1980 Lincoln Continental

1980 was a significant year for Lincoln as its Continental wore all-new styling and for the first time becoming the counterpart of the newly introduced Continental Mark VI. In keeping with the trend of the era, yet lagging behind Cadillac by three years, the Continental was downsized and its weight reduced, helping it gain a best year-to-year fuel economy improvement (by approximately thirty-eight percent) in Ford history, at nearly forty-percent. Along with a new four-speed overdrive transmission (replacing the previous C6 three-speed automatic), the Lincoln went from the worst 1979 CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) rating to the most fuel-efficient full-size automobile.

The 1979 Lincoln Continental had a wheelbase of 127.2-inches, an overall length of 233-inches, and an overall weight of approximately 4,650 pounds. The 1980 Continental had a 117.4-inch wheelbase platform, a 219.2-inch length, and weighed approximately 3,850 pounds. It used the all-new Ford Panther platform that it shared with the Mercury Marquis and the Ford LTD. It had a rear-wheel-drive powertrain, body-on-frame construction, revised suspension geometry, improvements to the power steering, and equipped with the first fuel-injected V8 engine produced by the Ford Motor Company. Instead of using the 400 or 460 CID V8s that had powered Lincoln-Mercury's during the 1970s, it had a smaller 302 cubic-inch displacement delivering 129 horsepower. A carbureted 351 cubic-inch 'Windsor' V8 was available with 140 horsepower and had a single poly 'V' belt that drove the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and fan. The 302 engine had a 3.08:1 axle ratio while the 351 had a 2.73:1 ratio.

The new overdrive transmission was developed under the name Ford Integral Overdrive (FIOD) received third and fourth-gear torque converter lock-up, and a mechanically-engaged overdrive (0.67/1 ratio) fourth gear. At about thirty-five mph, the transmission would slip into overdrive.

In the back were vertical taillamps, bumper-mounted backup lamps, and full-width reflective lower back panel applique. The interior contained a restyled three-pod instrument cluster with a new engine temperature gauge.

All 1980 Lincolns were powered by a 302 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, five main bearings, and hydraulic valve lifters. The Versailles produced 132 horsepower and had a two-barrel Motorcraft carburetor. The Continental and Mark VI were equipped with a fuel-injection system and produced 129 horsepower at 3,600 RPM and 231 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. The optional 351 CID had a two-barrel Motorcraft carburetor and produced 140 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Steering was by a recirculating ball with power-assistance and the suspension was by long and short A-arms with coil springs and anti-sway bars in the front, while the rear had a four-link coil spring setup. Disc brakes were in the front and drums were at the rear, as were Michelin P-metric steel-belted radial tires.

Standard equipment included an electronic AM/FM stereo search radio, while the list of new options included keyless entry with five door-mounted push buttons, lacy-spoke aluminum wheels, Premium Sound System, and an electronic instrument cluster with a messaging center and 11-function monitor. The options list added a new speed control unit with a 'resume' feature.

The two-door Continental Coupe (Town Coupe) was priced at $12,560 and the sedan (Town Car) listed at $12,890. The sedan was more popular with 24,056 examples sold compared to 7,177 examples of the coupe. Compared to the previous year, the price of the coupe had increased by $1,570 and the sedan by approximately $1,680. Lincoln had sold 92,600 examples of its Continental in 1979, decreasing by 61,367 units to 31,233 combined Continentals for 1980. Lincoln's model year production in 1979 was 189,546 units, falling to 74,908 the following year. This downward trend continued for 1981, falling by another (approximately) twenty-five percent.

Lincoln had discontinued its compact Versailles early in 1980, leaving just the Mark IV and Continental, with only minor distinguishable features between the two. For the 1982 model year, Lincoln further distinguished its models by moving the Continental into the mid-size segment (moving to the Ford Fox platform) and offered solely as a four-door sedan. The styling introduced for 1982 would continue through 1987.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021