Description
This 1988 Lincoln Town Car, Signature Series, a luxury American car brand which out sold Cadillac at the time, is in just wonderful condition. Many who have viewed the car at classic car shows and meets have suggest "It looks fresh and new, remarkable for a 37 year old car".
I acquired ABE in April 2024. I set about fixing a few minor issues, got a new MOT, had it serviced, also spending recently nearly 4K with Richard of Alders Automotive, a specialising in all that is American but particular Automatic boxes, It has had a full refurbishment (see some of images of the old internals). Richard installed some recommended and good upgrades to the AOD such as better bearings, and extra drive clutch plates. They offer a 12 month warranty on his work.
The car specification is as following list:
Engine: V8 5. 0L 302 cubic inch, which is found in most fords of the time such as mustangs however de-tuned to 160 bhp in the Lincoln from the 225 bhp.
It has a health slug of torque of 270 ft lbs
Length: 219 in (5543 mm) Width: 78. 1 in (1988mm):
Weight: 3945 lbs
0-60 mph 11. 1 seconds
Max speed: leisurely 108 mph.
Tank holds 14. 9 gallons (68 litres)
Mpg 19. 9 town - 23. 9 highway
Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
Four speed automatic overdrive transmission (ford AOD)
Power steering
Power front disc/ rear drum brakes
Nitrogen gas pressurised shock absorbers
Full size spare wheel in boot (not used)
Maintenance free battery
Six-way power front seats and power decklid (boot)
50/ 50 twin lounge front seats
Pulldown, dual illuminated visors vanity mirrors
Articulated front seat headrests
80's Cloth Velour seat trim
Front seat back robe cord map pockets
Front and rear-seat fold down arm rests
AM/ FM stereo and cassette radio premium
Power antenna
Power windows, vents and door locks (quarter vents operate first before windows neat trick)
Finger tip speed control (Cruise control)
Tilt steering column
Automatic climate control
Tinted glass, and rear defrost
Remote trunk release
Automatic parking brake release
Interval wipers (delayed)
Dual beam and map lights
Courtesy lights and integrated reflectors on front doors
Roof rail assist handles each door
Four spoke, Colour keyed luxury steering wheel
Three pod instrument panel
Trip odometer
30 once carpeting, including to door cards, and carpeted luggage area as well
Day/ night inside rear view mirror
Wood tone finish instrument panel
Quad rectangular headlamps
Cornering and coach lamps
Luxury Valino half vinyl coach roof (Landau) with French rear window
Illuminated keyless entry system with 6 digits
Powered and foldaway door mirrors
Illuminated thermometer in left hand mirror
Turbine Alloy wheelsThe car was purchased new for $27, 968 (£15, 200) from a Florida dealership in August 1988 by a British guy with just 32 delivery miles. The car was then a export to the UK having been registered briefly in the in the USA, departing Jacksonville port to Antwerp and then onto Harwich, such was the routes at that time.
The car was first registered in the UK on 1st February 1989 after several months sea voyage the arrangements through Man & Sons Ltd shipping, travelling by container ship to the UK. I have copies of all the documentation of shipment, tax paid to customs and excise, and all important "Certificate of Origin" for the car. The Lincoln was fitted soon with a personal registration of DHD 1Y, had UK Fog lamps fitted and undersealed by the first Owner Dennis Hunter (original number is now on the car as current).
This Lincoln which I have named "ABE" (not very original I know) is of an era of the American land yachts, and though slightly shorter than the previous Lincoln Continental Town cars of the 60's & 70's is still a sizable car measuring sum 5. 543m in length (219 inches) and 1. 988 m in width (78. 1 inches). This is not a car for any small multi-storey car parks or small garages but remains still a car that can navigate tight spaces with its good all-round vision of the four corners of the car and light powered steering.
The car has had six owners, but apart from me, I suggest only 3 of the previous owners held the car for use, with other three either dealers or passing owners. The original Owner - Dennis Hunter - completed 20, 577 miles in ABE, selling in late 1997 when original registration of E482 XRH was reinstated. 2nd owner C Schaefer (dealer or agent I suggest) with overlapping period of 11 months with one MOT, sold the car on with 21, 000 miles (so little used). 3rd owner, Neil Connelly in late 1997 acquired, mileage up to 25, 357 when he sold to the 4th owner A G Shepherd in June 2000. Tony use the car spending a reasonable sums on servicing , MOT's tyres etc., with mileage 34, 845 when he sold car to another dealer in March 2022, Jeremy Fairline-Smith who auctioned car. The previous 5th owner had bought the car for his collect of some 40 plus American vehicles with just 35, 000 miles on the clock. He used the car very little travelling only 1600 miles, had put 5 new white wall tyres, got the air-condition fixed and re -gassed with current R134. I have enjoyed 2024 thoroughly, the itch I just had to scratch, taking ABE to many Classic Car Shows and meetings. ABE enjoys many smiles and praise where ever he goes, from visitors and just about any body, with thumbs up from white van man, lorry drivers and those just sitting outside pubs in towns as I passed through. I watch their jaws drop open and with smiles and shouts of "Nice motor" and "That's one of those American Cadillac", such as ABE's presence, little do the uninformed know that Lincoln's were more luxurious then but had easy maintenance with Ford underpinnings with their quality of reliability.
The AOD needed work however as the car had not travelled any miles since 2010 and as a result the many rubber seals and gaskets in an automatic box had perished with age and certainly with no use. I travelled over 2K in ABE to shows and meetings (4 a month) and it was not long I realised the AOD needed work when the trip back from Hever Castle, it would not go into 4th overdrive and then 3rd as I approached home. With advice and recommendations I was booked into Alder Automotive just this August (such was his waiting list) for the full refurbishment and upgrades. It now runs beautifully and I am back enjoying the pleasure of the smooth and relaxing drive in what I personally would describe as a sublime luxury ride. Pot holes, barely register I had various modern Bentleys and must say this can show them all up for comfort. Yes she will go round corners but she no BMW or Jaguar from a road holding point of view, they prefer straight roads no doubt.
Unfortunately as much as I adore ABE my wife flatly refuses to ride in ABE, see calls it an ice cream box, and there so denying its 80's design with a ruler, but many cars like the super Ford Granada 2. 8 X Ghia next to me at Street Demons Classic car show in Bexleyheath must have used the same ruler!
But here it is, the same ruler but two very different cars in appearance from the same period in time, yet instantly recognisable, such are car designed today are appear all the same at a distance except supercars. So do you want to drive a unique piece of classic American automobile, be a talking point ever where ABE goes, and lots of adoration. Make sure your passages are happy to be on the wrong side of the car for on coming traffic, it can be an issue with some people, my wife included being a left hand drive but you soon get the hang of being a kerb hugger and using the Lincoln bonnet emblem keeping to left of the white line from the drivers seat to know you are fully in the left lane!
