1978 Lincoln Continental 'Collectors Series' Sedan (LHD)

Description

Lincoln introduced the fifth generation of its long-running luxury Continental sedan and coupe in 1970 and what followed was a series of updates, major and minor, over the next decade. Although shorter in wheelbase than the 1958–1960 Lincoln behemoths, the addition of 5-mph bumpers made the 1977–1979 versions of the Lincoln luxury liner the longest ever. This fifth-generation Continental was of body-on-chassis construction, based on a longer-wheelbase version of the Mercury Marquis chassis. The Ford 460 cubic-inch V8 returned as standard from 1970, but in an effort to increase fuel economy and comply with new emissions standards Lincoln added a 400ci V8 specifically for the Californian market in 1977. A year later that 400 became standard fitment (the 460 as an option), with the 460 discontinued for 1979. Both engines were paired with the Ford C6 three-speed automatic transmission. The Continental was as ever offered as a two-door hardtop and four-door "pillared hardtop" sedan (a B-pillar with frameless door glass design), but in a major departure from its fourth-generation predecessor, it abandoned the infamous "suicide doors" rear doors for conventional front-hinged doors. It was also equipped with vacuum-operated hidden headlamps. For 1975 the exterior of the fifth-gen Continental underwent a major revision with new vertical taillights and a completely restyled roofline. Along with the styling upgrades, 1975 Lincolns became one of the first American cars equipped with four-wheel disc brakes (at this stage still an option). In 1977, the big Lincoln underwent a further exterior revision with its wide Mercury-style grille replaced by a narrower Rolls-Royce radiator (variations of which would remain in use on Lincolns through to 1997), while the ‘Continental’ script was removed from the rear guards. For 1978, the dashboard was updated for the first time, adopting a revised version from the Mercury Grand Marquis that was used to save weight. Likewise, Lincoln redesigned the rear wheel skirts, while alongside the optional sliding glass sunroof, a fixed glass moonroof with an interior sunshade was introduced (for the first time since the 1955 Ford Skyliner).