1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V

The Lincoln Continental Mark V was in production from 1977 to 1979, was derived from its Continental Mark IV predecessor, and 228,262 examples produced. Although similar in design to the Continental, the Mark V had a 120.4-inch wheelbase compared to the 127.2-inch platform used by the Continental. The Continental measured 233-inches in length while the Mark V was slightly shorter at 230.3 inches. The Continental was available as either a hardtop coupe or a four-door sedan, while the Mark V was solely a two-door hardtop coupe.

The Mark V shared its chassis architecture with its predecessor, the Continental Mark IV, along with many of its underpinnings due to the popularity of the Mark IV and to eliminate the expense of designing an all-new platform. To aid in fuel economy, the Mark V weighed approximately four-hundred pounds less than the outgoing Mark IV. Additional efforts to increase fuel economy resulted in the Mark V receiving the smallest-displacement engine fitted in a Lincoln or Continental since 1957. The 400 cubic-inch V8 was shared with many of its siblings including the Ford Thunderbird, Ford LTD, Mercury Cougar, and Mercury marquis. An optional 460 CID V8 was available in all states except California.

The 1978 Lincoln Mark V continued to be offered with the 400 CID backed by a SelectShift with 2.75:1 rear axle, and the 460 V8 with 2.50:1 axle. The 400 CID had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Motorcraft carburetor, and delivered 166 horsepower at 3,800 RPM and 319 ft-lbs of torque at 1,800 RPM. This engine was shared with the Continental, as was the optional 460 CID, rated at 210 horsepower and 357 lbs-ft of torque. The base price was just over $12,000 and 72,602 examples were produced.

Color options included white, black, Wedgewood blue, midnight blue, midnight jade, midnight cordovan, dark champagne, light champagne, dove gray, a cordovan metallic, and cream. Moondust metallic colors were optional, including crystal apricot, cinnamon gold, ice blue, light jade, light gold, light silver, and dark red. Lincoln's introduction of the mid-1977 Versailles made them the first American car manufacturer to produce a two-stage base-coat/clear-coat paint process. This new two-stage paint process was expanded for 1978 to both the Continental (metallic colors only) and the Mark V. The traditional non-metallic, solid paint colors continued to be part of the available color list.

In celebration of Ford's 75th anniversary, a special version of the 1978 Lincoln Mark V was offered called the Diamond Jubilee Edition. This special edition was finished in a choice of special Diamond Blue or Jubille Gold clearcoat metallic paint. It had Valino grain accent molding, Valino grain landau vinyl roof, Valino grain vinyl insert in the trunk lock cover, and Valino grain padded vinyl on the decklid contour. The unique hood ornament was color-keyed to the body color, as were the vertical grille bars. A special paint stripe was used on the hood, and the bumper guard pads had horizontal rub stripes matching the body color. Additional features included special opera windows, 'Diamond Jubilee Edition' script with a simulated diamond chip laminated in the beveled glass, 'Continental' letters speed out on the simulated spare tire cover, coach lamps, and brightwork along the fender louvers. The customer's initials were personalized on the door. At all four corners were turbine-style cast-aluminum wheels with colors that matched the body, wrapped with dual wide-band whitewall steel-belted radials. The leather-covered console housed an umbrella and the keys had a wood-tone applique insert. There was an illuminated entry, tilt steering, interval wipers, and a leather-bound owner's manual and leather-bound tool kit.

The Diamond Jubilee Edition was available on the Mark VI and the Ford Thunderbird.

The Designer Series, Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Mark Pucci special editions continued. The Cartier edition was finished in light champagne body-color with a light champagne landau vinyl roof. A full vinyl roof was an additional cost, however, the standard metal-finished roof was a no-cost extra. The Mark Pucci edition came in light silver metallic body color, black bodyside moldings, unique paint and tri-tone tape stripes, with black landau vinyl roof in Cayman grain. Bill Blass editions were done in midnight cordovan with light champagne landau vinyl roof in Valino grain. Givenchy was done in midnight jade with a unique forward half-vinyl roof in light chamois color pigskin, with chamois-colored body side moldings and dual paint stripes. The interiors featured vinyl and jade leather with a broad lace insert in the seatback, embroidered in the double-G Givenchy logo.

Modifications to the 1978 Lincoln Mark V included revised door lock cylinders and ignition lock switches for improved theft protection. For improved coolant flow and heater performance, larger heater core inlets and hoses were installed, along with larger radiators. The standard Luxury wheel covers were mildly updated with fewer ribs, a one-year-only feature that would re-appear in 1980 on the Continental, Town Car, and Town Coupe.

1978 was the first year of Ford's electro-mechanical seat belt warning chimes, which came standard only on Diamond Jubilee Edition. Other Mark V models were equipped with a traditional seatbelt warning buzzer. A 'key in ignition' warning buzzer would 'buzz', along with the seatbelt warning buzzer, whenever the car was started with the driver's door open, and the driver's seat belt not latched.

The full-length, simulated convertible 'Carriage Roof' joined the Rear Landau Vinyl and Full Vinyl roof options for 1978. The Carriage Roof was only offered in white canvas-embossed vinyl, and the standard opera windows were replaced by rear seat side-quarter trim panel vanity mirrors. The Power Glass Moonroof option was not offered on Mark V models equipped with the Carriage Roof.

New optional equipment included Ford's new 40-channel CB radio with fully integrated hand-held microphone and controls, which came with a new, integrated tri-band (AM/FM/CB) power antenna replacing the standard issue (AM/FM power antenna. The digital (L.E.D. display) 'Miles-to-Empty' fuel indicator replaced the standard 'Low Fuel' warning light. A fully integrated Garage Door Opener control was built into the lower edge of the driver's side illuminated visor-vanity mirror. Non-locking Wire Wheel Covers were also new options, as was the driver's side outside mirror-mounted Illuminated Thermometer.

The Mark V stood alongside the Continental as the largest Lincoln models ever produced. The only true remaining competition for this ultimate luxury vehicle was the equally grand Cadillac Eldorado. The Mark V continued the tradition of optional high-style Designer Series, first offered in 1976 on the Mark IV. These special editions came with special paint finishes, interior upholstery, and special amenities. The Cartier Designer Edition was by far the most popular of the four available choices, with 8,520 produced out of total Mk V.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020