Today is going to be CC Cohort Day, to give our intrepid Cohort posters a bit of extra exposure and appreciation. First up is this Mark V, by Ralf K (Don Kincl)
CC Cohort Day: Lincoln Continental Mark V – At Costco
– Posted on April 7, 2023
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Curbside Classics Archives
It’s a Mark V.
NOW we are talking! Although not everyone treasures these OTT monuments to OTT excessive American Luxury as I do, the Mark IV along with Lincoln Town Cars were the epitome of elegance, comfort, and CLASS on the GRAND scale! Mark V was not bad, but smaller ☹️.Had 78 Town Coupe 🏆 which I should never have let go, 89 Town Car Signature Series and current 😀 2007 Signature Limited which I will keep as long as I can drive! These last generation Town Cars were recently referred to in an article as the American ROLLS-ROYCE! Now even those (like most traditional Luxury vehicles) are off the market. Crossovers and SUVS are not for me!🤮 🤮 🤮
Amen to that Rick!
This car in the Costco lot just gave that place a little class.
I will confess that I still give an occasional longing glance to the Mark V – In fact, I think it is becoming my favorite of the latter day Marks (that start with the 1969 Mark III).
I remember being enthralled by that dove gray paint when it came out on FoMoCo cars in the late 70s. Silver had taken over by then (and has never let up) and I was also sick of earth tones, but this pale non-metallic gray had a late 40s vibe to it, and I thought it was a great look on these.
My favorite Mark! The Mark IV was a bit too large for my taste and the III seemed a bit less luxurious. I know many will differ, but I always liked the “gills” on the front fenders, a feature also present on big Mercurys from 1979-81.
I love all Marks from 1968 forward, even the much-maligned Mark VI. When the Mark III was introduced, it was not loved by the automotive media but the public adored it. I’m fascinated by the endless list of designer series and special editions that were available, among them: Signature Series; Cartier Series; Bill Blass; Pucci; Valentino; Collectors’ Series; Black Diamond; Silhouette (very rare); Blue Diamond; Lipstick; Diamond Jubilee (an $8000 option on a $12,000 car!). The Mark series became more and more successful generation over generation, despite suffocating CAFE standards and burgeoning inflation that would define the malaise era. That success crescendoed with the bigger-than-life Mark V and all but collapsed entirely with the frumpy and unloved Mark VI. But, alas, they’ve all earned their places in automotive history.
This sort of car – very long, low, smooth-riding, ornately styled, and not very roomy despite its size – is unlikely to ever be built again. They make no more sense than driving around the suburbs in a Wrangler or Bronco, but I miss them now that they’re long gone. Lots of things on this car have become very unfashionable since, but it’s the long front overhang that strikes me the most.
As a kid, these Mark Vs in grey, reminded me of automotive Great White Sharks. With the fender vents, appearing like ‘gills’.
I had a childhood friend who called these “gills” as well. I (at maybe 9 years old) remarked how I thought it was a cool car and she said, “I don’t like its gills.”
Is this the closest we got to having the overall length of a car be twice the wheelbase? (230.3″ length, 120.3″ wheelbase). When focusing on just that part it looks a bit clownish. Although I would not want to have to be at the helm of this thing every day, I do admit somewhat enjoying looking at it.
Came here to say the same thing: so much car; so little wheelbase.
My dad’s Mark IV. He loved that car. Parked it at his cabin in Colorado and never drove it. Now going on 5 years since he’s been gone.
Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, but do understand his love for that car. Wish I had never let my 78 Town Coupe go. When I did, it was at the point of needing many repairs, but body was still beautiful. City ordinances prohibited, otherwise I would have parked it on front lawn as a LAWN ORNAMENT! These were incredible monuments to OTT luxury of the era. Unfortunately never 😕 to be matched. 🏆 😎
Thanks to someone for pointing out this is a Mark V. When I saw the car, Mark IV didn’t seem right. Also liked the Mark IV with a very different look 👌!😎
Who would’ve guessed that Jock Ewing would shop at Costco?
JOCK EWING wouldn’t have been able to shop at Costco, without Miss ELLIE (Maiden name Southworth) who inherited SOUTHFORK! 🏰 ! Guess just another case of behind every great man, is a great woman! ? ? 😉.😎
Ah yes, Jock’s Wedgewood Blue Mark V. Pam drove a Vette. JR drove a Benz. Donna Krebbs drove a Mark VI sedan. Sue Ellen drove a Ford Country Squire wagon, which she passed out drunk in. Miss Ellie didn’t drive anything. Lucy drove a Porsche I think? Hard to believe a show was so well written and the characters so well developed that we knew what they drove. I suppose the same could also be said of The Sopranos.
Rick W beat me to it. Jock wouldn’t be caught dead in a Mercedes, especially the girly 380SL driven by Bobby.
😁 😀. Never could understand the! Mercedes fascination. My late brother was a very successful business man who suddenly moved from ROLLS-ROYCE to Mercedes. The Mercedes was harsh riding, trouble prone and to me nondescript. Personally inclined to GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHTS! 🏆. Guess great minds DO run in same channels! 😉. 👍 😎
These were a half foot longer than GM’s big cars of the late ’60’s and ’70’s which were limited to around 225 inches. I used my last big cars, my Rivieras, as daily drivers, back in the late ’90’s. They were a bit smaller than those Lincolns. The Lincoln Marks were highly popular during my young adulthood, I would probably have bought one if I had the money. I got up close to a Mark V at the last GoodGuys show. It was on a trailer, offered for sale. It was a Lowrider trimmed example, but fairly tasteful. I don’t think that I’d get one now, I don’t think that it would fit in my garage. I really like the Designer Series cars, especially the blue and white Bill Blass editions. I hope that these are preserved ’cause they aren’t going to build cars like this anymore!
Excessive but impressive.