Lincoln Continental Mark IV

Main article: Lincoln Mark series

Mark IV
1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
1976 Continental Mark IV Givenchy Edition Interior
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	1972–1976
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)
Length	228.1 in (5,794 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight	5,264 lb (2,388 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental Mark III
Successor	Lincoln Continental Mark V

The Continental Mark IV is a two-door personal luxury coupe that was sold and marketed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from the 1972 to 1976 model years. Following the success of the Continental Mark III, Lincoln renewed the model line to again compete against the Cadillac Eldorado.

Sharing the underpinnings and much of the roofline with the redesigned Ford Thunderbird for 1972, the Mark IV was given distinct body styling from the windows down. In addition, the Mark was distinguished by hidden headlights and the "Continental spare tire" trunklid.

All Continental Mark IVs were assembled at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan, alongside the standard Lincoln Continental and the Ford Thunderbird. For 1977, the Mark IV underwent a substantial exterior styling revision and was replaced by the Continental Mark V.

Design

1972 Continental Mark IV, showing pre-facelift grille

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.

In a cost cutting move, however, Ford Motor Company forced the Mark IV to increase parts commonailty with the Ford Thunderbird; while the roofline, doors, and inner body panels were shared, the Mark IV and Thunderbird still were given different outer body panels below the roofline and different interiors. In a major break from American luxury car tradition, the rear wheel openings of the Mark IV were designed at the same height as the front wheels (similar to the 1966-1970 Oldsmobile Toronado); its large fender flares precluded the use of fender skirts.

In 1973, the front bodywork underwent a major redesign, necessitated by the addition of 5 mph bumpers; in various forms, the front body style would be seen on Continentals and Lincolns until 1989. 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 the opera window to the Mark series, a feature that would be featured in the Mark through the discontinuation of the Mark VI after 1983. For 1972, it was an almost universally specified option, becoming standard for 1973.

Mechanical specification

All Mark IVs were equipped with the 460 cu in (7.5 L) Ford 385 series V8 engine. 1972 Mark IVs were rated at 365 bhp Gross, the engine being a direct carry-over from the previous Mark III. In 1973 compression-ratio was lowered considerably due to new changing EPA requirements, and Ford adopted a new SAE method of measuring horsepower, resulting in 212 SAE net hp (158 kW). The performance-gap between the 1972 and its later-year brethren was significant. All model years drove through a C6 3-speed automatic transmission.

A feature retained from the Mark III was "Sure-track" brakes, making the Mark IV one of the first American cars to become equipped with anti-lock brakes. Both front seats were power adjustable.

Performance was not competitive with contemporary premium personal luxury cars. However, none but the Cadillac were potentially 6 passenger vehicles.

Performance against competitors (1972)

Make & Model	Horsepower 'SAE net'	Top Speed	Acceleration 0 to 60 mph	Fuel Economy
Lincoln Continental Mark IV	215 PS (158.1 kW; 212.1 bhp)	190 km/h (120 mph)	10.8 sec	4.8 km/l (14 mpg‑imp; 11 mpg‑US)
Cadillac Eldorado	238 PS (175.0 kW; 234.7 bhp)	189 km/h (117 mph)	9.7 sec	4 km/l (11 mpg‑imp; 9.4 mpg‑US)
Jaguar XKE Series III V12	254 PS (186.8 kW; 250.5 bhp)	217 km/h (135 mph)	6.8 sec	5.5 km/l (16 mpg‑imp; 13 mpg‑US)
Citroën SM	170 PS (125.0 kW; 167.7 bhp)	220 km/h (140 mph)	8.5 sec	8 km/l (23 mpg‑imp; 19 mpg‑US)
Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC	192 PS (141.2 kW; 189.4 bhp)	202 km/h (126 mph)	9.5 sec	6.5 km/l (18 mpg‑imp; 15 mpg‑US)
Jensen Interceptor	254 PS (186.8 kW; 250.5 bhp)	217 km/h (135 mph)	7.5 sec	4.4 km/l (12 mpg‑imp; 10 mpg‑US)
BMW 3.0CS	180 PS (132.4 kW; 177.5 bhp)	200 km/h (120 mph)	7.9 sec	7.6 km/l (21 mpg‑imp; 18 mpg‑US)

Continental Mark IV Designer Editions

The Mark IV debuted a new tradition for the Mark Series, which later spread to other models in the Lincoln model range. Earlier, the Mark III had an Cartier-branded clock installed optionally. In 1976, the Designer Series was introduced as four special-edition models. Each edition was an option package with color, trim, and interior choices specified by notable fashion designers (Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Pucci). Each edition carried the designer's signature on the opera windows and were fitted with 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 would continue on other Lincolns until the end of the 2003 model year.

For 1976, four designer editions were offered:

Designer Edition	Exterior	Vinyl Roof	Interior
Bill Blass	Dark Blue (cream and gold pinstripng) cream or body-color moldings	Cream "Normande Grain"	Blue cloth or leather (cream accents)
Cartier	Dove Grey (red and white pinstriping) body-color moldings	Dove Grey "Valino Grain"	Dove Grey cloth or leather
Givenchy	Aqua Blue "Diamond Fire" (black & white pinstriping) white or body-color moldings	White "Normande Grain"	Aqua Blue cloth or leather
Pucci	Red "Moondust Finish" & Silver (silver and red pinstriping) silver or body-color moldings	Silver "Normande Grain"	Dark Red "Majestic" cloth

Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy designer series (1976)  Lincoln Continental Mark IV Pucci designer series (1976) gallery

Sales and pricing

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

Specifications (1976 model)

	US	Metric	vs. Mark III
Wheelbase	120.4 in	3058 mm	+2.7%
Overall length	228.1 in	5791 mm	+1.9%
Width	79.8 in	2027 mm	+0.5%
Height	53.5 in	1359 mm	+1.1%
Weight	5,264 lb	2,388 kg	+11.1%
Engine	Ford 385 series V8
Displacement	460 in³	7.5 L
Bore × stroke	4.36 × 3.85 in	111 × 98 mm
Power (SAE)	202 hp	148 kW	@ 3800 rpm
Torque	356 lbf·ft	482 Nm	@ 2200 rpm
Compression	8.0:1
Carburetor	Motorcraft 4350
Transmission	Ford C6 3-speed automatic

References

• Automotive Mileposts. Lincoln Continental Mark IV. Retrieved on May 7, 2005.

Lincoln Mark Series

• Lincoln Mark Series