Coolest Cars of the 1970s: The 1972 Lincoln Mark IV Was "Personal Luxury" for the Era of Excess
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- Learn more about the history and design of one of the most popular cars of the 1970s: Lincoln's Mark IV, powered by a 460-4V engine.
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For a finance guy you are a terrific historian and real car guy! I love the background/inside story you give on these cars. I remember lusting over this design when it came out, but couldn’t afford it. I also lusted after the Jaguar XJC of this period, but couldn’t afford it either. As an engineer and a finance guy myself, I have to say you produce the best automotive content covering this period. Thank you!
Thx!
Not to mention a finance guy that worked for GM.
@@kennethsouthard6042
good point.
Every year as a car crazy teenager I waited for Motor Trend's King of the Hill comparo between the Mark and the Eldorado. The Caddy took most of the crowns but finally this design of the Mark won...Thank you for this great review of the Mark.
School's open, Professor Adam is teaching automotive history. It does not get better than this. Thanks Adam great video.
Adam, you are doing a super job! Your audio was always excellent, and your camera work has improved leaps and bounds. But your content just keeps getting better, and has consistently kept my interest. You’ve pretty much created a fun little car lover’s nirvana. I hope you keep making videos as long as you’re still having fun with it.
Thanks, Robley King
Thx Robley!
The '72 was my favorite Mark IV. The history of its design was an interesting tale. As much as I love Iacocca's vision for the Mark III, I cannot say I'm a fan of his take on the Mark IV. Knudson made the right call. This car is gorgeous. Your toys win. Always.
I rode in a Mark IV as a teenager. Seemed to have a lot of suspension travel, and when the brakes were applied, it used a lot of that travel at both ends with all the brake dive. I thought it was a very good looking car, though, and this one looks perfect.
That was great.
The superior body panel quality was very noticeable back then comparing it to a GM car. The Budd company did a great job. It's interesting that Ford couldn't have the same results doing this in-house.
The whole body stamping topic is fascinating - maybe a video about that some day?
This is SUCH a beautiful car. I even like the gold color.
My friends dad had a 72 Mark IV powder blue on powder blue stashed away in a garage workshop. I remember in 1996 we started the thing and I drove it up a dirt road, I can still remember how the thing floated up that road, it left an impression on me that's lasted to this day.
I remember the comfort of the land yacht era very well from my childhood in the 70s. The closest I have come to repeating it was the 1991 Grand Marquis I owned from 2003 - 2010. As nice as it was, it would be considered an intermediate sized car in comparison .
To my eye, this is the best looking Mark of all. The design looked so much cleaner and timeless than just about anything on the road at that time - both luxurious and surprisingly sporty looks for a luxobarge. As a young man in the early 70's, my budget allowed to buy a gently used 1970 Grand Prix (no slouch in personal luxury either), but my heart was with the 72 Mark IV.
I am constantly amazed at the near pristine condition of your collection. It's beyond impressive & has to be one of the best collections of full size beauties in the country. I also love that its still growing. At some point your gonna need to start a museum!!! I'd pay for the privilege of seeing everything at once!
Your Mark lV is stunning in that color!!! I had a 75 Mark lV that was a really nice blue with a dark blue vinyl top & dark blue leather interior!!! It was like floating on a cloud!!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂
Thank for the tour and overview of this wonderful car, Adam. One thing to note regarding pricing vis-a-vis the Eldorado: the Mark IV had more standard equipement (dual power Twin Comfort Lounge Seats, ATC, Sure Track Brakes) which were all optional on the Eldorado. If you read the contemporary Motor Trend Magazine "King of the Hill" article, you'll see how closely they were priced when typically equipped.
True. But still, the dealer could advertise a super low base price, making it arguably harder to sell.
As a senior in high school, this was my dream car when it came out. It was the epitome of luxury at that time. You are so right Adam, those earth tone colors were definitely popular in the 70's...I once had a 71 Mustang Grande' in a similar gold/brown combination so I guess I was right in style for that time!
It's hard to picture now , that these boats were top of the line
I owned a '72 black on black Mark IV back in the 80's, I LOVED that car, should have kept it.
Thanks for doing these 1970's reviews. They really take me back.
I think this car is a masterpiece!
That is a beautiful car. I'm glad there's someone collecting and preserving these great cars from the70s, an underappreciated era which I believe rivals the 50's in terms of style and design. Too many have gone to the crusher or used up in demo derbies.
That color Really makes that car the best
My best friend's grandmother who lived next door owned this exact year and color scheme of this Mark IV. Exact same car that she bought brand new and drove it until her last day, early 80's. Beautiful car.
Personally, I like the Mark III better. Also, on the Mark IV, the grille without the guard has a Packard Request look to it.
I like the Mk III better too. But better yet the MK II.
Indeed one of the nicest of the early 1970s.
Wow it's so good to see this beauty again. Thank you for showing her again, Adam. Wow, she's absolutely stunning.
Our garages are starting to look pretty similar. Had a 67 Eldo for years, got a mark v, been looking for a pre boat tail Riv…. Love this channel👍
sunny day gold !
My favorite car! I love the all of the Mark Series cars, but the IV tops the list most of the time. Sometimes the V slides into first place though. Haha. Thanks Adam!
A beautiful car, but I am reminded of my "issue" with the styling of several Ford Motor Co. cars during the 1970's, and the Mark IV was among the worst offenders. . . . Adam mentioned the front overhang near the end of the video. For a car of its great size, the Mark IV should have ridden on a longer wheelbase chassis. As it sits, the front overhang is really excessive, especially on the '73 and later cars with the 5-mph bumpers. The car would have looked more powerful and impressive had the front axle been moved forward several inches, thereby reducing the front overhang and increasing the distance between the front axle and the cowl. I don't mind the car's overall size, but the longer wheelbase would have greatly improved the proportions when viewed in profile. I know that others may disagree with me.
How dare you insult Ford's revolutionary "Cab Backward" design. :)
As an owner of one, I'm in the disagreeing group, but I appreciate your thoughtful comment anyway 👍🤷♂️
I believe it was short, because of its Torino underpinnings
Hi from Sydney, Australia. there's a reason , the mk3's had serious customer complaints re the rear seat legroom as 1967 to 1971 T'bird coupes that these were based on used the 1965 to 1968 2 door Galaxie Coupe 117inch chassis plus the access as well. The big Ford 2door coupe platform has a longer distance from firewall to front axle/wheel arch. In the house of Ford there was another new chassis platform to be available. As the new Torino/Cyclone was to be a body on chassis vehicle replacing the mono construction Fairlane. The new ranchero ute & ranchwagon was to be on a basically a 121inch wheelbase being near 2 inches longer that the 4 door T'bird /Galaxie chassis . So pure 4 inches longer in wheelbase to shut the door on footwell space in the rear and allowing a massively longer door so entry to rear seat was really easy you could basically walk straight into the rear space with the door open. I guess that the requirement then was to have a point of difference between the mk4 Coupe and the standard coupes so they went with the different chassis to clearly show the two coupes were totally different and not sharing components .
The too short wheel base was an issue with a lot of ford cars. We had a 78 LTDII which had too large a front over hang. If the front wheel arches are moved forward and the reward back of the Mustang II the car suddenly looks correct. Also, alot of cars back then had the wheel well arches way too far out for the tire track.
Being born in 1972, growing up with these massive cars on just about every driveway in the neighborhood, and being fond of the vehicles of this era (and owning several - not as many as Adam!!) it it interesting to see him point out the real deficiencies, as awesome as the styling is: For a car with a 5,000 LB curb weight, and such massive exterior proportions, 10 MPG fuel economy, you get very poor interior and trunk space! Hard to imagine a 2000s Honda Civic could have more legroom and trunk space! This is likely why Europeans mocked the huge 2 door 1970s "personal luxury" cars for lack of efficiency so much (but want to import and collect them today - go figure!)
Of the millions of 'personal luxury' cars sold in the 70s, this may be the most luxurious and most impractical. Monte Carlos, Cougars etc were in the same general category but much more practical.
I've always felt that these cars look much better in person than in photos or videos. A lot of the presence and lines and proportions just look better in person. While I prefer the Mark III (and even the Mark V), the IV is still a nice car. My favorite combo is actually the 73, with the larger front bumper but the original bumper mounted rear lights
My 70 Eldorado was that color we named him The Golden Warrior ! Thank you for showing us your car .
The Mark IV was an event, and 1973 felt like the absolute peak of it, although I've no idea the sales figures. Personal luxury cars were the antithesis of space efficiency and rational proportion, but in a way that seemed part of the appeal. Tight back seats and wild front overhang. The extravagance of it all.
That is an excellent summary. I suppose the equivalent level of self- indulgence is found today in our 3 ton, luxury pickups with 5 foot beds.
The car that was driven by William Conrad when he played in the TV show "Cannon." I'm sure that sold a few... :)
the color is absolutely gorgeous !
My dad had a '70 MKIII (Green/Green/Green) AND a '72 MKIV (Powder Blue/White top/white leather) at the SAME TIME. Combined 16mpg for both cars! When the oil embargo hit a few years later, he got a '74 Datsun 260Z for the III ...and later on a '77 Seville for the MKIV. Thanks Adam.
Beautiful! My parents had a 1973 Thunderbird with the 429 engine. It was that metallic brown with the full vinyl top. My uncle also had a 72 Mark like this one, but in the light brown, but same interior as yours. Great cars, it was fun growing up in the 70’s. Thanks for sharing.
So many muddy greens, browns and golds that era.. Earth tones.. ugh..
Colour is outstanding on this car Adam - magnificent in fact.
I truly enjoyed this video. The link to it was forwarded to me by a fellow LCOC member. We both own '72 Marks. I first saw my Mark IV in 1973. It belonged to a girl that I dated. I was about 25 years old and she was 23. Her father had bought the car for her. Two years later I bought the car from her and somehow, with life's ups and downs I have managed to hold onto it. I had it restored in 2008 and it is currently having a 521 stroker engine installed which will make about 525 hp and over 600 lbft. I've changed the rear gears from 2.80 to 3.50:1 Traction-Lok. The exterior and interior of the car are as original and it has won a lot of trophies at car shows over the last 14 years. I have always loved driving this car.
I have always admired the look of this car, but if it really handles as poorly as Adam indicates, I would be put off from buying one. Can anything be done aside from modern tires to improve its driving dynamics. Thanks.
Amazing! Adam, you are one of the few people to mention that the 1972 Continental Mark IV came under criticism for its low roofline and lack of interior headroom. For 1973 the exterior roof panel was raised while the roof inner panel was reshaped to provide increased headroom. It paid benefits when the sunroof/moonroof was ordered. What made the Mark IV outstanding was seeing it in traffic. When compared to other cars at the time, the Mark IV looked sporty and elegant - like the 1967 Eldorado!
Didn't they also lower the rear seat a little?
@@ralphl7643 For the 1974 model year, the Mark IV received a comprehensive update to the body and the frame, that also required a new floor pan. That's most likely where the rear seat height was changed. All the changes for 1974 added a bit more room to the interior, and every little bit helps!
@Eric Ruud I first read about this because Popular Science magazine's auto test reporters, Jan P. Norbye and Jim Dunne loved talking to engineers. Then the roof adjustment also appeared in the Consumer Reports "Auto Test '73" issue. If a '72 and '73 Mark IV are parked together you can see the "deeper" roofline of the '73.
I had a brand new Mark V with velour seats, 460-4v & traction lok, moonroof, installed VOGUE tyres & true spokes. I drove up/down the east coast, AWESOME ride. The
"MILES TO EMPTY" gauge was always crying wolf. I miss that MASTERPIECE. 🇺🇸
Another great video! I am a GM and to some degree a Mopar guy but I'll say I always liked the Mark IV. Whenever I see one I cannot help but think of the TV detective show Cannon.
I recently stumbled upon the original episode of "Barnaby Jones" and learned it was a sort of spinoff of "Cannon".
These were the best ones with the small bumpers tastefully integrated into the the body
Mark IV was the ultimate "function follows form" status symbol of the nouveau riche in the 70's. Grossly excessive in its exterior dimensions and weight, incredibly inefficient passenger and trunk space utilization, but no other American car said "you made it" in the 1970's better than a Mark IV. As a teen, I vividly remember my parent's generation idolizing these cars.
Adam, I say remove the "grill guard" as Mark did with his. The result was awesome!
I love 70s cars and this a beauty, pure class.
Mom had the exact same version of this. Dad bought this car in the late '70's after selling Mom's '68 Camaro RS convertible without consulting her. This did not go over well and Mom hated that Continental. Very hard to park, hard to maneuver in steep driveways, and it had lots of vacuum leak related issues, and brutal gas mileage (a bigger deal in Canada due to our much more expensive fuel than the US). This car was quickly traded in on a '71 Pontiac Lemans Sport, which was a much more useable size. My best memory of the Continental was building my first model car (a Revell 1/32 '57 Chevy Snap-Tite) in that huge back seat when I was around 7 years old. That Continental is loooong gone (and not missed), but I still have my Chevy model 45 years later...
Your dad trading in your mom's 68 Camaro rally sport convertible without consulting with her is practically grounds for divorce.
She was not happy and let Dad know it. She despised that Lincoln from the moment it floated into the driveway. Her old RS was white with red interior and black top. Had the 327 which was nice, but a column shifted Powerglide was not as much fun. After it was sold (for $1300) in the mid '70's, it disappeared from sight. I spotted the exact same car for sale in the late '80's at a gas station after it just came out of long term storage and of course wanted to buy it. The owner remembered buying it from my Dad and was intending on selling it. I (at 20 years old), could not afford the $13,000 the guy wanted for it! Bummer, but at least the car is thought to have survived to this day. Unlike the Continental...
I had one as my first car. I truly miss that car.
1972 Lincoln Mark IV = classic Lincoln ! First trip to FL from upstate NY in February 1973 Lincoln Mark IV seemed to be everywhere ... Most were silver with cranberry velour interior ... Slainte' ! Cheers !
As a 17 year old kid, I was flabbergasted when my boss tossed me the keys to his Mark 4 and told me to drive to downtown LA to pick up some materials. Beautiful car
I remembered this year model against the same year model of Caddy Eldorado challenging 1 other in an Automotive magazine. The contest was ; "King of the Hill". I loved reading about it. My dad being a Buick loyalist, always favored his new Riviera GS Stage 1. Those were the Days of Landyachts. 🇺🇸
I was in high school when this came out, certainly all the guys I knew in my age group thought this was ten times better looking than that bloated '71+ Eldorado. I never saw a '72 without the opera window, only in car mags. Adam is right though, this thing has slitty windows. I rode in many of these in the seventies along with the Mark V and they all had tiny little windows. I'm only 5'10" and I always felt like the roof was closing in, especially the later ones with the moonroof. This car was so very, very soft and quiet, and even sitting in that high back seat was just luxury. Great video!
I really enjoyed watching this video. Every minute of it! Thanks for posting!
I like Cadillacs so I watched this vid somewhat apathetically, and got schooled. I remember that opera window was a big deal at the time. Thanks again!
My neighbor had one in metallic green with the white Landau top and interior, what a stunner that car was.
I love it! Great color. I loved the colors of the cars in the 1970's. Cars and colors are so disappointing today. When I was young in the 1960's and 70's, I looked forward to buying a new car like these, now - there is nothing I like it. These Lincolns are awesome!
This was a breath of fresh air compared to all of the will it run stuff on me too tube. I really enjoy how you tie it all together with the names of the players that designed the cars. As a finance guy you also know they had as much to do with the finished product as the rest of the team.😄🤟. Great Video!
I really like the lines and wrap around bumpers of the 72 before the battering Ram bumpers of the 73 and up cars. Gold is my favorite color 👍👍👍👍
i really liked the one year styling of the 72 Mark IV. The later cars with the huge bumpers just took a lot away from the cars styling. As for panel fit. I had a 79 Porsche 928. These cars were hand built in Germany. It was an amazing car but your IV body panel fit is much better. I think back then, panel alignment was all over the place. Today the panel fit is excellent on the new vehicles. You design it so it can only be built one way and plants use robots. Good video. Thank you. Cheers!!!
Adam thanks. What a beautiful car, having colour in the interior is so much preferable to today’s unimaginative black, genuinely interesting too.
amazing car and presentation Adam. To be frankly I am born and living in Europe and the US cars from the 70 to 90 were too big & too heavy to be considered beautiful to me. After following your YT channel for a while now I would say there were rather some really nice and interesting cars from this era in US too like the Lincoln Mark IV in this video and it is all about a view angle though. Good work as usual Adam ,thumbs up!!
I remember seeing these cars in Europe back then. This particular car would have been quite expensive to own but they did sell a small number of them.
My Dad, who bought leftover cars and didn't care about color, except he didn't want black or brown or navy blue because it showed the dirt, felt that the 72' Thunderbird had basically the same frame and suspension as the Mark's, but were cheaper. My Dad kept his cars for 2 yrs and felt that the 72' Thunderbird would make a good first car for me. (I had no complaints) The 72' T-Bird didn't have an opera window, but there was a mirror on the passenger side of the car. It had a vinyl roof with a chrome S bar like you would see on a hearse, so there was a large blind spot. I don't remember having any major issues with it and missed it when it was replaced. Beautiful Mark!!!
What a beautiful and aristocratic huge luxury coupe! Thanks for bringing her, Adam! :) JV Johnny
Your videos are always very interesting and informative. Thanks!
FANTASTIC overview, as always. The very best channel out there for those that love this era of luxury cars, as I do. Excellent in all respects!
Adam,
Another big beauty - thank you!
Back in the day my neighbor had a 1974 Thunderbird 460. I remember that I had never seen more luxurious car.
I'm a Mark IV owner and I recently had a post in a Mark IV group that a lot of people agreed with me that Ford did the rear end much better, in both the 72-73 and 74-76 variations.
Thing I remember the most about riding in one was the cushy comfortable seats & smooth ride , this was in 1976
Ahh, the Harvest Gold of 1970s kitchen appliances applied to a highway appliance. Can an Avocado Cadillac be far behind?
Bunkie Knudsen's granddaughter is a very good friend of mine. Even though she was young, she has some very interesting stories about "Uncle" Harley Earl & Lee Iacocca. I have a 1975 Mark IV, with the gold luxury package, and I credit my friend Missy's grandfather for making that car possible.
Highest quality content and most intelligent automobile channel on the internet period.
Adam is coming close to cornering the CZcams Classic Car market but I like Tom on Barn Find Hunter as well. Steve Magnante does a terrific job with cars that were not preserved.
I thought I was a subscriber! I watch your videos all the time. Subscribing right now!
My short term friend back in 1979 had one, .....met him he was super cool then he moved away 6 months later. .......... Took me for a ride in the car, cruising, talked about the engine, take off I remember how comfortable it was. almost like Too comfortable.
I always think of these as the CANNON car! My friend's dad, when we were in elementary school, had a silver one just like Cannon's..
Interesting side note :
As a Former NewYorkCityTransitAuthority employee, (16 Year tour of duty)
I remember the BUDD Co. quite well- they built a series of subway cars for our agency over the years- I can say with total authority/experience, they were top quality and provided years of quality service to us and the CITY OF NEW YORK.
How amazing is it that a TOP luxury car builder, FORD, went “out Of house”, to acquire the excellent precision that only BUDD could provide! -
I am now a subscriber and give you a big thumbs up sir.
When i was 15 in 1981 i nagged my dad unto buying me a 1960 Cadillac convertible. Those doors closed so well with so little effort i took so much pride in that fact. Mine had ac,original leather top cover original bill of sale and only 70k miles. All windows,pwr seat, pwr antenna and just everything worked!
Last Caddy story I'll mention is theirs a 91 Eldorado touring coupe for sale with 43k and i really want it as ive owned 2 previously. Its far away and more then i wamt to spend buti made offer and perhaps they will come around.
My first new car in sort of same vein was 1984 buick skylark t type with 4 speed stick. I ordered it and got the sticker up to 12,400. I remeber leather wheel was only $60. Talk about rare car!
I traded in for a 1988 firebird with v8 and t tops. What a mistale i hated the car very soon after purchase and traded in 8 mos later for 88 impulse turbo which was way nicer. After that was 88 Reatta which was a great car as well.
So many cars both modern and classic.
Id love to semd pics of current small fleet and recently departed loved ones.
Still, in my opinion the best looking Mark of all time is the Mark III. Outstanding!
This particular model (before the 5-mile bumper) is the most graceful design, and THE best looking AMERICAN car in my opinion.
You have amazing taste in automobiles. Your collection is enviable to say the least! You’re videos are amazing, very informative and interesting. Keep them coming!
That is one snazzy looking Gold metallic Mark IV! 👍
1972 year I was born I like the 60s Lincoln better but these are pretty good as well
Ok, I did not watch one sec. but that pic of the mark iv with bumper guards show - (1) this you tube guy is a righteous connoisseur, (2) this is an iconic American personal luxe coupe reflecting a standard of living never to be achieved again in what is left of humankind , (3) that most people alive right now can never appreciate what this car symbolizes
Heavy overweight cars without much usable room inside?
Nice experience with the Mark IV. I much prefer this design as well. Another great presentation Adam. Love these era cars.
Beautifully presented, thank You very much!
Not sure if this was attributable to Lee Iacocca, but when Bunkie Knudson was fired someone chimed in: "Henry Ford said history is bunk, but today Bunkie is history."
Excellent analysis, as usual.
That Iaccoca design traveled over to Chrysler with him, check out the 1993 Imperial front end. Sans the fender blades, of course. That smooth hidden headlight theme.
Watching this for the second time because I really like Mark IVs. I have owned a few, usually for only a short time. I did have a 74 that I drove around Florida for several months and then drove back to Kansas City. Nice riding and running car and I took a lot of two lanes on the way home. Gas mileage struggled at about 13 on highway as I recall. I took advantage of the rear windows that would only move just over an inch. Whenever I parked in Florida I would open the rear windows all the way Lol and it would keep the interior from overheating and was too small an opening for someone to reach in and open the doors. That particular car was a green-yellow on the outside with dark green interior. As you usually mention the carb, when I bought it and was driving it home from north to central Florida it started flooding out. Once I made it home I pulled the top off of the carb and a clip on the power valve had come off and resulted in running so rich. The HVAC blower started squealing and I could not find a replacement so I removed the old blower motor and submerged it in oil for several hours to get the bearings lubricated again and it stayed quiet for the remainder of the time that I owned the car.
Thank you Adam. You impart terrific info.
Thank you! I always learn a lot from your videos.
72 was a good year for styling- Mark 4, the Torino and Ranchero as well as the Camaro.
I think that the small interior is part of the personal luxury car experience. With a large stylish exterior, and a intimate and cozy luxurious interior - the unique Mark IV experience is complete. Just imagine when the Mark IV was new and you and your wife where taking another couple out for diner. The close coupled quiet interior and the high quality sound of closing the doors - just exuded wealth. I have one like the pastel lime one that was shown in the video without the front bumper guard.
A terrific example Adam. Lincolns from the 70's were always my favorite.
Great video with very interesting history and detail. 👍
Adam, I like BOTH your car and Marc’s car!! Especially like his cloth interior. Question: Did Richard “Dick” Nesbitt work on the design for both Mark IV and Mark V? They ended up using a variation of the vertical taillight arrangement you showed on the clay proposal on the next Mark. You should do an episode on the Mark V design development too!
Amazing, great videos.
My friend had a 74 in 1989. It was comical seeing it in the mall parking lot, at that time, next to the Cavaliers and Tempos.
Great videos. 72 is the best year for these, cleanest look.
I have the Lincoln Design Heritage book, and it's outstanding. There were photographs of a FWD Lincoln Town Car proposal, a 1976 Lincoln Continental that resembled a large Ford Granada/Mercury Monarch, a Panther based Lincoln Versailles, and a Lincoln Versailles proposal based on the European Ford Granada.
Very interesting, I love the style of the Mark 4, I was 16 when it came out, “Cannon” was one of my TV shows, Robert Conrad always was in his Mark 4 solving crimes.
I used to listen to Robert Conrad on the radio. He was the original Lone Ranger with that big booming voice.
I watched him on Cannon too. But I kind of thought it odd. That stocky guy in that big car.
He was also Matt Dillon on radios Gunsmoke, plus Rocky and Bullwinkle he was narrator.
When this model was in the showrooms many of the buyers would have been old enough to have drooled over the 1956 Continental - the uncompromising quality of that design would have surely left an impression, the comparitive quality of the MKIV would have won the sale.
Great 👌 enjoyable to watch , especially when you compare models from year to year and other makes !☺ cool fun details and facts too ✌
Thanks so much for sharing. Excellent video.