1985 Lincoln Mark VII

Lincoln introduced the Continental Mark VII (later called the Lincoln Mark VII) in August of 1983 for the 1984 model year. Its Ford Fox platform was originally introduced for the 1978 Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr, and was now shared with the Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, and Lincoln Continental.

The Mark VII Series was the first American manufacturer vehicle to be equipped with a replaceable bulb headlamp system.

The Continental Mark VII was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine developing 140 horsepower and a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel inline 6 that it shared with the Ford Mustang. The standard transmission was a four-speed automatic. The trim levels included the base, LSC (for Luxury Sports Coupe), and designer Editions - Bill Blass Edition and Versace Edition. Standard equipment included a fully digital dashboard with an onboard trip computer and message center. They had power seats, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel air suspension, and power windows, mirrors, and locks. A power deck-lid release was operated by an interior mounted button or electric pull-which, in which the trunk lid was partially lowered by hand, and then automatically lowered about an inch by a motor mounted inside the trunk latch. A sensor located adjacent to the rear-view mirror automatically dimmed the high-beam lights. Another standard feature was the Keyless Entry System.

The Bill Blass Designer Edition was finished in Silver Sand clearcoat metallic with Burnished Pewter below the lower bodyside moldings. The designer's name located in the quarter window and the Bill Blass logo was on the decklid. There were two-tone bodyside and decklid accent stripes. The interior came standard in Carob Brown leather trim or optional Ultrasuede fabric. Lether designer seat straps came as a no-cost extra.

The Versace Designer Edition was finished in Navy clearcoat metallic with two-tone accent stripes on bodyside and decklid. Just like the Bill Blass Edition, the designer's name was located on the quarter window. The interior was finished in Admiral Blue ultra-soft leather or no-cost optional cloth inserts with leather bolster seat trim.

Both designer editions came standard with the Comfort/Convenience package which added keyless entry, illuminated entry, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, six-way power seats, power decklid pull-down, heated remote mirrors, headlamp convenience system, and a stereo search radio with cassette.

The standard engine was an overhead-valve, 302 cubic-inch V8 with a cast-iron block and head, and throttle body (electronic) fuel injection. It offered 140 horsepower at 3,200 RPM and 250 ft-lbs of torque at 1,600 RPM. The LSC came with a high-output version of the 302 CID V8 with 180 horsepower and 260 lbs-ft of torque. An optional turbocharged Diesel inline six-cylinder unit had a 149 cubic-inch displacement, hydraulic valve lifters, fuel injection, and 115 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. A four-speed automatic with overdrive was standard.

The total production for the 1985 Lincoln Mark VII was 18,355 examples at a base price of $22,400. The LSC trim level was priced at $24,330, the Versace at $26,580, and the Bill Blass edition at $26,660. Sales were considerably lower than the 33,344 examples sold in 1984 and less than the 1986 model year's total of 20,056.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020