1979 Lincoln Mark V Base Coupe 2-door 6.6l on 2040-cars

History (based upon the very best information I have been able to obtain, though not guaranteed)

Mr. Davis, a Maryland resident, and his wife, purchased the car new. I still have the custom-made dash nameplate (never installed) for “Doo Davis” and the thank-you card from the dealer that came with it. At some point not too long after that, the Davis’s apparently purchased a home in Florida and spent most of their time there.  Mr. Davis made one last trip to Maryland not long ago, and then passed away.  A dealer in Bowie, MD purchased the car, as part of the estate, and I bought it from him in November of last year.  So it’s been a 1-owner car, and from all appearances, a Florida car, for the vast majority of its life.  I love the car but have my eye on a boat so have decided to let it go. 

Mileage

The dealer from whom I bought the car signed a statement that the mileage was original and it is (89,xxx as of this moment), to the best of my knowledge.  I think, if you look at the condition of the car, it is very unlikely that it has almost 200k on it.   It drives and performs like a low-mileage car.

Cosmetic Condition and Light Cosmetic Restoration Items

Because of the sun exposure, the vinyl top needed replacement, which has now been done, and the top of the back seat needed replacement, and new leather has been installed there.  A small hole on the top of the driver’s seat, hidden by the seat belt, has been repaired with new leather as well.   Incidentally there are new seatbelts in the trunk if one wished to install them. 

The seats have now been dyed solid burgundy; they were a two-tone burgundy and rose quartz? as the door panels are still.  I think the solid burgundy is much preferable.   A note about that: I was reluctant to dye the brand new leather we used on the top of the back seat, but as you can see in the pictures, it has a slightly more 'matte' finish than the rest.  I will gladly dye it to match the rest if the winning bidder prefers. 

There was a crack in the dash and I installed a new molded dash cover which fits perfectly and matches well color-wise.

As I could not get the luster I wanted from the existing paint, due to fading and oxidation, basically everything but the trunk has been painted in the factory dove gray.   As noted, it has a brand new vinyl top.  For the record (I think it adds a nice contrast as opposed to 20 feet of solid dove grey), the top is more of a metallic silver.

A piece of the interior driver's side door trim apparently broke off, and being the creative sort I am, I installed in that gap a polished aluminum piece with my initials.   This was a $5 item at the trophy shop and you could put yours over it if you were so inclined; very much in keeping with the car I think.

Otherwise, the turbine wheels are perfect, the chrome ranges from above average to quite good, the headliner and carpet show very little wear with no holes or tears.  The dash is above-average. 

Radio

The original radio only played in one speaker and very faintly.  Though a fan of all things original, I gave up the ghost and had installed a very nice Sony stereo, with the variable color that matches the green tint of the dash lights, Kenwood door speakers and Pioneer rear speakers.  It has a remote, and basically every feature of a good late-model stereo.   It even allows you to convert the back speakers to a mini-subwoofer of sorts, with the treble coming only from the front speakers (or you can use the speakers in the normal manner of course).  Sony – always thinking…

Mechanical condition and replacements

The car runs wonderfully.   I have heard disparaging things about the 400ci engine with the 2 barrel carb, but I find that it sails this large car down the highway at 70+ very capably, with pretty respectable mileage, all things considered.   Of course the C-6 transmission is pretty much bullet-proof, and this one shift smoothly every time.

The power steering gear box has been replaced, and I put a new alternator and ignition coil in, as well as new spark plugs.  There was a slight leak from the oil pressure sending unit and it has been replaced.  I replaced the universal joints.

Mr. Davis, it would seem, did not like a mushy ride and this Mark is firmer than most.  I find, given the car’s size and length of wheelbase, it is a super road car, even though the shocks are stiffer than you often find on these cars. 

The brakes are very responsive and I’ve not had any issues.   For the record I’ve driven the car about 2k miles since purchasing it in November with no problems.

The tires are new!  The front ones have probably 3k miles and the rear ones less than 1k.  Original? New spare in trunk on steel wheel (not little doughnut spare).

Issues

The car is 35 years and old and yet this list is surprisingly short.   It seems to have an exhaust manifold leak on the right, as it is a little louder than ideal.  I’ve had several people who’ve driven or ridden in it say they could not tell.

Rather than replace the passenger door lock actuator, I disconnected it; so that lock is manual currently.  That’s a $100 item on ebay.  The driver’s side works electrically.

The outside temp thermometer on the mirror does not work; hardly necessary with smart phones.

Everything else works: the power windows with vents, cruise control, hot heat and cold air, headlight covers, remote trunk release, etc.

Clean NC title.     I have described the vehicle as accurately as I can, but it is 35 years old and is being sold as is, with no warranties, express or implied, whatsoever.