Lincoln Town Car
The Lincoln Town Car was a full-size luxury sedan produced by Ford's Lincoln division from 1980 to 2011. Initially introduced in 1980 as a 1981 model, the Town Car name had been used previously on the Lincoln Continental from 1959 to 1979. The Town Car became its own model starting in 1980, that gained widespread popularity, especially in the limousine and funeral vehicle industries.
| Lincoln Town Car | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Lincoln (Ford) |
| Production | 1980–2011 |
| Model years | 1981–2011 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Ford Panther platform |
| Related | Mercury Grand Marquis Ford Crown Victoria Ford LTD Crown Victoria |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Lincoln Continental (1980) |
| Successor | Lincoln MKT |
First Generation (1981-1989)
change| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1989 Lincoln Town Car | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Lincoln Continental (1980) |
| Production | 1980–1989 |
| Model years | 1981–1989 |
| Assembly | United States: Wixom, Michigan (Wixom Assembly Plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 2-door sedan |
| Related | Continental Mark VI Mercury Grand Marquis Ford LTD Crown Victoria |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0 L small block V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed AOD automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 117.3 in (2,979 mm) |
| Length | 219.2 in (5,568 mm)[1] |
| Width | 78.1 in (1,984 mm) |
| Height | 55.9 in (1,420 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2-door: 3,993 pounds (1,811 kg)[2] 4-door: 4,006–4,120 pounds (1,817–1,869 kg)[3][4] |
The first generation of the Lincoln Town Car was produced from 1981 to 1989. It was based on the Ford Panther platform and featured a traditional sedan design, characteristic of luxury vehicles of the time. The first-generation Town Car was known for its spacious interior, comfort, and luxury features, including advanced technology for its era. It was a popular choice for chauffeur-driven transportation, with many used as limousines and funeral cars.
Second Generation (1990-1997)
change| Second generation (FN36/116) | |
|---|---|
 1990 Lincoln Town Car (base) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Hongqi CA7465 (China) |
| Production | July 1989 – September 20, 1997 |
| Model years | 1990–1997 |
| Assembly | Wixom, Michigan, U.S. (Wixom Assembly) Changchun, China (1995–1997) |
| Designer | Gale Halderman (1986) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Related | Mercury Grand Marquis Ford Crown Victoria |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1990: 4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0 L small block V8 1991–1997: 4.6 L (281 cu in) Modular SOHC V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed AOD automatic (1990–92) 4-speed AOD-E automatic (1992–94) 4-speed 4R70W automatic (1995–97) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 117.4 in (2,982 mm) |
| Length | 1990–94: 218.9 in (5,560 mm) 1995–97: 219.0 in (5,563 mm) |
| Width | 1990–91: 78.1 in (1,984 mm) 1992–94: 76.9 in (1,953 mm) 1995–97: 76.7 in (1,948 mm) |
| Height | 1990–94: 56.7 in (1,440 mm) 1995–97: 56 in (1,422 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,935–4,103 pounds (1,785–1,861 kg)[5][6] |
The second generation of the Lincoln Town Car was introduced in 1990 with a complete redesign. It featured updated styling with rounded edges and new technology. The interior was redesigned to include improved seating and additional amenities. The second generation also saw enhancements in safety, performance, and handling, making the Town Car more competitive in the luxury sedan market. A facelift in 1995 included a refreshed front end, updating the car's appearance.
Third Generation (1998-2011)
change| Third generation (FN145) | |
|---|---|
 2001 Lincoln Town Car Cartier | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Lincoln Town Car L |
| Production | October 1997 – August 29, 2011 |
| Model years | 1998–2011 |
| Assembly | Wixom, Michigan, U.S. (1998–2007) St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (2008–2011) Changchun, China (1998–2005) |
| Designer | Fritz Mayhew (1994) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Related | Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Marauder Ford Crown Victoria Hongqi CA7460/Hongqi Qijian(红旗旗舰) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.6 L Modular SOHC V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4R70W/E automatic 4-speed 4R75E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Town Car: 117.7 in (2,990 mm)[7] Town Car L: 123.7 in (3,142 mm) China: 125.6 in (3,190 mm) (Hongqi Qijian CA7460L3) 157.1 in (3,990 mm) (Hongqi Qijian CA7460L1) 210.2 in (5,339 mm) (Hongqi Qijian CA7460L2) |
| Length | 1998–2002 Town Car: 215.3 in (5,469 mm) 2003–2011 Town Car: 215.4 in (5,471 mm) 2001–2004 Town Car L: 221.3 in (5,621 mm) 2005–2011 Town Car L: 221.4 in (5,624 mm) |
| Width | 1998–2002: 78.2 in (1,986 mm) 2003–2011: 78.5 in (1,994 mm) |
| Height | 1998–2002: 58.0 in (1,473 mm) 2003–08 Town Car: 58.6 in (1,488 mm) 2003–08 Town Car L: 58.7 in (1,491 mm) 2009–2011 Town Car: 59.0 in (1,499 mm) 2009–2011 Town Car L: 59.1 in (1,501 mm) |
| Curb weight | Town Car: 4,006–4,369 pounds (1,817–1,982 kg)[8][9] Town Car L: 4,360–4,517 pounds (1,978–2,049 kg)[10][11] |
The third generation of the Town Car debuted in 1998, featuring a more rounded and sleek design. This generation included improvements in comfort, safety, and technology, with upgrades to the suspension and interior quality. The Town Car continued to be used as a limousine, taxi, and hearse. In 2003, the model received a mild redesign that introduced rack-and-pinion steering and other updates to the exterior and interior. The third generation remained known for its smooth ride and luxury features until production ended in 2011.
Discontinuation
changeThe Lincoln Town Car was discontinued in 2011 after over three decades of production. The decision was part of Lincoln's transition to newer vehicle platforms, such as the front-wheel-drive-based Lincoln MKS and Lincoln Continental. Although production ceased, the Town Car continued to be used as a limousine and funeral vehicle for some time.
Licensed Production in China
changeIn China, a licensed version of the Lincoln Town Car was produced by FAW and rebadged as the Hongqi CA7460 and Hongqi Qijian from November 10, 1998, until 2005. The limousine versions are now known as the Hongqi Limousine L1, L2, and L3. In 1998, the price was 690,000 RMB (approximately US$109,710). The L3, introduced in 2001, had a wheelbase of 3,190 mm. The L1, introduced in 2002, had a wheelbase of 3,990 mm, while the L2, introduced in 2003, had the longest wheelbase at 5,339 mm. The limousine variant was priced at 1,350,000 RMB (approximately US$214,650).
References
change- ↑ "1987 Lincoln Town car brochure 1987". oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ↑ "1981 Lincoln Town Car 2-Door data in automobile-catalog.com".
- ↑ "1982 Lincoln Town Car 1st-gen. 4-Door". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ↑ "1986 Lincoln Town Car 1gen 4-Door specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ↑ "1990 Lincoln Town Car 2gen 4-Door Sedan specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ↑ "1996 Lincoln Town Car 2gen 4-Door Sedan specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ↑ "2011 Town Car Specifications". Lincoln.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
- ↑ "1998 Lincoln Town Car 3gen 4-Door Sedan specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ↑ 2004 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate data in automobile-catalog.com
- ↑ "2001 Lincoln Town Car 3gen L-Series specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ↑ "2011 Lincoln Town Car 3gen L-Series specifications, performance data". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13.