Can any car represent the 70s land yacht era better than the Continental MkIV? Lincoln’s ersatz Rolls Royce gave American buyers – from Harlem pimps to Hamptons country clubbers – so much glamour, not to mention metal, for the money. The Continental MkIV was Lincoln’s most expensive car, and one that comprehensively outsold its rival from Cadillac, the Eldorado.

This example has the wonderfully 70s colour combination of Maise Yellow with a green velour interior and a white vinyl half top.

We bought this car at the end of 2023, amazingly from the same town in Texas that it was sold new, and we are the only the third owners. The second owners had the car for nearly 50 years.

The first owner, a Mr Troy Fuller, bought the car new in 1975 from Bratcher Lincoln & Mercury of Plainview,Texas. Apparently, he bought a new car every 6 months so later that year sold it to the Johnson family, also of Plainview. The Johnsons kept the car nearly 50 years, mainly in Plainview, but it did spend a few years with Mr Johnson’s daughter in San Diego before returning to the family property in Texas.

The car is completely unrestored and remains a true ‘survivor’. The Johnsons always garaged the Lincoln in their underground garage, protecting it from the sun.

The paintwork is 90% original, and the vinyl half-top remains original and supple with no sun damage, and importantly no signs of corrosion underneath the vinyl.

The green velour interior is in great shape and, again, completely original.

The underside is in incredible condition thanks to being a dry state car - zero rot or repairs.

Since arriving in the UK, it has had a service, new battery, fuel tank removed, washed out and refitted with a new fuel tank sender/pick-up, new fuel hoses, new tyres, new brakes and brake hoses.

The big 460 cubic inch (7.5-litre) V8 has had all the ancillary emissions equipment removed including the catalytic convertors. A new dual exhaust system has been fabricated with Dynamax Turbo silencers – it makes a lovely noise without being too loud.

The notoriously terrible Motorcraft carburettor has been replaced with a brand new Edelbrock 1411 four-barrel replacement. It runs beautifully and is perfectly happy in London traffic or cruising at speed on the motorway.

The car currently rides on 8in chrome wheels, but I can refit the original wheels and wheel trims if the buyer prefers.

All original books and manuals the car came with new.

A lovely car to cruise around it with a tremendous sense of occasion. Used regularly all 2024 and totally dependable. A real survivor in fantastically well-preserved condition with only three owners from new. Tremendous value for money.