Lincoln Continental Mark IV
Continental Mark IV (1973 )
The Continental Mark IV was a luxury car to the American automaker Ford Motor Company, which was produced from 1972 to 1976. He was the second generation of 1968, the Continental Mark III reasoned series of luxury models, which is called the Continental Mark Series and was positioned above Lincoln's standard models.
Nomenclature
Manufacturer of the Continental Mark IV was the Lincoln - Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company. Like its predecessor, Mark III, the Mark IV was also officially known as Continental Mark IV marketed. This Ford followed up on this model with the tradition of Continental Division, which from 1956 to 1960 was an independent subsidiary, and premium luxury vehicles produced, including one offered in various body styles Continental Mark IV (1959). The reference to the Continental Division was for marketing reasons in order to document the exclusivity of the Mark IV.
Cause for misunderstandings is to the extent that the term Lincoln Continental ( without the " Mark ") has been used as a pure model designation for some of its models since 1961. These vehicles were positioned below the Continental Mark series, received the Lincoln brand name and were called Lincoln Continental. They had technically ( except in the case of the later Mark VI ) nothing to do with the Continental Mark models.
Model history
The Continental Mark IV was technically closely related to the Ford Thunderbird of the vintage 1972. Both cars used the same ladder frame and the same chassis. Externally the Thunderbird and the Mark IV differed, however, significantly.
The Mark IV took over the key design features of the Mark III: The body structure of the Mark IV also followed the " Long Nose Short Deck " pattern. The hood of the Mark IV was still longer than that of the Mark III, and the tail section was again shorter. The imitation spare wheel cover in the trunk lid remained preserved as well as the designed by Rolls- Royce model grille; However, the latter was narrower. In the first model year of the Mark IV, the front bumpers were partially lowered to allow higher radiator grille. The Model 1973 wide, heavy safety bumpers were introduced that ran horizontally and allowed no more depression. The grille was then much lower. With the Mark IV Lincoln introduced the so-called "Opera Window", an oval window in the C-pillar. The Opera Window was a charge-requiring extra in the first model year. The buyers appreciated this very detailed, so it was part of the standard equipment from 1973. The Opera Window remained until the Continental Mark VI a special distinguishing mark- Series; only the later emphasizes aerodynamically designed models Mark VII and Mark VIII gave up this detail.
The drive system remained unchanged. Lincoln continued to use the 7.5 -liter eight-cylinder engine, whose power is nominally reduced by switching to a changed, now net values considered measurement system. 1972 was the performance of 212 hp SAE 1973 there were 208 hp, 220 hp 1974, 1975 only 194 hp and 1976 then 202 hp. The variations were found in regard to changing emissions standards, responded to the Lincoln with adjustments to the engine performance. The power reductions were achieved by a relatively small carburetor and a correspondingly small-sized throttle bodies. Then in theory an average consumption of about 18 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined case of cautious driving was possible; However, German measurements showed an average fuel consumption 24-26 liters per 100 kilometers. However, the power reduction without much effort could be circumvented. By comparatively small interventions, the engines may have had a capacity of over 450 DIN hp in a wide speed range.
Overall, the Continental Mark IV was a very big and heavy car. Like his predecessor, he was heavier than Lincoln's standard models. Although Mark had grown significantly in the outer dimensions IV, he offered less passenger and luggage space than the Mark III. This was due to the shortening of the passenger compartment. Due to the high ladder frame itself also reduced the headroom. The passengers therefore had to take a steeply inclined attitude in the car. The trunk was dominated by the lying housed spare, what enticed American rapporteur to the conclusion that he was " only limited use ".
The American automobile manufacturers Clenet Coachworks built between 1977 and 1979 on the chassis of the Continental Mark IV the Clenet Series I, a roadster in retro style that took the passenger compartment of the MG Midget.
Designer Series
For the model year 1976, Lincoln is a special equipment variants that were associated with the names of certain fashion designers. The idea of a special designer variant goes back to the American Motors Corporation, which in 1971 a Hornet " Gucci " introduced. Lincoln offered to 1976 Mark IV versions of Bill Blass, Cartier, Hubert de Givenchy and Emilio Pucci. The versions each had an independent paint and a special interior:
- The Mark IV by Bill Blass was painted dark blue and had a cream-colored vinyl roof and cream-colored side stripes. In the interior blue velor, or blue leather was used. The extra charge for the Bill Blass version was 1500 $ ( leather) and $ 2000 ( velor ).
- Cartier designed the Mark IV " very conservative," both inside and outside in dove gray. There were red and white accent strip of vinyl on the vehicle sides. The surcharge for the Cartier version corresponded to the Bill Blass variant.
- The Givenchy version of the Mark IV was painted turquoise and wore a white vinyl roof. The interior was also decorated in turquoise. The wood of the instrument panel deviated from the standard version: Instead of the walnut paneling bright ash was used. The surcharge for the Givenchy version was 1500 euros ( leather or suede equipment).
- Emilio Pucci's Mark IV version was painted dark red and was connected to a silver-colored vinyl roof. The charge corresponded to that of Bill Blass variant.
Dissemination
The Continental Mark IV achieved greater sales figures as the Continental Mark III. He was in the years 1972 to 1975 Lincolns most successful single model; in a few years partly twice as many Mark IV were sold like Lincoln Continentals. The Mark IV also beat the lumbering Cadillac Eldorado.
The production of the Mark IV was distributed over the model years 1972 to 1976 as follows (for comparison next to the production figures of the Cadillac Eldorado Coupe and Convertible):