Lincoln Continental VI (Panther) photos

In response to tightening fuel-economy regulations, the 1980 Continental was redesigned on Ford's all-new body-on-frame Panther platform, shedding roughly 1,000 pounds and significant exterior length while preserving traditional roominess. Offered as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan, it featured hidden headlamps, formal rooflines, and optional designer trim packages. Power was delivered by small-block Windsor V8 engines, including the 4.9-liter (302 cid) V8 with electronic central fuel injection and an optional 5.8-liter (351 cid) V8, coupled to the groundbreaking four-speed AOD automatic overdrive transmission. Innovative electronics debuted during this era, including a digital instrument cluster, trip computer, and the Ford Keyless Entry keypad on the door. After the 1981 model year, Lincoln reorganized its portfolio: the full-size Panther-based sedan was rebranded as the standalone Lincoln Town Car, allowing the Continental nameplate to migrate to a new mid-size segment.