Model overview

The Lincoln Continental is a range of mid-sized and full-sized luxury vehicles manufactured by Lincoln, a division of the American carmaker Ford Motor Company. 

In making for over 55 years across nine several decades, Lincoln has created ten generations of the Continental. Within the Lincoln model range, the Continental has served many roles ranging from its flagship to its base-trim sedan. From 1961 to 1976, Lincoln marketed the Continental as its exclusive model line. 

The model line has also gone on pause three times. From 1949 to 1955, the nameplate was briefly withdrawn. In 1981, the Continental was renamed the Lincoln Town Car to accommodate the 1982 seventh-generation Continental. After 2002, the Continental was withdrawn, mostly followed by the Lincoln MKS in 2009; in 2017, the tenth-generation Continental followed the MKS.

Simultaneously with the making of the personal luxury vehicle segment, the Lincoln Continental noted the peak of several designs in American automotive history. The Continental is the ultimate American vehicle range with a factory-produced V12 powertrain (1948), the final four-door convertible (1967), and the final model range to experience downsizing (for the 1980 model year).

The Continental is available in three trims: base, Reserve, and Black Label. The Continental offers three engine options, and all-wheel drive is available with any of them. The standard powertrain is a 3.7-liter V6 (305 hp, 280 lb-ft) and a six-speed automatic transmission. Safety gear is a strong point thanks to Lincoln's Co-Pilot360, a comprehensive suite that combines pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot exposure with cross-traffic warning. 

Lincoln Continental known problems

Some of the common problems or complaints owners have about the Lincoln Continental are:

• Compressor malfunction caused by air leaks from air suspension struts and drier
• Issues with the EGR system in high dust areas
• Overheating due to a broken impeller
• Check engine light caused by PCV grommet vacuum leaks

Lincoln Continental PDF owner manual

Posted by, John Mana

A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.