Lincoln Continental Mark VII

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Mark VII

Production:	1984–1992
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	5.0 (5.0 HO engine on only LSC until 1988 model year) 5.0 L HO 225 hp @ 4200 rpm & 300 ft·lbf @ 3200 rpm L V8

See Lincoln Mark for a complete overview of the Lincoln Mark Series.

The Continental Mark VII, later called just the Mark VII, was a large and luxurious rear wheel drive coupe from Lincoln. Introduced in 1984, the Continental Mark VII shared its platform with the Ford Thunderbird, Ford Mustang, and Lincoln Continental (the Ford Fox platform from the code name of the first program using the platform. The platform was originally based on the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr in the early 80s. It was manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan through 1992. It was replaced by the Lincoln Mark VIII in 1993.

The Mark VII had most comfort/convenience options that were available in the 1980s. This included all power accessories, leather seating, keyless entry, an onboard trip computer/message center, digital instruments (on all except the LSC models after 1986). All Mark VIIs came with full air suspension with an electronic ride control system

The Mark VII was the first American vehicle with electronic 4-channel antilock brakes (November 1984, 6 months before the Corvette). It was also the first American vehicle with composite headlights.

1 Trim Levels
2 Engines
3 Mark VII National Club
4 External links
5 Awards
6 Lincoln Mark Series

[edit] Trim Levels

There were 4 trim levels to start with: Base, Versace Designer, Bill Blass Designer, and LSC. The Versace had unique stitched seats, the Bill Blass had pillow top seats with the initials "BB" etched in the backrest. By 1988, only the Bill Blass and LSC remained.

The LSC was a performance oriented model, designed to compete against European luxury coupes like the BMW 630/635CSi and the Mercedes-Benz 500/560SEC, so it had a stiffer suspension, dual exhaust, sport leather seats, a higher output engine (until 1988 when all came with the 225 hp 302 from the Mustang GT) and sport styled 15 inch rims. Base Mark VIIs and the designer series had wire rims and even an optional geometric rim. In 1988, 16 in (406 mm) turbine rims appeared on the LSC. For 1990, 16 inch rims based on the BBS RA Series appeared on the LSC. In 1991, the wheels became standard on both the Bill Blass and the LSC as the LSC suspension was standardized across the board. The LSC also had analog gauges (1986 onward) with a speedometer, tachometer, fuel level gauge, coolant temperature gauge, and separate trip and regular odometers. All the others had digital instruments with just a speedometer, fuel level gauge, and trip odometer. All Mark VII's had the rare option of a power trunk pull-down motor, in which the trunk lid was clicked closed and then automatically pulled down about an inch by a motor mounted inside the trunk. Also standard on all Mark VII's was an automatic dimming high-beam module. This worked via a sensor located in the rear-view mirror, and could be adjusted by a dial located on the dashboard. Of notable mention is the Mark VII GTC, a Lincoln Mercury dealer sold car built by Cars & Concepts with monorchromatic paint, a body kit, and available performance upgrades. A select few were sent to Jack Roush Performance for suspension enhancements and optional 5.8L and T5 manual transmission conversions. The Comtech Mark VII, with a CRT touch screen, may only have existed in prototype form.

Trim Levels by year:

1984-1987 Continental Mark VII (Base)
1984-1985 Versace Designer Edition
1984-1992 Bill Blass Designer Edition
1984-1992 LSC (Luxury Sport Coupe)
1990-1992 LSC SE (Monochromatic paint and trim, Black, Garnet Red Metallic, Electric Current Red Metallic and Titanium Metallic)

[edit] Engines

The engine choices were a 5.0 L V8 and an ultra-rare (200-500 made) 2.4 L Straight-6 diesel. The diesel was a BMW design with a turbocharger. Rumors have it that a 5-speed manual transmission was bolted to at least 1 of these diesels. It was available on all trim levels until the engine was dropped after 1985.

Engine options:

2.4 L I6, 115 hp (86 kW) Diesel (1984-1985) w/ ZF 4 Speed Automatic

Several variations of the 5.0L V8

140 hp (104 kW) CFI (1984-1985) w/ AOD 4 Speed Automatic
180 hp (134 kW) CFI (1985 LSC) w/ AOD 4 Speed Automatic
150 hp, (112 kW) 275 lbf.ft (373 Nm) SEFI (1986-1987) w/ AOD 4 Speed Automatic
200 hp (149 kW) SEFI (1986-1987 LSC) w/ AOD 4 Speed Automatic
225 hp, (168 kW) 300 lbf.ft (407 Nm) SEFI (1988 - 1992 ALL) w/ AOD 4 Speed Automatic