1996 Lincoln Town Car

4D

4.6 Liter

Automatic

1LNLM83W8VY602827

Clear

Gasoline

The third time is a charm – The first time, I was clueless as to how to sell a car on eBay. The second time the fellow who was the highest bidder was clueless as to how to buy a car on eBay. Perhaps this third run at it will be a success. We surely can hope the third time is the charm.The Cartier Lincoln Town Car was the flagship of the entire Ford/Mercury/Lincoln line in 1966. And for very good reason, it is truly an awesome vehicle in so many ways. Without a doubt the most fantastic ride of any automobile before or since. Seriously, the ride is absolutely unbelievable. It must be experienced to be appreciated, no other automobile rides as nice as the old Town Cars. The ride is largely due to the rear air ride suspension, the 118” wheelbase and the 4,000 pound curb weight. Then, there is the gas mileage – who could imagine a very large 4,000 pound sedan getting 25 to 30 mpg on the open road. And that is the cruse set at 70 up and down hills. Now what about that econo-box that gets 30 mpg again? Of course there is the deep and wide trunk, you could hide a dead guy in there (I know, we did – not this car but another one just like it. A strange story for another time).Unfortunately it has been my misfortune to total one of these old Town Cars, by slamming into the back of a Mercedes Benz. Walked away without a scratch, not even a back ache afterwards. There is no better protection than body on frame. Ever notice how many limousines were based on the Lincoln Town Car, someone must know something. It is that unusual blend of nice elegance, ride, quality, functionality and utility that makes the old Town Cars the choice of the livery industry. But then think about it, an absolutely fantastic supreme automobile that when it does need repair, it is basically nothing more complicated or expensive to work on than a Ford. It just doesn’t get any better.Now a little about this particular 1996 Lincoln Town Car, Cartier Edition with 166,000 miles. It is the cream color with the ivory interior, all of the options known to Lincoln in 1996. The 16” chrome wheels (pretty rare and very nice looking). Never smoked in, no pets, no kids, basically a very nice example of a 20 year old car.Just for kicks and giggles, it has a “car phone” in the passenger center armrest. Of course no one has used it in over 15 years, probably can’t even get service for it now. The antenna on the back window is too cool. Does sorta make you giggle a bit.It is a Nevada/Arizona car, absolutely no rust. No water damage. It is a “correct” car (for the enthusiast out there who know what a “correct” car is). The engine has never been “opened”. Transmission has never been “dropped”. Drive train is bullet proof; Rear wheel drive 210 hp dual exhaust 4.6 liter modular SOHC coupled to the 4R70W four speed overdrive transmission – this is old school reliability. Basically the same drive train found in the Lincoln Mark Series, Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, Ford Crown Victoria, and the Ford Police Interceptor. The vast majority of the miles were frequent trips from Las Vegas to San Diego. As a highway cruiser, there is no better ride. As with any car that is 20 years old, there are some issues:1) Most frustrating, sometimes it just refuses to start. Seriously, it is a somewhat common problem with the second generation (1990-1997) Town Car. No reason for it not starting--wait about 20 minutes and it will start right up. Doesn’t throw a code, it is not fuel or spark. The good news; it only happens every once in a while. The rest of the time it starts right up and once running there is no hint of any problem with fuel or ignition. 2) The heater core has a pin hole in it, which has not been fixed, the heater core was simply bypassed as the quick fix. July in Las Vegas, just didn’t seem all that important at the time. (The Cartier Edition does have heated seats, which have never been used by me)3) None of the steering wheel controls work. Of course it is an unplugged connection in the steering column. 4) Driver’s window does not work, an extremely common problem with the Town Car. It is a $100 regulator, the cable lift mechanism. 5) Grill fell out, no wreck, just fell out. Yea, that is a new one isn’t it? My guess, someone butted into it when it was parked. New replacement grill assembly is $100 to $150 on eBay, about the same at internet discount auto supply warehouses. 6) Right rear quarter panel is dented. Backed into a pole at the bank. It is really not so noticeable that one has to fix it. Who puts 2’ tall poles in the middle of parking lots? 7) Some bumper scuffs. At 65 just not as cool as I was years ago. Actually more of a problem putting an 18’3” car into a 19’ garage, don’t get it in far enough and the garage door scuffs the bumper when closing. The pictures suggest that the right rear hub cap is missing. Thanks to Aurther, another Lincoln fan, the hub cap has been replaced. Thanks again Art. And, the space saver spare tire is back in the trunk. You are buying a vehicle as is. It is a typical 20 year old Lincoln Town Car with 166,000 miles. I buy these old Lincolns because the ride is simply the very best, this Cartier is no exception, it has an amazing solid comfortable ride, as well as safety, performance on the open road, and economy in both gas mileage and repairs. Yes, as with any old car, it does need some work, nothing really serious.Basically it is just an old Lincoln Town Car, selling it because I just picked up a 1997 Town Car, another Cartier edition, with 120,000 miles. Even though I have purchased several old Town Cars on eBay, this is the first one I have sold on eBay. Lets use Pay Pal so everyone is comfortable. I reserve the right to end this auction early or sell locally at anytime during this listing period.