14th Dec 2010, 09:07
When I was 10 years old I saw a picture of a 72 Lincoln Mark IV (yellow with brown top/interior) in a magazine in Brazil. I was shocked by the beauty and the vision changed my life: from that moment I became a car nut and decided to be a mechanical engineer. All because of that picture.
Now I finally can have my dream car in Brazil due to some relaxation in our (in) famous bureaucracy, but at very high price. I own too Mark IV, a 72 and a 73. The 72 is all original (including paintwork), white with brown interior/top and very low original mileage (70K), while the 73 need some carburetor work. I own also a 72 TBird (same body) and other Fords of the same period.
As the person that posted initially, I am too a son and a grandson of Ford fans, so Ford is in my genes...
18th May 2011, 12:38
Does that Lincoln have a toggle switch for the headlights? I brought a 1972 Lincoln to Germany from the USA in 1994. I sold it to a German couple about 1996-1997.
I loved that car. It was black on black with black interior. The chrome bumpers were a little scratched and the passenger side has been repaired. There was no chrome stripping along the passenger side of the vehicle due to damage done to that side of the car.
It would be nice to know she is still on the road. It was the only Lincoln I saw there during my six years in country. I drove that car to Sicily twice, Amsterdam numerous times and all over Germany.
Enjoy that car... she is a beauty.
Doc Holliday.
20th Jun 2012, 19:31
Wondering if anyone had any suggestions for restoring the vinyl roof? It's in pretty good condition, as grandma kept it under a carport, but it is a little faded, and I'd like to bring it back.
Thanks in advance.
21st Jun 2012, 17:00
Years ago they used to make either a polish or wax that was for vinyl roofs. I don't know if you can get it any more, as they haven't made those for a long time.
1st Apr 2013, 15:50
I am the guy who opened the thread.
Thanks for all your comments and experience reports with your Mark IVs and big T-Birds!
After now 8 years and adding 20,000 miles to it, I still own the car, it runs fine, it is in nice, like-new condition and has seen its 40th birthday in 2012. It will surely also see its 50th in ten years down the road, because these cars were made fine.
3rd Aug 2013, 06:26
Some of the younger people don't take into consideration the incredible amount of nuclear or coal energy that's consumed by building cheap, throw away cars. Sure, the older car uses more fuel, may not be as environmentally clean, but if one looks at the green footprint of buying a new Asian car, taking in consideration the fuel consumed moving the raw materials and the finished product to the buyer, a product that may last a few years before hitting the scrap yard, then I must ask: Is it really green to go green?
3rd Aug 2013, 12:41
Like most people commenting on these cars, I love them and will defend them til I die. I owned a '76 Mark IV lipstick about 5 years ago and she was in rough shape; had seen too many Canadian winters.
Last week I finally found one for sale after searching for 2 months. It's another '76, not a collector's, but it has most options including factory moon roof and dual exhaust. 90,000 miles, originally sold in California, purchased by a Belgian fellow who was associated with the Belgian cycling team at the time. I learned my car was transported to Belgium and used as a support car in the Tour de France a few times in the late 70's.
Eventually it was transported to Vancouver Island, where I now live, and retired into storage and only used for 5,000 miles over the last 8 years. It's got rust forming under the vinyl top and the interior is a little sun beat, but otherwise it's in excellent condition.
This car will be kept for a long, long time and brought back to the condition it deserves to be in, and I hope any surviving examples get the same treatment. It's nice to see a few more folks who appreciate them like I do.
Cheers.
6th Aug 2013, 16:06
Of course not. The movement is just corporate marketing and idiotic activism at its best. The government supports it and wants us to support it because it gives them much more control over our energy supply. Once that happens, prepare to really be shilling out for gas...
21st Aug 2017, 15:34
I had a 1973 Lincoln Mark IV. It was in need of a valve job and smoked a lot upon start up. I didn't fix it; I drove it like that for several years.
It is not known, but the 1986 Lincoln C6 tranny fits this car like a glove, but only the 1986 Lincoln Continental transmission. It has different gearing, and an overdrive which doesn't work until you get to 115. That was the only way to stop it and slow it down from steam rolling ahead. I got jacked for my ride and I do miss it.
The old C6 doesn't have a overdrive, but the 1986 does, the torque converter and stall though can't grab the torque and horsepower of the 460, since it was running the 160 to 170 hp 302. If you keep your foot with the pedal to the floor, soon enough the tranny catches up a bit, but you will be doing 90 miles an hour. Then just sit back and enjoy the rest of the ride in comfort and acceleration filled with luxury, until you hit your overdrive gear at 115mph. Then just really relax until you push the new C6 into its design limits which is about 123mph. With a decent, nice low but loud set of duals, nothing could make you think of lemonade and tea, even as a combination, more.
27th Aug 2017, 20:39
I recently bought a 1976 Mark IV at an estate sale. It had been in climate control storage since 1985 and has 34000 original miles on it. Is in mint condition. Cream and gold vinyl top. I currently am having it gone over by a restoration shop to have it checked out. I had a 68 Continental with suicide doors as my first car in high school, and have loved Lincolns since.
28th Aug 2017, 15:16
I agree with him. I don't see mine as future collectibles. Fun for a while, then get another new one. Gets you there and home.
29th Aug 2017, 17:17
I was referring to new cars, not old ones. They have little value in that regard. Use them up, get another.
30th Aug 2017, 22:14
A 1972 car would be 45 years old. 45 years from 2017 is 2062 if that is what on earth you mean.
16th Apr 2018, 19:14
I was the creator of this thread - now 13 years ago.
I still own the aforementioned 1973 Mark IV and it is still running and looking fine here on the roads in northern Germany.
Last year, I have replaced the leaking outer seals of the rear axle. Also the drum brake shoes were changed. I also installed a new rear axle brake line, since the original was rejected at safety inspection due to corrosion.
After the years, the car is leaking some fluids from the engine and transmission. But this is something all old cars have in common, I guess.
Thanks for the ongoing nice comments.
24th Nov 2010, 19:35
Most exhaust shops can hook you up with a dual-exhaust system.