Should We Bring Her Home ?? 1977 Mark V built by Caribou Motor Company

[CaddieorLincoln]

1977 Mark V built by Caribou Motor Company.... from what I've found only 12 were made. 

Thoughts anyone ???

[Billy Kingsley]

Save it if possible! The hood worries me. 

I know that the hoods on Ford products at that time were prone to rust, but I'm hoping that's not a sign of an under hood fire. 

[Rusty_OToole]

I've dragged home worse.

[Mark Wetherbee]

Looks like a flower car for funerals… very unique if so and worth trying to save.

[8E45E]

Leave it where it is!

 

Craig

[Fleek]

That would start many conversations at any car show. Look it over carefully and save it if it is savable and you like it well enough to invest your time and money in it. 

 

[alsancle]

If you want to invest 5x the money and time to have something nobody else has then go for it.   If you like Lincoln’s of that era and don’t care as much about the uniqueness then run,

[J.H.Boland]

The unique body from the cowl back looks good. The rest could be supplied by a donor car.

[John_S_in_Penna]

A few pros and cons I can think of:

 

---Perhaps there were only 12 made BY THAT COMPANY.

Several companies modified Lincolns, and those other

companies could have made pick-up trucks.  Still, it's rare.

 

---Ordinary Lincoln Mark V's are plentiful, so there should

be no problem finding replacement parts for the standard

exterior (hood, windshield, etc.) and interior where needed.

 

I would go ahead and bring the car back from its dereliction.

When new, it cost probably twice the price of a normal Lincoln. 

You'll have something unusual, and Lincoln fans especially will

like to see it.  A good way to make new friends at shows!

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[junkyardjeff]

Probably not worth any more then a regular version but if its all there and not very rusty and have the time go for it.

[Walt G]

My biggest hesitation is how much water damage has occurred via the hole in the windshield? did that rust out the floor, possibly the chassis, how about the electrical components on the dashboard/drivers area.  If you can try to get a rough estimate of what the parts will cost then go from there if you want to spend the time.

[K8096]

Of greater concern is the smashed windshield.  How long has it been sitting out in the rain/snow with a smashed windshield?  The dash & all dash wiring could be toast.    

[8E45E]

37 minutes ago, junkyardjeff said:

Probably not worth any more then a regular version.

I agree with that.  Just because only 12 were made doesn't make it desirable.  Unlike Lehmann-Peterson, who had relationship with Lincoln when it came to custom conversions, it was not sanctioned or authorized by Ford Motor Company, nor did they have any provenance.  It will always remain an outlier at a Lincoln show.

 

Craig

[60FlatTop]

The only regrets I have at almost 73 years old are over cars I didn't buy. How old are you?

 

Also check my previous posts. I never ask for advice on the Forum. I share experiences, but don't ask advice.

[Robert G. Smits]

1 hour ago, 60FlatTop said:

 

Also check my previous posts. I never ask for advice on the Forum. I share experiences, but don't ask advice.

I agree.  It is your money and your time.  If it is a passion go for it.  If you have been in any hobby very long you could write a book titled "BLANK" I should have purchased"  When I purchased my new 78 Mercury Station Wagon the dealer had two used 289 Cobras on the lot for $8500 each.  The sequel to that book is 'BLANK' I shouldn't have sold!!!

Edited August 16, 2021 by Robert G. Smits
Addition (see edit history)

[60FlatTop]

Historically that car is representative of an era when large farm owners were paid great sums of money for not growing crops. The Lincoln would be a rare example as most were GM cars. I would guess that job has its roots in the tobacco industry. Those states are generally considered Ford Country where wheat or corn country leans toward GM.

 

There are little historic niches for most cars, a reason for being. And learning the context of their lives is a great part of the hobby outside the aesthetics.

 

Funny how things connect, writing that just reminded me that those Ford Country areas are also quite well know for their recovery vehicles. Holmes comes to mind right away.

[rocketraider]

If the coachbuilt part is good you're ahead of the game. There are enough parts cars still extant that the front end sheetmetal can be found. I don't think it's a flower car because of the moonroof. 

 

I have reservations about the windshield too, especially since this generation of Ford products were often plagued with electrical gremlins. That hole is also consistent with damage from an underhood fire. If the wiring's toast, this would become an ambitious restoration real quick.

 

But yes, I think coachbuilt vehicles should be given a second chance, even tacky 70s versions. You have to wonder why it was allowed to deteriorate so badly in first place.

[rocketraider]

1 minute ago, 60FlatTop said:

I would guess that job has its roots in the tobacco industry. 

I have never known a tobacco farmer to drive anything that ostentatious. Even Buicks were unusual here in tobacco-land.

 

My guess is a rancher or oilman. Background looks Texas/Oklahoma. Where is this Linken anyway?

[CHuDWah]

12 hours ago, CaddieorLincoln said:

1977 Mark V built by Caribou Motor Company.... from what I've found only 12 were made. 

Thoughts anyone ???

 

A Lincoln Country Edition!  😁

 

Rarity doesn't necessarily translate to value.  You likely never would recover the restoration cost.  So are you in a business or a hobby?  If the former, you probably already know to leave it alone.  If the latter, the loss is the cost of participation and a Lincoln Ranchero is cool, even if not particularly valuable.  If it can be saved and you want it, and have the skill and/or dollars to restore it, go for it.

[8E45E]

17 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

Historically that car is representative of an era when large farm owners were paid great sums of money for not growing crops. The Lincoln would be a rare example as most were GM cars. I would guess that job has its roots in the tobacco industry. Those states are generally considered Ford Country where wheat or corn country leans toward GM.

Back in the 1970's many country music singers bought vehicles like these.  As I recall, Johnny Cash (or Glenn Campbell, can't recall who) owned a 1974 or '75 Cadillac station wagon.

 

In the late 80's and '90's when they weren't ostentatious enough, wealthy ranchers and country singers switched to Freightliner 'Sportchassis' and International 'Advanta' big rigs.  And if they weren't big enough, they went to coach-based diesel pusher Class-A motorhomes.

 

Craig

Edited August 17, 2021 by 8E45E (see edit history)

[John Byrd]

Back in my CB Radio days, I had a magazine (about cb's) with one of these and I think, John Wayne standing by it that was the back cover of the magazine. Been lusting after one ever since as I love all Rancheros and have had several. Never seen one of these or a Fairmont Durango version either in person tho. 

 

[CHuDWah]

2 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

The only regrets I have at almost 73 years old are over cars I didn't buy. How old are you?

 

x2

 

Quote

Also check my previous posts. I never ask for advice on the Forum. I share experiences, but don't ask advice.

 

Disagree.  While some free advice is worth less than its price, others' experiences can help clarify advantages and disadvantages.  But folks have to evaluate that advice according to their own skill/resources and wants and needs, then make up their minds.

[Bryan G]

I was just thinking, the last Lincoln that age that I looked at up close had been through a small engine fire. (Small in so much as it didn't get beyond the engine compartment.) The owner related as to how he was planning on taking it to the local Ford/Lincoln dealer to have it fixed. This was about 4 years ago. I tried not to, but I broke down laughing when I thought of what the service writer might tell him. If going back stock, better load up on vacuum hose!

 

A very good chance of an engine fire that spread to the passenger compartment; reversing all that is no weekend project. The smell may never completely go away.

[Studemax]

Buy it and restore it. You'll never see another one during cruise night at the Sonic.

[nisso8090]

The word "original" has been so abused as to be worthless. Repainted is not original. Restored is not original. I saw a car advertised a while back that was billed as a "restored original survivor". Huh? 

 I tried not to, but I broke down laughing when I thought of what the service writer might tell him. If going back stock, better load up on vacuum hose

[1932 plymouth pb sedan]

So your on the AACA forum looking for someone to tell you to bring it home ?

I sure have done the same when I already had my mind made up that I'm getting something and dragging it home, whether I need it or not, or think that I even have the slightest chance to find time to work on it and I bring it home anyway. I say "GO GET IT"

 

[Trulyvintage]

Maybe the scrap metal value of the car combined with what is in the sorry excuse for a truck bed will add up to pay for the trip …. 🤔

 

 

Jim

[Ed Luddy]

On 8/16/2021 at 5:56 AM, Rusty_OToole said:

I've dragged home worse.

Oh yes, so have I. Still have at least one!

[Ed Luddy]

You can buy a really nice Mark V cheap enough to use as donor front clip, doors and interior plus all the mechanical parts. Search hard enough and you may find the right color clip/car!

[deaddds]

Both ugly as hell and very unique.  Quite the combination.