1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III Coupe, Model 68A
Original price: $6,741.00 ($47,124.00 in 2019)
On loan from: Jeff Knapp, Kearney, NE
Number made: 23,088
Engine, etc.: 365 h. p., 460 cu. in., downdraft 4-barrel carburetor; overhead valve V-8; 4,575 lbs.; 117″ wheelbase; automatic. Options: auto-dim headlights with sensor on hood; 8-track tape player with AM radio; power seats and windows; air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; 38,000 original miles
The Mark III series was made from 1969 – 1971. The design started in 1965 when Lee Iacocca authorized Ford’s Advance Design Office to begin work on a new two-door personal luxury car.
The Mark III came out in mid-1968 as a 1969 model. It was positioned to compete with the Cadillac Eldorado and in many ways was a luxury version of the Ford Thunderbird and shared many of the Thunderbird’s components. It was taller, weighed 300 lbs. more, and was more powerful and luxurious than the T-Bird. With a long hood, short rear deck, new grille, and signature decorative “spare-tire” bulge , the car was an immediate success with buyers.
Power brakes, steering, windows, headlamps, and power front seats were standard. Door trim panels and instrument panels were either rosewood or oak. Options included an vinyl roof, 8-track tape player, an automatic headlamp dimmer, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, a limited-slip differential, and air conditioning.
It had many technical innovations such as a computer-controlled rear brake system. They were the first American cars to be equipped with steel-belted radial tires as a standard feature.
In 1969, all GM products featured a locking device that locked the steering wheel and transmission when the key was removed.
The Mark III’s main competition was the Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado. Sales of the Mark III were very close to those of the Cadillac.
Motor Trend magazine started an annual review of the two cars that compared them feature by feature. The Mark III won in areas such as leather quality, seating configuration, and “plushness”. But the Eldorado won on general organization of the driving compartment, instrument legibility, and headroom. Overall, however, the Mark III won.
Sources:
https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/series.aspx?makeID=92&modelID=22&h=14632#14632
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=6189&year=1969&model=32556
http://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1969?amount=6741 (Conversion of 1969 dollars to 2019 dollars)
