Lincoln Versailles

The Lincoln Versailles was from 1977 to 1980 produced by the American car manufacturer Ford car model, which was marketed under the brand name Lincoln. The Versailles was a reaction of the Ford group on the success of the Cadillac Seville. He was positioned in the same market segment, but was far less successful than its competitor from General Motors.

Background

The first oil crisis led the mid-1970s in the United States to an increased interest in smaller but well-equipped vehicles. After initially had 164 largely serves the market alone some import vehicles such as the Mercedes -Benz " Stroke Eight ", the S-Class or Volvo, came in 1975 with the Cadillac Seville for the first time an indigenous design in this segment. The Seville was a compact car based on the American understanding. The first, derived from the Chevrolet Nova generation of this model was in the market place. The to the Ford company belonging competing brand Lincoln was initially not oppose the Seville. However, the Ford executives recognized the potential of this market niche. Early 1976, the decision was to pit a brand of your own vehicle against Seville.

History of development

Due to time constraints and to keep within limits the financial risk, not a completely new car was developed; Rather, the Versailles was based on the one and a half years previously introduced midrange model Ford Granada or its identical design luxury version Mercury Monarch. Unlike the Cadillac Seville, which had an entirely independent body, the Lincoln Versailles took over basically the structure of the Ford Granada: cabin, doors and glazing of both models were completely identical. The stylistic differences concerned only the front and the rear end. Specification for the designer was to the small Lincoln as a Continental - to make it look - at that time the full-size model of the brand. Accordingly, the Versailles offered some Lincoln typical design elements. This was particularly true for the front grille as well as offer space thinking cap containing a simulated spare wheel cover, who continued to design a tradition of Lincoln Mark Series. At the front end of the Versailles wore rectangular halogen headlamps with underlying units for light and indicator. Unlike the big Lincoln models they were not hidden at rest behind flaps.

Despite these stylistic changes, the Ford family was clearly visible. The equipment was in accordance with extensively at the high price of $ 11,500. Among others, a lush padded vinyl roof, forged aluminum wheels, metallic paint, leather-trimmed dashboard, Cartier clock and a stereo radio were included. The drive took a 5.8 - liter V8 with dual carburetors and three-speed automatic. The suspension was kept rather simple with rear live axle. Attached great importance to the work of comprehensive measures with which you sought to ensure a high quality of workmanship.

1978 gave way to the 5.8 -liter V8 a little more economical, but much weaker 5.0-liter V8 ( 133 hp, the first U.S. engine with electronic engine management ), there were changes to the color palette and request new Speichenradkappen.

In 1979, further changes were made. A revised, 20 cm longer roof with a wider, steeper upright C-pillar increased the optical distance to Granada. As the first car in the U.S. received the Versailles standard halogen headlights.

A new starter motor and an improved jack marked the last model year ( 1980) of Versailles. There were also five new colors for the body and three new colors for the vinyl roof.

Despite good reviews the trade press of the Lincoln Versailles was not successful because the customers were put off by his too significant relationship to the American Ford Granada and its sister model, the Mercury Monarch. One criticism was that the interior was just as poor as in the original Ford model.

Production and production scale

The Lincoln Versailles was prepared as the Ford Granada and the Mercury Monarch in Ford's Wayne Stamping and Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Created 50 156 copies in four years. The production is distributed as follows:

Successor

Since the late 1970s, Ford developed a technically independent successor to the Versailles. Some early design concepts had pop-up headlights and noticeable modeled cooler inlet sockets. These projects were abandoned due to financial. Successor of Versailles was instead the model year 1982 presented Continental, which is - unlike the previous models of the same name - did not act to a full-size sedan, but a compact by American standards, four-door car. Although the new Continental was in turn closely related to a Ford model, he had an entirely independent body that followed the fashion of his time Hooper Tails.

Swell

  • John Ethridge: Lincoln Versailles. Motor Trend, Issue July 1977, pp. 12
  • Michael Jordan: Target: Seville. Ground Zero in Detroit. Presentation of the Lincoln Versailles and its competitors. Car & Driver, Bulletin May 1977, p 49 ff
  • Chuck Cook: Challenging the Seville. Car Reports, Issue March 1977, p.20 ff
  • Angus Laidlaw: We test the new shrunken Lincoln. Mechanix Illustrated, Issue April 1977, p.120 ff
  • N.N.: Lincoln Versailles: Road test. Road Test, Bulletin September 1977, p 42 ff
  • NN: The 1977 ½ Lincoln Versailles ... or, Detroit takes another whack at Mercedes. Wheels, Bulletin June 1977, p 32 ff
  • NN: 1977-1980 Lincoln Versailles: Meticulously manufactured Monarch. Collectible Automobiles, Bulletin October 1987, p 75 ff
  • Don Sherman: Lincoln Versailles. Much, much more than a Mercury Monarch with all the goodies. Car & Driver, Bulletin April 1979, p 43 ff
Lincoln Motor Company Car classification Curb weight Lincoln Continental Volvo 164 Ford Granada (North America) Trunk (automobile) Hidden headlamps Cartier (jeweler) Running gear Beam axle Hubcap Starter (engine) Jack (device) Wayne (Michigan) Family car Lincoln LS Lincoln MKZ Lincoln MKS Luxury vehicle Lincoln Town Car Lincoln MKX Lincoln Aviator Lincoln MKT Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Blackwood Lincoln Mark LT Lincoln Custom Lincoln K-series Lincoln L-Series Lincoln-Zephyr Lincoln Capri Lincoln Continental Mark III Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lincoln Continental Mark V Lincoln Continental Mark VI Lincoln Cosmopolitan Lincoln Premiere Lincoln Futura
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