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1969 Lincoln Continental Mark Iii - 27k Original Miles, Great History! on 2040-cars

Year:1969 Mileage:27485
Location:

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States



The first Mark was a customized version of the Lincoln Zephyr convertible built for the personal use of Edsel Ford. Due to the reaction caused in the Palm Beach "jet set", it  became a limited production model in 1940, the Mark I.  The Mark II was a 2-year production of 3,000 cars that Ford actually lost $1,000 on each car sold. The Mark name was also used in the late 60's with the word Continental for the large Lincoln as a trim package.

Once the Thunderbird went to a four seat model, it outsold the two seat versions and the concept of a "personal luxury" car was born. After his success with the Mustang, Lee Iacocca decided that Lincoln should once again have a personal luxury car.  While on a trip to Europe, Iacocca came up with the idea of using a Rolls type grill and using a Continental type bulge on the trunk. The design was confirmed when Henry Ford II saw the clay model and said it liked it so much, he wished he could take it home with him.

The Mark III was introduced on April 5, 1968 as a 1969 model with a starting price of $6,585 but most, as optioned, sold around $9,500.   It was the first car to be offered with Sure-Track brake system, the first anti-skid breaking system. The car was actually build on the Thunderbird 4-door frame with a longer wheel base than the Thunderbird 2-door, although it shared cowls, windshields, roof panels and door glass.

The example offered here for consideration was the very first Mark III in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was bought from Pfeiffer on a handshake by industrialist Leslie Tassel, the owner of Lescoa. At the time, Lescoa manufactured parts for every car built in America. To say that he was flamboyant or interesting personality is an understatement. He had a love of big game hunting and African animals (See the picture of Mr. Tassel with an actual Cheetah in the car flanked by a Roman Chariot pulled by his zebras).

He customized this car with a full, real leopard fur interior and personally hand cast the Lion door handles. He also adorned the outside with models of African animals. In the 1990s he gave the car to his daughter and son-in-law. They removed the outside animal decorations and had the car repainted to its original color by Pfeiffer. They replaced the leopard seat covers but left the leopard accents.

The car has travelled only 27,000 miles and looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. It is a pleasure to see and drive, and everything functions as it should, including the automatic climate control, which was the first of its kind. You simply will not find another Mark III like this one - such low miles and extraordinary history. 

This vehicle is being offered for sale through Garage Kept Motors LLC. See dealer website for more information. Sales tax and title/license/documentary fee may apply. Auction may also be terminated early due to local sale. Please contact me with any and all questions. Thank you for looking.

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Auto blog

Would a Mustang-based Lincoln look like this?

Mon, 07 Jan 2013

Designer Josiah LaCalla has taken a stab at what a Ford Mustang-based Lincoln model might look like with the Continental Mark X1 concept. Make no mistake, Ford's luxury arm has made it abundantly clear that it won't be pursuing any new products outside of volume models, which means a flashy halo grand tourer like the one you see here isn't in the cards. LaColla used the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as a basis for his creation, which explains the long nose, but we certainly don't mind the idea of a rear-wheel drive Lincoln with a cabin pushed to the aft.
While we're dreaming, there's certainly nothing stopping us from imagining what's under that lengthy hood. We like the idea of the 5.8-liter supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500 pushing the Mark X1 down the road, but how about something a little more inventive? Something like a high-revving, buttery V12 with enough torque to push the contraption well past 200 miles per hour. Dream a little dream, people.

Matthew McConaughey dusts off his Lincoln Lawyer jacket [w/videos]

Thu, 21 Aug 2014

Alright, alright, alright. Easygoing Texan Matthew McConaughey has enjoyed a career renaissance recently with critically acclaimed roles in Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective, and the actor has just signed a multi-year deal with Lincoln to become the luxury brand's spokesperson. The first ads starring McConaughey should hit televisions and the internet soon.
McConaughey's campaign has his pitching starting out with the company's pivotal new 2015 Lincoln MKC compact crossover. "Lincoln is an iconic, American brand and I like where they are heading with their transformation," he said in the announcement of the deal. The appears to be really throwing some money into these ads, too. Not only has it hired A-list talent in front of the camera, Nicolas Winding Refn, best known for Drive, is directing the spots.
Of course, this won't be McConaughey's first noteworthy ride in a Lincoln. Back in 2011, he starred in The Lincoln Lawyer, a legal thriller about at attorney would did business out of a 1980s Town Car. The MKC should certainly prove to be a much better driver than that.

Possible MKX concept teased as Lincoln confirms China expansion

Thu, 17 Apr 2014

We've been speculating for years about the future of Lincoln. Some thought that Ford needed to kill the division like it did Mercury, while others saw the sales possibility in a brand with so much history. Ford has finally made a decision, and it wasn't what many people were expecting. Lincoln is launching in China this fall, with the brand rollout starting at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. A new video hints that we might even get to see the concept for the next-generation MKX.
Lincoln is marketing itself in China as a customer-focused, high-end luxury ownership experience. To prove it, the Lincoln Space in Beijing is meant both as a prototype dealer and a grand show of its plans. The modernist structure looks more like an art museum than a car showroom, and the interior decor is like a high-end hotel lobby. The company says that every dealer is going to have license plate recognition technology that knows when an owner arrives, and there will also be a Personalization Studio where potential buyers can design their car with family. Lincoln is promising to have eight showrooms ready in seven cities by this fall.
Of course, a stylish showroom is nothing without cars to sell. Lincoln is promising five models on sale in China by 2016. The MKZ and MKC launch this fall. A midsize luxury SUV, a fullsize luxury sedan and the Navigator are coming later. All of the models sold there are being imported from North America.