Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-52
After I purchased this beautiful car, I did a VERY THOROUGH inspection- and found that the bolts which secure the steering column under the dashboard had worked themselves loose through the years. An easy fix- just tighten the 4 bolts. But for such a smooth-riding car, it surprised me that something like this would happen.
Other than that, no strange or out of the ordinary issues, just minor things like replace 1 headlight trim ring (broken), full tune-up, replace missing dash bulbs, etc.
2-barrel carburetor hesitates a bit upon acceleration, otherwise runs very smooth. No mechanical problems otherwise; everything works great.
The 8 track radio works, although volume is broken (stuck on low setting). I sent the unit out for service, and am still waiting for it (2 months). I have since found the 'perfect parts car' at a salvage yard with am/fm radio. I installed this radio, and... it has a very bad "hum" in the background: (
I purchased this '79 Town Coupe as a hobby- an addition to my '66 Pontiac GTO and '66 Pontiac Tempest.
It is undoubtedly the most comfortable car ever built- an excellent representative of an era when American luxury cars were at truly their greatest.
There were no compromises then. Although it's neither lightweight, great on gas, nor does it fit right into the average parking space, it does however perform exactly as it was designed to perform- to provide all of it's passengers with the highest quality of comfort during any type of travel, and with a most prestigious bodystyle.
It seemed very typical for these cars to either:
1. Fall into complete disrepair through the years due to owner neglect.
2. (just the opposite) many they'd be elderly owned since new and treated fairly well and preserved for many years.
This was the last year for the big Lincolns; it's really too bad that most people see these cars only as "HUGE" and not much else past that.. this really was the height of American luxury, at it's finest.
I agree. Nice car. Most people look at mine and say "Look at that big old boat" and nothing much else.
I have a 78 and love it. Never a problem. I had a 93 Pontiac Bonneville that I got just parked one day because of its lack of class. The Town Coupe is by far the most classy of the Lincolns. I pay for class with gas.
Many of the under dash bolts could be loose. Many things on these cars require on in/lb torquing of the bolts. Don' be alarmed.
I have owned several of these great giants 73-79.77-79 are my favorites. in my opinion these are best ever built. I would really love to own another, but finding one I can afford is almost impossible. David miller outer banks n. c millerhar6@aol.com.
Hello I own a 1979 Lincoln Town Coupe and I love it!
I am currently fixing it up and need parts, anyone that have any ideas on where best to find them? Please send an email to me directly pkjell@attglobal.net.
Much appreciated.
Philippe.
Also a '79 TownCar Continental owner,& love it. You pay for the class with gas, but it turns heads and gets a "thumbs up" from young and old alike. My burgundy will be repainted black, with black vinyl top, and limo-black tinting on that back windows with 25% tint up front. My problem is installing a new receiver. I have to find a piece of veneer that matches the fake wood pattern and have it routered to fit the dash with the proper cutout for the CD player. Upgrade the standard speakers, add a couple of $100 amplified Bazooka from Wal-Mart on either side of the trunk, and you should have a decent sound system to match its stately looks for about $400 minus the cost of the receiver.
The rear sags a little from age, so either I have to shim up the springs, or add air-shocks to keep it level. I also have the front window problem of the windowette lagging in its up travel, but the rears operate flawlessly.
But, I LOVE driving it. A bulletproof car that shrugged off 2 deer with NO damage, and did a 2K mile roadtrip with ease and total comfort. Keep these cars up; you'll get the praise from onlookers!
Why don't you just replace your coil springs. If the car sags, replace the springs and your shocks since they are being exposed to much more load duhhh.
These Lincolns can be a little more complicated than simply "replacing the coil springs." Many of them have an air ride suspension, and the "springs" are like an air shock that is tied to a system that pumps them up or down based on road conditions, using a computer. There can be tubing and wires and metal cutting involved.
The 1979 Lincolns didn't have air ride. You can simply replace the coil springs and shocks. The only computer on this car is the ignition module and automatic climate control, if equipped. I have a gold 1979 Town Coupe and I love it to death. I've owned Cadillacs of the same year and there is no comparing the two. This car drives and rides like no other and I wouldn't trade it for one half it's age. You do pay for it in gas, but they weren't designed to be fuel friendly. This car was for rich people and it almost still takes one to have now! lol They are wonderful and I hope to enjoy mine for many years to come. I hope you all love yours equally. It breaks my heart to see one in disarray.
Wow! I'm overwhelmed by the number of added comments since I posted the first one for the Town Coupe back in April 2004.
I felt like I was only one of a few that had any real appreciation for these fine cars; it's great to know that all you other people are out there.
In the Spring of 2005 I was given a 77 Town Car, minus motor & transmission. I trailered it home (2 1/2 hours) and pretty much stripped it to the last bolt. Good to have extra parts.
Then in Summer of 2006 I was given a 79 Town Car, incl motor & trans (400, C6). I'll keep that one complete as a parts car in my back yard. That one was less than 10 minutes away from home, parked in the back of a farmer's field for 9 years! If I had know that one was there I wouldn't have driven so far to retrieve the 1st one! But hey.. you can't beat free.
Have since bought NOS grille & grille surround, NOS license plate frame, several rare original dealer albums incl paint choice & fabric samples binder, electronic am/fm/cb radio, factory turbine wheels, and many other minor yet factory original improvements.
"Love the Linc."
( goatroper66@hotmail.com )
I Just bought my Second Lincoln. My First was a '77 Mark 5.
Now I have a '79 Town Coupe, with 68,000 Original Mile's.
The Driver's Window won't go down and The Volume doesn't work on the Radio... Also a Extra Set of Wheel's.
ANY SUGGESTION'S???
Would appreciate any advice...
Contact me at:
dossrfam@aol.com.
Where is it possible to find parts for these great old Town Coupes? We have a blue '78 that needs a few interior parts.
Bob
- NM.
Boblange50@comcast.net.
I have a 79 Lincoln Continental, with the 400 2 barrel.
Bought it for $100, and spent about $350 on repairs, including having the rear U-joint on the rear of the drive-shaft repaired.
Transmission develpoed some trouble, so I got it rebuilt. (cost me about $635)
Now I'm getting about 24mpg on the highway. Just cleaned the carborater, changed the oil and plugs after I decided to keep it.
Planing to rebuild the carborater, and some other minor maintinance/upgrades to the motor.
I pulled it out of a field for the motor, but the car's condition was too good to just junk, so I decided to keep it.
Right rear window is a bit iffy in operation, but I'm working on that. Interior was dirty, but otherwise about 95% perfect. The power antenna even works! A few minor rust spots on the outside. I really need exhaust though!
I know some are thinking "no way your are getting 24mpg in that car". I don't know if it is the way I drive, or the way I tune my cars, but I've gotten 23mpg in a 83 F250 with a 300-6 and 33" tires. Also got 30mpg in my 88 Crown Victoria (ex-police car). Only hint I can give, (do it at your own risk, and listen to see if it is pinging!) I set my timing 2 degrees advanced of the factory settings. Runs great for me.
Worked on every ford motor I've ever used it on! Although I haven't messed with the timing on the Lincoln, yet.
I used to think the older Lincolns (anything before 1992) were ugly and big, until I went to a car show in 2000 and saw so many different makes and models of beautiful cars. When I see cars from the past, I appreciate them now and take my family to different car shows. We have been going ever since then, several times a year when the weather breaks.
I have owned many of these cars including a 79 Collector Series Town Car, a 79 Town Coupe, a 79 Collector Series Mark V, and three other 70's Lincolns. I just sold my 73 T-bird, billed as the poor man's Lincoln. By far my favorites are the Lincolns.
A good place to find parts is Lincoln Land in Florida, they have everything. They aren't cheap, but they got what you need. I still have $500.00 worth of side view mirrors for my Town Coupe in my basement.