1986 Lincoln Town Car

The 'Town Car' was part of Lincoln's model lineup for over three decades, beginning in 1980 and continuing through 2011. The name of this full-size luxury automobile was sourced from a limousine body style, and during its existence, it was nearly always a four-door sedan - a two-door sedan was offered in 1981 only.

The 1986 Lincoln Town Car was part of the 'first generation' of styling, introduced in 1981 and continued through 1989. It utilized the Panther platform shared with Ford and Mercury, with a wheelbase size of 117.3 inches, a length of 219.2 inches, and a width of 78.1-inches. In interest to fuel economy and to achieve better Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) results, the weight of the Panther chassis was reduced by up to 1,400 lbs compared to the 1970 to 1979 full-size Lincolns, and was the lightest full-size Lincoln in four decades. The curb weight of the 1980 Continental/Town Car was very close to the compact-sized Versailles, separated by only a coupe hundred pounds.

Continuing the fuel-sipping goal, Ford discontinued the 400 and 460 big-block V8s in its full-size cars. The standard engine powering the 1981 Town Car was a 302 cubic-inch V8 engine. A 4-speed AOD automatic overdrive transmission was the sole transmission of the 1981 to 1989 Lincoln Town Car. An optional trailer towing package was available during this time, and came with dual exhausts, an improved cooling package for the transmission and engine, and a 3.55:1 limited-slip differential.

The big news for 1986 was the addition of a new sequential fuel injection system added to the 302 cubic-inch V8 engine. With higher compression, new piston rights, revised combustion chambers, and roller tappets, the engine produced 160 horsepower at 3,400 RPM and 280 lbs-ft of torque at 2,200 RPM. The engine had overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and 8.9:1 compression.

The exterior styling was the same as the restyled 1985 Town Car, with quad rectangular headlamps, wraparound parking/signal lamps in the front fender tips, and a new grille texture with a crosshatch pattern and vertical bars. The slightly angled taillamps were segregated into two sections, and there were flush bumpers and more rounded body corners. The name 'Lincoln' in block letters could be found above the headlamps, and 'Town Car' script at the cowl, ahead of the front door.

The previously optional dual power remote mirrors were now part of the long list of standard equipment, as was the defroster group. Power steering and power brakes were standard, along with power windows, power door locks, power vent windows, tinted glass, speed control, tilt steering, heated power remote mirrors, auto-temp air conditioning, rear defroster, and gas-pressurized shocks. There was a four-speaker AM/FM stereo radio, tilt power remote mirrors, a mini spare tire, and a full vinyl roof.

The Town Car Signature and Cartier Designer Series came standard with a six-speaker radio with cassette player and premium sound, wide bright lower bodyside moldings, a keyless illuminated entry, and a conventional spare tire. Both of these series had a half coach roof with wrapover molding and 'frenched' rear window.

The Signature had wire wheel covers and two-color hood and bodyside accent paint stripes. The Cartier had dual red hood and single red bodyside/decklid paint stripes, and rode on turbine-spoke aluminum wheels.

The Town Car Signature Series was priced at $23,975 and the Cartier Designer Series at $25,235.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2024