Lincoln Mark series

Lincoln Mark
1970 Continental Mark III
Overview
Manufacturer	Continental (Ford) (1956) Lincoln (Ford) (July 1956–1998)
Production	1956–1960 1969–1998
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size personal luxury car
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan (1980–1983)
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental (1940–1948)
Successor	Lincoln LS

The Continental Mark series (later Lincoln Mark series) is a series of personal luxury cars that was produced by Ford Motor Company. The nomenclature came into use with the Continental Mark II for 1956, which was a successor to the Lincoln Continental of 1939–1948. Following the discontinuation of the Mark II, Ford continued the use of the Mark series on Continental vehicles from 1958 to 1960. Following a hiatus, Lincoln-Mercury relaunched the Continental Mark series during 1968 and would produce six successive generations through the 1998 model year.

Serving as the flagship model line of Ford Motor Company for its entire production, the Mark series continued the use of the Continental marque discontinued after the 1957 model year (distinct from the Lincoln Continental); it was marketed and serviced by Lincoln-Mercury. To eliminate the branding confusion, the Mark series adopted the Lincoln name from the 1986 model year onward. In line with both the 1940s Lincoln Continental and the Continental Mark II, most versions of the Mark series were produced as two-door coupes (personal cars); at various times through its production, various body styles have also been offered for the model line. With the exception of the nearly hand-built Continental Mark II, the model line has shared chassis underpinnings with other Ford or Lincoln-Mercury vehicles, with model-specific interior and exterior body panels.

Derived from the original Lincoln Continental, the continental tire trunklid design feature was adopted by each generation (in various forms) from the Continental Mark II to the final Lincoln Mark VIII. The Lincoln four-point star emblem is a design feature that was introduced by the Continental Mark II.

After the 1998 model year, Lincoln ended the Mark series with the Mark VIII, as the division shifted away from personal luxury cars to concentrate on four-door sedans and SUVs. From 2007 to 2020, Lincoln introduced a visually-similar "MK" prefix for its sedans; the nomenclature was phased out in favor of conventional names (or model lines dropped altogether).

From 1958 to 1998, Mark series vehicles were produced alongside Lincolns by Wixom Assembly at Wixom, Michigan.

Background[]

Prior to the Continental/Lincoln Mark series, within Ford Motor Company, the Continental nameplate began life in 1939, following the design of a custom-built Lincoln-Zephyr convertible commissioned by Edsel Ford. Modified extensively over a production vehicle, the personal car had a lowered hoodline, a relocated passenger compartment (requiring an external-mount spare tire), and deletion of the running boards. Upon taking delivery of the car in Florida, Ford discovered the vehicle generated a high degree of interest from potential buyers; renamed Continental by Ford, the name reflected European styling influences for its design.

At the end of the 1930s, Lincoln was transitioning away from the exclusive Lincoln K-series and moving towards the more contemporary and affordable Lincoln-Zephyr coupes and sedans. As a flagship, Edsel Ford wanted to revive the popularity of the 1929–1932 Lincoln Victoria coupe and convertible with an updated approach, reflecting European styling influences.^[1]

Continental Division[]

For 1949, the Lincoln Continental was discontinued, as Ford sought to introduce post-war model lines for all three of its divisions. In 1952, the company commenced design work on a successor model line; following the 1953 introduction of the limited-production Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile Fiesta, Ford also sought to create a competitor, aiming to make a model line as exclusive as the 1930s K-series.

As its new model line was to be one of the most exclusive and expensive automobiles in the world, Ford chose to create a stand-alone division slotted above Lincoln in 1955, the same year Chrysler introduced the Imperial Division. The namesake of the 1940s Lincoln Continental, the Continental Division named its model line the Mark II. Along with aligning it as a successor to the pre-war Lincoln Continental, the Mark II designation was a convention used by European industry; along with automobiles (i.e., Jaguar Mark 1), similar nomenclature was used to identify versions of artillery, tanks, naval vessels, and aircraft.

In July 1956, Ford integrated Continental into Lincoln-Mercury, which marketed Continental as a sub-marque slotted above Lincoln; the Mark II was withdrawn after the 1957 model year. From 1958 to 1960, Continental remained in a similar role, replacing the Mark II with the Mark III, Mark IV, and Mark V as the flagship versions of the Lincoln sedan line.

For 1961, Lincoln-Mercury consolidated the Lincoln model line with a singular Lincoln Continental replacing both the Continental Mark V and both Lincoln lines; the division would serve a single line of sedans through the 1977 model year.

Continental Mark revival[]

In response to the introduction of the two-door Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (later renamed the Corniche) in the United States, Ford vice-president Lee Iacocca directed Ford vice president of design Gene Bordinat to "put a Rolls-Royce grille on a Thunderbird" in September 1965.^[2] The all-new model line was effectively a reboot of the Mark series, adopting the Mark III nomenclature as a direct successor to Continental Mark II (leaving the 1958-1960 Mark series aside). In line with the design directive, the Mark III adopted a large radiator-style grille and was a large two-door coupe (using the frame of the four-door Thunderbird). While no longer intended as a functional feature, the Continental spare-tire trunklid made its return as a styling feature to further distinguish the model line.

While less expensive than its Rolls-Royce design inspiration, the Mark III competed against premium luxury coupes from American manufacturers, including the Imperial Crown Coupe and the Cadillac Eldorado; the latter two model lines formed a model rivalry lasting through multiple model generations.

Following the Mark III, Ford developed five successive generations of the model line. During the 1970s, the Mark IV and the Mark V shared a chassis with the Ford Thunderbird; the Mark V was a substantial revision of the Mark IV. The 1980 Mark VI was the first model to undergo downsizing, adopting the full-size Ford Panther platform; a four-door sedan was offered for the first time since 1958-1960. The Mark VII was downsized further, sharing a chassis with the Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental sedan; the model was offered only as a coupe. The Lincoln Mark VIII grew slightly in size, derived again from the Ford Thunderbird.  

First generation (Mark II; 1956–1957)[]

Introduced for the 1956 model year, the Continental Mark II served as the inaugural product offering of the flagship Continental Division. A two-door personal luxury car, the Mark II was developed as the successor model line for the 1939-1948 Lincoln Continental. Essentially hand-assembled, the $10,000 (US$95,190 in 2020 dollars^[3]) model line was the most expensive American vehicle sold in 1956, competing against Rolls-Royce in price (or two Cadillacs); air conditioning was the only option offered.

The Mark II returned the long-hood, short-deck exterior design of its predecessor, reviving its rear spare tire design feature as part of the trunklid (the design was partly functional, as the trunklid closed around the vertically-mounted spare tire). In contrast to many American (and some European) vehicles, the exterior was highly conservative, limiting chrome trim to the grille, window trim, bumpers, and badging.

During 1956, Continental was integrated into Lincoln, leaving the Mark II coupe as the only model line of the Continental Division. In spite of its status as the most expensive vehicle sold in the United States, the high cost of its assembly led Ford to lose over $1000 for each Mark II produced, leading to its discontinuation after the 1957 model year. In response to the Mark II, Cadillac released the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham; while far different in design, the Eldorado Brougham was the first Cadillac to rival the model line directly, leading to a rivalry that would last through the 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII.

Successor (Mark III, Mark IV, Mark V; 1958–1960)[]

Following the integration of Continental within Lincoln-Mercury in July 1956, Ford sought for ways to bring its flagship model brand to profitability. After the 1957 model year, the hand-assembled Mark II was discontinued, with Continental returning solely as a name for the highest trim of Lincolns for 1958.

As part of an ultimatum to continue the brand, Continental underwent a $4000 (40%) price reduction, giving the all-new Continental Mark III a market position against the highest-trim Cadillacs and Imperials. To facilitate the price reduction, the Mark III was assembled in the same factory as the Lincoln Capri and Lincoln Premiere. Distinguished by its reverse-slant retractable "Breezeway" rear window on all models (including convertibles), the Mark III was one of the first Ford Motor Company vehicles to feature unibody construction (and one of the largest). In other firsts, FM radio joined AM radio as an option; "Auto Lube" automatically lubricated the entire car (through an oil reservoir kept full by the owner).

The 1959 Mark IV introduced two formal sedans, the Continental Town Car and Limousine. The Town Car/Limousine replaced the reverse-slant window with a forward-sloping rear window (moving the rear seat several inches rearward); the Limousine has a rear-seat partition. Other options include dual air conditioning units and a padded vinyl top; both versions were offered only in black. 214 Town Cars were sold and 83 Limousines were sold, making them the rarest Mark series variants.

The 1960 Mark V was restyled slightly, receiving a larger grille and new "dagmar bumpers".

Superlatives[]

In terms of standard production sedans without an extended wheelbase, the 1958–1960 Lincolns are some of the largest automobiles ever made. The Continental Mark III–V are the longest cars produced by the Ford Motor Company without federally mandated 5-mph bumpers. The 1959 Mark IV and 1960 Mark V Limousines and Town Cars are the heaviest American standard-wheelbase sedans built since World War II. 1960 is the only model year that a Mark series vehicle is mentioned as a Lincoln Continental Mark V in brochures and advertising.^[4]

While designers of the model line are related to a number of contemporary significant styling achievements, the 1968 launch of the Continental Mark III (and its relaunch of the Mark series nomenclature) has led to the term "forgotten Marks" in relation to the 1958-1960 generation.^[a]

Second generation (Mark III; 1969–1971)[]

Introduced in April 1968 for 1969, the Continental Mark III was developed for Ford to re-enter the personal luxury segment, competing against the Cadillac Eldorado for the first time since the discontinuation of the Mark II. The Mark III name was a revival of the Mark series nomenclature; along with making the new model line a successor to the Mark II, it also effectively skipped the 1958-1960 Lincoln-based Mark III-Mark V. As before, the Mark III was branded a Continental, but was sold and serviced by Lincoln-Mercury dealer networks.

Sharing its chassis with the Thunderbird four-door, the Mark III was a two-door coupe. Sharing design elements similar to the Lincoln Continental, the Mark III was distinguished by its lack of vent windows, its radiator-style grille, hidden headlights, and spare-tire trunklid (which no longer covered a spare tire). Several of these elements would find their way into the Continental as part of its 1970 redesign. Debuting in the Mark III, the 460 cubic-inch V8 would see use in multiple full-size, intermediate, and light-truck model lines.

For 1970, multiple functional changes were made. For the first time, a vinyl roof was standard equipment and the windshield wipers were now fully concealed. Several upgrades were made related to safety, including a locking steering column (with a rim-blow-horn replacing the horn ring) and three-point front seatbelts. In a first, the Mark III became the first American-brand vehicle sold with radial tires as standard equipment.^[5]

For 1971, automatic climate control became standard and Sure-Track anti-lock braking (ABS) was introduced as an option.

Third generation (Mark IV; 1972–1976)[]

For 1972, the Continental Mark III was replaced by the all-new Continental Mark IV two-door coupe. Sharing a chassis, powertrain, and body with the Ford Thunderbird, to further lower its production costs, the two model lines shared a common roofline and inner body stampings; the Mark IV received its own bodywork below the windowline.

The success of the Mark III would lead to Ford retaining multiple design features for the Mark IV, including the spare-tire trunklid, an enlarged radiator-style grille, and hidden headlights. In contrast to the Mark III and the Lincoln Continental, the widely flared wheel openings were the same size for both front and rear wheels (skirted rear wheels were not offered). To further distinguish the Mark IV from the Thunderbird, an oval opera window was introduced as a C-pillar design feature; offered as an option for 1972, the design became standard for 1973.

To comply with federal regulations, the Mark IV received 5-mph front bumpers for 1973, requiring a larger front bumper and smaller front grille (placed above the bumper). For 1974, the rear bumper was redesigned in a similar fashion, with the taillamps moved from inside the bumper to above it. The updates added 8 inches of length to the body and nearly 400 pounds of weight, with the Mark IV outgrowing the Cadillac Eldorado in size.

Special editions[]

In line with its status of a personal luxury car, the Mark IV offered a greater degree of customization over its Mark III predecessor. The Luxury Group option (introduced in 1973) was a higher-trim version of the Mark IV, offering color-coordinated exterior, vinyl roof, and interior; the color offerings were revised yearly.

In what would become a long-running tradition for the Mark Series (and later Lincoln), the Designer Edition series was introduced in 1976 as a similar color-coordinated version of the Mark IV, using fashion designers to create a specially-coordinated exterior and interior combination; Ford offered Designer Editions, named after Cartier, Bill Blass, Givenchy, and Emilio Pucci; the opera window received the name of the selected designer (alongside badging near the glovebox).

Fourth generation (Mark V; 1977–1979)[]

For 1977, the Continental Mark IV underwent a substantial redesign, becoming the Mark V. While sharing the same chassis as its predecessor, the model line received an all-new body design. As the Thunderbird was shifted to the Torino intermediate chassis for 1977, the Mark V was the first version of the Mark series since the Mark II without a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury counterpart. While growing even further in size (to 230 inches long), careful engineering reduced the weight of the Mark V by over 400 pounds.

Distinguished by its sharp-edged styling, the Mark V adopted larger windows, vertical taillamps, and front fender vents; the hidden headlamps and spare-tire trunklid made their return, along with opera windows, a radiator-style grille (introduced on the Lincoln Continental for 1977). While technically a delete option, a vinyl top was specified on nearly all vehicles; for 1979, it could no longer be deleted.

To further increase fuel economy, the engine lineup was revised, with a 400 cubic-inch V8 becoming standard; outside of California, the 460 V8 remained an option. For 1979, the 460 was discontinued, leaving the 400 as the sole engine offering. As an industry first, an LED "miles-to-empty" gauge was introduced as an option in 1978, calculating the estimated fuel range (based on the fuel tank level).^[6]

Special Editions[]

While the Mark V is the shortest-produced generation, 1977, 1978, and 1979 are also the highest-selling model years for the entire Mark series. Both the Luxury Group and all four Designer Editions made their return (updating color designs each year).

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, a Diamond Jubilee Edition of the Mark V was offered for 1978. A nearly $8000 option, the Diamond Jubilee Edition option package included a nearly monochromatic exterior with option-exclusive colors (Diamond Blue or Jubilee Gold), along with a crystal hood ornament. Including nearly every available feature, the only options were a 460 V8, moonroof, or a CB radio. The interior received a center console, and front bucket seats.

To commemorate the end of Continental Mark V production, a Collectors Edition was offered for 1979. Similar to the 1978 Diamond Jubilee Edition, the $8000 option again offered a monochromatic appearance with option-exclusive colors; the Collectors Edition was further distinguished by the deletion of the opera windows. Offering largely every feature as standard, a delete option replaced the 8-track stereo with a cassette player.

Fifth generation (Mark VI; 1980–1983)[]

For 1980, the Continental Mark VI replaced the Mark V, serving as the first generation of the Mark series to undergo downsizing. Originally beginning life as a mid-size vehicle, budgetary constraints forced the Mark VI to remain as a full-size vehicle. Sharing the full-size Panther chassis with Ford and Lincoln-Mercury, the Mark VI lost 14 inches in length and 800 pounds over the Mark V; the Mark VI was shorter than both the original Continental and the Mark II.

In a first for the model line since 1960, the Mark VI was offered in both two-door and four-door sedan bodystyles; to differentiate the model line from the Lincoln Continental, the Mark VI returned many styling features from the highly successful Mark V, including its oval opera windows, spare-tire decklid, vertical taillamps, front fender louvers, and hidden headlamps. The two-door (sharing the shorter wheelbase of the Ford LTD/Mercury Marquis) had a similar roofline as its predecessor, adopting fully framed door glass for the first time. Sharing nearly its entire body with the Lincoln Continental (the Lincoln Town Car after 1980), the four-door Mark VI was distinguished by its oval opera windows (no longer used on Town Cars) and front and rear fascias.

The 1980 Mark VI introduced several firsts for Ford Motor Company, as the previous 7.5L and 6.6L V8s were replaced by a 4.9L fuel-injected V8 (with electronic engine controls, another industry first) and an 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission; increasing fuel economy of the model line by nearly 40%, the powertrain was offered on all Ford and Mercury Panther-chassis vehicles for 1981. As a replacement for the LED "miles-to-empty" gauge, the Mark VI offered a digital trip computer and a fully digital instrument panel (VFD) along with pushbutton keyless entry (a system still in use today on Ford automobiles).

Trim[]

For 1980, the Signature Series was introduced as the highest-level trim for the Mark VI. Similar in content to the previous Collector's Edition, the Signature Series combined nearly every feature in a single option package. Initially offered in option-specific exterior and interior colors, the Signature Series was offered in any color from 1982 onward. A less exclusive Town Car Signature Series was introduced in 1981, continuing through its entire production.

As with the Mark IV and Mark V, the Mark VI continued to offer yearly-updated Designer Editions (Cartier, Bill Blass, Pucci, Givenchy). 1981 was the final year for the Cartier Edition; the option was moved to the Town Car from 1982 onward. For 1983, the Givenchy Edition was adopted by the Continental.

Sixth generation (Mark VII; 1984–1992)[]

For 1984, the Mark VII was introduced as the sixth generation of the Mark series. Along with ending a significant model overlap between the Mark VI and the Lincoln Town Car, the creation of the Mark VII shifted the model line nearly into the mid-size segment. Derived from the Ford Fox platform (originally intended for the Mark VI), the Mark VII was a two-door counterpart of the 1982-1987 Lincoln Continental four-door sedan, returning commonality to the Ford Thunderbird (and Mercury Cougar XR7).

In a nearly complete break from previous Mark series tradition, the Mark VII was developed with far better road manners than its predecessors, prioritizing the driving experience as part of a contemporary personal luxury car.^[7] Taking on an additional role as the technology flagship of Ford Motor Company, the model line introduced multiple firsts for the company (and the industry as a whole). The first vehicle sold in North America with electronic 4-channel antilock brakes, the Mark VII also was equipped with 4-wheel air suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. The fully digital instrument panel returned, along with a trip computer and on-board driver message center; all accessories were power-operated. While an in-car telephone was offered (as a $2,995 option), the 8-track cassette player was dropped altogether as an option.

While the traditional spare-tire design feature made its return, to reduce drag, it was faired into the decklid. While deriving its chassis from the Thunderbird, the Mark VII shared its engine with the Ford Mustang, using a 4.9L V8 as standard. Shared with the Lincoln Continental, a rare was a BMW-sourced 2.4L inline-6 turbodiesel (discontinued after 1985).

For 1990, the dashboard was redesigned, coinciding with the addition of a driver-side airbag.

Trim[]

For 1984 to 1985, the Mark VII was sold as the Continental Mark VII, with Ford renaming it as the Lincoln Mark VII for 1986.

Alongside a standard trim level, Designer Editions of the Mark VII were marketed as a luxury-oriented version of the model line. For 1984 and 1985, a Gianni Versace Edition (all-new to the Designer Series) was offered, with a Bill Blass Edition offered throughout the entire production of the model line. For 1988, the Bill Blass Edition became the standard version of the Mark VII.

With far better road manners than any of its predecessors, the Mark VII introduced the LSC trim (Luxury Sport Coupe) for 1984. Sharing its engine with the Mustang GT, the LSC received firmer suspension tuning, sportier seats, and model-specific exterior and interior trim (deleting wood trim altogether). For 1986, the LSC received a full set of analog instruments, replacing the digital dashboard.  

Seventh generation (Mark VIII; 1993–1998)[]

For 1993, Lincoln released the Lincoln Mark VIII as the first Lincoln-branded vehicle of the Mark series. Slightly larger in size than the Mark VII, the Mark VIII was developed as a luxury-oriented grand touring coupe (in line with the LSC model of its predecessor). Again serving as a variant of the Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar, the Mark VIII was a rear-wheel drive two-door, competing against the Cadillac Eldorado as well as European and Japanese vehicles, including the Acura CL, Lexus SC, Mercedes-Benz CLK, and Volvo C70.

The Mark VIII retired the Fox platform in favor of the all-new FN10 platform (a Lincoln-exclusive variant of the MN12 platform). Alongside the Thunderbird/Cougar, the Mark VIII was the sole four-seat American car with rear-wheel drive with independent rear suspension (at the time). In another first, the Mark VIII was the first Ford Motor Company vehicle fitted with a dual overhead-cam V8 engine.

Far more futuristic than its predecessor, the Mark VIII reduced the spare-tire trunklid design to a vestigial feature; in line with the original Mark II, the exterior is nearly devoid of chrome trim outside of the grille, window trim, and headlamp/taillamp trim. In a design that would be adopted by multiple Ford vehicles, the interior of the Mark VIII was highly driver-oriented.

For 1995, the LSC received HID headlights, the first American car to do so.

For 1997, the exterior underwent a minor revision, receiving a larger grille and redesigned exterior lights, including standard HID headlights, neon brake lights (a first in American cars), and LED turn signal repeaters mounted in the sideview mirrors. To reduce drag, the spare-tire trunklid feature was reduced further in size.

Trim[]

From 1993 to 1994, the Mark VIII was offered in a single trim level, ending the tradition of the Designer Editions.

From 1995 to 1998, the sport/touring-oriented LSC (Luxury Sports Coupe) trim made its return. Along with model badging, body-color trim, the LSC offered its own suspension tuning, a distinct rear axle ratio, and true dual exhaust (increasing engine output by 10 hp).

For 1996, Lincoln offered a Diamond Anniversary Edition for the Mark VIII (commemorating its 75th year of production). Along with specific badging, the option included a voice-activated phone, leather seats, and upgraded audio system.     

Branding[]

For its entire production run, the Continental Mark series was the most distinguished within the Ford Motor Company divisional hierarchy positioned above Lincoln. Following the discontinuation of the Continental Division in July 1956, the vehicles would remain marketed within the Lincoln-Mercury dealer structure. However, the vehicles themselves were not badged as Lincolns, nor did their identification plates, VINs, and factory paperwork bear the Lincoln division name.

As the vehicles remained sold, serviced, and marketed by Lincoln-Mercury dealers alongside Lincoln Continentals, Continental was maintained as a separate marque for the Mark series vehicles, formally referred to as Continental Mark not Lincoln Continental Mark. As the Continental Mark series became more popular, the Lincoln name became colloquially affixed although the Lincoln nameplate did not appear on Continental Mark series vehicles nor did Lincoln Continental Mark appear in marketing, brochures, advertising and window stickers. The only exception to this was the referral of the 1960 Mark V as a Lincoln Continental Mark V in brochures and advertising only in preparation for the Continental nameplate to become a sole model series under the Lincoln brand for 1961. However the Lincoln name never appeared on any Continental Mark series vehicle.

When the Continental Mark III was introduced for 1969 as a true successor to the Continental Mark II, Continental was resumed as a marque above Lincoln within the Lincoln-Mercury division structure for Mark series vehicles and remained so through the end of the 1985 model year.

Before the 1981 model year, there was no indicator in vehicle identification numbers for the vehicle make. Beginning with the 1981 model year, all manufacturers were required to use a 17 character VIN-code. The first three digits is the World Manufacturer Identifier which indicates the country of origin and make of a vehicle. 1981–1985 Continental Mark VI–VII and 1982–1985 Continental 4-door sedans have the separate VIN-code 1MR which designates Continental as the make instead of 1LN as Lincoln (as is the Town Car). For the 1986 model year, the confusion of Continental branding was clarified by Ford Motor Company marketing as the Continental Mark VII was renamed the Lincoln Mark VII (the Mark VIII was always sold as a Lincoln). At this point all Lincoln Continentals and Mark VIIs were assigned the 1LN VIN-code to designate Lincoln as the make. 1986 was the first model year ever that the Lincoln nameplate appeared on a Mark Series vehicle.^[8][9][10]

Continental star[]

After the Continental Division was integrated into the Lincoln-Mercury Division after the 1957 model year, its four-point star logo - the "Continental Star" - was brought with it. As of current production, the emblem (in various forms) has remained in use on both Mark-series and Lincoln vehicles since 1958.

Further use of name[]

MK9, MKR, and Mark X concept cars[]

In the early 2000s, Lincoln produced two personal-luxury concept cars using the Mark Series name. The two-door MK9 (pronounced "Mark Nine") debuted at the 2001 New York International Auto Show. Intended to explore the Mark Series past the discontinued Mark VIII, the MK9 was a two-door sedan with rear-wheel drive and a DOHC V8 engine^[11] The styling of the MK9 influenced several later concepts, including the 2002 Continental concept and the 2003 Navicross.

The use of letters to identify different models began during Ford's acquisition of British luxury marques Jaguar, Aston Martin, and to a lesser extent Swedish marque Volvo in the Premier Automotive Group. Letters were used to identify the Jaguar XJ, the Jaguar XK8, the Aston Martin DB7, and the Volvo S60 and Volvo XC70.

In 2004, the last car to use the Mark Series name debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. The Mark X ("Mark Ten") was a two-seat convertible; a first for the Mark Series. Mechanically based on the 2002–2005 Ford Thunderbird, the Mark X added a power-folding retractable hardtop. Although its Thunderbird origins were apparent above the window line, much of the Mark X was restyled for a contemporary and modern appearance (rather than the retro styling seen on its Ford stablemate).

In a break from Mark Series tradition, the Continental spare-tire hump on the decklid was left out of the design of the two concept cars.

Another concept car was introduced in 2007, called the Lincoln MKR. It was a premium four door fastback sedan based on the Ford Mustang platform which influenced the design themes of production Lincolns for a number of years.

Mark LT (2005–2008)[]

After the discontinuation of the Blackwood after a single year of production in 2002, Lincoln stayed out of the pickup truck market for three years. In 2005, the division tried again with the Lincoln Mark LT. As with the Blackwood, the Mark LT was based on the crew-cab version of the F-150; a major change from the Blackwood was the availability of all-wheel drive and the use of a conventional pickup box. After the 2008 model year, the Mark LT was rebadged as the Platinum trim level of the Ford F-150 in the United States and Canada, remaining for sale only in Mexico until 2014.

Lincoln MK naming scheme[]

^{[original research?]}

During the 1990s, American luxury brands such as Lincoln lost market share to German and Japanese brands. As Lincoln and Cadillac began modernizing their lineups during the early 2000s, they both began to adopt alphanumeric naming schemes used by their competitors. At Lincoln, this started with the 2000 LS, which created some objections by Toyota, the owners of Lexus. As the LS and the Continental were both discontinued in the mid-2000s, the division introduced a new alphanumeric naming scheme that would partly revive the Mark Series. From 2007 to 2015, all newly introduced Lincolns would wear the "MK" (pronounced "emm kay") designation; the lone exceptions were the Town Car and the Navigator. After the 2011 model year, the Navigator became the sole non-MK Lincoln as the Town Car sedan was discontinued. However, for 2017 Lincoln discontinued the MKS and brought back the Continental name for its all-new flagship sedan. Since then Lincoln has brought back names for successive model replacements.

In popular culture[]

A 1971 Continental Mark III was featured in the 1971 film The French Connection, being driven by its villain Alain Charnier.

The fictional detective Cannon drove a Continental Mark III, and later a Continental Mark IV, on the TV series of the same name.

A 1977 Continental Mark V was used in the 1996 Alanis Morissette music video for her song "Ironic."

A 1978 Continental Mark V was driven by Ewing family patriarch Jock Ewing, played by Jim Davis, on the TV series Dallas. Additional Marks were used by other characters later on including J.R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, who replaced his Cadillac Allante with a Mark VII in the show's final season.

A 1979 Continental Mark V was driven by car dealer (Knots Landing Motors owner) Sid Fairgate, played by Don Murray, in the first season of the TV series Knots Landing.

A 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII was driven by drug dealer Rodney Little (Delroy Lindo) in the 1995 crime drama Clockers.

In The Sopranos , Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) drives a deep jewel green Mark VIII in season 3 . In season 1 Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt) is seen sitting and waiting in a Mark VIII in the episode Boca.

In the movie The Car (1977) a heavily modified highly customized 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III designed by famed Hollywood car customizer George Barris was used in filming the evil car .

In Beavis & Butthead Do America (1996) , a Continental Mark III is driven by the antagonists.

See also[]

• Cadillac Eldorado
• Imperial
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé

Notes[]

References[]

Bibliography[]

• Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946–1959: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
• Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2004). American Cars, 1960–1972: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-1273-0.
• Iacocca, Lido A.; William Novak (1984), Iacocca: An Autobiography, Bantam Books, ISBN 978-0553051025, LCCN 84045174.

show v t Lincoln passenger vehicle timeline, 1922–1979 — next »
Type	1920s								1930s										1940s										1950s										1960s										1970s
	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Mid-size																						WWII																																		Versailles
Full-size															Lincoln-Zephyr					Zephyr		Lincoln (H)			Lincoln (EL)			Cosmopolitan			Custom	Capri		Capri		Lincoln	Continental									Continental
	L-Series																								Cosmopolitan			Capri				Premiere		Premiere												Continental Town Car
Limousine	L-Series									K-Series										Custom															Town Car/Limousine
Halo car										K-Series																								Continental Mark III–V
Personal luxury car																		Continental				Continental										Continental Mark II												Mark III				Mark IV					Mark V

show v t « previous Lincoln, a luxury division of Ford Motor Company – road car timeline, 1980–present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s										2020s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2
Mid-size	Versailles		Continental						Continental							Continental											Zephyr → MKZ							MKZ
																					LS
Full-size																														MKS								Continental
	Continental	Town Car									Town Car								Town Car
Personal luxury car	Continental Mark VI				(Continental) Mark VII									Mark VIII
Compact CUV																																				MKC					Corsair
Mid-size CUV																												MKX									MKX → Nautilus
																																									Aviator
Full-size CUV																															MKT
Mid-size SUV																								Aviator
Full-size SUV																			Navigator					Navigator				Navigator											Navigator
Pickup truck																							Blackwood				Mark LT				Mark LT‡
Notes	‡The Lincoln Mark LT was exclusively sold in Mexico after the 2008 model year.