Anytime the words “Burning Man” enter a Craigslist car ad, I have to look. It’s like a train wreck. So when Shannon Sykes sent me the listing for this 1985 Lincoln limo, of course I looked. Here’s the plus sides: The Lincoln was owned by the guy who managed Rod Stewart and the Allman Brothers. Has CD, DVD and two flat screens…now we’re getting somewhere. The “Burning Man” legacy most noticeable is paintwork by an artist called “Shrine”. Looks no worse than any VW bus that managed to keep it’s hand-painted livery.
The bad? That interior looks ripe for a starring role on an episode of CSI, and if they analyzed the materials, I think it’d be a 50/50 chance between it being composed of cocaine or DNA. The car is stock, so there’s a 5.0L under the hood that is probably praying for a quick and merciful death and an AOD that’s wondering what it did to deserve such a spot in life.
Air up the tires, jump off the engine and you can have yourself a one-of-a-kind party mobile. While I’m known for having a “free is good!” mentality, I have to say that all I’m seeing is this thing’s weight in scrap iron gold. But you may feel differently.
Click Here to see this Lincoln’s Craigslist ad while it’s still available
One thing to remember about limos of this era besides the heinous things that took place in the back is that all of these came from Ford as a plain old Towncar. Then someone cut it in half between the doors and stretched it out. Hence the name “Stretch Limo”. The driveshaft is now two or three pieces, the fuel lines, wiring, and exhaust were patched back together. The wiring harness that runs the back of the car is behind the drivers seat, so if there is an electrical fire, you will be the first to know. Most have a second isolated battery. Some have two alternators and two AC compressors. You still want a 30 year old limo?
Groovy paint. I’m wondering if some serious frame reinforcement, a Cummins swap, and a steam cleaner might make it into an awesome tow vehicle.
Turbo diesel limo? Hmmmm… Interesting.
Lets do this! We can make Bonneville!
The paint job would have to go. The car has a lot of potential though. Put the right engine in it and you have a sleeper no one would suspect. Not to mention the fun a single guy could have in the back.
I reckon a married guy could too. But it had better be his wife he’s having the fun with or…………..
If you had a spare Allison aircraft mill . . . or knew how TV Tommy Ivo built the Wagonmaster Buick . . . or how tractor pullers hook together all those engines . . . This freebee limo could become a wild freak . . .
And keep the guru paint work . . . .