1975 Lincoln Mark IV LPG Propane conversion 460 cubic-inch V8

Summary:

There is nothing like it to go to a jazz bar in

Faults:

Absolutely nothing, even though it was acquired in rough shape and driven mindlessly and without thought about servicing in the rough climate of the Canadian prairies.

General Comments:

This car felt like a very clever thing to own as it was converted to run on propane gas rather than gasoline. Nevertheless, the fuel consumption was utterly devastating, giving me a range of just under 150 miles before having to dock onto a propane filling station again. I became better acquainted to the gas station attendants in my city driving this car than I cared for.

Other than that, the car had buckets of character, which is oozing decadence. The car is easily one of the most unnecessarily voluptuous vehicles on this planet, and somehow very "Motown". It's simply very, very cool, in a sick and obese sort of way.

The car feels every bit like an ocean liner to drive, and even following a modest bend in the road will send you cranking the steering wheel far further than you would in another car; that's how indirectly the steering is geared, which also feels like it isn't connecting to anything, it's that light.

The car is deceptively sluggish; it feels like it isn't willing to get going, but when you look at the speedometer, you realize you're flying already.

In the long run, I got rid of it because the sheer size of it freaked me out. Maneuvering it through the inner cities even of spacious, Canadian towns was such hard work that I thankfully accepted the services of a much smaller car soon.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th February, 2005

26th Feb 2009, 07:34

Um... OK, so did you convert it to propane, or was it done before you owned it?? And who would do such a thing to a big block??

Of course you got poor economy, it's a 460 CUBIC INCH DIAMETER!!! Propane is great for grills and fork lifts, but as an automotive fuel it burns twice as inefficent as gasoline.

I own a 75 Mark and the fuel economy is not as bad as you said your "propane" car is. I get a 300-350 mile range out of it. No wonder you got rid of that one.

If you want a rear example of Lincoln performance and quality, then get a gas powered one (not freakin' propane or solar or whatever).

2nd Jul 2015, 16:56

I bought the car fully converted. I previously had a 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a 350 Rocket engine, which gave me 24 MPG easily in sedate, Canadian summer driving. So the Lincoln's 11 MPG really came as a surprise. I did expect it to be thirsty, but not a gasoholic. My 1976 Buick Park Avenue with the 455 also gave me between 21 and 15...

3rd Jul 2015, 20:26

The 460 isn't all that bad on fuel economy for a big-block V8. It should get about what your old Buick 455 got, if not slightly better. However, the propane fuel conversion does no favors and is very inefficient as an auto fuel.