1980 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe

Here’s a genuinely rare opportunity for the collector who appreciates the final flourish of Lincoln’s malaise-era luxury—an honest, complete, and remarkably solid 1980 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe, ready for the right enthusiast to restore, revive, or transform. Sitting atop the two-door Continental lineup, the Town Coupe was the most prestigious personal-luxury offering of its day, and with just 7,177 units built for 1980 across a brief two-year run, survivors are increasingly scarce. Add the desirable one-year-only 5.8L 351 Windsor V8, and you have a distinctive, low-production platform with real character and genuine project appeal. We’re presenting this car exactly as it is: a straight, solid, complete foundation for someone with a plan.

Key Specs at a Glance

Engine: Rare 5.8L (351) Windsor V8 — a coveted one-year-only 1980 option
Platform: Downsized Panther chassis, the modern foundation beneath Lincoln’s flagship coupe
Trim: Town Coupe — the most prestigious two-door Continental package
Production: Only 7,177 units built for 1980, from a limited two-year production run
History: Spent the majority of its life in Florida
Status: Runs and drives; a fix-or-restore project (see condition notes below)
Seller: Owned and offered by a small, licensed Connecticut dealership

Town Coupe Exclusive Appointments

The Town Coupe was more than a badge—it was an upscale trim layer above the base coupe, distinguished by details prized by collectors who value authenticity:

Town Car/Town Coupe script set inside the rear quarter windows
B-pillar coach lamps delivering that signature formal-roof elegance
Deep 18-ounce cut-pile carpeting underscoring the cabin’s luxurious intent
Full complement of standard Continental luxury equipment, retained in stock form

Why This One Stands Out

Genuine Rarity: Low 1980 production and a two-year model run make well-kept examples hard to find
One-Year-Only Engine: The 351 Windsor option adds a distinctive, sought-after wrinkle to the car’s provenance
Honest, Complete Foundation: All there and stock in appearance—an ideal canvas for a faithful restoration or a spirited build
Southern-Car Advantage: A majority-Florida life supports the car’s solid, rust-conscious condition

Condition & Honest Disclosure

We believe in transparency so you can plan your project with confidence:

The Good

Straight, clean body with very nice, solid presentation
Very nice undercarriage
Interior is respectful for its age and complete—everything is there
Runs and drives well enough to move around under its own power
Retains stock appearance and factory options throughout

Needs Attention

Paint would benefit from a cut and buff to restore its luster
Minor cracks in interior plastics, as expected for the era
Small oil leak from the engine
Power steering leak
Driver’s-side window inoperative
Air conditioning not currently working
Carburetor choke needs adjustment
Needs a tune-up and mechanical sorting to be fully roadworthy

In short: this is a solid, complete car meant to be fixed and driven or comprehensively restored—not a turn-key driver as it sits.

The “Hot Rod Lincoln” Potential

This Town Coupe was originally acquired as a future project, with plans to build a “hot rod Lincoln.” Other projects took priority, so it’s now available for the next enthusiast to carry that vision forward—whether you pursue a period-correct restoration or an inspired modern build on this distinctive, low-production platform.

Ready to Make It Yours?

If you’ve been searching for a rare, honest, and complete 1980 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe—one that pairs prestigious top-tier trim, a one-year-only 351 Windsor, and a solid Florida body with real restoration or build potential—this is a project worth serious consideration.

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