Description

1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III: The 1969 Mark III was created when Lee Iacocca, Ford’s vice-president, car and truck group, at the time, directed Design Vice President, Gene Bordinat, to “put a Rolls Royce grille on a Thunderbird” in September 1965. The Mark III was based on the fourth generation Lincoln Continental (1961-1969) and the four-door fifth generation Thunderbird introduced for 1967. With the Thunderbird “dying in the marketplace” Iacocca wanted to put the company’s development investment to better use by expanding its platform over several models. The Mark III was intended to compete head-to-head with the top of the domestic personal luxury car market, Cadillac’s heavily redesigned front wheel drive Eldorado. This placed it above the second tier premium personal luxury cars such as the Ford Thunderbird, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado. As the Eldorado was built upon the Toronado frame, the Mark III’s was based off the Thunderbird’s. While the side-rail frame was identical to the Thunderbird’s, the Mark III bore almost 300 lb (140 kg) more bodywork. Power was adequate from Lincoln’s Ford 385 engine-based 460 cu in (7.5 l) 365 bhp (272 kW) V8.

Our experience with these Lincolns and the customers we sell them to fall into two camps. We meet buyers who have owned a Mark III in the past and kick themselves constantly for letting them go. Or, they don’t know much about them but fall in love with them as soon as they get behind the wheel. When we located this low mileage ’69 Mark III we knew it was destined to bring us another happy new customer … no matter what their level of Lincoln experience. With only 32k original miles, a laser straight body, excellent black paint, and a nearly pristine interior, this Lincoln has very little anyone can fault. This classic drives great and we needed only to charge the A/C and replace a few window switches to get this beauty running like new. A complete list of options and features include; 460 V8 (365hp), Auto, RWD, Factory A/C (converted to R134), Chrome Grill, Chrome Mirror, Chrome Bumpers, Dual Exhaust, Original Rubber Floormats, Power Steering & Brakes, Power Windows & Locks, Power Seats, Original AM Radio, Tire Tools, Full Spare (w/cover), 15″ Factory Wheels, and Thick Uniroyal White Wall Tires! The experts at NADA currently value this classic at $37,400 and Hagerty comes in just slightly lower at $35,400. We have found that CPI Black Book’s assessment at $27,800 is normally dead on because they constantly record the auction sales of identical vehicles nationwide. So while we may be leaving money on the table, we feel our asking price of $29,900 is both fair and accurate. Whether you are in the market for an extremely original spec Mark III or you are looking for the perfect platform to start a custom build, we feel you will be extremely pleased with this example!