MovieChat Forums > The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) Discussion > Why the old Lincoln??

Why the old Lincoln??

posted 14 years ago by tatz32000
68 replies | jump to latest

OK, I admit I'm a car freak, and I admit I like Lincolns.....but the car apsect of the film bothered me. Why is a reasonably successful arguably money-
grubbing lawyer driving around in an ancient Lincoln Town Car? With his office in the car, the lawyer can not afford to have an old clunk break down on the way to court. In the Michael Connelly book on which the film is closely based,
Mick's Lincolns were bought new, and sold to a Limo Service when they racked up
too many miles. Since the film title includes the car name, this seems an important side-point....so does anyone know why the producers didnt use a recent
model Town Car?? They are wonderfullly quiet smooth cars, but have lousy
resale value, so I dont think it was a budget issue as a two year old Town Car
can be bought for $25K or less......so anybody know why the old car??????

Mike from Hawaii

[–] KevinCa316 13 years ago

Style, baby... Style

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SinclairJA 13 years ago

This is an excellent question, and one of the first things that came to mind when I watched the film.

I am a Lincoln (car) enthusiast, and the choice of this particular model year made no sense. The 1986 Town Car is one of the least desirable models ever produced - it also wasn't particularly reliable (this from a person who owns a 1986 Lincoln - although not a Town Car).

They could have gone "retro-cool" and used a 60's (or even a 70s) era Lincoln, or followed the novel and used new ones. In my estimation, they struck out on either angle.

[–] davedavidl 10 years ago

They were plenty reliable, evidenced by the fact that they remained in production from 1981 to 1989 before major changes to the design occurred.

I think this design stands out, makes it unique from any other car on the road or in the film, and that is why it was chosen. The car is essentially its own character in the movie.

As for me, I have a 1994 model. 250,000 miles and going.

And there's plenty of 1980s models still on the road. They last.

[–] DJ_LaLa 13 years ago

Oh come on lol. Those first generation Town Car's(at least the ones from 1985-1989) don't stick out that bad these days. The '86 Town Car was a great choice and fit McConaghey's character in some ways.

The second generation Town Cars(1990-1997) are my favorite though. The body shape still blends in nicely...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TC_004.jpg

A Place in the Sun

[–] derekwh 13 years ago

Maybe because the Lexus Lawyer doesn't sound as interesting?

[–] davedavidl 12 years ago

It's either a 1986 or 1987 Town Car. At least 1986 because of the third brake light, and not 1988 or newer because those model years had a narrower-styled Lincoln star.

And... these model years are NOT cheap, they sell for quite a bit of money. A Town Car that is relatively new will still have value, especially now that the vehicles are not being made anymore.

[–] micirisi 12 years ago

I wondered the same. Perhaps it was a favourite model his his. A lot of the older cars are also more spacious. I knew a very successful plastic surgeon who used to drive around in a 20 year old Mercedes limo. He could have driven anything but he just liked that old car.

[–] sarasdad91 12 years ago

I own a 1988 Lincoln Town Car just like his, and I love it. I can also afford a brand new car, but this one was built better than today's cars and I put less money into repairs. I also feel like I am in a Limo with this car, and I know its safe. Yes a big damn gas hog it is, but I still drive it and will till I can't afford it anymore. One more thing. L.A has allot of broken roads and this car rides like its on a cloud so it also has all the comfort someone will ever need.

[–] tabbycat 12 years ago

[exceperted from Film Car Rules]

1. Nobody takes the freeway to Vegas, only lonely two-lane highways that don't exist.

2. Every cool character drives a cool car, either a brand-new Italian sports car or a cool old American barge, whether he can afford it or not.

3. Said car never has a single dent or bird crap

4. Said car never breaks down unless it is a plot point.

Short answer: cuz producers think it's cool, and you will too.

[–] Spacer1 12 years ago

Old Lincoln = cool. He could have been the Cadillac Lawyer, but that's been done to death. Good choice in cars with this one.

[–] 12 years ago

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