Though the Lincoln Continental Mark IV soubriquet already had been used on an sea liner of a Lincoln in the 1950s , its reincarnation on a 1970s personal coupe showed that when it came to luxury car buyers , Ford ’s prestige marque had their number .
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get ’s start out by making one matter dead open : Our theme here is a Nixon - era Lincoln , not one of the swelled boxlike Continentals from the late Eisenhower year .
As the tale goes , Henry Ford II never wish the 1958 - 1960 Marks III , IV and V deeming them unworthy of the original 1940 - 1948 Continental created by papa Edsel , or its 1956 - 57 Mark II rebirth .
Thus , when Ford Motor Company VP Lee laccoca proposed a fresh " personal " Lincoln for 1969 , Hank the Deuce importune it be called Mark III instead of the more coherent Mark VI . It ’s almost as if he was judge to salvage category pridefulness by rewrite chronicle – as he probably was .
But that fresh Mark made history all its own , and set the level for an even more successful " 2d " Mark IV . Each was a chance event of wiz , to a large degree the genius of Lee lacocca .
lacocca had lead Ford Division in 1960 - 1965 , where he pushed the personal - sumptuousness Thunderbird to higher sales through increase size and glitz . Lincoln , meanwhile , ascertain salvation with an elegant unexampled 1961 Continental that was substantially little – until the economy wrench super - stiff and the cable car started uprise for 1964 .
But that only left way for a smaller , more exclusive comrade simulation to beak up where the Mark II had left off , or so lacocca obviously thought .
This time , though , there would be no alone body and chassis with all their associated expense . No slow hand craftsmanship either – and certainly no lose money on each car sell .
or else , the new Mark would be a cost - wise profit - maker using the canonical Thunderbird frame and inside body social organization . It would even be built in the same plant , much as the Falcon and Mustang were .
L. David Ash was appointed design music director for the task , assist by Arthur Querfeld , Damon Woods , and Hermann Brunn . But it was lacocca who decided which ideas got used .
What Iacocca principally decided on was " neoclassical " : an unembarrassed copy of Rolls - Royce ’s famous " Parthenon " radiator , Mark II - fashion " Continental hump " torso - lid and near - coupled hardtop coupe proportions , and bodysides etch to advise flowing separate pilot .
Iacocca also decreed all the gizmos and interior trappings affiliate with late-1960s luxuriousness never doubting that his taste was exactly the same as the relaxation of the populace ’s .
Fortunately for Lincoln , it was . Though the Mark III may have seem churrigueresque next to Cadillac ’s crisp new front - drive Eldorado , it sold like no Mark before . Exactly 7,770 were build as " early 1969 " good example ( introduction was spring 1968 ) , which nearly equalise combined production of the " Mark I " and II .
A charge up 71,611 were produced for fashion model year 1969 - 1971 , nearly one - third of Lincoln ’s total volume .
There was no mystery here . The Mark III give birth prestige - cable car tone , a sealed historic mystique , and all the expected amenities at a average price ( $ 6,741 foundation in 1969 ) . Once again , laccoca had unearth a deep young vena of sales . The only thing left was to keep working the mine .
To learn about the 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV ’s outside , extend on to the next pageboy .
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The 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Exterior
The 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV was ground - up new , style by Wes Dahlberg under Dearborn design foreman Gene Bordinat . Dahlberg may be the first designer in Ford history who had charge of both the exterior and interior on a exclusive car . His challenge outside was to preserve Mark III visual cues within a distinctly different flavor .
Again , frame and inner body structure were shared with the Thunderbird , which was also redesigned for 1972 to be as prominent as it would ever get . This time , though , pause would differ .
Up front were the common curl and unequal - length A - weaponry , but the Mark arrangement was n’t exactly the same as the T - Bird ’s . Coil springs reprize in back , but specific new four - link geometry with a stabiliser taproom replaced the late Mark ’s three - link track - bar setup .
miserable blazon were stereotype and conventionally ride , but the excogitate - sword uppers angled inward toward the frame from mounts behind the axle housing . The main reason for this so - address " STABUL " design was increased rear prat elbow room , but a side benefit was a somewhat softer ride .
Steering was still geared at 21.76:1 , but the mechanics was retread for less route tone ( to the mortification of most reviewer ) .
Against its predecessor , the Mark IV was 3.2 inches longer in wheelbase ( 120.4 ) , four inch longer overall ( at 220.1 ) , and 1.3 inches lower ( 52.9 ) . It was also 211 pounds lighter ( 4,782 at the curbing ) , yet it looked hard thanks to extra overhang at each goal , majuscule ca nt to windshield and backlight , slight A - pillars , somewhat bulged body sides , and large rear roulette wheel cutouts .
A pseudo - rolling grille again ramify headlamps conceal by electrically operated flip - up doors . The grill itself , however , sit more deeply in the bumper , and stylists made it appear tall without changing hood height by dint of a panoptic U - work cardinal bumper cutout .
The trunk eyelid became shorter , its dummy superfluous flatter . Taillights go from rearward fender to the bumper .
A wide - quarter vinyl - wrap up roof was a Mark III signature , but the IV offered a new touch of old - fashioned formalness in little forked - pane oval " opera windows " cut into the C - pillar . They also cater some welcome over - the - berm visibleness for driver .
Each window was adorned with an etched four - taper Continental lead that was ash gray - fill up on the inner surface of the outer loony toons . ab initio standard , then optional from mid - year , these windows began a styling fad that soon swept Detroit .
As with the full - size Continental , Lincoln ’s handsome 460 - cid V-8 was detuned for 1972 , with lower compression to permit purpose of leadless gas . Horsepower dropped from 365 to 212 ( 12 fewer than quote for the Continental ) , but the expiration was n’t quite what it seemed because Ford , like other Detroit makers , swop to more realistic SAE net evaluation .
Lincoln ’s three - speed reflex transmission was carried over with minor internal advance and a quadrant switch from the guidance column into the instrument bunch .
The Mark IV dashboard was a major change from the four - fuel pod Mark III design . smash with trial dummy at the wheel prescribe a new three - pod layout in a hard foamed , hooded , and recess panel . If arguably less attractive , the Mark IV venire meet Union principle , which also prompted a shift from substantial wood to splinter - proof burl - grain plastic on dash and door control board .
Go on to the next page to learn about the 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV interior .
The 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Interior
Naturally , the 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV had conveniences galore . Like the 1971 Mark III , driver and front passenger sat on a snag " Twin Comfort Lounge " workbench with case-by-case six - way of life power adjustment ( via door - mounted control ) . great power locks stay standard , but diver now allow lock both room access from either side .
The trunk was fully carpeted , but so was the glovebox . Upholstery comprised nylon cloth inserts and grained vinyl bolsters ; leather seating area aerofoil were optional . Air conditioning was much improved , and again offered automatic temperature controller .
Other niceties admit a Cartier clock , AM radio with power transmitting aerial , and a dome Light Within with a couplet of small-scale , fixed auxiliary spotlamps .
The Mark III was a very quiet car , but Lincoln engineers had been working for over a X on reducing noise , vibration , and harshness , and the Mark IV was their best effort yet .
For instance , all interruption components mount in large rubber bushings ( springs were doubly - bush , top and bottom ) , and body - setting were not only redesigned but made of an entirely new butyl compound .
Each mount ’s shape and placement were determined by essay full - sizing cars on a science laboratory " ride simulator " that could replicate most any road condition from cobblestones to railroad track cartroad .
Adding to the restrained were 225 - 15 Michelin steel - belted radial tires , a Mark standard since 1970 . Also back for a third season was " Sure - Track , " an early course of anti - lock brakes , now stock instead of optional .
Initial color selection demand 23 stock paints , four optional " Moondust " metallics , and five hues for the padded vinyl radical top . Popular options ran to automatic headlamp dimmer , top executive sunshine-roof , sail control , tilt guidance rack , AM / FM stereo radio , " luxury " wheel covers , and Traction - Lok limited - shift differential with numerically high axle proportion .
At $ 8,640 , the Mark IV was $ 173 meretricious than the final Mark III , which for various reasonableness had be over $ 1,500 more than the 1970 example . In other words , the IV was more Mark for the money Lincoln cash in in as Mark sale leaped to 48,591 , a near 56 - percent gain over the former year ’s 27,091 .
Just as satisfying for Lincoln , the Mark finally outsell the rival Eldorado ( by 8517 whole ) even though Cadillac offered a convertible as well as a hardtop .
To learn about the 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV , carry on on to the next page .
The 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
young models do n’t generally interchange much in their second year , but that was not the eccentric with the 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV . Aside from restandarized opera windows , the most visible difference for 1973 was a new five - mph front bumper per federal edict .
This bulky sparring added 130 pounds to weight unit and nothing to show , as it made for a scrubby grille and a somewhat weighed down look . Turn indicator were restyled to suit , and corner lamps were newly received .
Another mansion of the prison term was another reduction in horsepower , now 208 net . A tighter 2.75:1 rear axle helped compensate .
Among other technical changes were more sound insulation , larger rear brakes , improved front phonograph recording bracken , enceinte tires ( 230 - 15 Michelins or LR78 - 15s ) and a side - terminal battery . Standard paints were cut to 15 , but Moondust selection pass to nine , vinyl radical roof colors to eight .
Lincoln had late benefit from extra trim choice on the Continental , and the idea was offer to the Mark with a mid-1973 package , the Silver Luxury Group . Priced at $ 400 , this represent Silver Moondust paint , matching " Levant caryopsis " vinyl top , and an inside done in Cranberry Victoria Velour .
drear red leather upholstery was later added as a no - cost alternative . Also come forth after the starting time of the model class was a Silver Mark that tot up fluent leather seating room and a pioneer sliding field glass moonroof to the sumptuosity group .
Though some felt the Mark IV had n’t changed for the better , the 1973 appeal 69,437 orders , intimately 8000 more than that class ’s Eldorados . It also bring to Lincoln model - yr production that exceeded 100,000 for the first prison term – by a goodly 28,073 units .
To larn about the 1974 - 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark tetrad , continue on to the next page .
The 1974 and 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IVs
The Lincoln Continental Mark IV break down another psychological roadblock for 1974 , as its alkali terms leap $ 1,210 to $ 10,194 . One reason was a newly required five - miles per hour rearward bumper that have overall duration to 228.3 in and base check weight to a dumpy 5,362 pounds . ( It also ram taillights back to the rear buffer . )
blithely , HP was up too , now at 220 thanks in part to firm - state ignition . Newly optional dual exhausts ( originally planned for 1972 ) added a few jigger as well .
Other engine room changes include further morphologic reinforcements for wreck protection and a starter interlock that required belting up before the locomotive engine would start . The latter was another Washington mandate , but was soon unmandated amid copious consumer complaint .
pick and trims expanded for 1974 with a " Quick Defrost " heat windshield and rearward windowpane , and a $ 438 Gold Luxury Group as a companion to the Silver package . The latter have Gold Diamond Fire metal pigment , " Gold Flare " vinyl top , and a tan Department of the Interior in nylon and vinyl or optional leather and vinyl group .
Sales turn down in the " gasoline crisis " panic of the OPEC oil embargo , but the Mark slip only to 57,316 ( versus 40,412 for Eldorado ) .
sale slipped again for 1975 , settle at 47,415 despite tally standard feature of speech like four - wheel disc brakes , cruise dominance , argument wheel , and remote electric trunk - lid release . Of naturally , all that inflated the base damage , which went to $ 11,802 , a probable reasonableness for the sales drop , though the Mark again bested Eldorado ( at 44,752 ) .
Horsepower also dropped again , falling to 194 , despite adoption of that new emissions clear - up gadget , the catalytic convertor . At least the big V-8 ran with almost none of the stumble - and - carrel problem that chevvy earlier versions , and Lincoln somehow managed to trim a little more than 200 pounds from AMEX weight , even with all the add - ons .
New on the 1975 option sheet was a Lev Davidovich Landau cap with vinyl radical on the front three - quarters , painted metal behind , and a stainless - blade tiara between . Also listed were three new opulence grouping : Blue Diamond , Lipstick Red / White , and Saddle / White . A fourth arrived at mid - season in the Spring Edition Versailles Option , with " pillow - style " upholstery in " crushed Majestic cloth . "
Go on to the next page to learn about the 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV .
The 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
The 1974 - 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV manakin may not have been a big success , but they were only a warm - up for 1976 . This was the first year for the successful Designer Series option .
There were four in all , each named for a famous fashion mogul who allegedly had a hand in make it : Bill Blass , ( Hubert ) Givenchy ( Emilio ) Pucci , and Cartier . Of naturally , Cartier was a jeweller , not a designer , but who cared ?
Despite a $ 1,500-$2,000 exchange premium , the Designer Series was an instant hit , report for more than a one-fourth of 1976 - model sale , which convalesce to 56,110 .
And that was n’t the end of it . Though the Gold and Silver groups were dropped , the Lipstick and Blue Diamond were joined by four new treatments : Gold / Cream , Red / Rose , Light / Dark Jade , and Jade / White .
More sole still were three Spring Editions introduced in March : Black Diamond , Lipstick / White , and Desert Sand . No production figures are available for those , but it ’s judge that only 50 - 100 of each were build . ( There was also a Black Diamond group for the prominent Continentals . )
foretell at the 1976 Detroit Auto Show , the $ 1,064 " Black Diamond " option tire out Black Diamond Fire metallic rouge that could be set off with optional silver gray pinstriping and black premium body side molding .
The oft - chosen fatal padded ceiling had " Cayman - caryopsis " vinyl that looked like patent of invention leather and was used only on the top ’s rear stern . Full - length " Normande " vinyl also was available .
The interior could be all - black-market with leather or crushed velour and patent - leather aid strap on the backs of the front seats . For those who think black too funereal , dove gray was uncommitted with either leather - and - vinyl or Versailles velour .
The Lipstick / White group combined snowy or Lipstick Red paint with a Lev Davidovich Landau roof carrying Lipstick Red Cayman vinyl on the aft one-fourth . The interior was white leather - and - vinyl group , with Lipstick Red assistance strap . Those straps and the Cayman vinyl top distinguish this selection from premature lip rouge .
More involved was the Desert Sand , which was tan on body side and rear pack of cards , and dark - browned metallic on olfactory organ , lens hood , the very top of the doors , and around the rear window . Discreet pinstripes separated the semblance . The all - vinyl roof was also tan , but there may have been a rearward landau ceiling with tan or dark - brownish metal paint on the front .
The interior offer a choice of dark - brown crushed velours or saddle leather - and - vinyl . Like other 1976 Spring Editions , this one also had assist strap .
Last , but not least , was the " Silhouette " package , which get wind just 200 installations . Supposedly created to honor the 1976 presidential election , this was in all likelihood finished in black only , with a ignominious rear landau cap , ruddy body pinstripes , and a mordant or red interior .
Opera window were block out , replaced by " Silhouette " script , and brush untainted blade adorned the front of the roof .
With so much lily - gilt , the 1976 Mark IV had to be the most consciously stylish car since Kaiser ’s early-1950s Dragons . But it was a nice way to end a streamer four - yr run of 278/599 units , a single - model Mark record . ( The replacement Mark V would sell even better for 1977 - 1979 , though . )
While some of those trim options were undeniably gauche , the Mark IV appealed to a whole new strain of luxury - railway car purchaser . In so doing , it made Lee lacocca a Dearborn grinder once more .
But did this success also chip in to his abrupt firing by Henry Ford II in 1978 ? Quite peradventure lacocca may have been a genius , but as HFII would remind everyone –especially lacocca – " It ’s MY name on the building . "
Go on to the next page to learn about the bequest of the Lincoln Continental Mark IV .
The Legacy of the Lincoln Continental Mark IV Program
Veteran hairstylist Wes Dahlberg set up Ford ’s British and German innovation studios in 1958 . Nine years afterwards , he returned to the U.S. to work on what became the 1971 Pinto subcompact car .
His next assignment was the Lincoln Continental Mark IV which – in typical Lee lacocca fashion – was a five - way intramural figure contest . Dahlberg head the squad from Advanced Styling .
Now retired and live in La Mesa , California ( near San Diego ) , Dahlberg speculate on the Mark IV program in a 1986 interview with Continental Comments , the internal publication of the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club . What follows are extract from that conversation :
" There were five different areas and they were all pretty secret . We were in private-enterprise studio . It was really a clash program . I had two graphic designer under me and six modelers .
" It was a designer ’s dreaming as far as the parcel was bear on . The proportion of this car was so brilliant . It was a delicacy for me , because after having done [ small ] European cars for so long , here , all of a sudden , was this huge car .
" We had this particular model semi - disposed for a show , and were work toward another one when [ then - Ford United States President Semon ] " Bunky " Knudsen came in one day unexpectedly with his bunch of valet and see this manakin . We were say to have it covered , but he came in without our bang it .
He said , ' man , this is going to be the next Mark , the Mark IV Do n’t exchange anything except for manufacturing and technology feasibleness . ' He said it without refer Henry Ford or anybody , and you just do n’t do that in a heavy fellowship like Ford .
" But it turn out , and from then on we just work with the locomotive engineer and bring with the feasibility job and we convert as little as we had to . The ellipse windows were bestow afterward , but except for those , there were very few details that were changed .
" The grille was sort of like the Rolls - Royce , but we did not re-create it directly . We were trying for the look of many of the outstanding classics if they were to be built in 1972 – not necessarily the Duesenberg , but all of them . We wanted a white feeling and easiness .
" And here ’s something else I ’d like to bespeak out : The Mark III had very flat sides . The Mark IV side are round out . There ’s a deep crease through the eubstance and you will see a shadow below . That ’s very crucial to the overall gist we were after . We did the Mark IV first , and [ the Ford studio ] patterned the [ 1972 ] Thunderbird after it . "
