View source for Lincoln Continental Mark IV

{{About|the car produced from 1972–1976|the similarly named car produced in 1959|Lincoln Continental#Third generation (1958–1960)}}
{{main|Lincoln Mark series}}
{{Infobox automobile
| manufacturer = [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] ([[Ford Motor Company|Ford]])
| image = 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Dutch licence registration 21-YB-60 p1.JPG
| caption = 1975 Continental Mark IV
| name = Mark IV
| production = 1971–1976
| model_years = 1972&ndash;1976
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|FR layout]]
| engine = {{convert|460|cuin|L|abbr=on|}} [[Ford 385 engine|''Ford 385'']] V8
| assembly = [[Wixom Assembly]], [[Wixom, Michigan]]
| transmission = 3-speed ''[[Ford C6 transmission|C6]]'' automatic
| predecessor = [[Lincoln Continental Mark III|Continental Mark III]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|120.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|228.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|79.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|53.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|5,264|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| successor = [[Lincoln Continental Mark V|Continental Mark V]]
| interiorimage = 
| interiorcaption = 
| related = [[Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)]]
}}

The '''Continental Mark IV''' is a [[personal luxury car]] that was marketed by the [[Lincoln Motor Company|Lincoln]] division of [[Ford Motor Company]] from the 1972 to 1976 model years. The third generation of the [[Lincoln Mark series|Mark series]], the Mark IV grew in size over its [[Lincoln Continental Mark III|Continental Mark III]] predecessor. As with the previous generation, the Mark IV saw little direct competition in the American marketplace, competing nearly exclusively against the [[Cadillac Eldorado]] (redesigned for 1971).

As with the Mark III, the Mark IV shared its chassis with the [[Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)|Ford Thunderbird]], with the Mark IV receiving its own bodywork below the windows. [[Hidden headlamp|Hidden headlights]] and a traditional chrome radiator grille were retained, and a [[Continental tire|Continental spare tire]] trunklid. For 1976, the Designer Series option package was introduced; in what would become a tradition for the Mark series (and later Lincoln), the option consisted of specially coordinated exterior and interior trims developed between Lincoln and contemporary fashion designers.

Ford assembled the Continental Mark IV at its [[Wixom Assembly Plant]] in [[Michigan]]) facility alongside the Ford Thunderbird and the [[Lincoln Continental]]. For 1977, the Mark IV underwent a substantial revision, becoming the [[Lincoln Continental Mark V|Continental Mark V]].

==Design==
[[File:1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, Dutch licence registration AH-33-26 p3 (cropped).JPG|left|thumb|1972 Continental Mark IV, showing pre-facelift grille and headlight doors open]]
The Continental Mark IV retained the traditional "long-hood, short deck" coupe proportions of the Mark III, retaining its sharp-edged fenders, hidden headlamps, and signature faux Rolls-Royce style grille and decorative [[Continental tire|Continental spare]].  (The spare tire was in fact stored immediately behind the rear seat.)

The Mark IV and [[Ford Thunderbird (sixth generation)|sixth-generation Ford Thunderbird]] were closely [[badge engineering|badge engineered variants]] of each other, with an increased parts commonality compared to the Mark IV's previous generation. The roofline, doors, and inner body panels were shared, with otherwise different outer body panels below the roofline. 

In 1973, the Mark IV received revised front bodywork, necessitated by the addition of [[5 mph bumper|5-mph bumper]]s. For 1974, a 5-mph bumper was added to the rear body work, moving the taillights from the bumper into the rear bodywork.

All Mark IVs were equipped with a [[vinyl roof]]. The Mark IV introduced a rear side window, termed an [[opera window]], an almost universally specified option in 1972 that became standard the following year and remained through the discontinuation of the Mark VI after 1983.

The instrument panel featured faux wood trim, marketed as ''Kashmir Walnut Woodgrain Matina,'' with inset panels marketed as ''Baby Burl Walnut Woodgrain appliqué.'' <ref name="Knudsen">{{cite web
 |title        = Automotive History: 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – Bunkie Knudsen Leaves His Mark
 |publisher    = Curbside Classics
 |author       = Aaron Severson
 |date         = February 14, 2025
 |url          = https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-1972-lincoln-continental-mark-iv-bunkie-leaves-his-mark/}}</ref>

==Mechanical specification==
[[File:1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV "Lipstick and White Edition", front right.jpg|thumb|1975 Continental Mark IV "Lipstick and White Edition", an all-white option package with Lipstick Red interior details and carpeting.]]
All Mark IVs were equipped with the {{convert|460|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}}-4V [[Ford 385 engine|Ford 385 series]] V8 (with two valves per cylinder, "4V" is in reference to the four-venturi Autolite carburetor). Rated at {{cvt|365|hp|kW|0|adj=mid|[[Horsepower#SAE gross|SAE gross]]}} in the Mark III, the 460 was carried over to the Mark IV. For 1972, rated output fell to {{cvt|212|hp|kW|0}} [[Horsepower#SAE net|SAE net]] due to an industry-wide shift to reporting SAE net horsepower as the standard for measuring engine output to better reflect real-world engine performance as installed in vehicles.

All examples of the Mark IV were equipped with a [[Ford C6 transmission|Ford C6]] three-speed automatic transmission, and Lincoln's {{clarification needed span|text="Sure-track" anti-lock rear brakes.|reason=What were these "Sure-track" brakes?  Four-wheel drum?  Front disks?  Optional or standard?|date=September 2024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1973_Lincoln/1973_Lincoln_Brochure/1973%20Lincoln-13.html |title=Directory Index: Lincoln/1973_Lincoln/1973_Lincoln_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date=<!--not stated--> |access-date=2011-11-20}}</ref> Both front seats were power adjustable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1974_Lincoln/1974_Lincoln_Continental_Brochure/1974%20Lincoln-13.html |title=Directory Index: Lincoln/1974_Lincoln/1974_Lincoln_Continental_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date=<!--not stated--> |access-date=2011-11-20}}</ref>

Performance was not quite competitive with contemporary premium personal luxury cars, including the equally large Cadillac Eldorado, its direct competitor.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==Designer Series==
For 1976, Lincoln-Mercury introduced optional appearance packages, marketed as the "Designer Series", with flourishes by notable fashion designers ([[Bill Blass]], [[Givenchy]], and [[Emilio Pucci|Pucci]], and the famed jeweler [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]]. Each package featured an individually coordinated exterior and interior color combination with specific trim and interior fabrics. The opera window was fitted with the signature of the corresponding designer, and the dash was fitted with a 22-karat gold-plated dashboard plaque, which could be engraved with the name of the original owner.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" |1976 Continental Mark IV Designer Series
|-
!Edition
!Exterior color/trim 
!Vinyl roof trim/material
!Interior color/material
|-
|'''Bill Blass'''
|Dark blue (cream and gold pinstriping) 
cream or body-color moldings
|Cream "Normande grain"
|Blue cloth or leather
(cream accents)
|-
|'''Cartier'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1976_Lincoln/1976_Lincoln_Continental_Mark_IV_Brochure/1976%20Lincoln%20Continental%20Mark%20IV-04.html |title=Directory Index: Lincoln/1976_Lincoln/1976_Lincoln_Continental_Mark_IV_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date=<!--not stated--> |access-date=2011-11-20}}</ref>
|Dove gray (red and white pinstriping) 
body-color moldings
|Dove gray "Valino grain" 
|Dove gray cloth or leather
|-
|'''Givenchy'''
|Aqua blue "diamond fire" (black & white pinstriping)
white or body-color moldings
|White "Normande grain"
|Aqua blue cloth or leather
|-
|'''Pucci'''
|Red "moondust finish" & silver (silver and red pinstriping)
silver or body-color moldings
|Silver "Normande grain"
|Dark red "majestic" cloth
|}

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150" caption="Example of 1976 Continental Mark IV Givenchy Designer Series">
File:1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy designer series (front).jpg|Front 3/4
File:1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy designer series (rear).jpg|Rear 3/4
File:1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy designer series (interior).jpg|Interior 
</gallery>

==Sales and pricing==
A total of 278,599 Mark IV's were produced:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Year !! Production !! Price (USD)
|-
| 1972 || 48,591 || $8,640 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|8640|1972}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}})
|-
| 1973 || 69,437 || $8,984 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|8984|1973}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}})
|-
| 1974 || 57,316 || $10,194 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|10194|1974}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}})
|-
| 1975 || 47,145 || $11,082 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|11082|1975}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}})
|-
| 1976 || 56,110 || $11,060 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|11060|1976}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}})
|}

==Specifications (1976 model)==
{| class="toccolours"
!
!US
!Metric
!vs. Mark III
|-
!Wheelbase
|120.4 in
|3058&nbsp;mm
| +2.7%
|-
!Overall length
|228.1 in
|5791&nbsp;mm
| +1.9%
|-
!Width
|79.8 in
|2027&nbsp;mm
| +0.5%
|-
!Height
|53.5 in
|1359&nbsp;mm
| +1.1%
|-
!Weight
|5,264&nbsp;lb
|2,388&nbsp;kg
| +11.1%
|-
!Engine
|colspan=2|Ford 385 series V8
|-
!Displacement
|460 in<sup>3</sup>
|7.5 L
|-
!Bore&nbsp;×&nbsp;stroke
|4.36&nbsp;×&nbsp;3.85 in
|111&nbsp;×&nbsp;98&nbsp;mm
|-
!Power (SAE)
|202&nbsp;hp
|148 [[kW]]
|@ 3800 rpm
|-
!Torque
|356&nbsp;lbf·ft
|482 Nm
|@ 2200 rpm
|-
!Compression
|colspan=2|8.0:1
|-
!Carburetor
|colspan=2|Motorcraft 4350
|-
!Transmission
|colspan=3|Ford C6 3-speed automatic
|}

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* Automotive Mileposts. ''[http://automotivemileposts.com/contentsmark4.html Lincoln Continental kit]''. Retrieved on May 7, 2005.

{{Commons category}}
{{Lincoln historic timeline}}
{{Lincoln Motor Company}}

[[Category:Lincoln Mark series|Mark 4]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1972]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1976]]
[[Category:Personal luxury cars]]