1979 Lincoln Mark V - Well-kept, One-owner Car; Last Year Of The Classic Coupe on 2040-cars

1979

Lincoln

Mark V Coupe

One Family Owned from New

VIN: 9Y89S6508

So, where else are you buying your clean, lower-mileage, collectable Lincolns anyway?  Reluctantly, this car was turned over to us by the grandson of the original owner just a few weeks ago.  Considering the over-all condition it’s apparent this Mark V has been lovingly cared for it’s entire life.  The odometer now reads 15,502 and, based on the owner’s history recitation has turned over only once.  Think about it, this boulevard cruiser has averaged only 3,400 miles per year since new!   Along with the title, I’ll be forwarding a rare copy of the winter, 1979 issue of ”Continental” magazine to the car’s next caretaker.  It seems Mrs. Ellsworth (the wife of the original owner) wanted him to consider buying a next generation 1980 Mark VI as featured in that issue but wisely, Mr. Ellsworth stuck to his guns and drove off the lot with this much more desirable (and now collectable) Mark V.  As always, please contact me at (206)914-1173 with questions or to discuss a sale. My name is Mark Thompson.

If you follow my Ebay auctions regularly you know I’ve been able to offer many clean, unique Lincolns here the past ten years.  We’ve sold all four versions of the Mark V Designer Coupe and a few very sharp Mark III & IV’s as well.  Finding a well-kept car like this with the off-white leather interior is a real treat!  Mr. Ellsworth purchased it new at the Mount Vernon, Washington Lincoln-Mercury dealership during the fall of 1979 and then always kept it here in the north Puget Sound region.

For those not familiar with the Lincoln Mark V series here’s a little background info gleaned from several sources:

The final opportunity to purchase a full-sized American luxury car came in 1977 with the introduction of the Mark V.  Never again would automobiles be so large, or demonstrate such a sheer presence based on size alone.  For many years Lincoln had trailed Cadillac in sales, but during the sixties and seventies Lincoln finally established a look it could claim as its own, and finally started to challenge Cadillac for the top spot.  In fact, the Mark series often outsold its competitor, the Eldorado.  The 1977 - 79 Mark V was Lincoln's supreme achievement, the pinnacle of American luxury car design that has its roots buried in the age when bigger was better, style was based on grand visions, and a powerful engine under the hood provided status and became part of the American dream.

Since Cadillac had down-sized its sedans in 1977 and, two years later, the Eldorado, the Continentals were the final full-sized, full-fledged American luxury cars.  In the late summer of 1979 Lincoln put its customers on notice that this model year would be their last opportunity, and they'd best not put it off for long if they wanted a new traditional luxury car.

CONDITION

Ever spent an afternoon driving a classy, vintage Lincoln? What fun!  Smooth is the word for sure.  Smooth powerful acceleration.  Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway.  Comfort, styling, and versatility all in one gorgeous ride.  For my money, these Mark V Coupes are the best value for the overall driving experience that Lincoln had to offer.  Look over my photos and I’m sure you’ll agree what a find this is.  In many ways “time capsule” is a good adjective to use when describing this car.  I know you’ll admire its overall provenance.  All the glass is fine.  The exterior appears to have had one quality repaint to the factory solid black color.  Climb over, under and throughout - I know you’ll come up smiling!  You’re NOT going to find body rust in the typical areas where it appears on cars from other parts of the country.  Yes, the Puget Sound region is famous for rain, but our winter roads are rarely salted.  If at all, we only have one or two days of light snow a year.  Really, everyone panics and stays home.  There are some UV-induced splits in the landau top vinyl as shown, but they could be sealed up to make the overall exterior look great!

Mechanically the car seems quite strong.  Even after sitting in my warehouse for a few days at a time it never fails to start right up with the first few cranks.  You just can’t beat the great 400 CID motors in these ‘79 coupes!  The C-6 automatic three-speed transmission shifts great and we all know how good large Ford/Lincoln rear differentials are!   The brakes feel just fine to me, too.  All four original factory-optioned turbine-style alloy wheels are straight & true and wrapped with passable but older radials.  The entire exhaust system from the header pipe back was recently replaced and it really gives the drive train that deep factory engine burble, just like a new car!  I’ve spent several days both cruising the freeway and inching through rush hour traffic and can’t find fault with the way this Lincoln runs or drives out.

My interior photos clearly show the great original leather upholstery front and back. There aren’t any wear-through spots in the usual areas on the driver’s seat.  You'll also be quite impressed with the condition of the dash gauges, too.  They’re as clear and bright as the day this rig left the Wixom plant on a September afternoon more than 34 years ago!  The ashtray’s never seen a cigarette!  The carpets are clean and un-faded.  The headliner is just about perfect.  Though I’ve only found a few things, I always try to point out things needing attention as well.  While the heater will keep you toasty warm, plan on having the AC system serviced/recharged to blow colder next summer.  Will you ever really need it?  Just open the extra-large power moonroof and you’ll have all the cool air you can handle!  Both the small passenger’s wind-wing window and the main glass go up and down just fine, but the driver’s side switch seems to be non-functioning and the moonroof can be a bit slow closing.  The original Ford Quadrasonic AM-FM/CB stereo is still with the car (I’ve got it wrapped-up in the trunk as pictured).  It was replaced with a “modern” pull-out JVC AM-FM cassette player back in the 1980’s that still works fine.  The rare factory CB radio system with it's dash mike and special radio antennae are still in place.  You’ll appreciate the miles-to-empty gauge, it works great, but the Cartier clock has stopped.

Often I’ll encourage bidders to do what many of our previous buyers from as far away as Alaska, California, the east coast, Canada and even the Mexican Baja have done – fly in here to the Seattle-Tacoma International just a few miles from my vehicle storage warehouse in Auburn.  I’m happy to meet you there at the airport and you can begin the drive home the same day!

TERMS OF SALE:

Please check the photos over closely and call me with any questions BEFORE you place a bid!  Come by my Auburn, WA warehouse and drive the Lincoln if you’re in the area.  DEALERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO BID AS WELL!  Additionally, I reserve the right to end the auction early if the car is no longer for sale or an acceptable offer has been agreed upon. 

Please BID WITH CONFIDENCE and know that you are purchasing a nice vehicle from a respected Ebay seller.  I want you to be happy with your purchase (and with me) and that’s the main goal!   Please don’t be upset if I miss some flaws or you are required to spend a small amount on an unforeseen problem!  No used car is ever perfect.  While it is being sold AS-IS, I have every reason to feel this vehicle can be driven cross-country immediately.  

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction’s conclusion with the balance to be paid within seven business days unless prior arrangements have been made with me.  I can accept PAYPAL, but if you plan to pay any more than the deposit through them I’ll first need to invoice you and ask that you cover the 3.5% fee PayPal charges.  Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract!  You’re not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later -- You’re more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

SHIPPING THE CAR:

If you decide to have the Lincoln transported I’d suggest getting a quote from Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS).  They’re the biggest in the business and are partnered with Ebay.  Call my designated rep, Janice, directly at (469)587-5096 and give her my affiliate number (2362642).  She’ll pull up all our information for a station-to-station or even door-to-door quote.  Alternatively, you may also want to get shipping bids from the U-ship website.  You’ll be able to choose a transport broker from multiple offers.  The zip code for pick-up on my end is 98002 (Auburn, WA).  As always, the transport of the car and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER and I’ll be happy to work with whoever you go with.  You may keep the Lincoln stored at my warehouse for up to two weeks after the auction closes assuming full payment has been received.  After this period I charge $20/day storage.