L’coln Continental MkIV
ENGINE 7536cc/V8/OHV POWER 225hp@4000rpm TORQUE 366lb ft@2600rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 124mph 0-60MPH 10.8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 10-18mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed auto MoT 12 months on sale ODOMETER 58,646 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
There are no clunks from the Continental’s suspension as it floats through the corners and the super-light power steering works smoothly. The brakes pull the car to a stop in a straight line and are surprisingly strong. The three-speed automatic gearbox completely isolates you from the workings of the transmission (as it should) and the kickdown engages properly, though with little urgency, causing the V8 to emit a delightful rumble and pull the car strongly. We tested the car on a warm day, but experienced no issues with the massive engine getting hot.
BODYWORK CHECK
We couldn’t find a shred of rust on this car’s body, which is impressive given the sheer amount of steel. It may have been imported to the UK from Illinois in 2004, but was originally registered in Arizona, which must be how the (purportedly) original bodywork has stayed in such good condition. That said, there are a few very minor blemishes, including a few repainted stone chips, and there are a couple of nicks in the rubberised trim strips that travels the length of the car on both sides. The acres of chrome are very good too, though there are a few localised areas of pitting.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR
The only thing more remarkable than this Continental’s level of equipment is the fact that it all still works, including the electric mirrors, windows and seats, plus the cruise control. The dashboard and instruments are in very good condition, too. The sofa-like velour seats are the real stars, though, showing no fading or wear of any kind. The only potential issue we could find was the aftermarket dashboard carpet cover – we’ve no idea what it could be hiding because we weren’t able to remove it.
UNDER THE BONNET
The engine bay is by far the least impressive part of this car, with many of the parts showing surface corrosion. We found a number of cable ties and multiple coolant hoses with cracked insulation foam and the fanbelt squealed at start-up, though this disappeared as the car warmed up. The engine’s performance suggests a good maintenance record; this is backed up by the UK history, but the US history is patchy, dating only back to 2001. There’s also chipped paint on the slam panel, which has led to superficial surface corrosion in places.
THE CCW VIEW
This is a lot of car for the money. Its interior and bodywork are near-flawless and it has some famous provenance, having been owned by Big Country drummer and serial Continental owner, Mark Brzezicki. To say that it isn’t suited to British country lanes is an understatement, though.