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Photo of a Lincoln Town Car

Lincoln Town Car

1997–2011: no mass-production car sold in North America was longer.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 36 sources

Also called

  • TurtleUsed for the last Town Car body style.2

At a glance

0150300
130–239 hpPower
0100200
167–175 km/hTop speed
0200400
312–393 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
1,811–2,876 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1710111213

Engine
4.9 L Windsor V8; 4.6 L SOHC Modular V8 introduced for 1991459
Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive; body-on-frame Panther110
Gearbox
4-speed automatic; AOD on 1981–1989 cars111
Built at
Wixom Assembly, United States; St. Thomas Assembly, Canada14

The story

1981: Town Car becomes Lincoln's flagship19811986: Sequential injection: up to 160 hp19861990: Motor Trend Car of the Year for 199019901991: 4.6 L Modular V8 and four-wheel discs19911998: Touring prototype: 7.9 seconds to 60 mph19982004: Armored BPS: 2,876 kg20042007: Wixom closes; assembly heads to Canada20072011: Final Town Car: August 292011 Continental Town Car (formal sedan): 1959–1960Lincoln Continental Town Car: 1970–1979Lincoln Continental: 1980Lincoln Town Car (first generation): 1981–1989Lincoln Town Car (second generation) (FN36): 1990–1997FN36Lincoln Town Car (third generation): 1998–2011Lincoln MKT Town Car: 2012–2019 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones13121718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1959–1960Continental Town Car (formal sedan)
1970–1979Lincoln Continental Town Car
1980Lincoln Continental
1981–1989Lincoln Town Car (first generation)
1990–1997Lincoln Town Car (second generation) (FN36)
1998–2011Lincoln Town Car (third generation)
2012–2019Lincoln MKT Town Car
1981Town Car becomes Lincoln's flagship
1986Sequential injection: up to 160 hp
1990Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1990
19914.6 L Modular V8 and four-wheel discs
1998Touring prototype: 7.9 seconds to 60 mph
2004Armored BPS: 2,876 kg
2007Wixom closes; assembly heads to Canada
2011Final Town Car: August 29
  1. 1981

    Town Car becomes Lincoln's flagship

    Renamed from the 1980 Continental, it becomes a standalone model; the two-door sedan survives for 1981 only.13

  2. 1986

    Sequential injection: up to 160 hp

    For 1986, sequential multi-port injection brings 150 hp; optional dual exhausts take the V8 to 160 hp.1

  3. 1990

    Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1990

    The redesigned 1990 Town Car wins Car of the Year, the award's first large luxury sedan; second-generation sales regularly exceed 100,000 a year.3

  4. 1991

    4.6 L Modular V8 and four-wheel discs

    A new SOHC V8 replaces the 302 Windsor. Four-wheel disc brakes arrive, and Traction Assist becomes available with ABS.45

  5. 1998

    Touring prototype: 7.9 seconds to 60 mph

    The curvier third generation arrives. A Touring Sedan prototype reaches 60 mph in 7.9 seconds; the DeVille Concours wins the comparison.36

  6. 2004

    Armored BPS: 2,876 kg

    In a 2004 test, the factory-backed Ballistic Protection Series takes 12.0 seconds to 60 mph with its stock engine; armored curb weight is 2,876 kg.7

  7. 2007

    Wixom closes; assembly heads to Canada

    Wixom builds its final Town Car on May 31. Production shifts to St. Thomas Assembly in Ontario alongside the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.8

  8. 2011

    Final Town Car: August 29

    Production ends after three generations, closing a model run that began in 1981.1

Every generation

  • Continental Town Car (formal sedan)
    Continental Town Car (formal sedan)1959–1960
  • Lincoln Continental Town Car
    Lincoln Continental Town Car1970–1979
  • Lincoln Continental
    Lincoln Continental1980
  • Lincoln Town Car (first generation)
    Lincoln Town Car (first generation)1981–1989
  • Lincoln Town Car (second generation)
    FN361990–1997
  • Lincoln Town Car (third generation)
    Lincoln Town Car (third generation)1998–2011
  • Lincoln MKT Town Car
    Lincoln MKT Town Car2012–2019

Power over the years

From 130 hp to 239 hp in 22 years.

0100200300 19801985199019952000 hp 1981 · 130 hp · 1981 4.9 L V81982 · 134 hp · 1982 model year1983 · 140 hp · 1983 model year1984 · 155 hp · 1984–1985 dual-exhaust option1986 · 150 hp · 1986–1989 SEFI V81986 · 160 hp · 1986–1989 SEFI, dual exhaust1992 · 210 hp · 1992 optional dual exhaust1997 · 190 hp · 1997 Executive / Signature1998 · 200 hp · 1998 Executive / Signature1998 · 220 hp · 1998 Cartier / Signature Touring2001 · 235 hp · 2001 Cartier2003 · 239 hp · 2003 standard dual-exhaust V8 239 hp 2003 standard dual-exhaust V8 130 hp 1981 4.9 L V8
135111214
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19811301981 4.9 L V8
19821341982 model year
19831401983 model year
19841551984–1985 dual-exhaust option
19861501986–1989 SEFI V8
19861601986–1989 SEFI, dual exhaust
19922101992 optional dual exhaust
19971901997 Executive / Signature
19982001998 Executive / Signature
19982201998 Cartier / Signature Touring
20012352001 Cartier
20032392003 standard dual-exhaust V8

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Base / Executive Series

    Standard

    Base / Executive Series

  • Signature Series

    Standard

    Signature Series

  • Standard

    Cartier

  • Ultimate / Signature Limited / Designer Series

    Standard

    Ultimate / Signature Limited / Designer Series

  • Executive Series L / Cartier L / Signature L

    Standard

    Executive Series L / Cartier L / Signature L

  • Performance

    Touring Sedan / Signature Touring

  • Special

    Continental Edition

    2010–2011

  • Special

    Spinnaker Edition

    1995

  • Diamond Anniversary Edition

    Special

    Diamond Anniversary Edition

    1996

  • Jack Nicklaus Edition

    Special

    Jack Nicklaus Edition

    1991–1992

  • Standard

    Two-door sedan

    1981

    130 hp

  • Special

    Ballistic Protection Series (BPS)

    239 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1981–1989: slab sides, sharp fenders, exposed headlights and a radiator-style grille.1
  • 1981–1989: upright quarter windows in the rear roof pillars.1
  • 1990 redesign: upright grille, rounded bodywork and large vertical opera windows.510
  • 1998 redesign: curvy body, cat-eye headlights, pursed-lip grille and a downward-sloping trunk lid.3

Year by year

  1. 1985–1986

    1985 brought rounded corners, flush-fitting narrower bumpers and a central reverse lamp; 1986 added the rear-window third brake light.4

  2. 1988–1989

    1988 restored a waterfall grille and moved reverse lamps outward; 1989 added amber parking lamps and black grille-blade sides.4

  3. 1990

    Headlights wrapped around the corners; factory opera lamps and the factory vinyl-roof option disappeared.41016

  4. 1995–1997

    Smaller clear headlights and larger body-color mirrors replaced earlier lamps and chrome mirrors; the fixed rear-door quarter window disappeared.4

  5. 1998

    Curves replaced the boxy body, with cat-eye lamps and a sloping trunk; standard-wheelbase cars lost their opera windows.311

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Lincoln Town Car
    Town Car
    Photo of a Continental Mark VI (1980–1983)
    Continental Mark VI (1980–1983)

    Continental Mark VI (1980–1983)

    Mark VI has concealed headlights and a fake spare-tire bulge on the trunk; Town Car headlights stay exposed.14

  • Lincoln Continental (1980)

    Almost identical bodywork: for 1981, Town Car lettering replaced Continental lettering above the headlights.1

Against its rivals

  • Cadillac Sedan de Ville

    Town Car vs Cadillac Sedan de Ville

    EPA city economy

    Town Car17 mpg
    Cadillac Sedan de Ville17 mpg
    13
  • Cadillac DeVille Concours

    Town Car vs Cadillac DeVille Concours

    0–97 km/h (approx.) lower is better

    Town Car7.9 s
    Cadillac DeVille Concours6.9 s
    6

Prices

Value today $6.5K–$20.5K2122

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 1990200020102020 Value today: $6,500–$20,500 1987 · $27,550 · US Cartier Designer Series, base1989 · $25,205 · US base1990 · $31,276 · US Signature Series, base1990 · $34,426 · US Signature Series, as tested1998 · $38,500 · US Touring Sedan, base est.1998 · $43,000 · US Touring Sedan, tested est.2003 · $41,145 · US Executive, sticker MSRP2003 · $46,190 · US tested trim, base2003 · $47,761 · US as tested2011 · $48,890 · US Signature Limited, sticker MSRP 2012 · $2,750 · 1984, 72,820 miles, Fall Carlisle2024 · $36,500 · 2011 Signature Limited, 9k miles, BaT2024 · $7,200 · 1985 Cartier Designer Series, 91k miles, BaT2024 · $16,500 · 1990 Signature Series, 6k miles, BaT2026 · $6,500 · 1989 Signature Series, 57k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $12,150 · 1997 Cartier Series, 89k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $16,250 · 2003 Executive, 29k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $20,500 · 2011 Signature Limited, 13k miles, BaT2026 · $2,600 · 1983 Signature Series, 90k miles, BaT2026 · $18,000 · 1997 Cartier Series, 49k miles, BaT2026 · $7,400 · 1999 Signature, 55k miles, BaT2026 · $17,000 · 2006 Signature L, 64k miles, BaT2026 · $3,500 · 1985, 7k miles shown; possible odometer rollover, BaT $36.5K BaT, 2024
6910132122252627282930313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1987Price when new$27,550US Cartier Designer Series, base
1989Price when new$25,205US base
1990Price when new$31,276US Signature Series, base
1990Price when new$34,426US Signature Series, as tested
1998Price when new$38,500US Touring Sedan, base est.
1998Price when new$43,000US Touring Sedan, tested est.
2003Price when new$41,145US Executive, sticker MSRP
2003Price when new$46,190US tested trim, base
2003Price when new$47,761US as tested
2011Price when new$48,890US Signature Limited, sticker MSRP
2012Auction sale$2,7501984, 72,820 miles, Fall Carlisle
2024Auction sale$36,5002011 Signature Limited, 9k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$7,2001985 Cartier Designer Series, 91k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$16,5001990 Signature Series, 6k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,5001989 Signature Series, 57k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$12,1501997 Cartier Series, 89k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$16,2502003 Executive, 29k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$20,5002011 Signature Limited, 13k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$2,6001983 Signature Series, 90k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$18,0001997 Cartier Series, 49k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,4001999 Signature, 55k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,0002006 Signature L, 64k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$3,5001985, 7k miles shown; possible odometer rollover, BaT
2026Value today$6,500–$20,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A law office and two movie limousines”
    • “1995 in Driv3r, 2010 in San Francisco”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Lincoln Town Car - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2000 Lincoln Town Car - Turning The "Turtle" Into A Favorite motortrend.com
  3. Lincoln Town Car | Fullsize Luxury Sedan lincoln.com
  4. The History of Lincoln TOWN CAR cars-directory.net
  5. 1990-97 Lincoln Town Car | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  6. Cadillac Deville Concours Vs. Lincoln Town Car Touring Sedan - Motor Trend Magazine motortrend.com
  7. Lincoln Town Car BPS Short Take Road Test – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  8. Ford's Wixom plant heads to the great assembly line in the sky - Autoblog autoblog.com
  9. 1989 Lincoln Town Car sedan – Eighties Cars eightiescars.com
  10. 1990 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series: A Smoother Relic caranddriver.com
  11. Lincoln Town Car Used Car Buyer’s Guide | Autoweb autoweb.com
  12. 2003-11 Lincoln Town Car | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  13. 1987 Lincoln Town Car Isn't Irrelevant Yet caranddriver.com
  14. 1998-02 Lincoln Town Car | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  15. The Jack Nicklaus Edition Lincoln Town Car | Lincoln & Continental Owners Club lcoc.org
  16. The 1990 Lincoln Town Car – The Inside Story | Lincoln & Continental Owners Club lcoc.org
  17. Last Call for the Lincoln Town Car - Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  18. Lincoln Town Car FN36: A Land Yacht For The 1990s - Old Motors oldmotors.net
  19. Lincoln at the Movies | en.wheelz.me en.wheelz.me
  20. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  21. No Reserve: One-Owner 1989 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,500 on July 1, 2026 (Lot #250,360) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  22. No Reserve: 13k-Mile 2011 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $20,500 on July 3, 2026 (Lot #250,787) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. Lincolns OnLine | Tech Tips and Articles lincolnsonline.com
  24. Ford settles suit for defective plastic intake manifolds - Autoblog autoblog.com
  25. No Reserve: 29k-Mile 2003 Lincoln Town Car Executive for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,250 on February 14, 2026 (Lot #230,053) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 2002 Lincoln Town Car Instrumented Test; Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  27. 1984 Lincoln Town Car | Fall Carlisle 2012 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  28. No Reserve: 1997 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,150 on October 27, 2026 (Lot #270,665) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. No Reserve: Single-Family-Owned 1983 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $2,600 on October 25, 2026 (Lot #270,424) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: One-Family-Owned, 49k-Mile 1997 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,000 on October 24, 2026 (Lot #270,264) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 9k-Mile 2011 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $36,500 on March 7, 2024 (Lot #138,829) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 1999 Lincoln Town Car Signature for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,400 on July 26, 2026 (Lot #254,245) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature L for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,000 on June 18, 2026 (Lot #248,220) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1985 Lincoln Town Car for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,500 on March 12, 2026 (Lot #233,151) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1985 Lincoln Town Car Cartier Designer Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,200 on February 19, 2024 (Lot #136,917) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 6k-Mile 1990 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,500 on January 6, 2024 (Lot #132,608) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • lincoln.com
  • cars-directory.net
  • consumerguide.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • autoblog.com
  • eightiescars.com
  • autoweb.com
  • lcoc.org
  • oldmotors.net
  • en.wheelz.me
  • igcd.net
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

Other car files