Automotive Confession #2: I like '80s Town Cars.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Not sure why, but lately I've really started to take an interest in the '80s Town Cars again. They combine the design and presence of the '70s models with the modern, maneuverable size of the '90s models. I love how the fenders are peaked higher than the hood, how they have the clear turnsignal lenses with the Lincoln star embossed into the glass, the deep & soft seats, the glass covered instrumentation that's less like a speedometer and more like a fine timepiece. They're one of those cars that take pride in the small details...like the number of Lincoln stars over and in the car, etc etc. I only wish they had the power of their '70s counterparts with the 460, but atleast the 302 is pretty reliable and gets decent mileage.

My favorite year is 1987, because it was the last year of the grille with the fine checkered design and also the last year of that style of tail lamp. Here's a real nice '88 Cartier edition though.





Looks so comfy...



I wonder how they drive. Floaty and unnerving like a '70s model or slightly more roadable like a '90s model?

[Rodya234]

Better then the '80s Devilles, that's for sure. (Well,the post '85 Devilles)

[Sevillian273]

Psst....(i like em too... especially with the wire wheels!)

[Aron9000]

I think they're great cars as well, especially since they had fuel injection when Cadillac was still putting carbs on the Brougham.

Probably my biggest gripe is the half vinyl top they all seem to have. I hate that look. Full vinyl top is cool, or just a regular painted steel roof, but that half and half crap really screws up the lines/look.

I do like the Cadillac Brougham better though, it just has that bit of extra swagger that is somehow missing from the Lincoln.

[osu411yamaha]

When I was in my Junior year of college and I started having problems with my Pontiac Bonneville my grandpa let me take his 80s Town Car off to Ohio State with me. The thing rode like a dream and required little maintenance. However, it was the absolute worst car on ice and snow. Absolutely no traction. I got caught in an ice storm / traffic jam on the highway. I was on a slight incline and the Town Car started gradually sliding backwards inching closer and closer to the car behind me. Luckily traffic started moving again and I didnt hit it. Also, going across a bridge that same night I barely hit the gas and it slid completely sideways at a 90 degree angle for probably 150 feet. Talk about a close call. I thought for sure I was going off that bridge.....

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

There is a kid at school that has an '88 Town Car that is fully loaded, sunroof, wire wheels, the whole shebang. It looks freakin amazing. I sat in it though and was disappointed at the amount of front leg room. I know that my Brougham lacks in that department a little as well but there was as little leg room in these as there is in the last generation Fleetwoods. Very disappointing considering the size of the car as a whole.

[Aron9000]

Originally Posted by osu411yamaha

When I was in my Junior year of college and I started having problems with my Pontiac Bonneville my grandpa let me take his 80s Town Car off to Ohio State with me. The thing rode like a dream and required little maintenance. However, it was the absolute worst car on ice and snow. Absolutely no traction. I got caught in an ice storm / traffic jam on the highway. I was on a slight incline and the Town Car started gradually sliding backwards inching closer and closer to the car behind me. Luckily traffic started moving again and I didnt hit it. Also, going across a bridge that same night I barely hit the gas and it slid completely sideways at a 90 degree angle for probably 150 feet. Talk about a close call. I thought for sure I was going off that bridge.....

I'd blame the tires before you blame the car. I'm not a winter driving expert, but these old RWD sleds seem to have enough weight over the rear tires to get pretty good traction, unlike a 2wd pickup/Camaro/Mustang.

[osu411yamaha]

Im highly doubtful it was the tires. My grandpa is great friends with the owner of a local tire shop and it is only a block away from his house. Because of that he always has the best new tires money can buy on all his cars.

[Sandy]

I love the TownCar COUPES of the 1970s & 1980s

[Sevillian273]

Originally Posted by Aron9000

I'd blame the tires before you blame the car. I'm not a winter driving expert, but these old RWD sleds seem to have enough weight over the rear tires to get pretty good traction, unlike a 2wd pickup/Camaro/Mustang.

Yeah but once they let go, you're in for a scary ride! Its hard to regain control when that fat ass is swinging around you. And if the road is wet, forget about it....

[ltdltc]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

I wonder how they drive. Floaty and unnerving like a '70s model or slightly more roadable like a '90s model?

Floaty? Yes. Unnerving? No. My 1990 TC which had the lopo 150 HP 302 just like the Town Car you have pictured had air suspension (but the same front end suspension) so it drove a little different. When I got my first 1992 TC it felt like a rocket ship in comparison.

Slow? Absolutely. The 302 has the torque to get it going but it runs out of steam real quick. Wonder why Ford never put the 5.0 HO in any of those era Panthers. I mean the police LTD got a carb'd 5.8L! But having had a 1990 LTD Crown Victoria and driving 2 1988 Town Cars they aren't bad road trip machines. Try and hoon any of them though and it gets old real fast though.

The seats in Panthers of that era are far better then anything that has been put in any subsequent ones, even a loaded up LTD CV or GM LS has super pillow soft seats. Those front seats were literally rolling la-z-boys!

[orconn]

Sorry to disagree on the 80's Town Cars. Looked like a stage coach as interpreted by George Barris. Handled like Jelo on a plate. All in all suitable only for Drive-In movies!

[hueterm]

Absolutely ZERO on center feel...terrible.

[Playdrv4me]

Originally Posted by hueterm

Absolutely ZERO on center feel...terrible.

Yea that's a common, but sad Ford trait of that era. I'm still undecided on these 1980s TCs. Some aspects are really good, and others are terrible.

[Lord Cadillac]

I'm a big fan of the 80s Town Cars as well.. I like the first year of this body style that used to older suspension. I forget which year that was.. 1981?