1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
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.
Following the successful redesign of the Lincoln Continental for the 1970 model year, Ford Motor Company chose an evolutionary design path for the successor of the Continental Mark III. 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 “Continental spare tire” decklid. The spare tire was actually stored on a ledge in the trunk on top of the gas tank, immediately behind the rear seat.
All Mark IVs were equipped with the 460 cu in (7.5 L)-4V Ford 385 series 16-valve V8 (“4V” is in reference to the 4-venturi Autolite carburetor). Rated at 365 hp (gross)in the Mark III, the 460 was carried over to the Mark IV. For 1972, rated output underwent a numeric decrease to 212 hp.
For 1976, to attract further interest to the Mark IV in its final model year, Lincoln-Mercury introduced the “Designer Series” special-edition option package. Developed entirely for appearance purposes, the four versions of the Designer Series were styled through the consultation of notable fashion designers of the time (Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Pucci); each version featured an individually coordinated exterior and interior color combination with specific trim and interior fabrics. In addition, the opera window was fitted with the signature of the corresponding designer, a 22-karat gold-plated dashboard plaque.
The Mark IV piled on the grandiosity of the period with its hidden headlights, Rolls-Royce grille, stand-up hood ornament, miles-long hood, half vinyl top, and oval-shaped opera windows. In 1976, Lincoln gave the Mark IV an extra dose of snob appeal with special models that had color schemes and options selected by famous designers.
We love the color combination and the fact this is a well-optioned example without being a designer series Mark IV. A thorough detail inside and out will have you ready for the car show circuit in no time.
