On The Auction Block: Custom 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V.

Welcome to another chapter of my "On the Auction Block" series of entries where i showcase some of the cars that stood out at the 2011 Palm Beach County Auction. This time we have a customized American luxury car which looks like it would be right at home in Issac Hayes's driveway..

Its a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V, a stylish 2 door coupe version of the larger 2 and 4 door Continental Sedan. This particular car has been slightly customized into a 70s era "pimpmobile". In this picture some of the optional bling is noticeable like the white wall tires, eagle hood ornament, and roof vizor.

Almost every bit of the car was replaced including every exterior part. It also featured all the bells and whistles we take for granted in our modern rides like cruise control, power windows and power brakes.

Built between 1977 and 1979 the Mark V was the fifth generation Continental based on the platform of its Ford cousin, the Thunderbird. It was offered either with a 400 ci V8, or a bigger 460 ci V8. It also featured what Lincoln called a "Miles to Empty" indicator, the precursor to the distance range display in today's car's trip computer and also the first use of LED technology  in a car's instrument panel.

Seeing this car up close, as well as sitting in it, it was hard to tell that it was a 32 year old car. Everything felt fresh and new, like it just left the showroom. It even effortlessly started up when it was moved back into the staging area. Sad to believe this massive car would soon be shrunk overtime into a posh Ford Taurus.