1971 Lincoln Mark iii problems
The Continental Mark III is a personal luxury car marketed by Lincoln from 1969–1971 model years. The namesake successor of the 1956–1957 Continental Mark II, the Mark III again served as the flagship vehicle of Ford Motor Company. Offered as a two-door hardtop coupe, the Mark III was noted for its hidden headlights, rear spare-tire trunk bulge recalling the Mark II and its Rolls-Royce styled grille.
The Mark III was developed as a direct competitor to the Cadillac Eldorado, creating a three-decade market rivalry between the Continental Mark series and the Eldorado.
To lower development and production costs over its largely hand-built predecessor, the Mark III shared its chassis underpinnings with the four door Ford Thunderbird. Model-specific design elements, including hidden headlamps (with body-color covers) and the Rolls-Royce-style grille distinguished the Mark III from the Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental — while borrowing the same roof structure and rear windows, retractable into the C pillar, from the two door Thunderbird. Later models featured genuine walnut interior accents and a Cartier-branded clock. In a first for an American car, the 1970 Mark III was fitted with Michelin "X" Radial Tires as standard equipment.
Ford manufactured the Continental Mark III at its Wixom Assembly Plant facility (Wixom, Michigan) alongside the Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental. For 1972, in alignment with the redesign of the Thunderbird, the Mark III was superseded by the Continental Mark IV.
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Common 1971 Lincoln Mark iii problems
Common Problems with the Lincoln Mark III 1971:
- Expensive Replacement Parts:
- The Lincoln Mark III, like many classic cars, suffers from the challenge of expensive replacement parts. Owners have highlighted issues with costly armrest reproductions, difficulties in finding specialized parts suppliers, and high prices for essential components, impacting the overall maintenance costs.
- Water Sealing and Corrosion:
- Another common problem noted by owners is related to water sealing and corrosion. The convertible variants of the Mark III were reported to have issues with water ingress, leading to corrosion over time. The unitized body construction of the car posed challenges for accessing and repairing these areas, making maintenance more complex and costly.
- Faulty Gas Tank Seam:
- Concerns have been raised about a faulty gas tank seam in some Mark III models. This issue, although not extensively detailed, suggests potential fuel system vulnerabilities that could lead to leaks or other safety hazards if not addressed promptly.
- Overall Maintenance Costs vs. Value:
- Owners have expressed concerns about the balance between money invested in restoring a Mark III and its actual market value. The challenge lies in finding a well-maintained car that justifies the restoration costs, especially considering the niche market for parts and the potential limitations in achieving a high return on investment.
These common problems with the Lincoln Mark III 1971 highlight the intricacies and challenges faced by owners of this classic luxury vehicle. From transmission issues to high maintenance costs, addressing these concerns requires a thorough understanding of the car's unique characteristics and a strategic approach to maintenance and restoration.
How much horsepower does a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III have?
365 horsepower
The 460-cubic-inch V8 engine in this car made 365 horsepower, according to the generous gross rating system that ended in the following year.
What year is the most sought after Lincoln Continental?
1961
The most valuable of this era are the first-year, 1961 cars; from there, values of most configurations drop. While sedans and coupes (across all model years) are usually worth within 5–7 percent of each other, the rare and desirable convertibles are worth approximately 250 percent more than their hardtop brethren.
What was the MSRP for a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III?
A: The 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III had a base price of approximately $8,420 (USD).
How many Lincoln Mark 3 were made?
Production figures
| Production Year | Yearly Total |
|---|---|
| 1969 | 23,088 |
| 1970 | 21,432 |
| 1971 | 27,091 |
| Total | 79,381 |
How much horsepower does a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III have?
365 horsepower
The 460-cubic-inch V8 engine in this car made 365 horsepower, according to the generous gross rating system that ended in the following year.
Is the Lincoln Continental a reliable car?
The Lincoln Continental isn't the most reliable luxury car, but it retains above average scores on several ratings. It is, however, one of the safest vehicles to drive, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How many Lincoln Mark 3 were made?
Production figures
| Production Year | Yearly Total |
|---|---|
| 1969 | 23,088 |
| 1970 | 21,432 |
| 1971 | 27,091 |
| Total | 79,381 |
What is the rarest Lincoln Continental?
The 1959–1960 Town Car and Limousine are among the rarest Lincoln vehicles ever sold; only 214 examples of the $9,200 (equivalent to $96,200 in 2023) Town Car were produced and only 83 examples of the $10,200 Limousine were produced (equivalent to $106,600 in 2023).
1971 Lincoln Mark iii car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lincoln Mark iii problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1971 Lincoln Mark iii vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1971 Lincoln Mark iii complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1971 Lincoln Mark iii.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-01
- VIN: 1Y89A857733
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED CONSUMER STATES WHEN APPLING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
1971 Lincoln Mark iii recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1971 Lincoln Mark iii.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1971 Lincoln Mark iii problems:
Considering a Mark III - let's chat - Lincolns OnLine Message Forum
Mar 22, 2012 ... I am all ears. Nick Current: 2016 F-150 Platinum, 2012 MKZ AWD, 1971 Continental Mark III ... It sounds like the Mark III has similar issues to my ...
Continental Mark 3 transmission vacuum problems ...
Hi Lincoln Forum, I come from Berlin / Germany and have a Continental Mark 3 Coupe from 1971 and a problem with the transmission and the vacuum system for ...
1970 Lincoln Continetal MARK III Review - Lincolns OnLine ...
Jan 22, 2014 ... 1. At approximately 50,000 miles, the outer grill shell will develop stress cracks in the upper corners. These can NOT be repaired--anyone who ...
1971 Continental Mk III electric windows don't move ...
Any idea where I find the fuse for the windows as I guess this if the first thing to check. Any suggestions of common faults which may cause this also welcome.
'71 Mark III "Sure-Track" Brakes Problem - TheLincolnForum.Net
'71 Mark III "Sure-Track" Brakes Problem ... I have a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III. The ... "Question Authority!" 1966 Continental Sedan, affectionately known ...
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