Lincoln Town Car.

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The illustration above shows what a new Lincoln Town Car could look like. If Lincoln was still interested in producing large luxury sedans instead of only SUVs…

For decades, the Town Car was everywhere. And the Navigator, with only 17,500 sold last year, has never really replaced it.

The name was first used in 1959 and 1960 as a luxury trim for the Lincoln Continental. And then used again as an option package a few years later. But the one we all know started life in 1981. It was an option on the 1980 Continental and became its own model in 1981. It was quite popular with sales going up to over 201,000 units in 1988 alone!

A second generation was produced from 1990 to 1997. A third generation came out in late 1997, produced until 2011.

The photos above show the first-year designs of each generation. The top one was the most popular and was featured in so many 1980s films and TV series. It was a much smaller and more angular car than the 1970’s huge Lincoln Continental.

The second one was definitely a more modern take on a similar design.

The third and last generation was a complete departure, at least visually, with a much curvier design. Until 2003 when the Town Car received an all-new front and rear end design. Something that looked much more conventional than the almost weird oval grille of the 1988 model.

Of course, Lincoln doesn’t really have a large car platform they could use for a new Town Car. With Ford canceling (for now) their large 3-row EV SUV, a large electric platform would probably have to wait a few years.

Meanwhile, Cadillac is pushing its EV transition with the new Ultium platform. And even working on 2 all-new sedans based on that platform. Lincoln seems so far behind that it’s almost sad. An all-SUV lineup in the US with a very timid approach to any form of electrification. While everyone else is pushing ahead.

Even Toyota will have 2 new 3-row EVs next year.

Conversation 7 comments

  1. Lincoln has the CD6 platform that underpins Aviator that was originally planned for a sedan. They are likely developing their hybrids as opposed to going all out on EVs

  2. True about the Town car, it was a money maker for Ford. The livery business depended on it until it too caught the CUV sickness.

  3. Very disappointed in Lincoln division why they don’t have the Lincoln Mark 9 or Mark 10 or the two door luxury car not just a Lincoln Town car four-door very disappointing I’m ready to buy a two-door luxury car from Lincoln division motor company and then have nothing I still have my 87 88 Lincoln Mark 7 5.0 LSC

  4. 1990-94 & the 95-97 refresh are hands down my favorite TCs. I would LOVE to see Lincoln get back on the bandwagon and produce sedans for the US again. They had nice products in the MKZ and Continental but let them fall into obscurity. I truly hate SUV-CUVs. There is no need for something that tall on the roads unless you have a CDL to drive it . My days of purchasing brand new cars are over till automakers come up with some interesting sedans, coupes, and longroofs.

  5. I dislike SUV’s abs have been leasing MKZ for some time now. Since they don’t have a car anymore, it looks like we will be parting ways soon.

  6. I currently have and drive a 2003 Lincoln Town Car, I can tell anyone that I enjoy the experience with my Lincoln,I hope that they do build a new model, oh I am Trinidad and Tobago

  7. In past years ago when I was 20 years old. I love the 1988 Lincoln Town car. It is a beautiful large car and my budget is not met. Now I’m 57 years old and my dream goal is to buy a Lincoln town car. It’s not fair. No longer a town car. I’m very upset. Millions of people loved Lincoln’s town car between the year is 1980 to 1989 . Champs designed 1988 town car. Final year of 2011 town car is really very ugly terrible. That all ur fault designed very ugly . People not interested it. Tell me Mustang is reborn again. Why not a reborn town car? Make sure don’t do it stupidly design an ugly body and must be full size. Not small. Make people very happy.

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