Lincoln Continental Mark IV

Mark IV
1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
1976 Continental Mark IV Givenchy Edition interior
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	1972–1976
Assembly	Wixom Assembly, Wixom, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	460 cu in (7.5 L) Ford 385 V8
Transmission	3-speed C6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	120.4 in (3,058 mm)
Length	228.1 in (5,794 mm)
Width	79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight	5,264 lb (2,388 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental Mark III
Successor	Lincoln Continental Mark V

The Continental Mark IV is a two-door personal luxury coupe that was sold and marketed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from the 1972 to 1976 model years. Following the success of the Continental Mark III, Lincoln renewed the model line to again compete against the Cadillac Eldorado.

Sharing the underpinnings and much of the roofline with the redesigned Ford Thunderbird for 1972, the Mark IV was given distinct body styling from the windows down. In addition, the Mark was distinguished by hidden headlights and the "Continental spare tire" trunklid.

All Continental Mark IVs were assembled at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Wixom, Michigan, alongside the standard Lincoln Continental and the Ford Thunderbird. For 1977, the Mark IV underwent a substantial exterior styling revision and was replaced by the Continental Mark V.

Following the successful redesign of the Lincoln Continental for the 1970 model year, Ford Motor Company chose an evolutionary design path for the successor of the Continental Mark III. With designers again using sharp-edged fenders, hidden headlamps, and a tall radiator-style grille, the Continental Mark IV retained the traditional "long-hood, short deck" coupe proportions of the Mark III along with its "Continental spare tire" decklid. The spare tire was actually stored on a ledge in the trunk on top of the gas tank, immediately behind the rear seat.

In a cost cutting move, however, Ford Motor Company forced the Mark IV to increase parts commonailty with the Ford Thunderbird; while the roofline, doors, and inner body panels were shared, the Mark IV and Thunderbird still were given different outer body panels below the roofline and different interiors. In a major break from American luxury car tradition, the rear wheel openings of the Mark IV were designed at the same height as the front wheels (similar to the 1966-1970 Oldsmobile Toronado); its large fender flares precluded the use of fender skirts.