Lincoln Town Car

Lincoln Town Car
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Model years	1981–2011
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car Limousine Armored car
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford Panther platform
Related	Mercury Grand Marquis Ford Crown Victoria
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental (1980)
Successor	Lincoln MKS (livery/civilian) Lincoln MKT (limousine/hearse)

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	Lincoln Continental Mark VI Mercury Grand Marquis Ford LTD Crown Victoria
Powertrain
Engine	4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0L Windsor 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)

Second generation
1990-1992 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series
Overview
Also called	Hongqi CA7465
Production	1989–1997
Model years	1990–1997
Assembly	Wixom, Michigan (Wixom Assembly)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Related	Mercury Grand Marquis Ford Crown Victoria
Powertrain
Engine	1990: 4.9 L (302 cu in) 5.0L Windsor V8 1991–1997: 4.6 L (281 cu in) Modular SOHC V8
Transmission	4-speed AOD automatic 90 – 92 4-speed AOD-E automatic 92 – 95 4-speed 4R70W automatic 95 – 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)

Third generation
Overview
Also called	Lincoln Town Car L FAW Hongqi CA7460 FAW Hongqi Limousine
Production	October 1997–September 15, 2011
Model years	1998–2011
Assembly	Wixom, Michigan, U.S. (1998–2007) St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (2008–2011)
Designer	Fritz Mayhew
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 automatic 4-speed 4R75W automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Town Car: 117.7 in (2,990 mm) Town Car L: 123.7 in (3,142 mm)
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 Lincoln Town Car is a model line of full-size luxury sedans that was marketed by the Lincoln division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company from 1981 to 2011. Deriving its name from a style of limousine, "Town Car" translated in French is the term "Sedan de Ville" (the Cadillac rival to the Lincoln Continental from the 1950s to the 1990s). The Town Car nameplate first appeared as a sub-model of the Continental in 1959, later becoming a trim line during the 1970s. In 1981, the Lincoln Town Car became a distinct product, taking the place of the Continental in the Lincoln model line.

Produced in three separate generations, the Lincoln Town Car was based solely on the rear-wheel drive Ford Panther platform, sharing its chassis and mechanical components with the Mercury Grand Marquis and the Ford (LTD) Crown Victoria. With the exception of two-door sedans sold in 1981, the Town Car was produced in a single four-door body style. Following the 1996 discontinuation of the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, the Town Car became the longest (though not the heaviest) mass-produced sedan assembled in the Western Hemisphere until 2003. Within Ford Motor Company, the Lincoln Town Car marked the introduction of several significant features and technologies, including fuel-injected engines, 4-speed overdrive automatic transmissions, keyless entry, and overhead-cam V8 engines.

Marketed primarily in the United States and Canada, the Town Car saw exports worldwide. From 1981 to 2007, the Lincoln Town Car was assembled at Wixom Assembly, at Wixom, Michigan, alongside the Lincoln Continental, Mark Series, and Lincoln LS. Following the closure of Wixom Assembly, production of the Town Car was moved to St. Thomas Assembly in Southwold, Ontario, Canada, alongside the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. In 2011, production of all three Panther-platform vehicles ended as the St. Thomas facility ended production in September 2011.

In the 1920s, a town car was a type of limousine that gained popularity among automobile buyers. The design featured an open chauffeur's compartment with either a fixed or convertible roof for the rear passengers. In 1922, Edsel Ford purchased a custom-built Lincoln L-Series town car as a personal vehicle for his father, Henry Ford.