2000 Lincoln Town Car Executive on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Junkyard Gem: 2004 Lincoln Navigator Ultimate 4x4

Things in the American SUV world got a lot more interesting during the late 1990s, when Ford and GM realized that the best way to print bales of money did not involve bringing over their European-market sedans for sale here. Instead, they would take their big sport utility vehicles, pry off the badges of their proletariat-grade marques, and slather them in luxury materials and the latest gadgetry. Ford was first with the Ford Expedition-based Lincoln Navigator in the 1998 model year, with The General transforming the GMC Yukon Denali into the Cadillac Escalade a year later. Today's Junkyard Gem is an early second-generation Navigator, found in a Denver-area car graveyard. The second-generation Navigator was built for the 2003 through 2006 model years. It didn't look much different from its predecessor, but it (and its Expedition sibling) had a brand-new independent rear suspension that gave it a lower rear floor and a somewhat less truck-ish ride. This generation of Navigator was the first luxury SUV to offer powered retractable running boards. This truck, being a top-trim-level Ultimate, has them. With an MSRP of $56,140 (about $93,069 in 2023 dollars), the Navigator Ultimate 4x4 was the most expensive new production car or light truck offered by the Ford Motor company in the United States as a 2004 model. The introduction of the $149,995 Ford GT the following year stole that crown from the Navigator, of course. That's genuine walnut trim, not the phony wood that went into Malaise Era Lincolns. The dash layout was inspired by that of the 1961 Continental, according to Lincoln PR. Power came from a 5.4-liter DOHC V8 rated at 300 horsepower and 355 pound-feet. Curb weight approached three tons. This one looks to have been in good cosmetic condition when it got here. A quick VIN check shows that it was for sale at a Denver used-car joint a few months back, with just under 140,000 miles on the odometer and a price tag of $4,900 (which is about $3,104 in 2004 dollars, or a depreciation of nearly 95% in 19 years). Perhaps the engine or transmission failed soon after that, leading to this grim fate. That wood-and-leather steering wheel felt … just like a football? You could operate its power features in time to music, if you so chose. The 2004 Navigator was forced to share this commercial with the smaller Explorer-based Aviator.

The Lincoln Continental is back [w/videos]

Lincoln is making a huge splash in New York this week, rolling out the Continental Concept you see here. Not only does this bring back an iconic bit of Lincoln nomenclature (just as some competitors are making things more complicated), it previews the new Continental fullsize sedan that will come to market next year. This is "a concept which for us signals the future of what we call quiet luxury," Ford Motor Company president and CEO, Mark Fields, said during an event Sunday. "The Concept is a very strong hint – I'll underline very strong hint – as to what you'll see in the production vehicle." There's no other way to say it: the Continental looks stunning. It's a long, low-slung sedan, with a shape that's reminiscent of the Ford Interceptor Concept from 2007. But this thing is all Lincoln, and shows a host of new design cues that will no doubt work their way across the brand's range. Most notably, the split-wing grille is gone, with this new chrome centerpiece showing a "new face for Lincoln" (where have we heard that before?). The Continental also incorporates LED matrix headlamps, with laser-assist high-beams and tiny Lincoln logos embedded inside. For the doors, Lincoln uses "E-Latch" handles that tuck discretely into the Continental's beltine. The concept rolls on polished aluminum, 21-inch wheels with painted pockets. Up above, the Continental has a SPD SmartGlass tinting sunroof that can keep the interior up to 18 degrees cooler. Around back, the Continental has a wide, planted stance, with taillamps that stretch from side to side. These lamps have "light-through-chrome" technology, which means they have a chrome look when not illuminated. Rounding out the whole design are slim, wide exhaust outlets that look fantastic. The main focus of the Continental is luxury, and Lincoln says this car uses "the brand's most sensual materials ever." That includes Venetian leather seats and door panels, Alcantara on the seat inserts and armrests, a satin headliner and wool carpet. Lighting is also a key feature, with an ambient glow that radiates throughout the cabin and "soft-gold" LED lights in the center console. As for comfort, the Continental's 30-way seats are said to mold to passengers' sizes and shapes. Rear seat passengers have it best, though, with a two-seat layout, tray tables, a champagne storage compartment, and detachable, handmade Venetian leather travel cases.

Lincoln Aviator concept takes a shine to Shinola

At the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Lincoln is displaying a special Aviator concept that was created in collaboration with the Detroit-based Shinola brand of watches and accessories. The SUV features unique exterior design elements, but the most eye-catching aspects are found in the cabin. The interior is awash in Shinola's whiskey-colored leather, which for once in an automobile actually looks like real cowhide. The rich, brown hue contrasts sharply with off-white cloth seat inserts and more off-white on the dash and door panels. Tying the two colors together is a neat center stripe on the seats that is another Shinola signature design element. The dash and center console also are adorned with a metal mesh trim, said to be inspired by Shinola watch bands. The exterior, meanwhile, is finished in pearl white, similar to Shinola's mother of pearl watch faces. The wheels and grille insert are matte copper. For now, the Aviator Shinola concept is just a design exercise. But a good portion of the Lincoln brand's recent comeback can be attributed to its emphasis on interior design, and specifically, an imaginative use of color and materials. So, we could see Lincoln making a collaboration like this official. After all, they've done it before. A Shinola Aviator is just the hipper, modern version of the same idea that sold the Continental Mark V back in the day, as the commercial below reminds us. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.