Lincoln Continental Mark IV

Last updated
Mark IV
1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Dutch licence registration 21-YB-60 p1.JPG
1975 Continental Mark IV
Overview
Manufacturer Lincoln (Ford)
Production1971–1976
Model years 19721976
Assembly Wixom Assembly, Wixom, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 460 cu in (7.5 L) Ford 385 V8
Transmission 3-speed C6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 120.4 in (3,058 mm)
Length228.1 in (5,794 mm)
Width79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight 5,264 lb (2,388 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor Continental Mark III
Successor Continental Mark V

The Continental Mark IV is a personal luxury car that was marketed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from the 1972 to 1976 model years. The third generation of the Mark series, the Mark IV grew in size over its Continental Mark III predecessor. As with the previous generation, the Mark IV saw little direct competition in the American marketplace, competing nearly exclusively against the Cadillac Eldorado (redesigned for 1971).

Contents

As with the Mark III, the Mark IV shared its chassis with the Ford Thunderbird, with the Mark IV receiving its own bodywork below the windows. Hidden headlights made their return, along with a radiator-style grille, and a Continental spare tire trunklid. For 1976, the Designer Series option package was introduced; in what would become a tradition for the Mark series (and later Lincoln), the option consisted of specially coordinated exterior and interior trims developed between Lincoln and contemporary fashion designers.

Ford assembled the Continental Mark IV at its Wixom Assembly Plant (Wixom, Michigan) facility alongside the Ford Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental. For 1977, the Mark IV underwent a substantial revision, becoming the Continental Mark V.

Design

1972 Continental Mark IV, showing pre-facelift grille and headlight doors open 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Dutch licence registration AH-33-26 p3.JPG
1972 Continental Mark IV, showing pre-facelift grille and headlight doors open

With designers again using sharp-edged fenders, hidden headlamps, and a tall radiator-style grille, the Continental Mark IV retained the traditional "long-hood, short deck" coupe proportions of the Mark III along with its faux spare tire trunk lid, marketed as a "Continental" decklid. The spare tire was in fact stored immediately behind the rear seat.

The Mark IV and Ford Thunderbird were closely badge engineered variants of each other, with an increased parts commonality compared to their previous generations. The roofline, doors, and inner body panels were shared, with different outer body panels below the roofline.

In 1973, the Mark IV received revised front bodywork, necessitated by the addition of 5-mph bumpers. For 1974, a 5-mph bumper was added to the rear body work, moving the taillights from the bumper into the rear bodywork.

All Mark IVs were equipped with a vinyl roof. The Mark IV introduced an rear side window, marketed as an opera window, to the Mark series a feature that was featured on the Mark through the discontinuation of the Mark VI after 1983. For 1972, the opera window was an almost universally specified option, becoming standard for 1973.

Mechanical specification

1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV "Lipstick and White Edition", an all-white option package with Lipstick Red interior details and carpeting. 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV "Lipstick and White Edition", front right.jpg
1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV "Lipstick and White Edition", an all-white option package with Lipstick Red interior details and carpeting.

All Mark IVs were equipped with the 460 cu in (7.5 L)-4V Ford 385 series V8 (with two valves per cylinder, "4V" is in reference to the four-venturi Autolite carburetor). Rated at 365 hp SAE gross (272 kW) in the Mark III, the 460 was carried over to the Mark IV. For 1972, rated output underwent a numeric decrease to 212 hp (158 kW) SAE net. In order to comply with changing EPA emissions regulations, Ford was required to decrease the compression ratio of the engine. The same year, American auto manufacturers adopted SAE net horsepower as its standard of measuring engine output, to better reflect real-world engine performance (as installed in vehicles). All examples of the Mark IV were equipped with a Ford C6 three-speed automatic transmission.

A feature retained from the Mark III was the "Sure-track" brakes. [1] Both front seats were power adjustable. [2]

Performance was not quite competitive with contemporary premium personal luxury cars. However, no other "personal luxury" models were six-passenger vehicles, except the Cadillac Eldorado.

Designer Series

For 1976, Lincoln-Mercury introduced optional appearance packages, marketed as the "Designer Series." in four variations, in consultation with notable fashion designers (Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Pucci). Each package featured an individually coordinated exterior and interior color combination with specific trim and interior fabrics. The opera window was fitted with the signature of the corresponding designer, and the dash was fitted with a 22-karat gold-plated dashboard plaque, which could be engraved with the name of the original owner.

1976 Continental Mark IV Designer Series
EditionExterior color/trimVinyl roof trim/materialInterior color/material
Bill BlassDark blue (cream and gold pinstripng)

cream or body-color moldings

Cream "Normande grain"Blue cloth or leather

(cream accents)

Cartier [3] Dove gray (red and white pinstriping)

body-color moldings

Dove gray "Valino grain"Dove gray cloth or leather
GivenchyAqua blue "diamond fire" (black & white pinstriping)

white or body-color moldings

White "Normande grain"Aqua blue cloth or leather
PucciRed "moondust finish" & silver (silver and red pinstriping)

silver or body-color moldings

Silver "Normande grain"Dark red "majestic" cloth

Sales and pricing

A total of 278,599 Mark IV's were produced:

YearProductionPrice (USD)
197248,591$8,640 ($60,446 in 2022 dollars [4] )
197369,437$8,984 ($59,224 in 2022 dollars [4] )
197457,316$10,194 ($60,490 in 2022 dollars [4] )
197547,145$11,082 ($60,269 in 2022 dollars [4] )
197656,110$11,060 ($56,878 in 2022 dollars [4] )

Specifications (1976 model)

USMetricvs. Mark III
Wheelbase120.4 in3058 mm+2.7%
Overall length228.1 in5791 mm+1.9%
Width79.8 in2027 mm+0.5%
Height53.5 in1359 mm+1.1%
Weight5,264 lb2,388 kg+11.1%
EngineFord 385 series V8
Displacement460 in37.5 L
Bore × stroke4.36 × 3.85 in111 × 98 mm
Power (SAE)202 hp148 kW @ 3800 rpm
Torque356 lbf·ft482 Nm@ 2200 rpm
Compression8.0:1
CarburetorMotorcraft 4350
TransmissionFord C6 3-speed automatic

Notes

  1. "Directory Index: Lincoln/1973_Lincoln/1973_Lincoln_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  2. "Directory Index: Lincoln/1974_Lincoln/1974_Lincoln_Continental_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  3. "Directory Index: Lincoln/1976_Lincoln/1976_Lincoln_Continental_Mark_IV_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Motor Company</span> Luxury division of Ford Motor Company

Lincoln Motor Company, or simply Lincoln, is the luxury vehicle division of American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company. Marketed among the top luxury vehicle brands in the United States, until 2020, Lincoln was positioned closely against its General Motors counterpart Cadillac; however, beginning with the 2021 model year, they only offer SUV and crossover vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental Mark II</span> Motor vehicle

The Continental Mark II is an ultra-luxury coupé that was sold by the Continental Division of Ford for the 1956 and 1957 model years. The first product line of Continental, the Mark II was developed as the worldwide flagship vehicle of Ford Motor Company. Developed as a successor for the 1939–1948 Lincoln Continental, the Mark II derived its nameplate from European manufacturing practice, denoting a second generation of the model family; Ford would later use this nomenclature for the Mark Series of flagship personal luxury cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Continental Mark III</span> Motor vehicle

The Continental Mark III is a personal luxury car marketed by Lincoln from 1969–1971 model years. The namesake successor of the 1956–1957 Continental Mark II, the Mark III again served as the flagship vehicle of Ford Motor Company. Offered as a two-door hardtop coupe, the Mark III was noted for its hidden headlights, rear spare-tire trunk bulge recalling the Mark II and its Rolls-Royce styled grille.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Town Car</span> Full-size luxury sedan (1980–2011)

The Lincoln Town Car is a model line of full-size luxury sedans that was marketed by the Lincoln division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from a limousine body style, Lincoln marketed the Town Car from 1981 to 2011, with the nameplate previously serving as the flagship trim of the Lincoln Continental. Produced across three generations for thirty model years, the Town Car was marketed directly against luxury sedans from Cadillac and Chrysler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Cougar</span> Ford Motor Company car model

The Mercury Cougar is a series of automobiles that was sold by Mercury from 1967 to 2002. The model line is a diverse series of vehicles; though the Cougar nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various stages in its production, the model also was offered as a convertible and a hatchback. During its production as the mid-size Mercury line, the Cougar was also offered as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Continental</span> American luxury car

The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced between 1939 and 2020 by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was given European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Continental Mark V</span> Motor vehicle

The Continental Mark V is a personal luxury coupe marketed in North America by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company for model years 1977–1979, as the fourth generation of the Mark series. At 230 inches (5.8 m) in length, it was the longest two-door coupe Ford has marketed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford LTD (Americas)</span> Model range of automobiles

The Ford LTD is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range, the LTD moved the Ford range upmarket, offering options and features previously reserved for Mercury and Lincoln vehicles. For much of its production life, the LTD competed against the Chevrolet Caprice ; the Mercury Marquis served as its divisional counterpart from 1967 until 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Mark VIII</span> Motor vehicle

The LincolnMark VIII is a grand touring luxury sport coupe that was marketed by Lincoln from the 1993 to 1998 model years. The first generation of the Mark series branded entirely as a Lincoln, the Mark VIII again served as a counterpart of the Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar. Though maintaining its traditional brand rivalry with the Cadillac Eldorado, the Mark VIII was also developed to become more competitive against luxury coupes from automakers around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Marquis</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles marketed by Mercury from 1967 to 1986. Deriving its name from a title of French nobility, the Marquis was introduced as the divisional counterpart of the Ford LTD; four generations of the two model lines were paired through rebranding. Initially slotted as the flagship Mercury full-size range, the Marquis would serve as the basis for the later Mercury Grand Marquis.

The Continental Mark series is a series of personal luxury cars that was produced by Ford Motor Company. The nomenclature came into use with the Continental Mark II for 1956, which was a successor to the Lincoln Continental of 1939–1948. Following the discontinuation of the Mark II, Ford continued the use of the Mark series on Continental-branded vehicles from 1958 to 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Premiere</span> Motor vehicle

The Lincoln Premiere was a luxury car model sold by Lincoln in the 1956 to 1960 model years. Positioned below the company's Continental Mark II coupe during 1956–1957 and above the Capri which it shared from 1956 to 1959, it was produced in 2 and 4 door versions which could both accommodate up to six people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Capri</span> Motor vehicle

The Lincoln Capri is an automobile that was sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1952 until 1959. A full-size luxury car, the Lincoln Capri derives its name from an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples. Introduced as a premium trim variant of the two-door Lincoln Cosmopolitan, the Capri was introduced in 1952 as a stand-alone model line serving as the premium Lincoln. With the introduction of the Lincoln Premiere, the Capri replaced the Cosmopolitan as the standard Lincoln product line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln Continental Mark VI</span> Motor vehicle

The Continental Mark VI is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Ford Motor Company from 1980 to 1983. The fifth generation of the Mark series, the Continental Mark VI introduced several changes to the model line. Again marketed and serviced by the Lincoln-Mercury division, the Mark VI served as the flagship of the entire Ford Motor Company model line, slotted above the Lincoln Town Car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Monterey</span> Motor vehicle

The Mercury Monterey is a series of full-size cars that were manufactured and marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1950 to 1974. Deriving its name from Monterey Bay, the initial Mercury Monterey served as the top-of-the-line two-door sedan model for 1950 and 1951 to compete with the hardtop models of Oldsmobile and Buick. It came with a vinyl roof covering, upgraded upholstery, and other features. The hardtop was introduced for 1952. During its production, the Monterey would be offered in multiple body styles, ranging from coupes, convertibles, sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental tire</span> Externally-mounted spare tire behind an automobiles trunk

A continental tire or a continental kit is a term used in the United States for an upright externally-mounted spare tire located behind an automobile's trunk, made popular by the Continental Mark Series, which carried a simulated continental tire until 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Thunderbird (first generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The first generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a two-seat convertible produced by Ford for the 1955 to the 1957 model years, the first 2-seat Ford since 1938. It was developed in response to the 1953 Motorama display at the New York Auto Show, which showed the Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette in turn was developed in response to the popularity of European sports cars among Americans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Thunderbird (fifth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The fifth generation Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury car series, produced by Ford for the 1967–1971 model years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The sixth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a large personal luxury coupe that was produced by Ford for the 1972 to 1976 model years. A sibling of the Continental Mark IV, this generation of the Thunderbird was the largest ever produced; weighing in at over 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg), they are also the heaviest coupes ever produced by Ford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Thunderbird (eighth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The eighth generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury coupe that was manufactured and marketed by Ford from the 1980 to 1982 model years. Introduced to commemorate the 25th year of the Thunderbird, the eighth generation was substantially downsized, transitioning further into the mid-size segment. For a second generation, the Thunderbird remained the Ford counterpart of the Mercury Cougar XR7; while the Cougar again served as a complete line of mid-sized cars in various body styles starting with 1981 models, the Thunderbird was offered solely as a two-door personal luxury coupe.

References