1984 Lincoln Mark VII

The Lincoln Continental Mark VII, later referred to as the Mark VII, was a rear-wheel drive luxury coupe introduced in August of 1983 for the 1984 model year. It received a Ford Fox platform (introduced in 1978 for the Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr) which it shared with the Lincoln Continental, Ford Thunderbird, and Mercury Cougar. Like the Mark VI, the Mark VII was manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan through 1992, when it was replaced in 1993 by the Mark VIII.

The base price for the Mark VII coupe was $21,700, nearly identical to the cost of the Continental Sedan. The Town Car was less expensive with a base price of $18,000. The base engine was the 302 cubic-inch V8 with electronic fuel injection and EEC-IV backed by a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. An optional turbocharged diesel version had 115 horsepower and 155 foot-pounds of torque. The prior recirculating-ball steering system was replaced by a power rack-and-pinion unit. Four wheel disc brakes provided the stopping power. Also at all four wheels was a full air suspension system.

The Continental and Mark VII had a 108.5-inch wheelbase with the Mark VII being two inches longer at 202.8 inches. The Continental was taller by 1.5 inches, at 55.5 inches. Its styling was modern and aerodynamic, with a sloping back window, aero headlamps, and a wedge-shaped profile. Its drag coefficient was 0.38 which was a 25 percent improvement over its predecessors and an improvement in fuel economy. The shape was perfected through wind-tunnel testing at the Lockheed facility in Marietta, Georgia. The decklid bulge was shaped as a simulated spare tire housing. In the front was an upright grille comprised of thin vertical bars flanked by flush-mounted aero headlamps that extended rearwards to form marker lenses. The Mark VII was the first American manufactured vehicle to use a replaceable bulb headlamp system. The interior featured an all-new design and instrument panel with full electronics. There was a full-length floor console with gearshift lever and lockable storage bin the armrest.

Standard equipment included tilt steering, speed control, dual remote-control mirrors, tinted glass, auto-temp air conditioning, six-way power driver's seat, and front and rear stabilizer bars. Other amenities included an electronic AM/FM stereo search radio, cast-aluminum wheels, and whitewall tires. New options included heated driver and passenger seats, a portable CB radio, and a handling package.

Buyers had the option of selecting the returning Bill Blass Designer Series or the new Versace Designer Series. The 1984 Bill Blass Designer Series was finished in a dual-shade clearcoat metallic paint color of Goldenrod Glamour and Harvest Wheat. The Bill Blass logo was located on the decklid and the designer's signature was on the quarter window. The Exterior trim was finished in two-tone cream with dark green body-side and decklid accent stripes. The interior also had a Bill Blass logo located on the dash. The upholstery was standard two-tone flax and gold ultra-soft leather. Buyers had the choice of selecting cloth trim as a no-cost option. The Bill Blass Designer Series had a base price of $24,800, approximately $3,000 more than the base price of the Mark VII and $400 more than the Versace Designer Series.

The Versace Edition was another Designer Series option influenced by Gianni Versace, an avant-garde clothing designer from Milan, Italy. These vehicles wore walnut glamour clearcoat metallic exteriors with two-tone tan and bright blue accent stripes on the decklid and bodyside, along with tan stripes on the hood. The Versace signature was located on the quarter window and the Versace logo on the instrument panel. The interior was done in Desert Tan ultra-soft leather in the designer's sew style. Again, cloth inserts with leather bolster seat trim were a no-cost-extra.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020