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 popularity, especially in the limousine and funeral vehicle industries.

Lincoln Town Car
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)

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)
Width	78.1 in (1,984 mm)
Height	55.9 in (1,420 mm)
Curb weight	2-door: 3,993 pounds (1,811 kg) 4-door: 4,006–4,120 pounds (1,817–1,869 kg)

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 a popular choice for chauffeur-driven transportation, with many used as limousines and funeral cars.

Second Generation (1990-1997)

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)

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 and The second generation also had A facelift in 1995 that included a refreshed front end.

Third Generation (1998-2011)

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) 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) Town Car L: 4,360–4,517 pounds (1,978–2,049 kg)

The third generation of the Town Car debuted in 1998, featuring a more rounded and sleek design. This generation had 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 was sold until the production ended in 2011.

Discontinuation

The 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

In 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).