1971 Lincoln Continental

Up for auction at NO RESERVE is a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III Custom-Built Convertible.  The car has a clean title that indicates the Lincoln is a convertible, not a coupe, and it shows the car has 69,800 original miles.  I will try to start off by telling what I know or don't know about the convertible top since that has got to be on the forefront of everybody's mind.  I purchased the car approximately 5 years ago from the father and son team that transformed the car from a hardtop to a convertible.  They told me the convertible top frame utilized in the build was taken from a full-sized Ford from the same era but I don't know the specific year or model.  The top goes up and down with a typical hydro-electric system and it works well.  The latches that hold the convertible top to the windshield work well.  The original rear quarter windows, which were glass and would have electrically retracted into the metal roof, were removed when the hardtop was cut off.  These windows have been replaced by pieces of plexiglass (please see last photo) that are held in place by slipping them into the weatherstrip on the convertible top frame when the top is in the up position.  Please note that the plexiglass quarter windows have no way of being held in place when the top is in the down position, and therefore cannot be utilized with the top down.  Currently the Lincoln Mark III has a thin tan Naugahyde material covering the convertible top frame.  It seems to be waterproof, folds well, and looks okay, but it certainly is not as heavy, durable or as smart looking as the vinyl or stayfast material typically found on convertible tops.  The top frame needs adjusted for a better fit around the windows, and the roof rail needs the rubber replaced above the windows.  There is not a headliner in the top and there is not a boot to cover the top when it is in the down position.

Because this unique Lincoln Mark III convertible had been sitting dormant for some time before I purchased it, it needed some mechanical repairs to make it roadworthy.  I had somebody perform the following repairs approximately one year ago.  The gas tank and sending unit were replaced because the old tank had rusted through and was leaking fuel.  The torque converter output shaft seal was replaced because the transmission was leaking fluid.  The master cylinder and front brake hoses were replaced.  The front wheel bearings and seals were replaced.  The front brake pads and rotors were replaced.  The front brake calipers and rear wheel cylinders were replaced.  Some vacuum hoses were replaced.  The transmission vacuum modulator was replaced and the transmission fluid and filter were changed.  The left front outer tie rod end was replaced but the front end was never aligned and should be done.  The car starts right up.  The 460 V8 engine with a 4 barrel carburetor accelerates smoothly without hesitation, and will accelerate very quickly if you so desire.  The C6 transmission shifts smoothly and with precision.  Even though I could find no evidence of frame reinforcement, I have to say this custom-built Lincoln Mark III convertible has no more cowl shake than any other convertible I have ever driven, including my 1985 Cadillac Eldorado convertible built by Hess & Eisenhardt.  The tires on this car are Broadway Whites which are like new.

When I got this Lincoln, the paint was thick looking and it was rather dull; it had some orang peel.  I was certain I would have to invest in a paint job.  Before it could come to that, my friend, who knows a lot more about cars than I, convinced me to let him wet sand and buff the paint.  When he was finished reworking the paint and I saw how much shinier and smoother the paint was, I knew it was good enough for me and that I would never get it painted.  With that being said, I realize most people would say the car needs a paint job and if you are looking for perfection, you are going to be disappointed with the paint on this car.  Most of the defects involve the right rear quarter panel which is a little wavy.  On that same quarter panel there is a small area of paint cracking (please see 5th picture from last) and a large chip in the paint that has been touched up (please see 4th picture from last).

The leather interior is nice.  The driver's seat shows a little more wear than the rest.  The dashboard and steering wheel are nice.  The dash pad is not cracked or warped.  The door panels are very nice, but the armrest on the driver's door is a little warped. The armrests in the backseat area are nice but the upper sections need finished (please see photos of backseat).  The thick, plush carpet is nice.  It is not matted.  The power seats work.  The power windows work.  The power trunk release works.  The power top works.  The air conditioning and radio do NOT work.  All the lights operate as they should but the headlight covers open a short time after the car is shut off.

This is a very unique car that I thought I would never sell, but I have come to the realization that I just don't use it enough to justify tying up the space it takes to store it, and spending the money necessary to maintain it.  In fact, I  have only driven it for local trips to the store or to pick my child up from school. This car deserves to be driven and shown.  Please be serious if you decide to bid.  You must leave a $500 deposit within 48 hours of the auction ending and you must pay for the vehicle in full within 7 days of the end of the auction.  Please don't ask me to end the auction early.  If you want this very unique 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III Convertible, you must buy it through the auction.  If you have any questions, please reach out to me.  I appreciate your time and consideration.

Also published at eBay.com

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