Your not the only one who wishes that cars like that were still made today. I own 2 70s car a 77 mark v and a 76 eldorado. They are a pleasure to drive. Great job on the video.
I’m selling one exactly like this, it doesn’t look like this one but it’s in good conditions. I live in Illinois. If somebody is interested reply here and I send my phone number. This car have been in auto shows and has a lot of first place trophies.🏆
I drove this growing up when I was 16 years old, in 1990. It was my daily driver for the 90s. It was a beast of a car, barely got 10 mpg if you babied it, but what a dream. Back seat was tight but who cares. And it was 6000 lbs of American steel if I recall correctly. Just an absolute gem. The one thing you definetly got right, they don’t make them like that anymore.
Hi Zack, it is so heartwarming to see a young man love these cars like you do! I was 17 when the Lincoln Continental Mark V was introduced. It has always been my life-long dream car. After 42 years, I am now the owner of one!! It is black with red stripes on each side and black leather interior. It drives like a dream! I am so lucky to have found it. I absolutely love this car! Love your videos! Keep up the great work.
Hey Zack, I wasn't expecting such a heartfelt review, very moving my friend! I was in college when that Mark V was new. I'll never forget what a great road car those old 70's Lincolns were, smooth and quiet. The Mark V has a surprising amount of backseat room. You really can take a trip in a Mark V, with luggage too! 👍
The '77 and '78 came with an optional 460ci engine. The best options were the 4 way coil springs, the 4 way disc brakes and 50/50 master cylinder. I rebuilt and adjusted the Holly 4 barrel carb to get an average of 26 miles per gallon. The sticker stated 7 town and 14 highway mileage.
@@bobd9868 First of all its, "There’s no way in hell YOU'RE getting 26 miles per gallon," and secondly, cars in the 70's were tuned for power. Screw with the fuel/air mixture and you'd be able to sacrifice some of your power for extra mileage.
What an awesome video; you did this car proud. I was 9 years old in 1979 and my aunt had a '78 model that was just about the same as this one except it was a beautiful green color. I remember as a little kid riding in it (in the front seat, of course!) during a huge rain storm and it felt like we were in our living-room at home: smooth, quiet, comfy, secure, and safe. I have wanted one of these cars for many years now. Oddly enough, I live in a very small town and saw one at a local car wash just a week ago - I was so taken aback that I turned my truck around and went back to take pictures of it. I hope to have one of these one day - and since green is such a great 70s color, that would make it over-the-top! Again, great video and great thoughts on this awesome, beautiful car.
Man, this review got me at the end lol. I share your sentiments. They just aren’t made like they used to be. I was born in 1992, but learned much about cars from my dad who passed in 2016 due to cancer. Your content helps fill a void my friend. Keep it up!
Thank you for such a well done review of this vehicle. I have to say that it's nice to see a young guy appreciating an automobile like this, especially the part about how solidly built it is. That's what North American made cars used to be like. I was 19 back in 79, and I can remember wanting one of these Lincolns. A local doctor purchased a 1977 Continental Mk V and drove it until somewhere around the early 2000s. The last time I saw him with it the car was still running perfectly, but years of driving through winter salt had taken a toll on the body panels. And in closing, I also want to thank you for sharing those old family photos from the 1970s. It reminds me of growing up in the 60s and 70s!
Just found this channel, great content and personally loved the review. I've got an 78 Diamond Jubilee edition in Diamond Jubilee Gold color with the 460 ci 4bbl mill under hood.Yes it's 460 engine, and the last year for that unfortunately. I own a73 Tbird and a few more 70s land yachts and couldn't agree more with you:: The bigger, the more float and bloat I call it the better. Especially the 78 Town Car that just floats majestically over railroad crossings like nothing. Thank you for posting this , great job. Please keep' em coming
The neighbors across the street from me growing up purchased a new 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V after trading in their 1977 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau. Their '79 Mark V was silver blue inside and out. The husband drove it to work for one week and decided it was too nice of a car to daily drive so he parked it in the garage (next to his wife's mint '67 Firebird 326 convertible) and he purchased another car to take him to work and back. The Mark V was used only on special occasions. The last I heard, it only had 3,000 miles on it (probably sometime around 2000). Both husband and wife are now long gone, as are the cars they owned. Hopefully they both found good homes. Yes, the seventies were special and the cars of that era rarely get the credit they so well deserve. My favorite memory of that time is driving through the immaculately kept neighborhoods of my hometown and seeing the rear ends of two sparkling seventies cars peeking out of the open garage doors. It seemed everyone took so much pride in their homes and cars back then and liked to show them off a bit. So much has changed.
My mom n dad both had these marks. Dad had a 1979 bill blass moms was a 78 Diamond Jubilee Ed. (Gold). Both were both as used cars in the late 80s BOTH served them well and were very dependable, smooth and quiet. They sail over bumps with ease. I personally own a 1970 Mark Ill bought in 1985!!! Still own it. It’s being restored by me as time and $$ permits. Great cars!!
This was my dad's car. He'd let me borrow it to go to concerts or go on dates when i was in highschool. Awesome car lots of good memories. I remember how long the front end was.
RIP Dad. He had this magnificent Lincoln. (and yes he was a shady businessman) So comfy. My mom (RIP) had a 72 Cougar XR7 w a 351 Cleveland. She GAVE it to me on my 16th. (1977).
This is precisely why you're my favorite content creator. While watching I learn more about cars and some cars I've never heard of. But also, I learn more about myself. Now I know why I feel the way I do when I play old video games, or when I watch old home videos of my family, or watch old videos of 80's Japan. You really gotta make me emotional huh.
I was born in 1959 and boy do I remember the 70s. The Mark V was the pinnacle of the American personal luxury car. By the mid 1980s my friends and I were able to afford cars like these used. We had T-birds, Continental Town Cars, Eldorado's. Those were some fine cars
this video is really well done, put a smile on my face, thank you man. I really hope you get more viewers soon, I can tell you really have a lot of passion for this.
Thank you for the touching video. I was alive at that time and I would’ve been about 14 when this car was out. At the time the 70s seemed a crazy out of control time of rebellion and the country was changing into something unrecognizable but there was a still strong remnant of what this country was, and I miss it. Unfortunately this country HAS turned into something unrecognizable to those who were alive back then and now the 70s seem a golden time, it was a special time and I just hope that we can bring back what this country was. It was a country of independent people who didn’t rely on their government to protect them and the government let people be for the most part. and the few regulations that the government was putting forward at the time the people rebelled against. Nobody drove 55, people didn’t like the regulations being forced down our throat and rebelled at any chance. Take a look at the movies and shows from the time, the Dukes of Hazzard, or Smokey and the bandit. Rebellion against the law was the norm and frankly it was healthy to rebel against unjust and oppressive laws and regulations. I don’t know what happened between then and 2021 but people of the 70s wouldn’t have accepted those masks and those lockdowns. They would’ve told the government to go to hell. Nobody thought at the time that the 70s would be a golden age, but looking back, they were and thank you for bringing a few tears to my eyes.
Great revue and footage from the 70s. I have a black 1977 mark 5. And it is one of my favorites of my old cars. It has standard cloth seats in read. I also have discoverd the solid door mecanism,and love it. Not many other american 70s cars had a door closing this nice. I use to tell the tesla guys batteling bad quality handles that it is not a good handle before the car has been on the road for 20 years and in the woods for 30 years,and the door still opens😁
Dad was a businessman in the 60's/70's/80's. He had the Mark III, IV, V, and VI before he defected to Town Car because the VII looked "too European" and the VIII he didn't even want to talk about. His V was a '79 in Silver. I was less than 10 years old but remember it being extremely comfortable. The movable headlight doors made me lose my everloving sh*t to the point that I would ask him to turn the lights on and off while I stood outside our destination. My biggest regret was that I wasn't old enough to drive it when he had it. I would drive him crazy turning on the little map light in the back seat. "Turn that light off back there!". I heard "Stop playing with the cigarette lighter" many times as well
My comment is after watching the entire video and this is about the sweetest thing I've seen in a while....... I love the way the review is expressed and I myself question why Ford Lincoln Continental isn't doing something like this this body style with a better emissions and updated motor with all the power of the original....
I remember all our vacations from Kansas to Scottsdale in the Summer and Breckenridge in Winter. I also remember "55 Saves Lives". My dad had a Escort Radar Detector and a built in CB radio so we fly at 62 miles per hour and it was hell in that 1981 Town Car. But at least he would play his sermons on the cassette deck and we had no Walkman's yet. I was so proud to see the limits go up to 65 and 75 depending. Your doing great and I will email later a car for you to drive if you desire.
Hi Zack, yes I remember these cars. They looked big to me at the time, but beautiful and stylish. I did not know much about cars at the time. I was in junior high school then, but they were nice. I remember I once said to myself at the time that I would own one of them someday. I never did, because they disappeared by the time I got my driver s license. I ended up getting other cars from Ford and Buick. I never had this car, but by watching this video here I feel like I was finally able to sit on the driver's side and look at the interior. My dream finally became a reality after 40 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is amazing what the internet can do. Thank you. Are you selling it by the way?
Wonderful review! Brings back fond memories of my childhood! Especially you driving the mark 5 down country roads. Seeing the hood of that behemoth from the drivers seat again makes me feel like the 7 year old I was. Thanks for sharing. Peace!
I'm glad malaise era land yachts cars are getting a genuine interest these days. Yeah they're not fast, or particularly well made, and sometimes a bit garish. But they're so different from anything else, big, heavy, smooth, comfy, stylish, they have such a strong presence on the road.
I'm in full agreement with you on these vehicles. They are gas guzzlers without providing serious performance, with less rear legroom than a mini minor, often enough. They are terrible and wicked and cannot hope to compete, yet they exist, with somebody making them and customers who bought them, and it is a combination of all of those factors which make them such absolute wonders in every way. This Lincoln is especially terrific, with body overhangs approaching 2 metres front & back. I really want one. Ford always had the most comfortable and plush seats, lots of support under the thighs in particular. In many other cars of the era, you would feel as if you had walked all the miles you put on the clock.
These great cars absolutely need the 460 engine, they plenty of power and are ultra smooth. I have a 1978 diamond jubilee edition. What a car and pleasure to drive.
I owned a ‘79 for 17 years, so it had the same 400 cu. in. (6.6L), but mine was brown and cream. Before he retired, I had a stellar mechanic who knew how to tune that last-generation carburetor. He had mine doing 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, and another 4 seconds would take it off the speedometer, so that engine will run. Mileage was 16 mpg highway on a road trip from PA to WY, but worse around town just because of stopping and starting so much mass. You are missing the flexible air duct from the intake at the top of the grill: it does run better with it than without. Mine came apart and suffered some performance loss until replaced. Part of your door sound is the auto-electric front seat-back releases for easier access to the back seat, but that is a seriously thick and heavy door made obvious if you ever park on a side slope like partly in a ditch. I miss that car!
Forgot one key detail: needed to upgrade the exhaust. Factory exhaust had dual catalytic converters, but then Y-piped into a single skinny pipe through the muffler and resonator. Upgraded to independent (no Y-pipe) dual exhaust. My mechanic said he needed that to use his tailpipe “sniffer” to set the carb.
Cool stuff throwing the bit of Americana and how cars were working to keep up with the interstate system. Well researched and enjoyable to watch. I leave ads on when watching these.
That was a fun review on a beautifully executed car. You'd probably be interested in learning more about the whole Continental line... Starting with the original custom that Edsel Ford had built for himself back in 1938/39... They've all been REALLY SOMETHING since. As with everything, because of perceived 'safety' and the projected, indoctrinated idea that "lighter means more efficient", all cars, and almost everything else we're subjected to buy, has been cheapened. The pre-1985 cars of ALL MAKES were the last of what I consider "rebuildable" and maintainable. This Mark V is a great example of what I'm talking about. Oh... The hump in the trunk lid.... On the earliest Connies, the spare was actually standing on the rear bumper... This the popular Continental Kit accessory of the early to late Fifties. The second generation Mark IIs had the bump in the trunk lid, but the spare actually did stand up in a little well in the trunk compartment. By the time the Mk.III and later cars showed up, the bump was purely decorative... But became a favorite custom touch on other makes in the Seventies, just as the original, bumper mounted version did, two decades before. Cheers!
7:42 There was one year in which Ford actually put the spare behind the trunk lid on the Thunderbird, maybe around 1955 or 1956, but it made such a mess of the handling that the next year, the tire was further in and the one on the trunk lid was a dummy.
I do gotta point out a safety concern, and its not what you would think. So for context i own a 72 continental the other day i was pulling out on to a street, if you can imagine it was like a T, i was at the bottom of the T turning left, there was trees on both sides parallel to the stop sign. i had the nose of the car lined up with the stop sign but i couldn't see past the trees because the cabin was so far back. i ended up pulling out in front of a truck and almost causing a accident because i couldn't see. its not the lack of airbags or crumple zones that makes cars like this dangerous, it just simple designs like the long hood.
460, not 450. I had a 78 Mark V. Designer series cost the price of another car. I had the moonroof, wire wheels, VOGUE tyres. TractionLok. Cloth seats. I ♥️ that car. Gr8 long distance traveler. 8track radio. Mobile living room
LOL...I used to love these when I was a kid Look how the whole car shakes when he closes the door.....very softly sprung car Cant imagine going over some rail road tracks and how the car would shake after you went over them
Love your reviews! Keep going - nice car by the way. Really like the classic Continental! And my godness, i can feel your driving impressions just by the way you describe it to us... driving one of these cars on a wonderful sunday afternoon on a backroad. Oh god... What a feeling that must be! 🥰
My dad a 1973 Ford Thunderbird, sister car to the Mark IV and very closely related to the Mark V as a result. Huge barge of a car. I was brought home from the hospital in it after being born in the early 80s. Then the engine went and my mum sold it to a guy wearing a fur coat... it was always my mum's favourite car that my dad ever owned, when it worked.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. At the time I thought the country was going through tremendous upheaval, and things seemed crazy. But looking back, it was a time of innocence and rebellion. I wish we had the days again where we could make movies, such as Smokey and the bandit and blazing saddles. I wish we had the rebellious attitude of the 70s again. If so, the last three years of lockdowns never would’ve happened. The people of the 70s never would’ve tolerated it.
I was born in 1968, and my Uncle Leased a new Mark whenever a new one came out. And this is the one I grew-up up getting to ride around in for years in the early '80's...but he told me it was a 460 CI Engine. You didn't mention that the Electric Seats move in every direction but sideways. or the radio antenna that comes up when you turned the radio on. Anyway, it was a Torque Monster, and it sucked when he got the shortened Mark 6 with a 351...then the Horrible Mark 7 that wasn't even the same Car anymore.
The clunk sound is thick steel. The newer cars have ' high strength steel ' which is stronger than old steel but is thinner which makes it weaker. I had a 1978 Ford & it came out unscathed when there was a heavy hail storm. All the other newer cars in the street had dents everywhere, my 78 Ford, not a mark. It reminds me of the Russian Lada Niva that had sheet metal that was twice as thick as other cars.
I'm from Illinois, I was 5, I've owned a 1966 Chrysler 300, 1966 Impala "SS" Convertible and a 1967 Galaxy 500, all coupes. I sat behind the wheel of a mid 70's Cadillac coupe, and it made my cars seem small by comparison, the hood was so long.
I get a kick out of the young kids discovering those old cars. The truth is those cars were awful in fuel economy, they handled like a couch on wheels. From an engineering standpoint they were piss poor design. Yet I still love those boats, they were great looking cars. You got to also remember that Congress i the seventies was just as dumb as the current edition and imposed a 55 mph or 90 km/h speed limit on all interstates. I remember driving down. I 29 from Winnipeg down to Galveston Texas. Driving through ND, SD Iowa, Nebraska , Kansas Oklahoma , is the world's most boring drive. Those cars were made for those times.
As a car guy, I have always hated modern cars. I wouldn't drive a focus if you paid me to. I own one of these lincolns and I love 70s cars. I have 5. I was born in 78. My first car was a 78 2 door fairmont which I still own. Stick with the classics, the modern front drives don't deserve a chance they don't look good enough or have enough comfort
My opinion regarding quality of vehicles.. Went off the gold standard in 71 and the effects were really felt after the 70s I guess.. As the dollar loses value, so does quality.
you hit home with the focus door handles XD mine are intact but the doors feel like van doors to me , in the way they sound and close , shoutout to that rear door that squicks so hard so everybody knows , its my focus XD
Alright, I just finished watching the video. As always with 70s-90s cars, I love your thoughts and feelings in terms of nostalgia. The home video footage is a nice touch. Then you praise the build quality of the door. And I agree, that clunk sound is ASMR material. But what is that fluttering thing just below the grill at 13:30? I would appreciate an answer.
Apologies in advance for the text wall... I believe that thing fluttering beneath the grille you pointed out is the filler panel for the front bumper. Starting with the 1973 model year, there was a regulation put in place for American cars to be fitted with what were known as 5-mph bumpers. These bumpers were designed to take bigger impacts than the thinner, shapelier bumpers that came before them in the early '70s and back. As you can see, 5-mph bumpers are very large and bulky, like two big, chrome girders hanging off either end of the car. They also often stuck so far out from the rest of the car's body that unsightly gaps were present between the bumpers and the rest of the car. This visual issue was remedied with body-colored filler panels put in place to cover the gaps. Trouble is, these fillers were typically not made of the same steel that the rest of the car's body was made of. They were plastic-like and frail, making them susceptible to fading, warping, and even cracking up into pieces over time. Many American cars from this era have had their bumper fillers completely disintegrate from years of driving around and being exposed to the elements. The owner of this particular Lincoln might want to have a look at the bumper filler on their car that's flapping away like that, as it looks like it might be damaged or at least slightly dislodged. You can read more about 5-mph bumpers and the regulation that spawned them in the Wikipedia article about bumpers, in the United States bit of the Regulation section.
Hi! I just reunited with a childhood and he has given me the task in drawing this car but in a cyber punk style for his video game that he's working on. I'll let you know how it goes!
I feel you buddy... I wish I grew up in the early 80s when the JDM icons where un heard of... ugh I remember when you could get an nsx for 14k, a decent supra for 16 an fd for 8k and 240sx for 2k ... z32 was like 6k... I mean in 09 I missed out on a 240z that ran fine but was spray painted for less than 3k... While 2nd gen eclipses where still going for 1800 to 5k for a gsx in 2009
We completely agree with everything you’ve said about this car, my son has shipped one over here to the UK and is his everyday car-however…we need to move it as he’s left it in our care whilst he is back in the US and there is no mention on how to open the bonnet so we can reconnect the battery and move it. Can you help please?
And one more thing: a SPOT ON observation about the coupe and the statement it makes. My last 3 civics were all coupes. Most of the time I'm by myself and my wife is the only other person I drive around with so I don't need a sedan. They look better, too
First adjust the seating. You should be able to hold the clutch fully depressed for a while without it being uncomfortable. Then adjust tilt in the seat so you can drive for long in that position. Finally, adjust your wheel to hold it in a relaxed way (make sure it doesn't hide the instrument cluster). For mirrors, you should see a tiny bit of your car (I put the door handle in the near bottom corner for my part), and adjusting the passenger one lower is useful for parallel parking (so you can see the walkway)
@@solomongreen9468 I put the front door handle in the mirror (I like being able to see the car itself a tiny bit with the corner of my eye while looking straight in front of me) For the clutch part, the mean answer would be "get a real car", but I'm more gonna say whatever you do with your pedals, you should be able to do it for the whole day without it being uncomfortable
I sometimes hear people talking about how these old 2-door "coupes" are just big with no benefits. I think people just see the cars on pictures, see the two doors and think it´s the size of a VW Golf, when in reality they get as much space as a modern SUV...
4:35 That's an odd location for the wiper controls. Cadillac always put them on the left of the wheel, probably to make it easier to work them while scraping or brushing off the windshield in a snow storm.
I own a 79 mark V...Cartier ed with a moonroof....16 thousand miles on the odometer as of today....A 2 DOOR LIMOUSIN is what it is...The PINNACLE of a 70's AMERICAN LUXURY AUTOMOBILE
Yup, 100% should not like this car at all. But I have liked those big malaise boats for a long time. Got to do some engine work though. All the ingredients are there for a tire slayer and picking up not just a fraction of a second but full seconds off the quarter mile. And then cruise back home in great comfort. Personally I would look for a 78 or 77. The majority were ordered with the 460, and there are more hop up parts for that engine too.
13:07 "I wasn't alive in 1979, but I wish I was" It was a great time to come of age. Those old cars had lots of space to do extra curricular's--- borrowing your Dad's big o'ld cruiser to make out with your girl friend in.
Thank Zack for this great review. This car represents the pinnacle of America in the world - 1979. This year Khomeini came to power, Deng Xiaoping abandoned communist and China became super capitalist. Margaret Tatcher destroyed all union etc.....Now we can see the consequences of this. Now U.S is facing huge challenges. A lot of countries don't agree to be dominate by America. You can say that 1979 was the last year of the America peacefully domination of the world and this car represents this area.
I test drove a Pucci version of one of these. I did not have a good experience. The car itself was immaculate and in perfect operational condition, but in general I found the seats to be uncomfortable with little lower back support. As I drove it, the car bounced around over dips and bumps with excessive body roll around turns. The steering requires constant adjustments to keep the vehicle centered between the lanes, which i found annoying. After about a 5 mile test drive, I returned the vehicle and opted not to buy it. Bill from Curious Cars talks about poor steering in a lot of these 70s cruisers, so I I think it was common for its day. But something I found unenjoyable.
Did ford have a 400 ci ? I know they had the 390 but they might’ve got rid of that in 72 or 73 with the gas crisis but I think he meant Lincoln usually came with or had an option for a 460 not a 450
Your not the only one who wishes that cars like that were still made today. I own 2 70s car a 77 mark v and a 76 eldorado. They are a pleasure to drive. Great job on the video.
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Hey James. I’m selling a 79 Lincoln continental mark v. Do you know somebody that can be interested? I live in Illinois.
I’m selling one exactly like this, it doesn’t look like this one but it’s in good conditions.
I live in Illinois. If somebody is interested reply here and I send my phone number. This car have been in auto shows and has a lot of first place trophies.🏆
@@negocioyequipointegro358 I would take a look
I'd buy one pure cruiser ,nothing sporty about it , like the world now has this obsession with being sporty
I drove this growing up when I was 16 years old, in 1990. It was my daily driver for the 90s. It was a beast of a car, barely got 10 mpg if you babied it, but what a dream. Back seat was tight but who cares. And it was 6000 lbs of American steel if I recall correctly. Just an absolute gem. The one thing you definetly got right, they don’t make them like that anymore.
6000 lbs????????????? Not even close
@@drobson8004 rose tinted glasses
Hi Zack, it is so heartwarming to see a young man love these cars like you do! I was 17 when the Lincoln Continental Mark V was introduced. It has always been my life-long dream car. After 42 years, I am now the owner of one!! It is black with red stripes on each side and black leather interior. It drives like a dream! I am so lucky to have found it. I absolutely love this car! Love your videos! Keep up the great work.
Could I hear that door close one more time? Priceless!
Hey Zack, I wasn't expecting such a heartfelt review, very moving my friend! I was in college when that Mark V was new. I'll never forget what a great road car those old 70's Lincolns were, smooth and quiet. The Mark V has a surprising amount of backseat room. You really can take a trip in a Mark V, with luggage too! 👍
The '77 and '78 came with an optional 460ci engine. The best options were the 4 way coil springs, the 4 way disc brakes and 50/50 master cylinder. I rebuilt and adjusted the Holly 4 barrel carb to get an average of 26 miles per gallon. The sticker stated 7 town and 14 highway mileage.
There’s no way in hell your getting 26 miles per gallon. Impossible with any engine they offered.
@@bobd9868 First of all its, "There’s no way in hell YOU'RE getting 26 miles per gallon," and secondly, cars in the 70's were tuned for power. Screw with the fuel/air mixture and you'd be able to sacrifice some of your power for extra mileage.
What an awesome video; you did this car proud. I was 9 years old in 1979 and my aunt had a '78 model that was just about the same as this one except it was a beautiful green color. I remember as a little kid riding in it (in the front seat, of course!) during a huge rain storm and it felt like we were in our living-room at home: smooth, quiet, comfy, secure, and safe. I have wanted one of these cars for many years now. Oddly enough, I live in a very small town and saw one at a local car wash just a week ago - I was so taken aback that I turned my truck around and went back to take pictures of it. I hope to have one of these one day - and since green is such a great 70s color, that would make it over-the-top! Again, great video and great thoughts on this awesome, beautiful car.
Man, this review got me at the end lol. I share your sentiments. They just aren’t made like they used to be. I was born in 1992, but learned much about cars from my dad who passed in 2016 due to cancer. Your content helps fill a void my friend. Keep it up!
Thank you for such a well done review of this vehicle. I have to say that it's nice to see a young guy appreciating an automobile like this, especially the part about how solidly built it is. That's what North American made cars used to be like.
I was 19 back in 79, and I can remember wanting one of these Lincolns.
A local doctor purchased a 1977 Continental Mk V and drove it until somewhere around the early 2000s. The last time I saw him with it the car was still running perfectly, but years of driving through winter salt had taken a toll on the body panels.
And in closing, I also want to thank you for sharing those old family photos from the 1970s. It reminds me of growing up in the 60s and 70s!
Just found this channel, great content and personally loved the review. I've got an 78 Diamond Jubilee edition in Diamond Jubilee Gold color with the 460 ci 4bbl mill under hood.Yes it's 460 engine, and the last year for that unfortunately. I own a73 Tbird and a few more 70s land yachts and couldn't agree more with you:: The bigger, the more float and bloat I call it the better. Especially the 78 Town Car that just floats majestically over railroad crossings like nothing. Thank you for posting this , great job. Please keep' em coming
These are my all-time favorite cars, period. The Mark V and its following Mark VI were both absolutely beautiful cars.
They may have been able to get up to 80 but this Lincoln is from the 55 speed limit era. It was enforced with a vengeance. Great video!
@@generfeld Look up Bill Hickman, then come back to me.
The neighbors across the street from me growing up purchased a new 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V after trading in their 1977 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau. Their '79 Mark V was silver blue inside and out. The husband drove it to work for one week and decided it was too nice of a car to daily drive so he parked it in the garage (next to his wife's mint '67 Firebird 326 convertible) and he purchased another car to take him to work and back. The Mark V was used only on special occasions. The last I heard, it only had 3,000 miles on it (probably sometime around 2000). Both husband and wife are now long gone, as are the cars they owned. Hopefully they both found good homes. Yes, the seventies were special and the cars of that era rarely get the credit they so well deserve. My favorite memory of that time is driving through the immaculately kept neighborhoods of my hometown and seeing the rear ends of two sparkling seventies cars peeking out of the open garage doors. It seemed everyone took so much pride in their homes and cars back then and liked to show them off a bit. So much has changed.
My mom n dad both had these marks. Dad had a 1979 bill blass moms was a 78 Diamond Jubilee Ed. (Gold). Both were both as used cars in the late 80s BOTH served them well and were very dependable, smooth and quiet. They sail over bumps with ease. I personally own a 1970 Mark Ill bought in 1985!!! Still own it. It’s being restored by me as time and $$ permits. Great cars!!
This was my dad's car. He'd let me borrow it to go to concerts or go on dates when i was in highschool. Awesome car lots of good memories. I remember how long the front end was.
I missed 1979 by a year but I still remember seeing a lot of these on the road.
RIP Dad. He had this magnificent Lincoln. (and yes he was a shady businessman) So comfy. My mom (RIP) had a 72 Cougar XR7 w a 351 Cleveland. She GAVE it to me on my 16th. (1977).
This is precisely why you're my favorite content creator. While watching I learn more about cars and some cars I've never heard of. But also, I learn more about myself. Now I know why I feel the way I do when I play old video games, or when I watch old home videos of my family, or watch old videos of 80's Japan.
You really gotta make me emotional huh.
Great job sir....Thoroughly
enjoyed it..
Old cars is like driving a couch comfortable seats God I miss that
Reaper:: YES YES THANX
Nice ending. Well done.
I was born in 1959 and boy do I remember the 70s. The Mark V was the pinnacle of the American personal luxury car. By the mid 1980s my friends and I were able to afford cars like these used. We had T-birds, Continental Town Cars, Eldorado's. Those were some fine cars
this video is really well done, put a smile on my face, thank you man. I really hope you get more viewers soon, I can tell you really have a lot of passion for this.
Awesome video 1979 was an magical exciting and eventful I was 12years old and my father's friend owned one and my neighbor across the street owned one
I was 14 when this gem was born.
Was fortunate to own a '71 Mark III that I rescued and painted...what a dream that old soot bomb was to drive!
Thank you for the touching video. I was alive at that time and I would’ve been about 14 when this car was out. At the time the 70s seemed a crazy out of control time of rebellion and the country was changing into something unrecognizable but there was a still strong remnant of what this country was, and I miss it. Unfortunately this country HAS turned into something unrecognizable to those who were alive back then and now the 70s seem a golden time, it was a special time and I just hope that we can bring back what this country was. It was a country of independent people who didn’t rely on their government to protect them and the government let people be for the most part. and the few regulations that the government was putting forward at the time the people rebelled against. Nobody drove 55, people didn’t like the regulations being forced down our throat and rebelled at any chance. Take a look at the movies and shows from the time, the Dukes of Hazzard, or Smokey and the bandit. Rebellion against the law was the norm and frankly it was healthy to rebel against unjust and oppressive laws and regulations. I don’t know what happened between then and 2021 but people of the 70s wouldn’t have accepted those masks and those lockdowns. They would’ve told the government to go to hell. Nobody thought at the time that the 70s would be a golden age, but looking back, they were and thank you for bringing a few tears to my eyes.
Great revue and footage from the 70s.
I have a black 1977 mark 5. And it is one of my favorites of my old cars. It has standard cloth seats in read. I also have discoverd the solid door mecanism,and love it. Not many other american 70s cars had a door closing this nice. I use to tell the tesla guys batteling bad quality handles that it is not a good handle before the car has been on the road for 20 years and in the woods for 30 years,and the door still opens😁
That click-klink of the door opening is so comfy. Things like that are sorely missing from cars today.
my roommate has one of these that I'm constantly fixing, as I'm the car guy of the house. Good to see your take!
loved the family footage from the 70's makes me wish there was footage of my parents back in the day but it's only photos
Dad was a businessman in the 60's/70's/80's. He had the Mark III, IV, V, and VI before he defected to Town Car because the VII looked "too European" and the VIII he didn't even want to talk about. His V was a '79 in Silver. I was less than 10 years old but remember it being extremely comfortable. The movable headlight doors made me lose my everloving sh*t to the point that I would ask him to turn the lights on and off while I stood outside our destination. My biggest regret was that I wasn't old enough to drive it when he had it. I would drive him crazy turning on the little map light in the back seat. "Turn that light off back there!". I heard "Stop playing with the cigarette lighter" many times as well
My comment is after watching the entire video and this is about the sweetest thing I've seen in a while....... I love the way the review is expressed and I myself question why Ford Lincoln Continental isn't doing something like this this body style with a better emissions and updated motor with all the power of the original....
I remember all our vacations from Kansas to Scottsdale in the Summer and Breckenridge in Winter. I also remember "55 Saves Lives". My dad had a Escort Radar Detector and a built in CB radio so we fly at 62 miles per hour and it was hell in that 1981 Town Car. But at least he would play his sermons on the cassette deck and we had no Walkman's yet. I was so proud to see the limits go up to 65 and 75 depending. Your doing great and I will email later a car for you to drive if you desire.
I've got a Mark V, and I love it for the same reasons that you highlighted at 11:30 --- nostalgia for the days of big, distinctive cars.
Great video! And yes, the ‘70’s were just that great!!!
The family home videos did it for me. Amazing!
Hi Zack, yes I remember these cars. They looked big to me at the time, but beautiful and stylish. I did not know much about cars at the time. I was in junior high school then, but they were nice. I remember I once said to myself at the time that I would own one of them someday. I never did, because they disappeared by the time I got my driver s license. I ended up getting other cars from Ford and Buick. I never had this car, but by watching this video here I feel like I was finally able to sit on the driver's side and look at the interior. My dream finally became a reality after 40 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is amazing what the internet can do. Thank you. Are you selling it by the way?
Wonderful review! Brings back fond memories of my childhood! Especially you driving the mark 5 down country roads. Seeing the hood of that behemoth from the drivers seat again makes me feel like the 7 year old I was. Thanks for sharing. Peace!
I'm glad malaise era land yachts cars are getting a genuine interest these days. Yeah they're not fast, or particularly well made, and sometimes a bit garish. But they're so different from anything else, big, heavy, smooth, comfy, stylish, they have such a strong presence on the road.
Oh uncle James and his 3 of these! Rest in peace uncle James
The 1977-1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V is probably the most desirable luxury car ever made.
I'm in full agreement with you on these vehicles. They are gas guzzlers without providing serious performance, with less rear legroom than a mini minor, often enough. They are terrible and wicked and cannot hope to compete, yet they exist, with somebody making them and customers who bought them, and it is a combination of all of those factors which make them such absolute wonders in every way. This Lincoln is especially terrific, with body overhangs approaching 2 metres front & back. I really want one. Ford always had the most comfortable and plush seats, lots of support under the thighs in particular. In many other cars of the era, you would feel as if you had walked all the miles you put on the clock.
I knew a family with a thunderbird of the same year, those cars are big and comfortable.
These great cars absolutely need the 460 engine, they plenty of power and are ultra smooth. I have a 1978 diamond jubilee edition. What a car and pleasure to drive.
I owned a ‘79 for 17 years, so it had the same 400 cu. in. (6.6L), but mine was brown and cream. Before he retired, I had a stellar mechanic who knew how to tune that last-generation carburetor. He had mine doing 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds, and another 4 seconds would take it off the speedometer, so that engine will run. Mileage was 16 mpg highway on a road trip from PA to WY, but worse around town just because of stopping and starting so much mass. You are missing the flexible air duct from the intake at the top of the grill: it does run better with it than without. Mine came apart and suffered some performance loss until replaced. Part of your door sound is the auto-electric front seat-back releases for easier access to the back seat, but that is a seriously thick and heavy door made obvious if you ever park on a side slope like partly in a ditch. I miss that car!
Forgot one key detail: needed to upgrade the exhaust. Factory exhaust had dual catalytic converters, but then Y-piped into a single skinny pipe through the muffler and resonator. Upgraded to independent (no Y-pipe) dual exhaust. My mechanic said he needed that to use his tailpipe “sniffer” to set the carb.
Sorry, meant no H-pipe for the dual exhaust.
That's a beautiful antique car, love those old school cars.
Cool stuff throwing the bit of Americana and how cars were working to keep up with the interstate system. Well researched and enjoyable to watch. I leave ads on when watching these.
Zack beautiful vid. Had me in tears at the final thoughts. Thnx. (BTW I grad hi school in 79.)
What a beautiful car.
That was a fun review on a beautifully executed car.
You'd probably be interested in learning more about the whole Continental line... Starting with the original custom that Edsel Ford had built for himself back in 1938/39... They've all been REALLY SOMETHING since.
As with everything, because of perceived 'safety' and the projected, indoctrinated idea that "lighter means more efficient", all cars, and almost everything else we're subjected to buy, has been cheapened.
The pre-1985 cars of ALL MAKES were the last of what I consider "rebuildable" and maintainable.
This Mark V is a great example of what I'm talking about.
Oh... The hump in the trunk lid.... On the earliest Connies, the spare was actually standing on the rear bumper... This the popular Continental Kit accessory of the early to late Fifties.
The second generation Mark IIs had the bump in the trunk lid, but the spare actually did stand up in a little well in the trunk compartment.
By the time the Mk.III and later cars showed up, the bump was purely decorative... But became a favorite custom touch on other makes in the Seventies, just as the original, bumper mounted version did, two decades before.
Cheers!
7:42 There was one year in which Ford actually put the spare behind the trunk lid on the Thunderbird, maybe around 1955 or 1956, but it made such a mess of the handling that the next year, the tire was further in and the one on the trunk lid was a dummy.
I do gotta point out a safety concern, and its not what you would think. So for context i own a 72 continental the other day i was pulling out on to a street, if you can imagine it was like a T, i was at the bottom of the T turning left, there was trees on both sides parallel to the stop sign. i had the nose of the car lined up with the stop sign but i couldn't see past the trees because the cabin was so far back. i ended up pulling out in front of a truck and almost causing a accident because i couldn't see. its not the lack of airbags or crumple zones that makes cars like this dangerous, it just simple designs like the long hood.
460, not 450. I had a 78 Mark V. Designer series cost the price of another car. I had the moonroof, wire wheels, VOGUE tyres. TractionLok. Cloth seats. I ♥️ that car. Gr8 long distance traveler. 8track radio. Mobile living room
Alright, a new video. Been waiting for more of these
LOL...I used to love these when I was a kid
Look how the whole car shakes when he closes the door.....very softly sprung car
Cant imagine going over some rail road tracks and how the car would shake after you went over them
Love your reviews! Keep going - nice car by the way. Really like the classic Continental!
And my godness, i can feel your driving impressions just by the way you describe it to us... driving one of these cars on a wonderful sunday afternoon on a backroad. Oh god... What a feeling that must be! 🥰
My dad a 1973 Ford Thunderbird, sister car to the Mark IV and very closely related to the Mark V as a result. Huge barge of a car. I was brought home from the hospital in it after being born in the early 80s. Then the engine went and my mum sold it to a guy wearing a fur coat... it was always my mum's favourite car that my dad ever owned, when it worked.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. At the time I thought the country was going through tremendous upheaval, and things seemed crazy. But looking back, it was a time of innocence and rebellion. I wish we had the days again where we could make movies, such as Smokey and the bandit and blazing saddles. I wish we had the rebellious attitude of the 70s again. If so, the last three years of lockdowns never would’ve happened. The people of the 70s never would’ve tolerated it.
Great video! Btw i also have a Mark V 79. you described it perfectly as how it feels like to drive one of these cars!
I was born in 1968, and my Uncle Leased a new Mark whenever a new one came out. And this is the one I grew-up up getting to ride around in for years in the early '80's...but he told me it was a 460 CI Engine. You didn't mention that the Electric Seats move in every direction but sideways. or the radio antenna that comes up when you turned the radio on. Anyway, it was a Torque Monster, and it sucked when he got the shortened Mark 6 with a 351...then the Horrible Mark 7 that wasn't even the same Car anymore.
The clunk sound is thick steel. The newer cars have ' high strength steel ' which is stronger than old steel but is thinner which makes it weaker. I had a 1978 Ford & it came out unscathed when there was a heavy hail storm. All the other newer cars in the street had dents everywhere, my 78 Ford, not a mark. It reminds me of the Russian Lada Niva that had sheet metal that was twice as thick as other cars.
It’s always good seeing a survivor from the malaise era 👍
I own a 1978 Lincoln continental myself..love it..you should come to Arizona to check it out
Thank you so much for your invaluable information, highly appreciate it, keep it up the outstanding job, have a great day.
I'm from Illinois, I was 5, I've owned a 1966 Chrysler 300, 1966 Impala "SS" Convertible and a 1967 Galaxy 500, all coupes. I sat behind the wheel of a mid 70's Cadillac coupe, and it made my cars seem small by comparison, the hood was so long.
Actually though, statistical mistakes aside, you have some real talent. Well done.
I get a kick out of the young kids discovering those old cars. The truth is those cars were awful in fuel economy, they handled like a couch on wheels. From an engineering standpoint they were piss poor design. Yet I still love those boats, they were great looking cars. You got to also remember that Congress i the seventies was just as dumb as the current edition and imposed a 55 mph or 90 km/h speed limit on all interstates. I remember driving down. I 29 from Winnipeg down to Galveston Texas. Driving through ND, SD Iowa, Nebraska , Kansas Oklahoma , is the world's most boring drive. Those cars were made for those times.
As a car guy, I have always hated modern cars. I wouldn't drive a focus if you paid me to. I own one of these lincolns and I love 70s cars. I have 5. I was born in 78. My first car was a 78 2 door fairmont which I still own. Stick with the classics, the modern front drives don't deserve a chance they don't look good enough or have enough comfort
My first car was a 79 Celica. I miss those days
The official car of Ironic by Alanis Morrisette.
Great video thanks for making it 👍
Nice battleship.
My opinion regarding quality of vehicles.. Went off the gold standard in 71 and the effects were really felt after the 70s I guess.. As the dollar loses value, so does quality.
This thing was OVER 19-feet long… 230.3” for a car classified as a MID-size coupe. God Bless America! Lol
you hit home with the focus door handles XD mine are intact but the doors feel like van doors to me , in the way they sound and close , shoutout to that rear door that squicks so hard so everybody knows , its my focus XD
Great review 👍👍
Not a Lincoln. The Mark series of cars were a separate marquis. It was a Continental Mark V.
Alright, I just finished watching the video. As always with 70s-90s cars, I love your thoughts and feelings in terms of nostalgia. The home video footage is a nice touch.
Then you praise the build quality of the door. And I agree, that clunk sound is ASMR material. But what is that fluttering thing just below the grill at 13:30? I would appreciate an answer.
Apologies in advance for the text wall...
I believe that thing fluttering beneath the grille you pointed out is the filler panel for the front bumper.
Starting with the 1973 model year, there was a regulation put in place for American cars to be fitted with what were known as 5-mph bumpers. These bumpers were designed to take bigger impacts than the thinner, shapelier bumpers that came before them in the early '70s and back.
As you can see, 5-mph bumpers are very large and bulky, like two big, chrome girders hanging off either end of the car. They also often stuck so far out from the rest of the car's body that unsightly gaps were present between the bumpers and the rest of the car. This visual issue was remedied with body-colored filler panels put in place to cover the gaps.
Trouble is, these fillers were typically not made of the same steel that the rest of the car's body was made of. They were plastic-like and frail, making them susceptible to fading, warping, and even cracking up into pieces over time. Many American cars from this era have had their bumper fillers completely disintegrate from years of driving around and being exposed to the elements. The owner of this particular Lincoln might want to have a look at the bumper filler on their car that's flapping away like that, as it looks like it might be damaged or at least slightly dislodged.
You can read more about 5-mph bumpers and the regulation that spawned them in the Wikipedia article about bumpers, in the United States bit of the Regulation section.
@@deadpan_studios9697 Very interesting, thank you so much for the explanation!
I mean that is a gorgeous car. I don’t think speed is it’s purpose. Absolute pinnacle of class.
Hi! I just reunited with a childhood and he has given me the task in drawing this car but in a cyber punk style for his video game that he's working on. I'll let you know how it goes!
nice old V. on of my fav Lincoln's. I have a 77 tcar. has 4 ashtrays and no cup holders.
Thanks for making wonderful review of Lincoln Continental 1979 so im wondering did u ever drive old Cadillac 1970s?
Not yet, I sure would like to!
I feel you buddy... I wish I grew up in the early 80s when the JDM icons where un heard of... ugh I remember when you could get an nsx for 14k, a decent supra for 16 an fd for 8k and 240sx for 2k ... z32 was like 6k... I mean in 09 I missed out on a 240z that ran fine but was spray painted for less than 3k... While 2nd gen eclipses where still going for 1800 to 5k for a gsx in 2009
We completely agree with everything you’ve said about this car, my son has shipped one over here to the UK and is his everyday car-however…we need to move it as he’s left it in our care whilst he is back in the US and there is no mention on how to open the bonnet so we can reconnect the battery and move it. Can you help please?
There should be a release by your left foot in the driver seat
Yeah when you had one of these back in '79 you were a somebody.
And one more thing: a SPOT ON observation about the coupe and the statement it makes. My last 3 civics were all coupes. Most of the time I'm by myself and my wife is the only other person I drive around with so I don't need a sedan. They look better, too
Awesome video...!!
Can you make a vid on adjusting your drivers seat and mirrors please?
First adjust the seating. You should be able to hold the clutch fully depressed for a while without it being uncomfortable. Then adjust tilt in the seat so you can drive for long in that position.
Finally, adjust your wheel to hold it in a relaxed way (make sure it doesn't hide the instrument cluster).
For mirrors, you should see a tiny bit of your car (I put the door handle in the near bottom corner for my part), and adjusting the passenger one lower is useful for parallel parking (so you can see the walkway)
@@turbo_alice the rear door handle right? And i dont have a clutch so what would i do for that?
@@solomongreen9468 I put the front door handle in the mirror (I like being able to see the car itself a tiny bit with the corner of my eye while looking straight in front of me)
For the clutch part, the mean answer would be "get a real car", but I'm more gonna say whatever you do with your pedals, you should be able to do it for the whole day without it being uncomfortable
@@turbo_alice thanks brother
I sometimes hear people talking about how these old 2-door "coupes" are just big with no benefits. I think people just see the cars on pictures, see the two doors and think it´s the size of a VW Golf, when in reality they get as much space as a modern SUV...
4:35 That's an odd location for the wiper controls. Cadillac always put them on the left of the wheel, probably to make it easier to work them while scraping or brushing off the windshield in a snow storm.
I own a 79 mark V...Cartier ed with a moonroof....16 thousand miles on the odometer as of today....A 2 DOOR LIMOUSIN is what it is...The PINNACLE of a 70's AMERICAN LUXURY AUTOMOBILE
Yup, 100% should not like this car at all. But I have liked those big malaise boats for a long time. Got to do some engine work though. All the ingredients are there for a tire slayer and picking up not just a fraction of a second but full seconds off the quarter mile. And then cruise back home in great comfort. Personally I would look for a 78 or 77. The majority were ordered with the 460, and there are more hop up parts for that engine too.
It would be great to see the manufacturers bring these large highway cruisers back with electric powertrains.
13:07 "I wasn't alive in 1979, but I wish I was"
It was a great time to come of age. Those old cars had lots of space to do extra curricular's--- borrowing your Dad's big o'ld cruiser to make out with your girl friend in.
OMG! Yes! Yes! Yes!
So rad!
Thank Zack for this great review. This car represents the pinnacle of America in the world - 1979. This year Khomeini came to power, Deng Xiaoping abandoned communist and China became super capitalist. Margaret Tatcher destroyed all union etc.....Now we can see the consequences of this. Now U.S is facing huge challenges. A lot of countries don't agree to be dominate by America. You can say that 1979 was the last year of the America peacefully domination of the world and this car represents this area.
Our days as the super power....
I test drove a Pucci version of one of these. I did not have a good experience. The car itself was immaculate and in perfect operational condition, but in general I found the seats to be uncomfortable with little lower back support. As I drove it, the car bounced around over dips and bumps with excessive body roll around turns. The steering requires constant adjustments to keep the vehicle centered between the lanes, which i found annoying. After about a 5 mile test drive, I returned the vehicle and opted not to buy it. Bill from Curious Cars talks about poor steering in a lot of these 70s cruisers, so I I think it was common for its day. But something I found unenjoyable.
Did ford have a 400 ci ? I know they had the 390 but they might’ve got rid of that in 72 or 73 with the gas crisis but I think he meant Lincoln usually came with or had an option for a 460 not a 450
This is my buddy's car haha. Like actually, this is literally his car
I am not sure there's a car I would trade mine for
but this Lincoln might make me at least consider such trade for a minute 👍