What first began in the 1920s as a limousine, the Lincoln Town Car has progressed into one of the top selling American luxury sedans on the market - even in today's age that favors fuel economy over amenities. This full-size four-door sedan did not begin as a standalone model. Instead, the Town Car badge was used on a number of Lincoln's earlier Continental models, and the name was even given to a vehicle built exclusively for Henry Ford (the creator and owner of Lincoln's parent company Ford). It was not until 1981 that the American buying public saw the Town Car as a separate entity from other Lincoln models.

While the 1981 Town Car did not take the place of the Continental, the two shared many attributes. The Town Car was a four-door full-size sedan that had a boxy face and squared headlamps and front grille. With a 5.0L Windsor V8 under the hood, the Town Car was both powerful and stylish. The model was decked out with luxury features like an exterior entry keypad, power seats, and leather upholstery. The buying public was impressed and quickly made the Lincoln Town Car one of the bestselling sedans on the market. During this time several specialty model Town Cars were released like the Mark VI and Cartier trim levels. Small exterior changes were implemented beginning in 1985 like an updated front grille, a more refined body style, and improved wheels.

It was not until the second generation began in 1990 that the Lincoln Town Car saw any major modifications. This generation brought with it a contemporary Town Car with curved lines, a new front grille, and larger, oval-shaped headlamps. However, the 1990 model continued with the same Windsor engine, but in 1991 the 4.6L modular V8 was introduced. Small changes were implemented throughout the rest of the second generation like interior tweaking and updated options, but it took seven more years until buyers would get a revamped version of the Town Car.

In 1998, Lincoln kept the Town Car's 4.6L modular V8, but gave the exterior a complete makeover that included a more aerodynamic design, elimination of the hood ornament, and angular headlamps. The old front grille was also swapped for a more streamlined, detailed version. The Town Car gained a massive 600-lb during the third generation, and though it lost a bit of length, it gained inches everywhere else. The interior got a more refined, elegant facelift, and though critics began to disparage the Town Car for its poor fuel economy, buyers were still showing up.

the Lincoln Town Car has long been the definition of American sedan luxury, television and movies have taken notice. Shows like HBO's fictionalized mafia family The Sopranos and Donald Trump's reality competition have prominently displayed the Town Car in several episodes. Movies that have given a part to the Town Car range from Heat to Ocean's Eleven to Rush Hour.