1977 Lincoln Continental

The 1970s brought about a new automobile trend, one that favored fuel-sipping engines in the wake of the oil embargo, and luxury replaced the muscle car due to rising insurance premiums, safety concerns, and new safety regulations. Lincoln's Continental engine lost 60 cubic-inches in 1977, now measuring 400 cubic-inches and delivering 180 bhp at 4,000 RPM. A new Versaille model joined the Cadillac lineup in mid-1977 using the compact Granada and Monarch platform and built to compete against Cadillac's new Seville. The Mark V was also new, wearing a new design and resting on a downsized platform compared to the previous Mark IV of the year earlier, and shedding over 300 pounds. Design cues included a 'continental' simulated-tire decklid hump, horizontal oval porthole windows on the sail panels, and concealed headlamps.

The Versailles four-door sedan had a factory base price of $11,500 and the Mark V hardtop coupe listed for $11,400. Of the two, the Mark V was far more popular with 80,321 examples built compared to 15,434 of the Versailles. The Mark V had a 120.4-inch wheelbase while the Versailles used a 109.9-inch platform.

The 1977 Lincoln Continental was offered as a hardtop coupe (Town Coupe) and a four-door sedan (Town Sedan) with prices of $9,475 and $9,640 respectively and employing a 127.2-inch platform. It continued to wear styling introduced in 1975 and updated throughout the years. For 1977, it received minor updates to the vertical chrome-plated grille that brought it more in-line with the styling of the Mark V, flanked on either side by hidden headlamps, and integral parking and turning signal lamps in the front fender extensions with bright full-length fender peak moldings. There was a new vinyl insert grain in the premium bodyside moldings, a stand-up hood ornament, bright rocker moldings with rear quarter extensions, rear fender skirts, and black bumper guard pads and rub strips. The Town Coupe had rear quarter windows with a Continental star laminated into the glass. In the back was a hinged Continental star on the decklid and a full-width red reflective lower back panel applique. The 'Continental' name script was removed from the rear fenders.

There were five new body colors and two new interior colors, and a new high-gloss simulated walnut grain on the instrument panel and steering wheel. New interior features included new head restraints, and new optional illuminated entry, a CB radio, and a fixed-glass moon roof.

Initially, the 460 cubic-inch engine was standard, carried over from the previous year with 208 horsepower at 4,000 RPM and 356 lb-ft of torque. This engine was soon replaced by the 400 CID V8 and added to the list of optional equipment. The transmission was a three-speed SelectShift automatic, steering was by a recirculating ball with power assist, and braking was by front disc and rear drums.

Both the Town Coupe and Town Car received a new Valino grain full vinyl roof and center pillar, 'Town Coupe' on the rear fender for the two-door and 'Town Car' on the front fender for the four-door. The interior upholstery was done in leather with a luxurious 'loose pillow' design, plus added a six-way power seat, and power vent windows.

The Williamsburg
The Willamsburg Edition Continental Town Car was produced from 1977 to 1979 and was a cosmetic option package that included a number of options as standard equipment including a full vinyl roof, lighted vanity mirror, six-way twin 'Comfort Lounge Seats,' pinstriping, and power vent windows. Additional amenities included a dual-beam map and dome lamp, carpeted luggage compartment, and personalized instrument panel nameplate.

The Williamsburg Edition was the only Continental or Town Car sold with two-tone paint. For 1977, it was sold in either silver or cordovan with two different shades of the same color, with the silver model having new medium gray metallic paint on bodysides, combined with silver diamond fire on the roof, hood, and rear deck. There was a silver Valino grain full vinyl roof, dual silver paint stripes, and media velour or dove gray natural-grain leather-and-vinyl upholstery. The cordovan colors used new midnight cordovan bodyside paint coupled with a cordovan metallic roof, hood, and rear deck. There was a cordovan Valino grain vinyl roof, cordovan paint stripes, and media velour or cordovan leather-and-vinyl upholstery.

Production
The 95,600 examples of the Continental produced in 1977 accounted for approximately fifty-percent of Lincoln's total production. It was a significant increase over the 68,646 units built in 1976, and slightly better than the 88,087 examples built in 1978. 1979 was the final year for the fifth-generation of styling introduced in 1970 and extensively updated in 1975. All full-size Ford and Mercury sedans were downsized for 1979, and Lincoln followed in 1980, with the Continental becoming the counterpart of the new Continental Mark VI.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021