Lincoln Continental Mark VII

Lincoln Mark VII
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	1983–April 1992
Assembly	Wixom, Michigan, United States
Body and chassis
Class	Personal luxury car
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford Fox platform
Related	Ford Mustang Ford Thunderbird
Powertrain
Engine	4,942 cc (302 cu in) Windsor V8 2,443 cc (149 cu in) BMW M21 TD I6
Transmission	4-speed AOD automatic 4-speed ZF automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.5 in (2,756 mm)[1]
Length	202.8 in (5,151 mm)
Width	70.9 in (1,801 mm)
Height	54.2 in (1,377 mm)
Curb weight	3,748 lb (1,700 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental Mark VI
Successor	Lincoln Mark VIII

The Continental Mark VII, later shortened to just Mark VII, is a rear wheel drive luxury coupe that was produced by Lincoln. Introduced in August 1983 for the 1984 model year,^[2] 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^[3] (6 months before the Corvette). Mark VII also had the distinction of being the first American vehicle since 1940 with composite headlights and it was the first of the Lincoln Mark models to have exposed headlights since 1968, and the introduction of the Lincoln Continental Mark III coupe.

Design History

1984

The Continental Mark VII was introduced in August 1983 for the 1984 model year. It was available in a base trim level, Designer Edition (Bill Blass Edition and Versace Edition). A new sport-oriented upper trim level was introduced with this generation, called the LSC (Luxury Sports Coupe). Alongside the standard 140 hp 5.0L V8 shared with the Ford Mustang is a 114 hp 2.4L turbocharged diesel inline-6 obtained from BMW to offer a more fuel efficient engine offering; all Mark VIIs came with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

To back its image as a technically advanced car for the 1980s, the Mark VII was equipped with a long list of standard equipment. A fully digital dashboard featured an onboard trip computer and message center; automatic climate control was also standard. Other standard features included four-wheel air suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, power seats, an AM/FM stereo, and power windows, locks, and mirrors. 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. All models were now installed with Ford's Keyless Entry System, and 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.

The Mark VII was the first American manufactured vehicle to be equipped with a replicable bulb headlamp system. Ford had petitioned NHTSA for a rule change permitting replaceable bulb headlamp systems, which was enacted in the summer of 1983 in time for the introduction of the Mark VII.

1985

The dealer-installed GTC performance option package is introduced (see below). As they have largely been replaced by cassette tapes, the 8-track tape player option is discontinued. An in-car telephone is added to the options list for $2,995.

1986

In 1986, Lincoln integrated the Continental Mark Series into the Lincoln brand after being a sub-marque for 18 years; the Continental Mark VII was renamed the Lincoln Mark VII and given Lincoln badging. Other visual changes involved the addition of a federally mandated center brake light (CHMSL). The rarely-seen BMW diesel was dropped from the line, as was the Versace Edition.

A number of changes were made for the LSC for 1986 to differentiate it from the rest of the Mark VII line. To update its performance image, the 1986 LSC was given analog gauges in place of the all-digital dash; the engine output increased to 200 hp.

1987

Largely unchanged from 1986, a running change late in 1987 production added the 225 hp 5.0L "H.O." to a limited number of LSC models. 1987 would be the last year the Mark VII offered an optional CB radio. Since vent windows had all but disappeared on American automobiles by the 1980s, the option for them was discontinued for 1987.

1988

1988 Lincoln Mark VII

For 1988, the Mark VII model line was revised. As the Mark VII carried a large list of features, the base-trim model was discontinued, leaving the luxury-oriented Bill Blass Edition and the performance-oriented LSC; both versions were priced the same. The 150 hp and 200 hp versions of the 5.0L V8 were replaced by the 225 hp "H.O." version; shared with the Mustang GT, it was sold in both Bill Blass and LSC Mark VIIs. On LSC models, wheel size was increased to 16 inches.

1989

For 1989, relatively few changes were made to the Mark VII. To improve the handling of LSC models, Lincoln made changes to the steering.

1990

For 1990, to accommodate passive-restraint regulations, the Mark VII was given a driver-side airbag and three-point seatbelts were added to the outboard rear seats. Since it had not been updated since 1984, the dashboard and interior controls were given a redesign; LSC models saw the addition of a 120 mph speedometer. LSC models were given 16-inch wheels with a design that was essentially a clone of the BBS RA wheel.

To give new life to the Mark VII, the monochromatic LSC SE (Special Edition) was introduced.

1991

1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC

For 1991, the Mark VII line is consolidated mechanically, as the Bill Blass Edition adopts the suspension and wheels of the LSC; the Bill Blass Edition is largely differentiated by its use of a digital dashboard. Both versions are given redesigned seats (distinguished by lower headrests).

1992

For 1992, the Mark VII saw no major changes from 1991. A new color, Deep Jewel Green Metallic Clearcoat, was introduced and is very rare.

Variants

Aftermarket

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.

Powertrain

The engine choices were a 5.0 L V8 and rare (approximately 2,300 made) 2.4 L I6 diesel. The diesel was a BMW design with a turbocharger and only available in 1984 and 1985. At least one diesel Mark VII was reportedly equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission.

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.^[5]

Awards

The Mark VII LSC was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1986.

References

http://www.thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/history/index.htm

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lincoln Mark VII.