What is the wheelbase of a 1978 Lincoln Continental?
The wheelbase of the 1978 Lincoln Continental four-door sedan is 116 inches (about 2,946 mm). This measurement places the car among Ford’s classic full-size sedans of the era and influences interior space and ride feel.
In automotive terms, the wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles. For the 1978 Continental, this long wheelbase contributes to a spacious interior and a smooth highway ride, a hallmark of Lincoln’s luxury approach in the late 1970s.
Wheelbase specifics for the 1978 Continental family
Key sedan wheelbase figure
Below is a quick reference to the main wheelbase figure for the 1978 Lincoln Continental in its typical four-door configuration. Other body styles in the Lincoln lineup from that era used related but different measurements, but the data most commonly cited refers to the sedan configuration.
- 4-door Lincoln Continental (sedan) wheelbase: 116 inches
These figures summarize the key spatial attribute of the car's chassis for this model year. If you are comparing with other Lincoln models from the same era, note that variations exist across body styles.
What the wheelbase means for the drive
The wheelbase affects several practical aspects of the car’s behavior and interior space in daily use. The following points outline the typical impact for a long-wheelbase full-size car like the 1978 Continental.
- Longer wheelbase generally yields a smoother ride over irregular roads, as weight is distributed over a longer distance and suspensions can work more effectively.
- It also tends to increase interior legroom and overall cabin space, a hallmark of luxury sedans of the era.
- Turning radius can be less sharp than shorter-wheelbase vehicles, making parking more manageable on highways but less nimble in tight confines.
In short, the wheelbase of 116 inches supports the Continental's luxury stance: comfortable highway cruising with ample interior space, at the expense of some maneuverability in tight spaces.
Summary
The 1978 Lincoln Continental sedan uses a 116-inch wheelbase, a measurement that underpins its spacious interior and confident highway ride. While other Lincoln styles from the year may differ slightly, the sedan’s wheelbase remains the figure most commonly cited for this iconic full-size car.
What year is Lincoln Continental most desirable?
The 1961 Lincoln Continental is widely considered the best year, lauded for its iconic and beautiful design that is credited with saving the Lincoln brand and influencing decades of car design. This generation is known for its sleek, minimalist styling, and the availability of rear-hinged "suicide" doors on its four-door sedan and the rare four-door convertible models.
You can watch this video to see the design of the 1961 Lincoln Continental and learn about its history: 35sAmerican LegendsYouTube · Oct 15, 2024
Why the 1961 is often cited as the best:
- Design: The 1961 model's long, low, and squared-off look was a radical departure from the gaudy designs of the 1950s and is considered a masterpiece of American car design.
- Brand revival: The redesign was so successful that it is credited with revitalizing the Lincoln brand and establishing a new standard for American luxury cars.
- Iconic features: It was one of the last American cars to feature four-door convertible options and rear-hinged rear doors, known as "suicide" doors, which have become synonymous with the model.
- Collector value: Due to its significance, the first year of this generation, 1961, is particularly valuable to collectors, especially the rare convertibles.
This video discusses some of the greatest Lincolns, including the 1961 Continental: 59sAmerican LegendsYouTube · May 22, 2025
Other notable years:
- 1948: Recognized as a "Full Classic" by the Classic Car Club of America and notable for being the last American production car with a V12 engine.
- 1968: A strong contender from the same generation, featuring distinct taillights and other styling updates that made it an authoritative and handsome car.
- 1969 Continental Mark III: A successful model that marked Lincoln's entry into the personal luxury coupe market and was instrumental in turning around Lincoln's finances.
How long is a 78 Lincoln Continental?
The 1978 Lincoln Continental's length was 233 inches (591859185918 mm) for the 4-door sedan and 230.3 inches (585058505850 mm) for the 2-door Mark V coupe. These cars were notably long, with the 4-door model being longer than the Mark V coupe.
- 4-Door Sedan: 233 inches (591859185918 mm)
- 2-Door Mark V Coupe: 230.3 inches (585058505850 mm)
How much is a 78 Lincoln Continental worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $10,467 for a 1978 Lincoln Continental in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1978 Lincoln Continental? The highest selling price of a 1978 Lincoln Continental at auction over the last three years was $279,487.
What is the wheelbase of a 1977 Lincoln Continental?
The 1977 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe represented the height of American automotive luxury and size. As GM and Chrysler downsized their cars, Lincoln's Continental became the world's largest mass -produced automobile, stretching 233 inches long on a 127.2-inch wheelbase.
