars on the road and cannot fathom how anybody misses these boxy, graceless messes.
I would love to have the 78 or 79 model Lincoln Town Car. I would drive that beautiful yacht everywhere 😂❤
Actually surprised the 2017 continental didn’t sell. It was a very outstanding vehicle inside and out. Same with the Cadillac ct6. Sucks they killed them
Those Continentals were amazing.
Wasn't it based on a Fusion...?
@@carsaregood911 it wasn’t based on anything. Oddly, same story with the Cadillac
@@GeeEm1313 exactly. Lincoln really delivered with those continentals and mkz
@@rtcturnemup7028 It was, CD4 platform. The CT6 at least had it's own chassis called Omega based on the Alpha chassis
I have a 1971 town car, and that meant you got everything short of anti lock rear brakes and it’s a beast.
The late 00s-early 10s really were a tough time for car companies. Many brands died off and beloved models disappeared.
I’ve always been fascinated by these cars. They were so ubiquitous in life and tv/film growing up I couldn’t help but notice them.
I've ridden in every year/series Town car since 1971, and the Panther platform was the most reliable.
The greatest luxury sedan ever built. Smooth, quiet and engineered ride. Proud to have a 2011 in my garage.
I wonder what would have happened if they’d simply updated the Town car and the other Panther platforms? I would sure be interested.
From what I remember reading a few years ago on a car forum, Ford was serious about doing a real big update to the Panther Platform in the early 2000s to keep it competitive and I think they were going to drop the new at the time 5 speed auto in it and a new V8 but when they saw how much money it was going to be to update the platform they determined it wasn't worth it and abandoned it. It's a shame.
nothing. sedan demand was in the toilet.
I had one, it was a tank. I think it was an ‘86. The car was huge, you didn’t parallel park, you dropped anchor.
GM H bodies, front wheel drive. That would be a good episode. Those are the ones I remember the most.
LIcoln was upset when Ford decided to stop making sedans as they wanted to continue to make sedans to compete with Cadillac. Ford has neglected Lincoln which is struggling today
Ford has neglected so much of its business. Its why they basically now only have Puck ups in the US and vans in Europe.
Next, Mercury Grand Marquis!
Always a highlight seeing a new video from you! As a Michigander born and raised, these videos bring me comfort!
I had a 1983 Town Car. Great car. Man, I miss that car.
On of the best cars ever made.
I have a 1987 Cadillac brougham. I love this car but the Lincoln’s were very nice also.
Nothing more iconic as a limo than the first two gens of town car
Please do a video on the Lincoln Mark series?!? The Lincoln Mark VII LSC, IMO, saved American Luxury cars from getting completely wiped out by the Germans in the 80's. The Mark VII had tech on it 40 years ago that other manufacturers tout as, 'new' today - ie, automatic high beams.
czcams.com/video/VnS4vXeZWR0/video.html
I sold them for many years. It was a great car! Lasted for years. Miss them.
I remember Frank Sinatra had a song where he said he loved ten New Lincoln. What a car!.
Congrats folks!
Love this channel keep up the great work
Our '02 is now at 200,000 mark, runs like new, lots of new parts available, we replace anything needed, so everything works. We like the real of non-rack & P steering, we love the huge trunk, perfect leather heated seats, I've replaced grille & both headlamps so it looks like new, jet black paint is still very nice, the car it top quality throughout, the best car we have EVER owned, all stainless steel exhaust is forever.
It's interesting that the Town Car in "Point Blank" turned into a Caprice Classic when the rear window was getting shot out!
Somehow found this channel by chance & I'm so glad I did. Love the feeling of nostalgia I get seeing some of the vintage commercials.
This is a friggin good video , one of the best made and well explained , that has been made on this channel , Cherio ol chap , thanks for trip down memory lane
Sooooo...we just gonna glance over that still shot of the 4.6 with 2 alternators
Buick Riveria when?
I had a 99 town car. Best car I think I ever had.
Had a Town Car as a rental one time and ended up driving it around Rockingham Speedway to help dry the track; that was an adventure.
In 1999 I had a two door Town Car. It was amazing. The eight track player lasted about two weeks...
A town car with a CB radio as a factory option? That's something that sounds so unneeded but so god damn cool.
Undeeded? Surely that's a legal issue?
The last Continental is on of the best looking sedans ever made. I hope to drive one someday and add driving to the best list.
What I look forward too every other Saturday! 🙏🏻
One of the most memorable automobiles I ever owned for so many reasons was a 1985 lincon town car, which I painted a pirate flag on b/c yarrr. Thank you for this video.
Awesome video!
Those things were comfortable to ride in.
I will always love the 1st and second gen Lincoln Town Cars
Gunna be a good day!
I grew up in a black 98’ Navigator. It was such a treat.
Iconic American car!
Oooh... I like that 2 door.
May be just me, but I very much prefer the luxurious cloth interiors of these Lincolns, and Cadillacs of the 80s, compared to anything made today. Today if you want a luxury trim level you're stuck with leather.
Ole stinkin Lincoln
Amazing content
BuYou forgot to include clips from Argyle's Town Car limo in "Die Hard 1 (1988)"!😁😄😆And Hey, I love the Opera windows and the half-vinyl tops!
Henry Ford II was the one who liked the boxy straight lined design. He was the influence for that look.
Had a Towncar in high school
Me and the crew use to roll around in luxury 🧐
Look mommy, it’s our living room couch on wheels! Yes, dear it is ❤️
I had two later model Town Cars, a 93 and then a 94. Still have the 94, I want to completely overhaul, repaint, etc, etc.
Nice buddy. Enjoy 😉
Just bought an E39 5 series. Would love to see a vid on em. Very ahead of their time!
The 3rd gen Town Car still looks classy to this day
Can you do a video about pontisc bonnevilles
I have a 03 bonneville and I remember being interested in them thinking they were super sporty and fast, even though i have mixed feelings on mines
They have a potentially interesting backstory
The only apprehension I have with Lincoln is the air suspension. I just love the Town Car and the Continental models from 90s and 2000s.
1:36 Excuse me. I'm backing in here.
Even the Lincoln font was rounded
MKT hearst
I've always preferred sedans the car market is sad now, I used to work on alot of Lincoln Town cars up north in the late 90s, a company that sold hearse and limousines was a big customer I especially loved the box 80s style, beautiful as a hearse
Nice😊
I still tie the Town Car to newpaper photos of Paul Castelano's body laying just outside of his in front of Spark's Steak House on Manhattan.
This edit is much much better
Had an 1985 Town Car with over 300k miles. It got 20-22 miles to the gallon. Gold with white vinyl top and interior. It would start in negative temperatures and go anywhere I wanted it to go. Wish I still had that tank.
I lived in LIC Queens, near the 59th St, bridge, there must have been several hundred black town cars (called black cabs) parked on the street. Lots of work down in Wall St. taking execs home late.
I had two 1967 Lincoln Continental 4 door sedans with the 462 engine and suicide rear doors
MKZ SEDAN AND FORD TAURUS NICE SEDAN CONTINUE MAKE THEM
It's a damned shame that all available now is a van aka SUV.
I would for sure have this over a SUV
i love this
Hell yeAh, I want one....
I own two towncars 1989 and 1997, they both run and dive with less than 90K
Glad to see the "Dutch" clip.
"It's a white Lincoln Town Car, space V-5""
Should mention that Continental nameplate was moved to smaller fox-based and later taurus-based platforms before it was revived for 2016
Would you mind doing the W220 1998-2006 Gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class? BTW good video always had a crush on the mid 80s town cars, the poster child for mob cars of it's day.
The Town Car seems to be the only car that matched Lexus in longevity and reliability.
6:56 smooth transition
Do the Cadillac Fleetwood from 80 to 96 😊
I owned a '77 Town Car! THREE LONG MONTHS OF "ownership"! GAS STATIONS WERE ENEMIES!
To me it always looked like a bank on wheels.
Please do an episode of the Lancer Evolution series 🙏
I miss the mark 6 and the town car
I love the Town Cars.
Interestingly enough, the Town Car could easily have remained in the Lincoln lineup for another five to seven years had it received timely updates beyond 2003. It could've seen a final redesign past 2008.
Yeah, that’s a video I’ll watch
I had a 1988, it was a nice design. 1985-89 the design was better as well as the interior. The 1984 model had the ugliest rear bumper on a car. it looked like it was homemade in a machine shop somewhere and something a kid threw on. It was the same concept as the bumper that dragged the dog Dinky in National Lampoon's Vacation. Remember when Clark Griswold put the leash around it? I wondered if that scene is what got Ford Designers to change the design.
The oval opera window was never standard on the Continental. It was optional, even on the Town Car trim package.
we called them "The American Rolls".
A video on the 1992-2002 Cadillac Eldorado would be awesome!