Start with the VIN and ownership paperwork

Before you do anything else, locate the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb. Write it down exactly as it appears. Then search that VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to see if the car has any open recalls — a 1987 Town Car may have safety issues flagged decades ago that still matter for your decision.

Next, find the title or registration documents if they exist. If the car is still registered to someone, you need to understand the ownership situation before you invest time or money. If there is no paperwork at all, you will need to contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to learn what documents you need to establish ownership or transfer it to yourself. This varies by state, but most require either a bill of sale from the previous owner or a court order if the owner cannot be located.

If the car has been sitting for years, the title may be expired or the registration lapsed. That is normal and fixable, but you need to know the status before you move forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the VIN on the NHTSA website for recalls and get a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck to see maintenance records and accident history.
  • Verify ownership through the title or registration documents, and contact your state DMV if paperwork is missing or the car has been sitting unclaimed.
  • Inspect the engine, transmission, fuel system, and brakes in person before you commit to moving or restoring the car, because major mechanical problems can make a project uneconomical.
  • Budget for fluid replacement, battery, tires, and fuel system cleaning as your first expenses, since these are essential before the car can run safely.
  • Research 1987 Town Car parts availability and restoration costs through forums and salvage yards to understand whether this particular car is worth the investment.

Get a vehicle history report and inspect the engine bay

Purchase a vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck using the VIN. These reports show accident history, service records if they were reported to insurance companies, and whether the car was ever branded as salvage or flood-damaged. A 1987 Town Car that has been in storage may not have much recent history, but the report will tell you if the car was wrecked or flooded before it was parked.

Once you have the history, look at the engine bay in person. Open the hood and check for obvious problems: rust on the engine block, corrosion on battery terminals, oil sludge, or fluid leaks. Peer under the car with a flashlight and look for rust holes in the floor pan or frame — this is critical, because frame rust can make a car unsafe and expensive to repair. A 1987 Town Car is over 35 years old, so some surface rust is expected, but deep pitting or holes are a red flag.

Start the engine if you can, or have someone with mechanical knowledge do it. Listen for knocking, grinding, or rough idling. If the car has been sitting for years, the engine may not turn over at all, which means you are looking at fuel system cleaning, new spark plugs, and possibly internal engine work before you know whether the engine is salvageable.

Examine the transmission, brakes, and suspension

The transmission is one of the most expensive components to repair on a 1987 Town Car. If the car has been sitting, the transmission fluid may have broken down or the seals may have dried out. Try to shift through the gears if the engine is running — you should feel distinct clicks or movements as you move from Park to Reverse to Drive. If the shifter moves but nothing happens, or if you hear grinding, the transmission may need a complete rebuild.

Check the brake system by pressing the brake pedal. It should feel firm and not sink to the floor. If the pedal goes soft or all the way down, the brake lines may have corroded or the master cylinder may have failed. Brake work is not optional — you cannot drive the car safely without functioning brakes, and this is an expensive repair on an older car.

Look at the suspension by checking the shock absorbers and springs. Push down on each corner of the car and release it. The car should bounce once or twice and then settle. If it bounces repeatedly or does not bounce at all, the shocks are worn out. Suspension work is necessary for safety and handling, and it adds up quickly on a full restoration.

Assess rust, interior condition, and glass

Walk around the entire car and look for rust. Check the rocker panels (the area between the front and rear wheels), the wheel wells, the trunk floor, and the underside of the doors. Surface rust can be sanded and repainted, but rust that has eaten through the metal requires welding or panel replacement. A 1987 Town Car that has been stored outdoors will likely have significant rust, and this is one of the biggest costs in a restoration.

Open all the doors and check the interior. Look for water stains on the headliner, mold or mildew smell, torn upholstery, and cracked dashboard. If the car was stored with the windows down or the roof leaking, the interior may be damaged beyond repair. Reupholstering a Town Car is expensive, and if the frame or floor is wet, mold can be a health hazard.

Check all the windows and lights. Glass is relatively inexpensive to replace, but if multiple windows are cracked or missing, it adds to the project cost. Test the headlights, taillights, and interior lights — many may not work due to corroded wiring or dead bulbs, which is an straightforward fix, but it tells you the electrical system has not been maintained.

Research parts availability and restoration costs

Before you commit to the project, search online forums dedicated to Lincoln Town Cars and classic car restoration. Sites like Classic Car Forum and Lincoln-specific groups on Facebook will have members who have restored 1987 Town Cars and can tell you what to expect. Ask about parts availability — some components are still made by aftermarket suppliers, but others may be hard to find or expensive.

Contact local salvage yards and classic car parts suppliers to get quotes on major components like a replacement engine, transmission, or radiator. A 1987 Town Car engine may cost $500 to $2,000 depending on condition, and a transmission rebuild can run $1,500 to $3,000. These numbers matter because they help you decide whether the car is worth restoring or whether it makes more sense to part it out or scrap it.

Look up the current market value of a restored 1987 Town Car on sites like Hemmings Motor News or NADA Guides. If a fully restored example sells for $8,000 to $12,000, and your car needs $10,000 in repairs, you are not making money on the project — you are doing it for the love of the car. That is fine, but you need to know that going in.

Plan your first steps if you decide to move forward

If the car is worth pursuing, your first priority is getting it to a safe location where you can work on it. If the car does not run, you will need a flatbed tow truck, which typically costs $150 to $400 depending on distance. Do not try to tow a non-running car on a regular trailer — you risk damaging the transmission and brakes.

Once the car is where you can work on it, start with the basics: drain all old fluids (oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid), replace the battery, install new spark plugs, and clean or replace the fuel filter. These steps cost $200 to $500 and will tell you whether the engine can turn over and run. If it does, you can move on to more complex repairs. If it does not, you have a bigger problem and need to decide whether to rebuild the engine or walk away.

Document everything with photos and notes. Keep receipts for all parts and labor. This helps you track what you have spent and makes it easier to sell the car later if you decide to stop the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to restore a 1987 Lincoln Town Car?

A full restoration can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on how much work the car needs and whether you do the work yourself or hire a shop. A basic mechanical restoration (engine, transmission, brakes, suspension) might cost $5,000 to $10,000. Adding a complete interior and exterior restoration pushes the cost much higher. The best approach is to get quotes from local mechanics for the specific problems your car has.

Can I drive a 1987 Town Car on the highway?

Yes, once it is mechanically sound and passes inspection. A 1987 Town Car is a full-size sedan built for highway driving, and many are still on the road. However, it will not have modern safety features like airbags or electronic stability control, so you need to be aware of that. Make sure the brakes, tires, lights, and steering are in good condition before you take it on the highway.

Where can I find parts for a 1987 Town Car?

Salvage yards, online retailers like RockAuto and eBay Motors, and Lincoln-specific suppliers all carry parts. Common items like filters, belts, and hoses are straightforward to find and inexpensive. Harder-to-find items like trim pieces or interior components may require searching multiple sources or joining online forums where collectors buy and sell parts.

What if the car has been sitting for 10 years or more?

Long storage means the fuel has turned to varnish, the battery is dead, the tires are flat-spotted, and all the seals and gaskets have dried out. Plan on replacing the fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs, and all fluids before you try to run the engine. Have a mechanic inspect the car before you invest in parts, because internal engine damage from sitting is possible.

Is a 1987 Town Car a good investment?

Not as a financial investment — you will almost certainly spend more on restoration than the car will be worth when you sell it. However, if you enjoy working on cars and want a classic American sedan, it can be a rewarding project. The Town Car is a straightforward, well-documented car with a strong community of enthusiasts, which makes it a good choice for a first restoration.