1978 Lincoln Continental Town Sedan

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

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The 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Sedan was the final model year of Lincoln’s largest and most opulent personal luxury sedan before downsizing reshaped the brand. Introduced in 1977 as a counterpart to the Town Car coupe, the Town Sedan offered the same formal styling and premium features in a four-door configuration, appealing to buyers who wanted exclusivity and elegance.

Built on Ford’s full-size rear-wheel-drive platform, the 1978 Town Sedan stretched over 233 inches and weighed nearly 5,000 pounds. It featured a squared-off roofline with opera windows, a padded vinyl top, and a richly appointed interior with plush leather seating, deep pile carpeting, and extensive woodgrain trim. The standard engine was the massive 460 cubic-inch V8, delivering smooth, quiet power ideal for highway cruising.

This model represented the peak of Lincoln’s traditional luxury ethos — prioritizing comfort, presence, and craftsmanship over fuel economy or handling. With tightening federal regulations and shifting consumer preferences, 1978 marked the end of an era for Lincoln’s land yachts.

The Town Sedan’s brochure said it well: "For those who appreciate the finer things in life, the Lincoln Continental Town Sedan is a rewarding expression of personal achievement."

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• Finished in Medium Blue paint with White vinyl landau topand opera windows

• Dark Blue leather upholstery

• Powered by a 460 cu-in V8 engine rated at 220 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque

• C6 three-speed automatic transmission

• The data plate/sticker decodes as:

  • Color: 34TW – Medium Blue paint with white vinyl top

  • DSO: 21 – Atlanta District Sales Office

  • Body: 53B – Four-door pillared hardtop Town Car

  • Trim: KB – Dark Blue leather

  • Schedule date: 30A – 30 January 1978 scheduled build date

  • Axle: 1 – 2.50:1 rear axle ratio

  • Trans: U – C6 3-speed automatic transmission

  • A/C: A – 8-inch evaporator core

• The chassis number (8Y82A882551) decodes as:

  • 8 – Model Year: 1978

  • Y – Assembly Plant: Wixom, Michigan

  • 82 – Body Style: Four-door Sedan

  • A – Engine Code: 460 cu-in V8, 4-barrel carburetor

  • 882551 – Sequential Production Number

Features

• Distinctive hidden headlamps behind retractable covers

• Chrome-accented grille and bumpers

• Power-operated front seats, windows, locks, mirrors, and antenna

• Wood-trimmed dash and doors

• Automatic climate control

• Cruise control

• AM/FM/Quadrasonic tape audio system

• iEquus temperature gauge mounted under dash

• Nexen N’Priz AH5 235/75R15 whitewall tires

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Paint imperfections include spotting, chips, and scuffs

• Imperfections on vinyl roof

• Rear bumper paint is cracked and oxidizing

• Leather upholstery is cracked and worn

• Cartier clock does not work

• Rearview mirror is detached (but included)

Included

• Blue carpeted and rubber floor mats

• Spare tire

• Lug wrench

• Keys

Ownership History

This 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Sedan is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: William Cooper  Phone: 469.463.4542  email: wcooper@hagerty.com 

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.