Runs/Drives Great Tastefully Upgraded Desert Southwest Car Exc Patina LOW RESRV

Description

Beautiful, good running and driving, near rust free (very minor on rear quarters only), accident free, desert Southwest, mostly original but tastefully modded/rodded (easily reversible), 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III coupe. This is a very straight last-year (1969-1971) Mark III with rock-solid bones and some electrical/cosmetic issues. None of them affect its ability to be driven and enjoyed today. 1971 was the last model year before major pollution control/engine strangulation issues occurred in 1972 domestic cars so the 460cid V8 still puts out an official 365 horsepower in stock form (probably more now with its minor upgrades). And the conventional wisdom is the horsepower rating was underreported by Ford for insurance purposes with the actual rating being slightly north of 400 horsepower.These beasts were basically designed to be muscle cars for the well-to-do.
The exterior is in very solid, original condition with a great patina. Mostly original paint is faded but there are no signs of accident repair anywhere. I'm amazed that there are only three small door dings on the entire body after 45 years. Formerly dry and brittle (a curse of our dry climate) vinyl top has been removed and roof has been repainted black. Some of the bondo covering the roof seam has flaked off but it is easily fixable and rust-free underneath. All hard-to-find trim pieces except one are in place and in excellent condition. Very minor rust is confined to a small portion of rear quarter panels only. Undercarriage is in excellent shape. This is a body on frame car (not unibody) so it is inherently sturdy regardless of body condition. The only external modification is 17 inch American Racing wheels all around. I think they look impressive.
The interior is the roughest part of this otherwise sweet Lincoln because of our desert climate. The dry heat has made the leather brittle and cracked. The dash pad has suffered the same fate. Door panels still look pretty good. Headliner has been removed. Front and rear carpet have also been removed because they had become dry and brittle from the sun/heat. They were otherwise only lightly worn which suggests this car has had an easy life. I have a lot of interior pics with seats removed (from when I removed the carpet) which show how pristine and rust-free the floorboards are. Seat belts and lower seat molding are in the trunk. They are in good shape and can be easily re-installed. All gauges work except clock, fuel and ALT gauge. Windows and power seats do not work. New front window regulators are included in the sale. Air conditioning works but needs to be recharged (it's been converted to R-134A). Stereo has been removed by a prior owner but dash is uncut and unbutchered. Glovebox door does not latch. Column shift and tilt wheel linkage are loose from wear but work properly. Only non-stock interior item is wood-rimmed Grant steering wheel.
Running gear is excellent and clearly a strength (along with the body). It has the 460cid engine, C6 automatic transmission, and 9 inch rear differential (a really tough and bulletproof combo). Body probably has a legit 141k but I'm sure the engine has been gone through sometime in the past based on how well it runs. Mods are confined to an Edelbrock air intake, Carter Competition Series carb and Flowmaster style dual exhaust. Distributor and starter are new and battery and alternator are near new. Heater core has been bypassed and radiator has an easily accessible pinhole leak on a seam just below the cap. Front end has been rebuilt with new bushings and shocks. It drives and shifts solidly with no rattles or clunks. Vacuum headlights go up and down properly most of the time but sometimes stay open. Tires are cracking from the sun and should be considered rollers. Again, this Mark III runs and drives very nicely with solid shifts.
My name is Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to call me at 435-669-1470. I also have tons of additional pictures that show every nook and cranny in detail including the undercarriage. Text or send me your email address and I'll get them to you. What's cool is this beautiful Lincoln is almost ready to enjoy today (tires/fluids) so it would make a great daily driver with little effort as you work on the cosmetics and little things (or just leave it in it's original, patina'd state). This awesome 1971 Continental Mark III is located in the dry, desert community of Washington, Utah (a little over 100 miles north of Las Vegas). Good luck and good bidding.