Here’s how the Lincoln Town Car was the last old-school luxury car

In this episode I provide the history of the Lincoln Town Car, one of the three Panther platform models from Ford that were the last body-on-frame cars. The Town Car became one of the most popular full size luxury sedans in the 80s and 90s, and were very popular for limousines and chauffeurs. By the start of its third generation in 1998, Lincoln also introduced the Navigator SUV, which became far more popular, and the Town Car continued to lose sales each year afterwards, until finally being cancelled in 2011.

Пікірлер: 245

  • @merafirewing6591
    @merafirewing65918 ай бұрын

    Is it me, or do the older cars look more appealing than modern ones.

  • @uttasyda9746

    @uttasyda9746

    8 ай бұрын

    💯agreed!!👍

  • @tkskagen

    @tkskagen

    8 ай бұрын

    I miss the 1970s Mark Series Coupes. Big as heck, but road like a prince!

  • @victoryepik1950

    @victoryepik1950

    8 ай бұрын

    Yes true and actually are more reliable than modern ones because of lack of technology

  • @kenhollis9591

    @kenhollis9591

    8 ай бұрын

    Older cars had character, style and unique looks. Unless the cookie cutters we have today.

  • @heffedirte6243

    @heffedirte6243

    8 ай бұрын

    You are completely correct. They have more style than this new junk

  • @prodieselrepair3218
    @prodieselrepair32188 ай бұрын

    I own a 2006 Town Car Executive L with 520,000 miles on it and it's still going strong!!!

  • @jimsvo4486

    @jimsvo4486

    8 ай бұрын

    What engine work was needed? I assume the timing chains needed to be replaced once or twice?

  • @ih302

    @ih302

    8 ай бұрын

    @@jimsvo4486 It would have had to have been the 4.6, one of Ford's all time most durable engines.

  • @CJColvin

    @CJColvin

    7 ай бұрын

    Awesome brother.

  • @RIVERSIDEREVIEWS

    @RIVERSIDEREVIEWS

    7 ай бұрын

    302 pushrod v8 5.0 was the most durable.@@ih302

  • @johnmaki3046

    @johnmaki3046

    7 ай бұрын

    WOW!

  • @davidgrisez
    @davidgrisez8 ай бұрын

    When the Ford Motor Company panther platform cars were finally discontinued it was the end of an era in automobile manufacture. These three cars, the Ford Crown Victoria, the Mercury Grand Marquis, and the Lincoln Town Car, were the last of the full size, rear wheel drive with a solid axle, the body on a frame, and a naturally aspirated V-8 engine in the front. With the push for higher fuel mileage, better safety and lower emissions we will never see cars built like this again.

  • @implodinggoat

    @implodinggoat

    8 ай бұрын

    Better safety ain't part of it. The gen 3 Lincoln TownCar was the first car to ever get all 5 star highway safety impact ratings, they're absolute tanks and I feel incredibly safe in mine.

  • @CJColvin

    @CJColvin

    7 ай бұрын

    @@implodinggoat Fully agree

  • @nolimitsnuttbusts4u

    @nolimitsnuttbusts4u

    Ай бұрын

    They were also low emissions vehicles. They achieved LEV status without variable cam timing and direct injection. They were cancelled because Ford was making more money off SUVs and trucks. It had nothing to do with mpg because the Panther cars get better mpg than the SUVs.

  • @jtckentucky3481
    @jtckentucky34818 ай бұрын

    Absolutely beautiful and one of the best daily drivers in GTA 4

  • @vincedibona4687

    @vincedibona4687

    8 ай бұрын

    That’s a video game. JFC. 🤦🏻‍♂️

  • @pantherplatform
    @pantherplatform8 ай бұрын

    I'm it's biggest fan. Got all four 2003 Panthers including the Marauder. I even got a 1990 Town Car with the new body style but with the 302 instead of the 4.6 that was introduced in 91 then in the crown vic and grand marquis in 92. I think i have almost 20 Panthers right now.

  • @smellsuperb1

    @smellsuperb1

    7 ай бұрын

    There's a guy here in Nashville that has around 13, I sold him a '95 Mark VIII.

  • @smellsuperb1

    @smellsuperb1

    7 ай бұрын

    I've owned: (in order) '82 CVPI '99 CVPI P71 '05 CVPI P71 '98 Grand Marquis '07 Executive L '05 Grand Marquis

  • @Realroyrogers
    @Realroyrogers7 ай бұрын

    They drove like you were driving a huge leather recliner , on long trips you appreciated that immensely

  • @jelanimclean6326
    @jelanimclean63268 ай бұрын

    What A Luxury Car Should Be. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @joshgreen2164
    @joshgreen21648 ай бұрын

    I had an 87 town car definitely a fine ride. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

  • @jlcii
    @jlcii8 ай бұрын

    One thing that was always lost on me was why didn't Ford put the Intech dual overhead cam V8 into this car. The Mark 8 had it, even the Continental got a version of it. I think a 300 horsepower, double overhead cam V8 would have definitely put this as more competitive against its German and Japanese rivals

  • @pgtmr2713

    @pgtmr2713

    8 ай бұрын

    Should've had it available for all the Panther cars and Trucks. Put some excitement into the brands, lower the costs by selling more of them.

  • @SpecialEDy

    @SpecialEDy

    8 ай бұрын

    I had a 97 Town Car. They were pretty quick for what they were.

  • @dickJohnsonpeter

    @dickJohnsonpeter

    8 ай бұрын

    Three hundred executives to go through before the boss even saw it probably.

  • @CJColvin

    @CJColvin

    7 ай бұрын

    @@pgtmr2713 Exactly mate, they should've made a 6.8L DOHC 40 Triton V10 as well.

  • @LaurentiusTriarius

    @LaurentiusTriarius

    7 ай бұрын

    Now imagine in 1993 if that Continental had rear wheel drive, 4 corner independent suspension and that V8, things would have been different for the American luxury segment. The STS had the same issue...

  • @johnnymason2460
    @johnnymason24608 ай бұрын

    This is a car worth having. The 1990-2011 models are the ones that I want to have. I remember reading that the 1989 version had the worst ABS system of all time (of course, it didn't have ABS that year).

  • @JKCougar

    @JKCougar

    8 ай бұрын

    I think the 2003-2006 were the best years for the last generation, if you look hard enough you can actually find them really well equipped with HIDs, Factory nav, THX sound system, Heated front seats with memory, and if it's an L you can get heated rear seats. After 2006 they started cost cutting and cut a few of those features out.

  • @Winters_Folly

    @Winters_Folly

    8 ай бұрын

    Owned to gen 2s, great cars.

  • @brooksrownd2275
    @brooksrownd22758 ай бұрын

    When I was a kid (1970s) I thought I"d drive a Town Car as an adult. It just seemed so classy and traditional. They were everywhere. I also lived in Lincoln, so driving a Lincoln seemed patriotic.

  • @av1981ca
    @av1981ca8 ай бұрын

    I have a 1988 Town Car, an icon of the road. Thank you for making this video. Huge fan of all you do.

  • @rtcturnemup7028
    @rtcturnemup70288 ай бұрын

    Actually surprised the 2017 continental didn’t sell. It was a very outstanding vehicle inside and out. Same with the Cadillac ct6. Sucks they killed them

  • @GeeEm1313

    @GeeEm1313

    8 ай бұрын

    Those Continentals were amazing.

  • @carsaregood911

    @carsaregood911

    8 ай бұрын

    Wasn't it based on a Fusion...?

  • @rtcturnemup7028

    @rtcturnemup7028

    8 ай бұрын

    @@carsaregood911 it wasn’t based on anything. Oddly, same story with the Cadillac

  • @rtcturnemup7028

    @rtcturnemup7028

    8 ай бұрын

    @@GeeEm1313 exactly. Lincoln really delivered with those continentals and mkz

  • @carsaregood911

    @carsaregood911

    8 ай бұрын

    @@rtcturnemup7028 It was, CD4 platform. The CT6 at least had it's own chassis called Omega based on the Alpha chassis

  • @TheCriminalViolin
    @TheCriminalViolin8 ай бұрын

    Love the third gen Town Car personally. One of the better looking vehicles out there. If I ever got a "more modern" car, and a actual car, I'd consistently look to one of them.

  • @jeffreyrussell8165
    @jeffreyrussell81658 ай бұрын

    I’m so glad to enjoy another MyOldCar episode the way it’s intended to be. Like driving a classic car. Just enjoying the ride.

  • @davinp
    @davinp8 ай бұрын

    LIcoln was upset when Ford decided to stop making sedans as they wanted to continue to make sedans to compete with Cadillac. Ford has neglected Lincoln which is struggling today

  • @Steve-lb2gm

    @Steve-lb2gm

    8 ай бұрын

    Ford has neglected so much of its business. Its why they basically now only have Puck ups in the US and vans in Europe.

  • @dmandman9
    @dmandman98 ай бұрын

    I wonder what would have happened if they’d simply updated the Town car and the other Panther platforms? I would sure be interested.

  • @JKCougar

    @JKCougar

    8 ай бұрын

    From what I remember reading a few years ago on a car forum, Ford was serious about doing a real big update to the Panther Platform in the early 2000s to keep it competitive and I think they were going to drop the new at the time 5 speed auto in it and a new V8 but when they saw how much money it was going to be to update the platform they determined it wasn't worth it and abandoned it. It's a shame.

  • @baldisaerodynamic9692

    @baldisaerodynamic9692

    8 ай бұрын

    nothing. sedan demand was in the toilet.

  • @stevendenton4965
    @stevendenton49658 ай бұрын

    I would love to have the 78 or 79 model Lincoln Town Car. I would drive that beautiful yacht everywhere 😂❤

  • @incompetentdiplomat3716
    @incompetentdiplomat37168 ай бұрын

    I have a 1971 town car, and that meant you got everything short of anti lock rear brakes and it’s a beast.

  • @AdamG1983
    @AdamG19838 ай бұрын

    The late 00s-early 10s really were a tough time for car companies. Many brands died off and beloved models disappeared.

  • @russyp
    @russyp8 ай бұрын

    I’ve always been fascinated by these cars. They were so ubiquitous in life and tv/film growing up I couldn’t help but notice them.

  • @smellsuperb1

    @smellsuperb1

    7 ай бұрын

    I've ridden in every year/series Town car since 1971, and the Panther platform was the most reliable.

  • @xodiaq
    @xodiaq8 ай бұрын

    I grew up with these cars on the road and cannot fathom how anybody misses these boxy, graceless messes.

  • @djquinn11
    @djquinn117 ай бұрын

    I had one, it was a tank. I think it was an ‘86. The car was huge, you didn’t parallel park, you dropped anchor.

  • @charlesbakston7414
    @charlesbakston74148 ай бұрын

    Next, Mercury Grand Marquis!

  • @dansimon1100
    @dansimon11008 ай бұрын

    GM H bodies, front wheel drive. That would be a good episode. Those are the ones I remember the most.

  • @juansuarez9496
    @juansuarez94968 ай бұрын

    I had a 1983 Town Car. Great car. Man, I miss that car.

  • @jsembler1
    @jsembler18 ай бұрын

    Always a highlight seeing a new video from you! As a Michigander born and raised, these videos bring me comfort!

  • @ILiveInAVanDownByTheRiver
    @ILiveInAVanDownByTheRiver8 ай бұрын

    On of the best cars ever made.

  • @donaldlayher3180
    @donaldlayher31808 ай бұрын

    I sold them for many years. It was a great car! Lasted for years. Miss them.

  • @bilbojenkins5276
    @bilbojenkins52768 ай бұрын

    Please do a video on the Lincoln Mark series?!? The Lincoln Mark VII LSC, IMO, saved American Luxury cars from getting completely wiped out by the Germans in the 80's. The Mark VII had tech on it 40 years ago that other manufacturers tout as, 'new' today - ie, automatic high beams.

  • @MyOldCar

    @MyOldCar

    8 ай бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/iKKHltiRlb29gpM.html

  • @danielwilhelm8870
    @danielwilhelm88708 ай бұрын

    Somehow found this channel by chance & I'm so glad I did. Love the feeling of nostalgia I get seeing some of the vintage commercials.

  • @theodoregarcia8830
    @theodoregarcia88308 ай бұрын

    This is a friggin good video , one of the best made and well explained , that has been made on this channel , Cherio ol chap , thanks for trip down memory lane

  • @fullsenderman8291
    @fullsenderman82918 ай бұрын

    Love this channel keep up the great work

  • @dylanrieck6671
    @dylanrieck66718 ай бұрын

    Nothing more iconic as a limo than the first two gens of town car

  • @mike1jag
    @mike1jag8 ай бұрын

    I have a 1987 Cadillac brougham. I love this car but the Lincoln’s were very nice also.

  • @cityofabscissae
    @cityofabscissae8 ай бұрын

    It's interesting that the Town Car in "Point Blank" turned into a Caprice Classic when the rear window was getting shot out!

  • @budweiserbundy1525
    @budweiserbundy15258 ай бұрын

    What I look forward too every other Saturday! 🙏🏻

  • @julioestanislaoskoropada7992
    @julioestanislaoskoropada79928 ай бұрын

    I remember Frank Sinatra had a song where he said he loved ten New Lincoln. What a car!. Congrats folks!

  • @BonnieKay13
    @BonnieKay137 ай бұрын

    Our '02 is now at 200,000 mark, runs like new, lots of new parts available, we replace anything needed, so everything works. We like the real of non-rack & P steering, we love the huge trunk, perfect leather heated seats, I've replaced grille & both headlamps so it looks like new, jet black paint is still very nice, the car it top quality throughout, the best car we have EVER owned, all stainless steel exhaust is forever.

  • @NORMandJAMIE
    @NORMandJAMIE8 ай бұрын

    Sooooo...we just gonna glance over that still shot of the 4.6 with 2 alternators

  • @JoesGoldenGarage
    @JoesGoldenGarage7 ай бұрын

    Awesome video!

  • @RIVERSIDEREVIEWS
    @RIVERSIDEREVIEWS7 ай бұрын

    One of the most memorable automobiles I ever owned for so many reasons was a 1985 lincon town car, which I painted a pirate flag on b/c yarrr. Thank you for this video.

  • @timothydurkan
    @timothydurkan8 ай бұрын

    In 1999 I had a two door Town Car. It was amazing. The eight track player lasted about two weeks...

  • @johndornoff
    @johndornoff8 ай бұрын

    Had a Town Car as a rental one time and ended up driving it around Rockingham Speedway to help dry the track; that was an adventure.

  • @lucasstuart-chilcote7069
    @lucasstuart-chilcote70697 ай бұрын

    I grew up in a black 98’ Navigator. It was such a treat.

  • @realcanadian96
    @realcanadian968 ай бұрын

    A town car with a CB radio as a factory option? That's something that sounds so unneeded but so god damn cool.

  • @CDBC

    @CDBC

    7 ай бұрын

    Undeeded? Surely that's a legal issue?

  • @MrJoeltrain
    @MrJoeltrain10 күн бұрын

    The last Continental is on of the best looking sedans ever made. I hope to drive one someday and add driving to the best list.

  • @louigee1450
    @louigee14508 ай бұрын

    Amazing content

  • @nb7466
    @nb74668 ай бұрын

    I had a 99 town car. Best car I think I ever had.

  • @Bzons
    @Bzons8 ай бұрын

    Buick Riveria when?

  • @DankyKang05
    @DankyKang058 ай бұрын

    Just bought an E39 5 series. Would love to see a vid on em. Very ahead of their time!

  • @michaelmcneil4998
    @michaelmcneil49988 ай бұрын

    Gunna be a good day!

  • @nightowl3582
    @nightowl35828 ай бұрын

    Those things were comfortable to ride in.

  • @mrbig4514
    @mrbig45148 ай бұрын

    I will always love the 1st and second gen Lincoln Town Cars

  • @Chris_Troxler
    @Chris_Troxler8 ай бұрын

    Oooh... I like that 2 door.

  • @noahholcomb4666
    @noahholcomb46667 ай бұрын

    I had two later model Town Cars, a 93 and then a 94. Still have the 94, I want to completely overhaul, repaint, etc, etc.

  • @giggiddy

    @giggiddy

    7 ай бұрын

    Nice buddy. Enjoy 😉

  • @DUNEATV
    @DUNEATV8 ай бұрын

    Iconic American car!

  • @KCCardCo
    @KCCardCo7 ай бұрын

    Henry Ford II was the one who liked the boxy straight lined design. He was the influence for that look.

  • @philpots48
    @philpots488 ай бұрын

    I lived in LIC Queens, near the 59th St, bridge, there must have been several hundred black town cars (called black cabs) parked on the street. Lots of work down in Wall St. taking execs home late.

  • @joeadams4752
    @joeadams47528 ай бұрын

    Nice😊

  • @landonbenford8369
    @landonbenford836924 күн бұрын

    BuYou forgot to include clips from Argyle's Town Car limo in "Die Hard 1 (1988)"!😁😄😆And Hey, I love the Opera windows and the half-vinyl tops!

  • @Daniel28021991
    @Daniel280219917 ай бұрын

    i love this

  • @o_r_i_o_n7266
    @o_r_i_o_n72668 ай бұрын

    Can you do a video about pontisc bonnevilles I have a 03 bonneville and I remember being interested in them thinking they were super sporty and fast, even though i have mixed feelings on mines They have a potentially interesting backstory

  • @steverone7623
    @steverone76238 ай бұрын

    This edit is much much better

  • @Wordsley
    @Wordsley2 күн бұрын

    1:36 Excuse me. I'm backing in here.

  • @davidpistek6241
    @davidpistek62418 ай бұрын

    I've always preferred sedans the car market is sad now, I used to work on alot of Lincoln Town cars up north in the late 90s, a company that sold hearse and limousines was a big customer I especially loved the box 80s style, beautiful as a hearse

  • @howebrad4601
    @howebrad46018 ай бұрын

    May be just me, but I very much prefer the luxurious cloth interiors of these Lincolns, and Cadillacs of the 80s, compared to anything made today. Today if you want a luxury trim level you're stuck with leather.

  • @OKFrax-ys2op
    @OKFrax-ys2op7 ай бұрын

    Look mommy, it’s our living room couch on wheels! Yes, dear it is ❤️

  • @a51s49
    @a51s498 ай бұрын

    Had a Towncar in high school Me and the crew use to roll around in luxury 🧐

  • @rabit818
    @rabit8188 ай бұрын

    Even the Lincoln font was rounded MKT hearst

  • @arthurhu2290
    @arthurhu22907 ай бұрын

    Should mention that Continental nameplate was moved to smaller fox-based and later taurus-based platforms before it was revived for 2016

  • @nickys1008
    @nickys10088 ай бұрын

    6:56 smooth transition

  • @garagenextdoor807
    @garagenextdoor8078 ай бұрын

    Would you mind doing the W220 1998-2006 Gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class? BTW good video always had a crush on the mid 80s town cars, the poster child for mob cars of it's day.

  • @w.e.s.
    @w.e.s.8 ай бұрын

    Ole stinkin Lincoln

  • @chriscornelius2518
    @chriscornelius25183 ай бұрын

    The only apprehension I have with Lincoln is the air suspension. I just love the Town Car and the Continental models from 90s and 2000s.

  • @billolsen4360
    @billolsen43608 ай бұрын

    I still tie the Town Car to newpaper photos of Paul Castelano's body laying just outside of his in front of Spark's Steak House on Manhattan.

  • @ryan1usu
    @ryan1usu8 ай бұрын

    Have you done the CRX? I have a 1990 HF model

  • @sdwranglers
    @sdwranglers8 ай бұрын

    The oval opera window was never standard on the Continental. It was optional, even on the Town Car trim package.

  • @josepizano1478
    @josepizano14788 ай бұрын

    Do the Cadillac Fleetwood from 80 to 96 😊

  • @pac1fic055
    @pac1fic0558 ай бұрын

    Please do an episode of the Lancer Evolution series 🙏

  • @Oldtimered
    @Oldtimered8 ай бұрын

    Had an 1985 Town Car with over 300k miles. It got 20-22 miles to the gallon. Gold with white vinyl top and interior. It would start in negative temperatures and go anywhere I wanted it to go. Wish I still had that tank.

  • @Jimmy-wl2iw
    @Jimmy-wl2iw15 сағат бұрын

    I own two towncars 1989 and 1997, they both run and dive with less than 90K

  • @seand2711
    @seand27118 ай бұрын

    I love the Town Cars.

  • @chickenfingers4904
    @chickenfingers49048 ай бұрын

    Hey Brother, can you get around to doing the honda s2000 and honda ridgeline 1st gen? They are both so weird and peculiar.

  • @mauriceldisgreecanadahaspr9560
    @mauriceldisgreecanadahaspr95608 ай бұрын

    MKZ SEDAN AND FORD TAURUS NICE SEDAN CONTINUE MAKE THEM

  • @louyork8379
    @louyork83798 ай бұрын

    Yeah, that’s a video I’ll watch

  • @XqeDiosxqe
    @XqeDiosxqe8 ай бұрын

    Hell yeAh, I want one....

  • @derrickclark5510
    @derrickclark55108 ай бұрын

    Best cars ever!!!

  • @uuulaalaa
    @uuulaalaa7 ай бұрын

    Is there an episode on the grand marquis?

  • @JSFGuy
    @JSFGuy8 ай бұрын

    That's what I was thinking, let's check it out.

  • @cloper84
    @cloper848 ай бұрын

    Glad to see the "Dutch" clip.

  • @albear972
    @albear9728 ай бұрын

    8:30 Two alternators? I have never seen that on an engine before.

  • @mustsilm
    @mustsilm7 ай бұрын

    I would for sure have this over a SUV

  • @landyachtfan79
    @landyachtfan798 ай бұрын

    "It's a white Lincoln Town Car, space V-5""

  • @michaelb6729
    @michaelb67298 ай бұрын

    The shoot-out scene from the film Heat ? ... where ?? 🤔

  • @texan903
    @texan9037 ай бұрын

    Interestingly enough, the Town Car could easily have remained in the Lincoln lineup for another five to seven years had it received timely updates beyond 2003. It could've seen a final redesign past 2008.

  • @user-ui9ce1qo5y
    @user-ui9ce1qo5y7 ай бұрын

    I miss the mark 6 and the town car

  • @roughseas3455
    @roughseas34557 ай бұрын

    Do the 80s Toyota pickup!

  • @Nickbruz
    @Nickbruz8 ай бұрын

    A video on the 1992-2002 Cadillac Eldorado would be awesome!

  • @calvincrews3885
    @calvincrews38858 ай бұрын

    The Lincoln town car continental can be anything in between to customizers