Lincoln Continental Mark VII
Encyclopedia
See Lincoln Mark for a complete overview of the Lincoln Mark Series.
The Continental Mark VII, later shortened to just Mark VII, was a rear wheel drive luxury coupe
from Lincoln
. Introduced for the 1984 model year, the Continental Mark VII shared its platform
with the Ford Thunderbird
, Mercury Cougar
, and Lincoln Continental
(the Ford Fox platform
from the code name of the first program using the platform). The Fox platform was originally introduced for the 1978 Ford Fairmont
and Mercury Zephyr
. The same platform was also utilized as the base for the 1982 - 1987 Lincoln Continental
sedan - the Mark VII's four-door companion. Like its predecessor the Lincoln Continental Mark VI
, the Mark VII 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 held a lengthy standard equipment list, including an onboard trip computer / message center and digital instruments (on all except the LSC models after 1986). Mark VII's also came with full air suspension
at all four wheels. The 1985 LSC was the first American vehicle with electronic 4-channel anti-lock brakes (6 months before the Corvette
). Mark VII also had the distinction of being the first American vehicle with composite headlights.
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
. 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 inches (381 mm) 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. The Bill Blass model continued with digital instruments - just a speedometer, fuel level gauge, and trip odometer. All Mark VIIs featured a power deck-lid release (through an interior mounted button) and electric pull-down, in which the trunk lid was partially lowered by hand, and then automatically pulled down about an inch by a motor mounted inside the trunk latch. Also standard on all Mark VIIs was an automatic dimming high-beam module. This worked via a sensor located adjacent to the rear-view mirror, and sensitivity 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. There was also a 'Comtech' Mark VII, with a CRT touch screen, which did exist in at least one vehicle, it was on loan to Bob Bondurant while he had his driving school at Sears Point Raceway
. Ford Motor Company allowed him to have a fleet of new vehicles every year, and one of Bob's choices was the Comtech Mark VII. Larry Albedi Motors (Lincoln-Mercury) in Vallejo, California
serviced the vehicle a couple of times before it was returned to Ford at the end of the year. The Comtech parts that were unique to that Mark VII were also listed in the Lincoln Mercury parts catalog, but when the Merkur arrived the Comtech pages were removed and the Merkur pages replaced them. The Comtech model being a prototype, they saw no reason to keep it in the parts catalog.
In 1990, the LSC Special Edition was added to the lineup, as Ford prepared to segue to the Mark VIII. Since that car was still a few years away, and the VII was quickly becoming one of the more dated production cars on the road, a serious interior redesign took place that year, along with the introduction of the driver airbag. Other new features included a radically different dashboard and middle stack, a more sophisticated optional autodimming interior rearview mirror, the 120 mph speedometer on the LSC/LSC SE, and a more sophisticated oil monitoring system. However, the "antenna" switch disappeared on the '91-'92 models. The seats had equally been "downgraded" and while remaining unmistakably luxurious lost one of the bolsters and, perhaps more regrettably, the tall headrest (only found on the '84-'89 models). In spite of these minor deficiencies, the 1990-92 Mark VIIs are generally very coveted cars among collectors, boasting a unique exterior and interior. The '91-'92 Bill Blass and LSC/LSC SE are essentially the same car, as both use the stiffer LSC air springs. This makes the '90 Bill Blass a unique Mark VII - while retaining the distinctively ultra-soft Bill Blass ride from the 80s production run, the car features a 90s interior. It is thus, in a way, the last "true" Bill Blass Mark VII, and the collectors frequently will joke that the '91-'92 Blass is an LSC with a digital dash. To be sure, the '91-'92 Bill Blass still retains the unique to that edition exterior and interior. In the meantime, the LSC SE was offered in three colors (red, black, grey) and was entirely devoid of chrome save for the grille; instead, all exterior trim was blacked out, rendering the SE different from both the base LSC and the Bill Blass edition. The taillight trim was unique to the SE and reflected the exterior paint color (red or black), the same applied to the lower body trim. The 1992 models quietly introduced, as often is the case with the final production year, a few other unique features, including the extremely rare green exterior color option and the non-perforated leather steering wheel (these have generally survived better than the perforated ones over the decades).
V8 and rare (200-500 made) 2.4 L I6
diesel
. The diesel was a BMW
design with a turbocharger. At least one diesel Mark VII was equipped with 5-speed manual transmission
. It was available on all trim levels until 1986.
magazine's Ten Best list
for 1986.
The Continental Mark VII, later shortened to just Mark VII, was a rear wheel drive luxury coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
from Lincoln
Lincoln (automobile)
Lincoln is an American luxury vehicle brand of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln vehicles are sold mostly in North America.-History:The company was founded in August 1915 by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac . During World War I, he left Cadillac which was sold to General Motors...
. Introduced for the 1984 model year, the Continental Mark VII shared its platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
with the Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
, Mercury Cougar
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar...
, and Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
(the Ford Fox platform
Ford Fox platform
The Ford Fox platform is a rear wheel drive, unitized-chassis, automobile architecture used by Ford Motor Company in North America. Introduced for the 1978 model year, it would go on to be produced until 1993 in its original version; a substantial redesign of the Ford Mustang in 1994 extended its...
from the code name of the first program using the platform). The Fox platform was originally introduced for the 1978 Ford Fairmont
Ford Fairmont
The Ford Fairmont is a compact car produced by Ford Motor Company for the North American market. Introduced for the 1978 model year, the Fairmont was produced in several bodystyles until it was replaced by the Ford Tempo for the 1984 model year...
and Mercury Zephyr
Mercury Zephyr
The Mercury Zephyr is a compact car sold by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford Motor Company for the North American market. Introduced as a replacement for the Mercury Comet, it was produced from 1978 to 1983...
. The same platform was also utilized as the base for the 1982 - 1987 Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
sedan - the Mark VII's four-door companion. Like its predecessor the Lincoln Continental Mark VI
Lincoln Continental Mark VI
The Lincoln Continental Mark VI is a full-size luxury car that was sold by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford Motor Company from 1980 to 1983. As a response to federal fuel economy standards, the Mark VI was the first model of the Mark series with smaller exterior dimensions than its predecessor...
, the Mark VII was manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant
Wixom Assembly Plant
The Ford Wixom Assembly Plant, now known as the Ford Renewable Energy Park, is a former Ford Motor Company automobile assembly plant in Wixom, Michigan, United States.-Ford years:...
in Wixom, Michigan
Wixom, Michigan
Wixom is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,498 at the 2010 census. The city was home to the former Wixom Assembly Plant, which produced the Lincoln LS, the Ford Thunderbird, the Ford GT, and the Lincoln Town Car...
through 1992. It was replaced by the Lincoln Mark VIII
Lincoln Mark VIII
The Lincoln Mark VIII is a large, rear-wheel drive grand touring luxury coupe built from 1993 to 1998. It was the successor of the Mark VII. The Mark VIII was built at Ford's Wixom, Michigan assembly plant and was based on the FN10 platform, a relative of the MN12 platform which underpinned the...
in 1993.
The Mark VII held a lengthy standard equipment list, including an onboard trip computer / message center and digital instruments (on all except the LSC models after 1986). Mark VII's also came with full air suspension
Air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an engine driven or electric air pump or compressor. This pump pressurizes the air, using compressed air as a spring. Air suspension replaces conventional steel springs. If the engine is left off for an extended period, the car will settle...
at all four wheels. The 1985 LSC was the first American vehicle with electronic 4-channel anti-lock brakes (6 months before the Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
). Mark VII also had the distinction of being the first American vehicle with composite headlights.
Trim levels
There were 4 trim levels to start with: Base, Gianni 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
BMW E24
The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
and the Mercedes-Benz 500/560SEC
Mercedes-Benz W126
The Mercedes-Benz W126 is a series of flagship vehicles manufactured by German automotive marque Mercedes-Benz. Premiering in September 1979 as the successor to the earlier W116 line, the W126 was the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz flagship to officially bear the S-Class name referring to...
. 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 inches (381 mm) 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
Speedometer
A speedometer is a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a land vehicle. Now universally fitted to motor vehicles, they started to be available as options in the 1900s, and as standard equipment from about 1910 onwards. Speedometers for other vehicles have specific names...
, tachometer
Tachometer
A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common...
, fuel level gauge, coolant temperature gauge, and separate trip and regular odometers. The Bill Blass model continued with digital instruments - just a speedometer, fuel level gauge, and trip odometer. All Mark VIIs featured a power deck-lid release (through an interior mounted button) and electric pull-down, in which the trunk lid was partially lowered by hand, and then automatically pulled down about an inch by a motor mounted inside the trunk latch. Also standard on all Mark VIIs was an automatic dimming high-beam module. This worked via a sensor located adjacent to the rear-view mirror, and sensitivity 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. There was also a 'Comtech' Mark VII, with a CRT touch screen, which did exist in at least one vehicle, it was on loan to Bob Bondurant while he had his driving school at Sears Point Raceway
Infineon Raceway
Infineon Raceway, formerly Sears Point Raceway, is a road course and drag strip located on the landform known as Sears Point in the southern Sonoma Mountains near Sonoma, California, USA. The course is a complex series of twists and turns that go up and down the hills...
. Ford Motor Company allowed him to have a fleet of new vehicles every year, and one of Bob's choices was the Comtech Mark VII. Larry Albedi Motors (Lincoln-Mercury) in Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
serviced the vehicle a couple of times before it was returned to Ford at the end of the year. The Comtech parts that were unique to that Mark VII were also listed in the Lincoln Mercury parts catalog, but when the Merkur arrived the Comtech pages were removed and the Merkur pages replaced them. The Comtech model being a prototype, they saw no reason to keep it in the parts catalog.
In 1990, the LSC Special Edition was added to the lineup, as Ford prepared to segue to the Mark VIII. Since that car was still a few years away, and the VII was quickly becoming one of the more dated production cars on the road, a serious interior redesign took place that year, along with the introduction of the driver airbag. Other new features included a radically different dashboard and middle stack, a more sophisticated optional autodimming interior rearview mirror, the 120 mph speedometer on the LSC/LSC SE, and a more sophisticated oil monitoring system. However, the "antenna" switch disappeared on the '91-'92 models. The seats had equally been "downgraded" and while remaining unmistakably luxurious lost one of the bolsters and, perhaps more regrettably, the tall headrest (only found on the '84-'89 models). In spite of these minor deficiencies, the 1990-92 Mark VIIs are generally very coveted cars among collectors, boasting a unique exterior and interior. The '91-'92 Bill Blass and LSC/LSC SE are essentially the same car, as both use the stiffer LSC air springs. This makes the '90 Bill Blass a unique Mark VII - while retaining the distinctively ultra-soft Bill Blass ride from the 80s production run, the car features a 90s interior. It is thus, in a way, the last "true" Bill Blass Mark VII, and the collectors frequently will joke that the '91-'92 Blass is an LSC with a digital dash. To be sure, the '91-'92 Bill Blass still retains the unique to that edition exterior and interior. In the meantime, the LSC SE was offered in three colors (red, black, grey) and was entirely devoid of chrome save for the grille; instead, all exterior trim was blacked out, rendering the SE different from both the base LSC and the Bill Blass edition. The taillight trim was unique to the SE and reflected the exterior paint color (red or black), the same applied to the lower body trim. The 1992 models quietly introduced, as often is the case with the final production year, a few other unique features, including the extremely rare green exterior color option and the non-perforated leather steering wheel (these have generally survived better than the perforated ones over the decades).
Powertrain
The engine choices were a 5.0 LLitér
- External links :*...
V8 and rare (200-500 made) 2.4 L I6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
. The diesel was a BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
design with a turbocharger. At least one diesel Mark VII was equipped with 5-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. It was available on all trim levels until 1986.
| MY Model year The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product.... , trim | Engine displacement Engine displacement Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches... , type Engine configuration Engine configuration is an engineering term for the layout of the major components of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. These components are the cylinders and crankshafts in particular but also, sometimes, the camshaft.... | Fuel system | Power | Torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... | Transmission Transmission (mechanics) A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–1985 | 149 CID BMW M21 BMW M21 The BMW M21 was a 2.4 L diesel straight-6 engine.It was introduced in 1983 with the BMW M20 design as its basis. It was available with a turbocharger.... I6 Straight-6 The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase... |
115 hp at 4,800 rpm |
155 lbft at 2,400 rpm |
4-speed ZF automatic Automatic transmission An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually... |
|
| 1984–1986 | 302 CID Windsor Ford Windsor engine The Windsor is a 90-degree small-block V8 engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1962, replacing the previous Ford Y-block engine. Though not all of the engines in this family were produced at the Windsor, Ontario engine plant , the name stuck... V8 V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
CFI | 140 hp at 3,200 rpm |
250 lbft at 1,600 rpm |
4-speed AOD Ford AOD transmission The AOD is a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Introduced in 1980, it was Ford's first four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The design is based on the same gearset as the 1960s and 1970s... automatic Automatic transmission An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually... |
| 1987 | EFI | 150 hp at 4,000 rpm |
270 lbft at 3,000 rpm |
||
| 1986–1987 LSC |
SEFI | 200 hp at 4,000 rpm |
285 lbft at 3,000 rpm |
||
| 1988–1992 | 225 hp at 4,000 rpm |
300 lbft at 3,000 rpm |
|||
| Source: | |||||
Racing
The Mark VII was raced in the Trans-Am Series in 1984 and 1985 without much success, with the best result being a ninth place finish.Awards
The Mark VII LSC was on Car and DriverCar and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
magazine's Ten Best list
Car and Driver Ten Best
Car and Driver magazine annually nominates a list of what it considers the Ten Best cars and Five Best trucks.All production vehicles for sale in that calendar year are considered with these restrictions:# The vehicle must be on sale by January...
for 1986.