After Wixom's closure, Town Car production moved to Southwold, Ontario, (St. Thomas Assembly) alongside the similar Ford Crown Victoria and the Mercury Grand Marquis.

Following the early 1980 withdrawal of the slow-selling Lincoln Versailles, Lincoln-Mercury dealers offered three highly similar vehicles across a wide price range in the same showroom.

On non-Cartier Town Cars, a full-length cloth (canvas) roof was an option; imitating the look of a convertible, the design deleted the C-pillar quarter windows.

As before, the special-edition package consisted of exclusively coordinated exterior colors and interior designs, with the Cartier logo embroidered in place of the Lincoln "star" emblem on the seats.

In addition, the Town Car adopted a new range of safety and luxury features and would mark the debut of a powertrain that would see usage in a wide variety of Ford Motor Company vehicles.

[1] Following the discontinuation of the Cadillac Fleetwood by General Motors after 1996, the Lincoln Town Car became the longest-length regular-production sedan sold in the United States.

Following its downsizing to the Panther platform in 1980, the Lincoln Town Car was originally slated to be discontinued by the middle of the decade and replaced by a smaller front-wheel drive sedan; after the 1979 fuel crisis, gasoline prices were predicted to reach $2.50 per gallon and Ford Motor Company had lost $1.5 billion for 1980.

[30] To lower the development and production costs of the extensive redesign, Ford Motor Company retained the Panther platform for the Lincoln Town Car, continuing its use of rear-wheel drive.

Although the Town Car would keep its formal notchback sedan roofline, the flat-sided fenders and angular lines seen since the Continentals and Mark IIIs of the late 1960s disappeared.

New for the 1995 model year was an integrated, voice-activated in-car cellular telephone concealed in the center armrest, which featured a speakerphone as well as a rearview mirror-mounted microphone for hands-free calling.

[33] Although the basic controls of the interior remained common across all Panther vehicles, the Town Car gained a model-specific instrument panel, featuring italicized readouts.

In 1997, a few changes were made, the rear center armrest added a pair of cup holders, while Cartier models gained rear-seat vanity mirrors mounted in the headliner.

Upon its redesign in October 1989, the Lincoln Town Car carried over its three previous trim levels: base, Signature Series, and Cartier Designer Edition.

Featuring a unique accent stripe, leather seats, wood instrument panel trim, window badging, cellular telephone, power moonroof, JBL audio system, auto electro-chromatic dimming mirror with compass, and traction assist,[36] the Diamond Anniversary Edition included nearly every available option on the Lincoln Town Car.

To continue the Town Car, for the 2008 model year, production was transferred to the St. Thomas Assembly plant in Canada, alongside the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis.

While the radiator grille was retained, its rectangular shape was changed to oval (its waterfall pattern was adopted by the Lincoln Navigator introduced alongside it), and the hood ornament was deleted.

To produce the variant at a lower cost, the B-pillar was widened on 2001-02 versions to use the existing rear door glass assembly of the standard Town Car.

As with its predecessors, the 1998 Lincoln Town Car visibly shares few common interior parts with its Ford and Mercury counterparts (aside from its steering column and radio).

While the dashboard was carried over from 2002, the center stack was streamlined; it featured a new radio, dual zone electronic climate controls, and an analog clock (the latter was previously exclusive to the Cartier).

Alongside the Lincoln LS, the 2003 Town Car introduced an optional DVD-based satellite navigation system designed by Pioneer; it was later paired with THX sound processing.

[52] The base Executive Series offered standard rear air suspension, Lincoln's SecuriLock anti-theft system, Lincoln's SmartLock anti-lockout system, automatic headlamps, heated mirrors, all-speed traction control, an electronic message center with Lincoln's "Tripminder", anti-lock brakes, leather seats with an 8 way power driver seat/6 way power passenger seat (cloth was optional for 1998, front passenger seat became 8-way power in 1999), leather wrapped steering wheel with cruise control functions, a "Premium Sound" AM/FM/Cassette stereo with four speakers, electronic automatic temperature control (EATC), seat-mounted side airbags (1999 and newer), and 16" "Gear Tooth" aluminum wheels.

In an attempt to draw in younger buyers who sought sportier features, it was Lincoln's counterpart to the Handling and Performance Package offered on the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis.

Touring Sedan models featured a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio for improved acceleration, a higher-stall 11.25-inch torque converter, dual exhaust, re-tuned suspension components with larger stabilizer bars & sport tuned steering, unique perforated leather seats, black birds-eye maple interior trim, an argent grille, monochromatic body-side moldings, and wider 16" "Chrome-Tech" wheels on touring tires.

In contrast to its fleet-sales only Executive L counterpart, the Signature L offered heated front and rear seats, a wood-trim steering wheel, as well as a DVD-based satellite navigation system (until 2008).

Designer models included a Provence leather interior with two-tone door panels, adjustable rear-seat headrests, brushed aluminum scuff plates, additional chrome exterior trim, and 17" 18-spoke chrome-aluminum wheels.

The package included chrome B-pillar and door handles, unique Eucalyptus wood applique and matching steering wheel with wood inserts, scuff plates with "25th Anniversary Edition" and "25th-anniversary" badging, Provence leather individual 40/20/40 lounge seating with individual comfort, shirring, contrast piping and rear seat adjustable headrests, fog lamps, and 9-spoke chrome wheels.

The L editions offered an additional 6 in (150 mm) of rear-seat legroom, as well as remote access audio and climate controls mounted in the rear center armrest.

For 2000–02 versions, the "L" edition is identified by a widened B-pillar, bearing the Lincoln "star" ornament; maintaining parts commonality with the standard Town Car.

[81] Following the 2007 model year, however, the Town Car was discontinued for retail sale in Canada, available exclusively for fleet and livery customers afterward.

For the limousine and livery markets, Ford had promised availability of the Town Car through the 2011 model year;[82] retail sales continued on a limited basis in the United States and for export.