NPOCP: 5.0 Foxbody... Lincoln.

"Jim Spanfeller" (awesomeaustinv) 05/12/2020 at 01:09 • Filed to: NPOCP

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Just doing some unnecessary car shopping, as you do, and I found this. I actually kinda like it... It’s built on the same platform as the Mustang and with the same engine, so in theory, almost any performance part meant for a Foxbody Mustang will also fit this Lincoln. This could make an epic sleeper car...

The styling ain’t bad, either. I think these and the Thunderbirds of the same era are some of the best-looking personal luxury cars of their time, and apparently they’ve got pretty good aerodynamics as well.

This one is said to run well and is very original, although the electronic dash and the A/C stopped working , and there’s a little bit of rust near the passenger-side window.

The price? $5,500. I can’t decide whether that’s a good deal or not... What do you think?

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NKato > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 01:14

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NP. Most Foxbody Mustangs are going up in price in a similar bracket, and often for modded ones by the owner. This one Lincoln hasn’t been bastardized like the Fords, so I suggest you jump on it lickety-split before someone decides to buy it and bastardize it for the dragstrip.

P.S. And don’t you dare fucking mod it. This is a pretty uncommon (going on rare) example of a Lincoln Foxbody. It’ll be worth more to you original than modded.

PPS: The electronic dash and the rust are minor issues that can be easily corrected. You can use those points to try to talk the price down.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 01:16

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If they put that tint on that car, then what else did they do with it? Crack price, totally. Maybe $1500.

NKato > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/12/2020 at 01:20

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Engine looks bone stock. It’s a Florida car, so guessing tint was added for comfort, and was likely in the hands of a retiree. I say NP, because the engine doesn’t look tampered with at all. Bone stock.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 01:29

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If it was an LSC then maybe, but I would use the flaws as bargaining chips.

Maybe a little over 5 years ago, I came across one of these at a local estate sale. Something like 65K on it, 1984, not LSC - I think they wanted no more than 3K for it (probably a fair price) :

Jim Spanfeller > NKato 05/12/2020 at 02:03

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If I were to mod it, I would try to leave the exterior and interior as stock as possible, and focus on just modifying the drivetrain (nothing that can’t be reversed) . I like Foxbody M ustangs as modding platforms, but I’m not a fan of the styling, which is why I like these other Foxbody cars. These Lincolns and Thunderbirds have much more interesting styling with very similar performance potential, with the Lincoln being particularly interesting because it doesn’t look like a car you’d expect to be fast.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 05:26

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It’d be cooler if it was a diesel one. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > NKato 05/12/2020 at 07:22

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Maybe so. I just can’t get excited about it at all. 30-year-old car that was malaise-ish to start. $5,500 seems like a lot  of money for that. It would be fun to have a drive in it though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 07:36

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Mustang manual transmission swaps on these are actually super common

Sovande > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 08:14

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Don’t you listen to a word that fella says. You can modify that car anyway you want if you buy it.

HoustonRunner > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 09:11

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I don’t know the market but it seems a little high.  But damn, I like it.  That has to be the perfect color for that car as well, fits perfectly with the stereotype.  I don’t love the front view, but rear and profile of this are excellent.

CobraJoe > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 09:41

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If you’re looking for a Mark VII to mod, there are cheaper examples out there.

I recently found one with a 5 speed swap for $2000.

Also worth noting: It’s not exactly like a Foxbody Mustang. It is built similarly, but it has a longer wheelbase and some other changes, so many chassis items won’t bolt on without modification. Drivetrain is largely the same though, and it is similar enough to SN95 Mustangs that some upgrades can be had just by grabbing stuff out of a junkyard.  Either way, it takes some research to make sure a mod will fit.

Boxer_4 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/12/2020 at 09:46

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I’ ve never thought these looked bad, but I think this is the first time I’ve thought one of these looked amazing!

Mane > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 09:49

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There was one of these for sale near me with a 5 speed recently... I maybe should have jumped on that.

someassemblyrequired > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 09:52

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Price is probably a touch high, the ‘88s got a revised 225HP 5.0 from the Mustang GT (the LSC had a different handling package and 16" wheels, but the drivetrain was the same in the Bill Blass cars ).

Mane > Mane 05/12/2020 at 09:52

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Update, here it was:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/158567162264019/

someassemblyrequired > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/12/2020 at 09:56

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‘88s got the 225HP Mustang GT motor

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Boxer_4 05/12/2020 at 09:56

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It was a very rare blackout package on the top trim LSC. Most of the chrome as well as the centers of the BBS wheels were made gloss black.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 10:03

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Rust, in-op dash. CP. if it was completely mint that would be a good price 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 10:05

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It would need frame rail connectors. These are a longer version of the fox body, so they are even wigglier than the Mustang. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fintail 05/12/2020 at 10:06

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That blue interior 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 10:13

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How about this instead?

Kiltedpadre > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 10:16

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I was curious so I decided to do a bit of checking about the digital dash because that would be a big sticking point on the price. There are four potential points of failure, and thankfully only one would ultimately mean you’re completely hosed. I know you’re not really considering it, but I found the info pretty quickly.

The most obvious: There’s a fuse under the hood. If it’s blown voila you’re in business. It’s so simple though the seller hopefully already checked it.

Easy to check: Apparently the dash also received power from the dome light circuit. Do all the interior lights come on when you lift the door handle or turn the dimmer switch to turn them on? If not a burnt out dome light, bad door switch, bad dimmer switch, or bad wire or ground in the circuit may be the issue.

Cheap test: The problem could also be the ignition switch. There’s apparently a contractor on it that can wear out and keep the dash from working.

You’re hosed: If all those are fine things get interesting. How are you at replacing wiring, redoing solder connections, and diagnosing failed components in 1980’s digital circuits? If you can do that you might be able to fix it relatively cheaply. If not you’re not out of luck, but there are a grand total of two companies in the US that work on these so it will probably get expensive quick.

TL/DR if you walk up and the dome lights don’t work or a fuse is blown it could be a bargain.

I almost bought one of the LSC’s around 2000.  I still think they’re really cool cars.

ranwhenparked > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 10:50

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That looks like it’s in fantastic shape, of course, this was still the era where Ford did a noticeably better quality paint finish on Lincolns, so that helps.

Definitely one of the best American cars of the decade, and that's not completely a backhanded compliment, either, they were decent cars.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 11:36

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I’m conflicted.

On one hand I’ve always like them and always kind of wanted one. My gut says offer 3 grand Canadian and go up to 3250 before walking.

On the other it’s a 30 year old Ford with an automatic and an 8 cylinder that offers a paltry amount of horsepower by today’s standards and probably can’t handle worth a shit either. That means for me to really love it I’d need to mod it to provide roughly double it’s current output. Also luxury car or not I don’t think I’d want to live with an 80's autobox which means a manual swap is in order. That would be sweet but would cost a small fortune and potentially destroy whatever collectors value it may have.

How much am I spending on this thing again, all in? Probably a bad investment.

Ok ok, $1500 Canadian and whatever 8-10 lbs of boost costs. Final offer.

Jim Spanfeller > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/12/2020 at 13:01

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Ooh... Th at would be fun!

Jim Spanfeller > CobraJoe 05/12/2020 at 13:05

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I guessed it might be one of the longer-wheelbase Foxbodies, hence the “almost any modification” thing. Still, it’s similar enough that it would have some serious performance potential.

Jim Spanfeller > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/12/2020 at 13:07

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Gah, that nose... I think I still pref e r the Lincoln, since it looks better and has performance potential.

CobraJoe > Jim Spanfeller 05/12/2020 at 13:40

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It definitely has some serious performance potential, but I can say from my time owning an ‘88 Thunderbird that the differences between the Mustang and the larger foxes is annoying.

There are a lot of minor changes, the rear suspension arms are slightly longer, the axles are slightly wider, the rear shock mounts are lower , the front suspension is slightly different, the floor pan is changed just slightly... So while it’s just as easy to work on and bolt stuff on to, you’ll be making custom parts or searching for specifically designed parts more than you would for a Mustang.

But, on the other hand, the longer wheelbase and higher curb weight makes it far less twitchy than a Foxbody stang. If it were for sale today, I might buy that Thunderbird back. It was a great balance between long distance cruiser and short ride bruiser.