Over the last several months, we’ve come across a pair of rare 1984 Lincoln Continental diesel models, including one that was up for sale and another taken for a drive by Regular Car Reviews. However, both of those oil burners were four-door models, while this 1984 Lincoln Continental Mark VII diesel currently up for auction at Cars and Bids is a sportier and arguably more stylish two-door version.
Regardless, any diesel Continental from this era was produced in scant quantities, with very few left in existence today. That doesn’t mean it’s a great car or valuable collectible by any means, but it’s certainly quirky and interesting. It’s essentially like any other Continental from this era, but there’s one particular feature that makes it unique – the BMW 2.4L inline-six cylinder turbodiesel underhood that produces a mere 114 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque.
Obviously, that doesn’t result in scintillating performance, by any measure, and the fact that the diesel cost $1,235 more than the standard V8 made it a rather uncompelling option. Ultimately, only 2,334 buyers opted to go that route, which led to its prompt discontinuation. But while it doesn’t make much sense in hindsight, the diesel-powered Continental was created as part of Lincoln’s efforts to better compete with European luxury vehicles of the era.
Those seeking a nice, clean, and original 1984 Lincoln Continental Mark VII diesel won’t find many better than this one, anyway. With just over 46,000 original miles (though that may not be correct), it certainly looks to be in solid condition. There are the typical chips and scratches here and there, as well as a few power-operated features that don’t currently work. We’re betting the car actually has 146,000 miles, but that’s still not too bad for a vehicle of this age.
Regardless, if there’s a nicer diesel-powered Continental out there, we haven’t found it. The last two we’ve come across were in far poorer shape than this one, and they weren’t two-doors. Thus, we imagine that at least one lover of obscure automobiles will scoop this one up and bring it home, and perhaps get all of those electrical issues sorted out. If nothing else, they’ll be virtually guaranteed to have the only diesel 1984 Continental at the local cars and coffee meet.
We’ll have more cool auction finds like this to share soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Lincoln news, Lincoln Continental news, and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
I DO REMEMBER SEEING A CONTINENTAL DIESEL 4 DOOR BEING TRADED IN @ THE LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP ABOUT 1989 WHEN I WAS GETTING MY FIRST SABLE SERVICED. THE ONLY ONE IHAVE EVER SEEN
THE RARITY of this car definitely makes it collectible. I wonder what the MPG was on this model. I’ll bet it eclipsed 30 mpg highway. The V-8 got 25 mpg highway. I owned a 1988 with the 5.0 liter in it and did 25 easily, highway. The performance was actually very good for 1988. This car would make a great long distant cruiser and whoever ends up with it will have a rare gem.
I had one and it got 35-36 hiway miles all day long. Should have kept the car, but didn’t have storage. The air suspension gave big car ride. When it was at hiway speed, it cruised nicely at 90 all day. I have had several Mercedes deisels, The Lincoln BMW deisel was my favorite.