1972 Lincoln Mark IV 460 Ford V8 from Germany

Summary:

The Mark IV from 1972-76 is one of the last true cars built

Faults:

- Door Armrests begin to crack.

- Right exhaust manifold replaced due to a crack.

- Several rubber parts replaced due to age.

- A-arm bushings worn.

- A/C discharges over time.

General Comments:

I bought this dream on a vacation trip to Michigan and had it transported to Germany, where I live.

The car still looks like new after 32 years and the previous owner cared well for it. You can look at every detail of this beautiful car and see with how much love and quality it was made. No plastic parts on body, everything is very solid. The car is truly heavy due to the bulk of steel used to build it, but when you drive it, it is not comparable to anything else.

The big 460 engine is service-friendly and service parts are economical in price, its fuel consumption is not. Performance is not bad for such a heavyweight, but also not spectacular (except for a top speed of over 120 mph!)

The Mark IV has a lot of space in its passenger compartment and a lot of convenience features are provided.

I am most impressed, that the car is still original inside and out after 32 years now. No rust anywhere (and believe me, I used an endoscope to look everywhere)! Ford has done a great job. I feel very sorry, that cars like this never will be built again. But I am sure it will be one of tomorrow's classics.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2005

29th Aug 2005, 07:38

What is wrong with keeping a classic car in good condition over a very long period of time?

Of course, this is no economy car, it was not even intended as such, when it was new. At least it was also not purchased as such and it still is not a daily driver. I simply was fed up with all those mega-priced, ultra-high-tech junk you can buy at any car dealer. I had a lot of trouble with most expensive new cars (European and American). After three years, half of your invested money is burned and you break your fingers when your try to change the spark plugs. Regarding service part prices of a new car, the Mark is very economical.

The Lincoln will double its value in 10 years if it can be kept in this beautiful condition. The fact, that I do this in Germany does not influence this. Germans love historic automobiles, no matter which origin they have.

Due to experience with other American cars of this era in my possession, I can say that they all survived much longer than any other, later built car of any nationality (although, I performed some corrosion protective measures). The reason for this is in my opinion their simplicity of construction. Any part can easily be repaired and is usually very solid and reliable.

And most important: It is very cool to drive!

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1975 Lincoln Mark IV LPG Propane conversion 460 cubic-inch V8 from UK and Ireland

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).

In reply to 26th Feb 2009, 07:34

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...

In reply to 2nd Jul 2015, 16:56

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.