Lincoln Mark series

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Lincoln Mark

Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Production:	1956–1957 1968–1998
Successor:	Lincoln LS
Class:	Fullsize personal luxury car
Body style:	2-door coupe 4-door sedan (1979–1983)
Platform:	FR
Related:	Ford Thunderbird
Similar:	Cadillac Eldorado

The Lincoln Mark was Lincoln's 2-door personal luxury coupé from 1956 to 1998.

1 History
- 1.1 Resale value
2 1956 Continental Mark II
3 1968 Continental Mark III
4 1972 Continental Mark IV
- 4.1 Designer Editions
5 1977 Continental Mark V
6 1980 Continental Mark VI
7 1984 Mark VII
- 7.1 Trim levels
8 1993 Mark VIII
9 2004 Lincoln MK9 concept
10 See also

[edit] History

The 1956/57 Mark was produced while Continental was a separate division of Ford Motor Company apart from Lincoln. After 1958 when Continental was merged with Lincoln and the Lincoln Continental became the flagship model, the Mark continued to be sold as the Continental Mark II. The Mark kept the Continental prefix until 1984 upon the introduction of the Mark VII. The Mark VIII (1993–1998) was the last generation of the Mark and Lincoln's last personal luxury coupe.

[edit] Resale value

Year	Production	Price (USD)
1972	48,591	$8,640
1973	69,437	$8,984
1974	57,316	$10,194
1975	47,145	$11,082
1976	56,110	$11,060

[edit] 1956 Continental Mark II

Main article: Continental Mark II

The Continental Mark II was a car produced by the newly formed Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company during 1956 and 1957. Many aficionados of the automobile consider the Continental Mark II one of the classics of the postwar period.

The new Continental was intended to be not the largest nor the most powerful automobile, but rather the most luxurious and elegant American car available. What emerged was something quite unlike other American cars of the period. While other makes experimented with flamboyant styling, chrome everywhere, and all the glitz and glamor they could manage, the Continental Mark II was almost European in its simplicity of line and its understated grace.

Even though the Continental Mark II was technically not a Lincoln, it featured the Lincoln hallmark spare tire hump in the trunk lid, was sold and serviced at Lincoln dealerships, and the vehicle's drivetrain and forebears also came from Lincoln; thus causing many to think of the Mark II as a Lincoln.

Rear view

The Lincoln drivetrain featured the new standard Lincoln 368 in (6.0 L) V8.

Most of the car was effectively handbuilt to an exacting standard, including multiple coats of paint hand-sanded down and double-lacquered and polished to perfection. Due to this manufacturing process the Continental Mark II cost US$10,000, as much as a Rolls-Royce or two top-of-the-line Cadillacs.

Famous owners included Elvis Presley, as well as Frank Sinatra, the Shah of Iran, and a cross-section of the richest men in America.

Today, approximately half of the cars still exist, about 1,500. Prices range between around $8,000 for a running example in poor condition to around $70,000 in concourse condition - thus, a car in perfect condition costs now, adjusted for inflation, about the same as the new one did in 1955.

[edit] 1968 Continental Mark III

Main article: Lincoln Continental Mark III

Mark III

Production:	1968–1971
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	460 in³ (7.5 L) V8

The Lincoln Continental Mark III was manufactured by Lincoln from 1968 to 1971, and, if the story is true, was generated when then-top Ford exec Lee Iacocca directed design VP Gene Bordinat to "put a Rolls Royce grille on a Thunderbird."

The Mark III's role was to compete with Cadillac's front wheel drive Eldorado personal luxury coupe, which at the time had the monopoly in the Personal luxury car market, a dominance it never relinquished. The Mark III was the first Mark produced by Lincoln itself since its predecessor the Continental Mark II was manufactured by Continental which for the two years of its manufacture was a separate Ford division apart from Lincoln. While the vehicle took many of its design cues came from the mainstream Ford Thunderbird, the vehicle's design was uniquely Lincoln. It featured the hallmark Rolls-Royce like grille, covered headlights, as well as the Continental spare tire hump in the trunk lid. The Mark III was one of the first vehicles to have power-controlled features and anti-lock brakes. In 1970 the until then optional vinyl roof was made standard alongside with radial tires and tinted windows in 1971. The interior woodtrim was also upgraded to real wood in 1970.

[edit] 1972 Continental Mark IV

Main article: Lincoln Continental Mark IV

Mark IV

Production:	1972–1976
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	460 in³ (7.5 L) V8

While the Mark IV used many design components of the Mark III such as the grille and spare-tire hump, it was both longer and wider than the Mark III. The hallmark opera windows were added for 1972. In 1973 the front bumper was replaced by a federally mandated 5 mph (8 km/h) bumper. In 1974 the rear bumper was replaced.

Lincoln's "personal luxury coupe" grew enormous in its second incarnation, much larger than the attractive Mk III of 1968-71. By 1975, it had swelled to an enormous size, and would only get larger for the time being. Powered by Lincoln's 460cid V8, the Mark was characterized by a large number of standard power accessories, unique styling (with a distinctive faux-spare tire hump on the trunk), and an incredibly comfortable and rich interior. The long hood looks like an airport runway from the driver's seat, even more so than the Continental. The Mark, offered only as a two-door hardtop coupe, was also heavier than the standard Continental. The Ford Thunderbird was engineered on the same platform, and shared some of the Mark's styling, but was its own car. While the Mark continued to grow in sales, the T-bird didn't, and for 1977, it was put on a smaller platform.

[edit] Designer Editions

For the 1976 model year, Lincoln introduced the Designer Series; special edition Mark IVs with color, trim and interior choices by famous fashion designers. All carried the designer's signature on the opera windows, and had a 22 karat (92%) gold plated plaque on the instrument panel which could be engraved with the original owner's name. The concept was successful, and future Lincolns would continue to offer designer editions.

For 1976, four designer editions were offered:

The Bill Blass Edition was in dark blue with cream accents. The external finish was dark blue metallic paint, with a cream "Normande Grain" landau vinyl roof, cream and gold pinstriping, and cream or dark blue bodyside moldings. Inside, a blue cloth or leather interior used cream accent straps and buttons.
The Cartier Edition was in dove grey. The external finish was dove grey paint, with a dove grey "Valino Grain" landau vinyl roof, red and white pinstriping, and dove grey bodyside moldings. The interior was in dove grey cloth or leather.
The Givenchy Edition was in aqua blue. The external finish was aqua blue "Diamond Fire" paint, with a white "Normande Grain" landau vinyl roof, black and white pinstriping, and white or aqua blue bodyside moldings. The interior was in aqua blue cloth or leather, and the instrument panel was in a special, lighter shade of simulated woodgrain.
The Pucci Edition was in red and silver. The external finish was dark red "Moondust Finish" paint with a silver "Normande Grain" landau vinyl roof, silver and lipstick red pinstriping and red or silver bodyside moldings. The interior was in dark red "Majestic" cloth.

[edit] 1977 Continental Mark V

Main article: Lincoln Continental Mark V

Mark V

Production:	1977–1979
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	460 in³ (7.5 L) V8 (1977-78) 400 in³ (6.6 L) V8 (1978-79)

The behemoth Lincoln Continental Mark V was sold for only three model years: 1977 to 1979. The last of the true highway cruisers, it replaced the Mark IV's more rounded styling with a more sharp-edged look that was then fashionable. Once again, its size increased both in length and width. It no longer shared its platform with the Ford Thunderbird (which was downsized by shifting its nameplate to the smaller Mercury Cougar/Ford LTD II platform.)

The 460 in³ of the Mark IV remained the standard engine of the Mark V for the 1977 model year. In 1978, the Ford 400 in³ (6.6 L) small-block engine replaced the 460 in³ as standard equipment, the latter available as an option everywhere but in California. The 460 made the cars performance aggressive while the 400 gave the car lackluster acceleration, although allowing Ford to meet CAFE requirements for the year. The 460 in³ option was deleted entirely for 1979.

Lincoln, with the Mark V and Continental, held out for the giant American car longer than anyone else, but after 1979 it would not be possible. Ford came dangerously close to violating the Corporate Average Fuel Economy laws that year, and subsequent models would be substantially smaller.

This Mark, which was an updated version of the '72–'76 model, was completely restyled; and to some degree re-engineered. The soft, rounded look of the '72 car was replaced with razor sharp lines. The vinyl top, the opera windows, the spring-loaded hood ornament, the horizontal radiator grille, and large whitewall tires were all part of the package. Interior design remained similar to the Mark IV, with variants in the seat patterns and dashboard trim (while retaining the general dashboard layout of the IV) being the primary differences.

The Mark V was larger and more complex than its predecessor, coming just ten inches short of being 20 feet long, yet, surprisingly nimble for a car of such gargantuan proportions. The electrical system and mechanical componentry shared less in common with other Ford products, and was harder to service than the corresponding equipment on the Mark IV.

The Mark V design proved to be a hit with customers, setting the highest sales record for any Mark edition automobile at the time, a record never ultimately surpassed by any subsequent Mark edition.

[edit] 1980 Continental Mark VI

Mark VI
Production:	1980–1983
Body style:	2-door coupe, 4-door sedan
Engine:	302 in³ (4.9 L) V8 351 in³ (5.8 L) V8

The 1980 design revision and change to the Panther platform significantly reduced the size of the vehicle—the new model was 14 inches shorter and rode on a wheelbase 6 inches shorter than before—and the new car was 500 pounds lighter. Nevertheless, aside from being the only Mark series ever available as a 4-door sedan, the Mark VI retained most of the styling cues of the 1977 Mark V. Even though the car was significantly smaller, it kept the hallmark opera windows, Rolls-Royce style grille and the (empty) tire hump on the deck lid.

As with other 1980 Lincolns, the Mark of that year was available with significantly increased levels of, at the time, high-technology electronic equipment. A digital instrument cluster using Vacuum Fluorescent Displays, pushbutton keyless entry, Automatic Overdrive (AOD) 4-speed automatic transmission, and fuel injection on the 302 in³ (4.9 L) engine were all new introductions for 1980. Reliability of these systems was problematic for the first few years, which earned these cars a poor reliability record for 1980, 1981 and 1982. Revisions and modifications to the electronics improved the cars' reliability record for 1983.

With the old boats, Continental and Mark V, retired after 1979, the new Lincolns for 1980 were highly anticipated cars. When Ford introduced the downsized Lincolns to the press, they were an immediate hit, being more efficient and more spacious than the corresponding Cadillacs of the same year, which had been downsized for 1977. The new Lincoln's used new assembly techniques, and had aluminum pieces in the body and mechanicals to lighten the cars, in addition to the eight-hundred pound weight loss (---Note: Previous commentary states 500 lbs. saved. Advisable to further confirm this information) they received from the redesign. The old 460cid V8 was history, replaced by a fuel-injected version of Ford's 302cid (5.0 liter) V8, and a carbureted version of the 351cid V8, though the latter lasted only for 1980.

The basic body was shared between Town Car and Mk VI, but the Mark bore more resemblance to the Mark V, with hidden headamps, the spare tire bulge on the trunk, the vinyl top and opera windows, etc. For the first and only time, the Mark series was offered as a four door sedan, but both Marks were dropped after '83 in favor of a new Mark VII, and a small Continental sedan (meant to replace Lincoln's unsuccessful Versailles mid-size). A super-rare car, of potential interest to collectors, is the '80-'81 Town Coupe, which sold only about 3000 copies before being consigned to the pages of history. The Town Car and Town Coupe bore more resemblance to the old standard Continentals of the seventies, but were thoroughly modern. The success of the Mk VI, however, effectively killed off interest in the Town Coupe. The Town Car, however, continued to be Lincoln's best seller for the rest of the 1980s. All told, these Lincolns are quiet, reliable, roomy cars.

[edit] 1984 Mark VII

Main article: Lincoln Continental Mark VII

Mark VII

Production:	1984–1991
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	"5.0" ("5.0 HO" engine on only LSC until 1988 model year) 4.9 L (302 in³) HO 225 hp @ 4200 rpm & 300 ft·lbf @ 3200 rpm L V8

The Continental Mark VII, later just called the Mark VII, was introduced in 1984. The Continental Mark VII used the Ford Fox platform, which was originally used by the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr. It was manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan through 1992.

The Mark VII had most comfort/convenience/performance options that were available in the 1980s. This included all power accessories, leather seating, keyless entry, an onboard computer/message center, digital instruments (on all except the LSC models after 1986). All Mark VIIs came with full airbag suspension with an electronic ride control system. Mark VIIs also came with a 4-speed automatic transmission, stainless steel tubular headers, dual exhaust, and either SEFI or throttle body fuel injection (dependant on model). Some 1987 models and all 1988 models got a horsepower and torque boost thanks to a larger throttle body and better flowing cylinder heads.

The Mark VII was also 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. The vehicle also featured four-wheel air suspension which unfortunately lead to technical difficulties becoming common place.

Lincoln saw the light of downsizing, and again reduced the mark in 1984. As it had in the mid-seventies, the Mark shared a platform with the Ford Thunderbrd. The T-bird, which was new in '83, was a great car, and Lincoln's luxury add-ons did not detract from it at all. The visual differences in the styling were great, though the family resemblance was obvious. The Mark was one of the first cars in the US to use headlamps that were flush with the body, creating a very aerodynamic look that the Thunderbird didn't get until '87. The standard engine was Ford's 302cid V8, with fuel injection. For performance fans, a high output version of this engine was available in the Mk VII LSC, which also packed sportier suspension and gearing, making for a kind of "Hot rod Lincoln". The Mk VII sold okay initially, but sales slid every year, mostly because of the waning appeal of "Personal Luxury" coupes in general. While the Thunderbird was completely redesigned in 1989, the Mark hung in this form until 1992, though sales slowed to a trickle by then. These are smooth and capable cars. Not as performance oriented as the T-bird or as distinctive as the Mercury Cougar (which was also based on the Thunderbird), but offer lots of luxury while remaining competitive with their counterparts.

[edit] Trim levels

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] 1993 Mark VIII

Main article: Lincoln Mark VIII

Mark VIII

Production:	1993–1998
Body style:	2-door coupe
Engine:	DOHC 4.6 L V8, 280 hp DOHC 4.6 L V8, 290 hp

The Mark VIII was Lincoln's last personal luxury coupe, sold between 1993 and 1998. The Mark VIII was assembled at Ford's Wixom, Michigan assembly plant and was based on the FN10 platform. The 1996 LSC model got 10 hp (7.5 kW) more, true dual exhaust, lower (3.27) gearing and other luxury features. The 1996 LSC was the first car from an American automaker to be equipped with HID headlights, and the 1997 to 1998 models continued the groundbreaking lighting trend with even larger housings for the HID system, and an innovative neon third brakelight across the entire rear decklid. See also Lincoln Mark VIII for a more in-depth view.