Best Years for the Town Car: The Whale ('98-'11)

Part 1 of a series, I will feature the "Aero" 1990-1997 Town Car in the next article.


  
Whale ('98-'11)



2004

 If you like the bodystyle known as the "Whale" that ran from '98-'11, then you really can't go wrong with a 2004.
It gets all the upgrades of the 2003 and doesn't have any particular model year quirks. Also it still had a ton of options available that they gradually took away starting in 2005.

Pluses:
In 2003 Lincoln re engineered the frame, brakes, steering, suspension, and the horsepower went up to 239, the most the TC would ever get. These upgrades carry over to 2004 and make for the best handling most dynamic Town Car of any generation. With a 3.27 axle ratio and the dual exhaust equipped 4.6L V8, these Town Cars feel light on their feet and always have plenty of power in reserve if you need it. The performance upgrades don't make the TC into a sports car, but you can drive it with gusto and not worry about approaching the limits of what it can do.
The 2004 was the last year of the throttle cable, which provided direct and progressive feel to the gas pedal, and it's simpler and easier to fix vs. the later models which had drive by wire.

With a good maintenance program these cars are capable of going 300K or higher.
With this in mind I would give cars with 150-200K a look, you can pick up these higher mile cars for cheap and they still have a lot of life left. Just try to find a privately owned, non limo Town Car if possible.
The '04s didn't have bad axles or timing chain issues that the '03s did.
A nice bonus with the '04 is that a lot of options and colors were available that Lincoln took away in the later years starting with the 2005.
Some of the cool options available include HID headlights, Navigation system, rain sensing wipers, Ultimate and Limited trim packages.

These cars have a large following, so there are technical forums such as Crownvic.net and grandmarq.net which will help if you want to do your own repairs or upgrades.

Negatives:
With the 2003 mechanical changes the Town Car gained a more confident, athletic feel on the road, but there was a price to be paid in ride quality. The ride is firmer than any older Town Car, you still glide down the road,  but you feel the bumps more, especially on bad roads.  However, it's not a jarring ride by any means, and much better than any unibody modern car.
The 2004 has a few problems that plague all the Whale cars, mostly electrical. The A/C blend door breaking is a common problem, it's fairly invasive to fix, involves pulling the dash.
The digital odometers can be glitchy, doesn't affect all cars but many flicker or go out all together.
The intake manifolds can crack around thermostat housing, not common but it happens. Before '03  the entire intake on the 4.6 liter engine was plastic and frequently cracked and leaked coolant. After '03 they fitted all 4.6 engines with a part aluminum manifold which drastically improved reliability of the manifold. However most of the manifold remained plastic so they can still crack and leak coolant. Fortunately this problem is not common on the '03-up Town Car, and there are aftermarket solutions if it does happen to you.
Water leaking onto the floor is a common problem, it comes from the cowling around the windshield.
This is really nitpicking but the whale cars used a lot of plastics much like their predecessor.The bumpers are plastic and crack easily, and the headlights are all plastic and tend to glaze/fog up.

Lincoln emblems over the years

 

                                   

                                       
                  

Lincoln News: Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum set to open this week, August 9th

This Saturday is a very special day for members of Lincoln clubs across the country. The Lincoln Motor Car Foundation has brought together Lincoln enthusiasts from four major clubs (the Lincoln Owners Club, Lincoln-Zephyr Club, Lincoln and Continental Owners Club, and the Road Race Lincoln Register) for the building of a Lincoln museum. The groundbreaking of this 15,000 square foot building took place on June 1 of last year, and now that it's done, just over a year later, the Dedication Ceremony will be this Saturday, August 9, 2014. I think that's pretty impressive, especially considering all the work that went into the architecture of the building. There was great attention to detail, and the building is certainly big enough to house more cars/memorabilia. Currently there are 20 cars in the museum.
The museum is styled to look like a 20s Lincoln dealership, in fact it is patterned after the dealership of P.J. Platte which was located in Detroit, Michigan. And what a majestic building it is, fitting for one of the world's greatest luxury brands. Besides being a place of pilgrimage for enthusiasts, I hope this museum will open many people's eyes to what Lincoln used to be, it's heritage, and why the brand is worth holding onto today.

The site of the museum is at the campus of the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI. The Lincolns will be in good company with other museums on the campus such as the Cadillac/LaSalle museum, and the Pierce-Arrow Museum.
From the buzz at the club sites, it sounds like there will be a great turnout of Lincoln enthusiasts gathering for the Grand Opening this weekend. The gathering is scheduled to begin today and run through the end of the weekend.
I would be down there this weekend in a New York minute if I lived closer, but as I am on the East Coast I will have to wait until I can plan a proper trip. Definitely on my bucket list.

If you want to learn more about the museum or the dedication this weekend, here's a link to the Gilmore website for the Lincoln museum : Museum Grand Opening
                                                                     Museum Homepage

The Mighty Lincoln 337

Lincoln used a Ford 337 cubic inch Flathead V8 from 1949-1951, in both the EL-Series and Cosmopolitan. It is known for tremendous low end torque and smooth operation, as well as its massive size and weight.

This engine was also used in the big Ford Trucks from 1948-1951.

Basic Specs:
3.5 in (88.9 mm) bore, 4.375 in (111.1 mm) stroke.
Displacement: 336.7 ci
Largest displacement flathead V8 built by Ford.
Weighed in at well over 800 pounds.
Had hydraulic valve lifters and a forged steel crankshaft.
Replaced by the 317 Y Block in 1952.

As used in Lincoln cars from 1949-1951


                     Horsepower                   Torque

1949            152 @ 3600 RPM          265 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM

1950            152 @ 3600 RPM          265 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM
          
1951            154 @ 3600 RPM          275 ft. lbs. @ 1800 RPM

Wanna learn more about the 337? Check out this website:

 Lincoln/ Ford Truck 337 Specs

Lincoln brochure of early 50s body styles

1951-1952

Lincoln Of The Week: 1950-1951 Lincoln Lido And Capri

Lincoln's "Coupe deVille" of the early 50s?
Or perhaps the beginnings of the Mark Series?

As part of a series on Lincoln's first all new line of cars after World War II, here are two examples of the best Lincoln had to offer in the early 1950s.

The 1950 Lido                                                     





 
     










 The 1951 Lido (Updates for '51: note the different grille, bumper, side trim, and the special gold hood ornament lifted from the Cosmopolitan)

The 1950 Capri

 The 1951 Capri (Updates for '51: note the different grille, bumper, side trim, and hood ornament.)

This handsome pair of two door Lincolns was only made for two years, and in limited numbers, with the Lido, based on the "EL-Series" Mercury style body, and the Capri, which was based on the top  line Cosmopolitan.
Both were an answer to Cadillac's Series 62 Coupe deVille in terms of the market. In the early 50s the deVille was fairly exclusive, unique in the Cadillac line, and not yet a mainstay volume seller.

1950 Cadillac Coupe deVille

The Caddy is a pretty car, no doubt about it, but I prefer the more conservative and smooth styling of the Lincoln. No fins or dagmar bumpers for me, thank you very much. Make mine the bathtub :)

In the early 1950s, Lincoln was not yet producing the Mark Series of endlessly customizable personal luxury cars. Instead there was the top line Cosmopolitan Capri flagship coupe, and the Lido, top of the lower EL-Series line. Both coupes are a good example of making the most of what you have. Lincoln took existing models, and jazzed them up with extra chrome, unique interior panels and trim, a special gold hood ornament on the Lido, and my favorite part-full vinyl roofs, in one of their first appearances on a production car. No mechanical alterations were made to differentiate the driving experience in any way from the standard Lincoln. It was all about presence and distinctive looks. These classy cruisers foreshadow the Lincoln Marks of the 1970s, when a vinyl roof, nice interior and cool color combination were the ticket. The feeling of exclusivity one gets as the owner,  and having a personalized feel, is what sold these cars in the 50s, and the Mark IV and V in the 70s. The big difference is that the Lido and Capri were never high volume cars, with only a few thousand produced, while tens of thousands of Marks were sold. But the basic premise was the same from a business perspective. Keep production costs low while increasing profit and brand recognition, through cosmetic modifications. It's worth mentioning that 1950-51 were not good sales years for Lincoln, and both the Capri and Lido were pricey, several hundred dollars more than their base counterparts, which was a lot back in the early 50s. These factors ensured that sales would be low and that the cars would become collectible down the road.

Lido interior       

                                           











Standard EL-Series Interior

 I prefer the "business coupe" Merc styling of the Lido, although I will admit the Capri does have a certain grace to it, with a classy two door sedan look, similar to the 40s Continental. What do you think? I just can't get past those giant pieces of chrome tacked onto the fenders on the Capri. Thank goodness they got rid of them on the '51.  The Cosmopolitan ultimately makes a stronger visual impact, and really makes more sense, because it looks so different from any other Ford. The poor Lido will never be able to shake the "'49 Mercury Blues", to quote country singer Alan Jackson.

Both cars are identical, mechanically speaking, and according to "HowStuffWorks.com" the Lido is a little lighter (about 250 lbs.) and thus quicker with the same 337 ci Flathead V8, making around 150 hp. By 1951, the venerable Flathead was still reasonably competitive, only 10 horsepower shy of Cadillac's new OHV V8, but Lincoln decided it was time to drop the Flathead after 1951. Cadillac and Chrysler had switched to overhead valve engines, and Lincoln would do the same in 1952 with their Y-Block. 1951 would be the last year for the Flathead powered Lincolns.

If desired, considerable speed could be attained on the open road, upwards of 100 mph in fact. But then these cars were never about speed. Lots of torque at low RPMs, and smooth, quiet power delivery were what the Flathead powered Lincoln was all about. Not to mention dependability fitting for an engine built just as much for Ford truck duty as for wafting big Lincolns along. 

The Lido and Capri may not be the most groundbreaking Lincoln's ever built, but they had an important role in the building of Lincoln's image following World War II. In the early 50s all the automakers were trying to establish their place in the market and did so through styling and engines. Lincoln put their money on styling, and made some of the most distinctive looking cars on the road, love 'em or hate 'em. It's just a shame that they had to look so much like the Mercury of the era, causing much confusion. 1952 took Lincoln in a different direction, and although the new design was more contemporary, they didn't have the polarizing, head turning look that these cars did. Lido and Capri did Brougham before Brougham was cool.

It's time for a RWD Lincoln coupe

With the new Mustang coming out for 2015, I think it's high time for Lincoln to have their own version of the legendary pony car. Right now Lincoln needs some kind of halo car, something to reinvigorate the image of the brand, and bring people into the showrooms.

 Still looks so right after all these years.
The 2007 MKR concept four door coupe.

Since Lincoln came out with the latest MK series of cars, I've felt that they were doing things backwards. If they want to reinvent themselves as a brand, they need to have something exciting, something unique, and something to build the brand around. Lexus did this in 1989 with the LS, a well engineered full size luxury sedan that took the segment by storm. It was refined, quiet, unique, attractive, and a great value among luxury sedans. While many might disagree with some of the adjectives I just conferred on the LS, it is undeniable that the vehicle set Lexus up for viability and profitability as a luxury brand for the long term. The LS is the reason why the ES sedan and RX crossover, both on the entry level side of the Lexus portfolio, are perennial bestsellers. Those cars capture the essence of the LS for a lot less money, and have cachet and status of one of the world's top luxury brands. It's all about brand image, and Lexus is that polished, cool, technological marvel, refined luxury brand. Lincoln doesn't need to be like them. They can be different, but they need to make up their mind soon before their sales start to really sink from appearing confused about what they want to be.

You can create your brand identity with a big flagship sedan.
Been there, done that.
It worked well for Lexus. But Lincoln wants to create a
sportier, edgier image, and get away from Town Cars past.


Warmer.



 Now that's a car to get people's blood flowing, and garner some enthusiasm about where a company is going. Lincoln needs something similar. Futuristic is good for Cadillac, but a Lincoln is all about understated luxury.

 


Too often now, Lincoln gets overlooked, even among competitors such as the aforementioned Lexus and Acura, with whom they compete most directly in terms of their vehicle offerings and price points. The reason for this is because Lincoln has put horse before the cart. They are trying to establish the bread and butter of the brand without having a serious flagship sedan (a subject for another post, RIP Town Car) or sports car to draw people in, and have them leave in an MKZ or MKC. Lincoln is in a good (read profitable) segment of the market, the "entry level", that's just above your fully loaded Ford, edging in on Acura, and way below the Germans and other overpriced wannabes. In this overstuffed corner of the market, aflood with sporty little hybrids, teched out mid size sedans, and bland crossovers, there is room for Lincoln. But only if they can make something cool and different so they are perceived as having some originality and freedom to become more than so-called "overpriced Fords." In this era of Titanium grade Fords, which have most of the options you can get on a Lincoln for less money, they really need to set themselves apart in terms of design, or at least try and fool people into thinking the cars are more different than they really are.

Enter the 2015 Ford Mustang, redesigned and thoroughly advanced for a pony car. This car will win the hearts of enthusiasts, with rear wheel drive and available V8 power, not to mention the nostalgia that goes with the nameplate. People of all ages love the 'Stang, the question is, who would they pay an extra 10 grand to get a Lincoln Mustang? Lincoln would have to come up with a non badge engineered, unique design, and I have confidence in them to do that after seeing the latest MKZ. There could even be a 4 door version, a la the LS. A Lincoln rear wheel drive sports car, in the style of the old Mark VIII, think personal luxury more than muscle car, would excite both young and old. Here would be a 6 series BMW, or Infiniti Q coupe, for a lot less money.  And a sporty coupe would inject some needed performance image into the brand, because EcoBoosted V6s in front wheel drive cars ain't the way to do it. Need I say more?

Here's a rendition courtesy of Yahoo.com and Hansen Art of what it could look like.
 One word. Sweet!
 



I realize that the personal luxury segment is long gone, failing spectacularly with the last Ford Thunderbird, and it probably isn't the right kind of car for the times, in this era of the PC police. But that's the one area that no one has touched for years. If the car is too sporty, it will be thrown aside as a piece of badge engineering, and if it is too much of a "boat", it will only attract the older crowd, and not bring in the needed younger set, because most of them still see the brand as "old people cars." It's gotta be somewhere in between, call it "grand touring" if you like, a sort of budget BMW 6 series. But it better not have the letters MK anywhere in the name, for goodness sake. Pretty soon they'll run out of letters to throw on the end.
Just call it a Continental. That name will never go out of style.
:)