I agree, 100%. Every other channels focus on muscle cars. Here, we get the vehicles that everyone bought. Plus, we get a little history of the manufacturers. When America was great.
Always interesting and informative, Adam’s content is superb and well researched - he personally knows many in the industry as we have been introduced in his interviews; these videos are a joy!
Thanx for the information about the death date of Wes Dahlberg. I wrote several articles for classic cars magazines about cars designed by Wes Dahlberg and was astonished he was still alive. He was a great designer, and the founder of the design department of the German Ford division.
Perhaps, in addition to thanking the great designers, we need to thank the upper level managers that prevented lousy designs. Who should have cancelled the Aztec project?
The Mark III is a very beautiful car. I do prefer the Mark IV but I think I’m in the minority there. The 1956 and 57 Continental Mark II has them both beat though. It was one of the most beautiful and well built American cars ever produced. It was competitive with Rolls Royce and Bentley. Even though they were extremely expensive (almost $10,000, equivalent to about $100,000 today) Ford lost money on each one they sold. They were loaded with features that were options *(if they were even available)* on most luxury cars but standard equipment on the Mark II. The only option was Air Conditioning which raised the price by almost $600.
@@glenw-xm5zf Right 🙄 the III was beautiful but the IV which looks almost the same except a little more rounded was ugly as sin. Brilliant comment Poindexter.
The final design of the Mark IV was absolutely fantastic. Definitely, the correct choice was made. These cars are wonderful and they float the driver down the road as if floating on a cloud!
What makes Adam's channel so fantastic is that no only does he own vehicles like he covers but he has revived a period of automotive history that idiots over at Curbside Disasters has mocked for years. Great channel, Adam.
The 1972 Mark IV that came out was the right choice. Its a beautiful design and one of the best Ford ever did. I was hoping for more insight into the porthole window. I seem to recall that had a story too.
I agree with your comments on the first year Mark IV. Once the big bumpers kicked in the car looked like it was designed by Peterbuilt. First year designs just have all the original intent.
I bought a two year old Mark IV for $5500 in 1975. It was, and is to this day, the most elegant and stunningly beautiful car I've ever owned. It was ice blue and it was a showstopper that turned heads wherever we drove it. On the downside, it was heavy and even though the monster V-8 really kicked ass, the suspension and brakes were not built to last. Maintenance was high, especially high because my wife had a heavy right foot. Later, I bought a 1976 model, but it lacked the look of perfection of the 1973 model.
Mark IV always make me think of the TV show Cannon. The early Mark IV without the 5 mph bumpers are beautiful. Those 5 mph bumpers just didn't look right on them.
I actually liked the 5mph bumpers on most of the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury products. But I think it’s because those are the cars that were produced in my formative years.
funny and true. I watch reruns of Cannon on MeTV. I was laughing at that fat guy chasing people, then I realized I am his weight now as he was then. Old age..it's not for faint of heart.
I owned a '72 Mark IV from 1975 to 2010. It was garaged most of the time due to horrific gas mileage. It was quite a time capsule when I sold it in 2010. The collector who bought it was thrilled with the condition of the car.
I definitely concur that Adam has one of the best classic car enthusiast TH-cam channels. I know I am always in for a treat whenever he posts new videos. While enjoying the interviews with high profile icons from the industry and automotive history lessons, I always feel among friends who love cars as much as I do. Please, keep the videos coming, Adam. You are a great commentator and extremely so knowledgeable. I would love to meet you someday. I know it would be a fascinating conversation for sure. I have unfortunately lost all of my car-crazy friends who have all passed on at young ages years ago. No one I have met in the past 23 years since, is as attuned to the automobile hobbyist passion like you and my lost friends were. I am sure you collect everything "automobilia" just like me - scale models, literature, etc. Thank you for your great history lessons and interviews.
Everyone likes to pick on Bunkie for his time at Ford. Personally, I loved the designs he gave the "green-light" to. I also loved the Ford squared-off "three-box" era of the late 70s- through the 80s.The 1977 Mark V is my all-time favorite.
Huh? Mark 3 had horrible reliability and build quality. I can't list all the problems that would occur in the first 2 years, so please google it. By 1971, Ford fixed most of their errors. Today, I think people have fixed those problems by now. Just don't buy a 69-70 survivor unless you want lawn art.
I love the Mark IV from 72. Luckily my dad was a car guy so i convinced him to buy me a 72 when i was age 14! Light yellow with white top and leather with brown dash, carpets etc. started my love for the brand. LOVED that car even though i wasn't legal to drive. We lived in rural Georgia so... I've had 9 lincolns since. I so want to find one of these now (72). Have a 96 town car that i drive more than my Rover. Brought back memories.
Wow, you convinced your dad to buy you a 72 Mark 4? That is rare. You must have been in a wealthy family, and I hope you took good care of that car. I like you taste in cars too. I went to a home once to make a delivery; the lady of the house had a beautiful black approx. 65 or so Tbird in the driveway. She told me she wanted to give it to her son, but he wanted a Firebird.
...and I thought my dad was king when he gave me $400 to buy my first car...a rotted out 77 Mustang...but it was a 302 Cobra II with 138hp ! (Actually it was pretty fun car.)
Adam, you can see the Bordinat design in ALL the Ford Fox and Panther platforms with one single panel: The lowest part of the rear fender behind the rear wheel. ALL of them have this panel! From the Ford Squaremont to the Mustangs to the Lincoln you show at 5:18. This angled, slightly tucked up panel is very apparent on every Thunderbird and Cougar in the '80's, and on many Lincolns as well. Look at Ford Fairmonts then later LTD's, and Mustangs, and Cougars. All have this Bordinat panel...
Yeah, I see it now. It's a trick to reduce visual heft. The cheapo version much used by the Italian is painting the sill and front and rear valances in a contrasting color, mostly black. Like people wouldn't figure out the car isn't actually that slim, it's just painted that way?
As a senior in high school in ‘69-‘70, my close friends mom had a top of the line Mark III. She used to let him use it. That was without a doubt, the nicest riding car I was ever in. It was the same burgundy/black combo like the one shown here. I wish I could find one now.
Yes they are, although I don't have an MK IV, I have a 73 T-Bird which is a MK IV without the Jewelry and Roll Royce grill. From what I've read both were built off of the same assembly line.
@@kevincostello3856 I rode in a 1976 Thunderbird on a 70-mile trip. I was fascinated by the ride. At 65-70 MPH it was incredible but, I would think it would be a handful at speeds over 80. That's okay with me though.
@@waynejohnson1304 Yeah the ride is just butter smooth and quiet, now over 80 she can get " floaty" I've had her up to 85 once , front end starts wandering a little, that was enough for me. I like 70s land yachts. Malaise Era yes I know but I grew up with these big beautiful boats. Now my 78 Town Car is actually tight around 80-90mph, that surprised me a little. Thank you Sir.
@@kevincostello3856 You are welcome. I own and drive a 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood in the Summer months. It's also a great riding car but, it's not meant for high speed driving either. :)
I was just a little kid in the 70's but I remember the new Fords of the 70's rattled, squeaked, rusted and broke down a lot. However, the design, comfort and ride are much better than cars today. For some odd reason, people today think every car has to be sporty with hard suspensions and ugly utility pickup trucks is luxury....its not.
Back in the late sixties I read in car and track, or maybe motor trend that the instruction was to add a Rolls Royce grille to the newly restyled and very successful Pontiac Grand Prix, and if you compare the two, you'll see that's more likely.
My dad bought a Mark V and let me take dates out in it. I was always amused because the front was so massive, it was like driving an I International Harvester.
SUPERB video. Highly informative in detail & it’s great that you name names & their contributions. Adam you always top yourself. Indeed, it would be great to see a video on your background & automotive career. By far one of the best automobile channels on-line.
I like the Wes Dahlberg. I wish they would have used the rear window treatment Bourdenay (sp?) version. It would be interesting to see what and how the Mark V came into being. Your videos are the best in the business.
The Gene Bordanet version of the Mark IV proposal looks more like the first generation Eldorado, heavy and boxy. Wes Dalberg’s version was beautiful, especially the 1972. The semblance of harmony was all there. Made Frank Cannon proud!
Hahahahaha! You're so right! Take Game of Thrones and mix in some Dynasty, Falcon Crest, As the World Turns and some Dallas - and you would STILL not have all the internal drama that "Fix Or Repair Daily" had internally!!!!
I’ve never been a fan of the Mark IV and neither was my mother who bought a brand new triple black ‘70 Mark III. When her Mark turned nine, she traded it in on triple black Mark V. She never cared for that car and regretted turning in her Mark III. She went in a completely different direction and bought Mercedes SL in 1985 which surprised me. I said, why did you buy a two seat convertible when you don’t even like the sun. Her answer was I can keep the roof on which she did for the next 20 years she kept that car. 😄
This topic comes up on the AACA forum now and then...The '72 Mark IV is a truly fantastic looking car, maybe the best looking personal luxury vehicle of that year. I've grown to like the '72 even more than the Mark III series, which I like a lot. Many (or even most)people on the forum agree with me. The '73 and later look nice, but the '72 is stellar.
This was great, thank you. I remember these cars and rode in many. My favorite is the '74 Mark IV. When new, the Mark IV's were exciting and stylish. They were huge, luxurious and expensive. Even the floor to roof red velour seemed just right......
Remember back in the day the tv show "Cannon" which was somewhat popular the main character drove a MKIV Continental . So the car did get some exposure every week probably helped the sales a little bit I imagine. I owned a 1969 MKIII. It was such a good car.
Ahhh, the Bunkie Beak. Learned about his influence from your channel. It’s a design feature I don’t care for, but it was so prolific….across companies he was with, and the copy cats that had to compete. People must have loved it, back in the day, as the beaks sold cars.
That red 1969 Mark III is so beautiful! Thanks again Adam for keeping the interest in cars....I sincerely doubt anyone will be doing this for the 2010 - 2030 automobiles! Lol
The proposal looks like a video game knockoff version of a classic Mark. That being said, I do generally like Gene Bordinat's designs. I think those boxy Panthers, and the mark vi coupe in particular, are really handsome designs that managed to not look like GM clones during the malaise era.
I like the first proposal. The later one seems to be harkening back to 30s fenders, and also reminds me of the movie The Car. I will now say something that will shock many folks: I have owned multiple LSCs both VII and VIII, but my FAVORITE 2 door Lincoln is a VI - make mine black with dark red interior. To me just the classiest car. Maybe I'm a mobster at heart :)
The quality of the Mark III was far superior to the Mark IV and V. The Mark III interior with real walnut, diamond patterned leather seats and gorgeous instrument panel was first class. The Mark IV showed cost cutting measures. Interesting how the slab sided Mark V handily outsold the Mark IV.
I owned a '70 MK III and a '72 MK IV. There was absolutely NO comparison in the quality of materials, as well as build quality. The MK IV was a beautiful design, but it was really a piece of cr@p. I think it also cheapened the brand to share the platform with the Thunderbird '72-'76. I owned one of them too, a '75. Even worse quality. Yeah I bought it because it was beautiful, but an even worse piece of cr@p!
@@kenk7451 But the Mark II was also based on the 67 Thunderbird chassis (the 4 door model). I had a 1975 Mark IV and it was the worst mechanical piece of junk. Everything went wrong with that car! And it went through ignition modules what seemed to be every month!
… 1969(68) thru 1971 Mark III’s had superbly styled exterior/interior’s that were pace setting for 1968 - 1971 Detroit era luxury cars…Mark III’s “ Rolls -Royce” themed front end styling was mimicked by the Detroit Cadillac “after market” trade vendors for decades… The “ retro classic “ front end styling of the 1974 - 75 Imperial which was nicely done seemingly appeared to have been cued / based on Mark III front end… …1972 thru 1976 Mark IV’s were better styled and trimmed than the 1971 thru 76 Eldo’s and had much nicer interior detailing / trim than those post 1970 Eldo’s… …Mark V’s had striking “retro classic “ exterior styling but were much more like a “Ford LTD” inside from dash to seating with interiors that were de-contented in very noticeable ways from 1972 - 1976 Mark IV’s ( no movable rear side windows / back seat lights & controls / back seat center armrest ) ….the Jubilee Mark V’s had the interior all Mark V’s could have / should have had… …1968 -1971 Mark III ‘s were / are / remain the bench mark Conti’s…
Absolutely! The interior on the IV was simulated luxury, The III was genuine, especially when it came to materials. The IV shared the intermediate Ford body with the Torino and apparently the same cost-driven, downmarket interior materials. You really have to appreciate Wes Dahlberg's design all that much more when you consider the restraints he had to produce such a beautiful car. The Mark III was the successor to the Mark II of the mid-1950's and I believe Ford put a lot of extra effort into the III because of the high quality of the Mark II which had preceded it. That, as well as to set the Mark III apart from the Thunderbird upon which it was based to justify the much higher price of the Lincoln. By the time they were ready to introduce the Mark IV in 1972 the success they had achieved in the market led them to give in to the increasing cost pressures of the day and take a lot of cost out of the interior. Subsequent sales proved it to be a safe decision. @@kenk7451
The Mark III exuded luxury with its real walnut accents, diamond-patterned leather seats, and exquisite instrument panel-a true class act. However, the Mark IV took a step back with noticeable cost-cutting measures. Despite this, the Mark V's success, with its distinctive slab-sided design, proves that in the world of automotive allure, sometimes the unexpected steals the show.
Adam, you are quite correct in preferring the design of the Mark IV. It's an exquisitely refined update from the busy Mark III design. I've got to give Bunkie Knudsen credit for demanding this version. Those other clay models are an abomination with their superfluous flowing wheel arches and their horrid rear ends. Even their squarish Cadillac Lego-look front end is abysmal. Bunkie, this makes up for that beak you put on the front of the 1970/71 Thinderbird! JJS
My father in law had a beautiful 1969 Mark III in dark green. It was a stunning automobile, perhaps the most beautiful car I have ever seen. My wife and I eventually restored it, but sold it years later due to space limitations….. a piece of art….
I grew up during this era and had more than a passing interest in cars. Read a lot of the contemporary magazines. Your videos really highlight a lot of details about vehicles from the eras you cover that have other been, or will be forgotten. The clay model Knudsen liked was a work of art as far as I’m concerned.
That hood on the actual production version is freakin' ginormous! I wouldn't want to be driving around in tight areas with one of these land yachts. What's under the hood in these cars? Surely, they didn't actually need all that space, right.
I live in Germany and I am afraid to take country roads and pass through small towns with my '72 Mark IV. 😀 And yes, between the radiator and the Rolls Royce grill I have empty space for a single appartement.
I think today's SUV's and Trucks have many more obstructed views, since they are much higher off the ground, dark tinted windows, high rear seats, huge side mirrors, etc. I actually feel better parking my 70 Chrysler than my 2020 Lincoln.
The Dahlberg design was a superior design indeed. Although I preferred the 69-71 Mark III, was one of the best American cars of the time, except for the 56-57 Mark II!!! Thanks for the video.
Wow, thank you for another intriguing history lesson. I actually like this proposal a lot 11:11. Maybe the belt line could be brought down a little to make the car look slimmer like the Eldorado, but I do like this by quite a lot. Look at how the dramatic line blends into the tail fin, wow. That line could've been carried on by the top of the bumper to be wrapped around to the back. Dang.
As usual a fantastic video. I'm missing a video about the last gen B-body GM cars (whale Caprice, Roadmaster, Fleetwood) I and my dad had owned 5 ones over the yesrs. They're great daily drivers....apart from the rusty outher shell..😊 especially the LT1 is just pure ❤. Thanks a lot for your documentaries.
The 69 mark III is still the best design of all the mark series lincolns, It is not a giant land yacht but still a full size car and the appointments you could get just made the car a great luxury machine.
The production version was definitely best! My Grandfather switched from Cadillac to Lincoln with the introduction of the Mark III and had a new Mark every couple of years thereafter.
The final version of the vehicle. Ever since I was a kid, I have been wild about the 72 Mark IV and the 71 and 72 Cougar. I want to own a 72 Mark IV one day. or a 72 two door imperial crown, or a.....
I addition to my last comment, in all candidness believe the clay models and fibreglass renditions of the early design of the Mark IV all look way too heavy and cartoon-like versions of the 1968 through 1971 Mark III. The one shown from the front three quarter view with exposed headlamps and unsculpted sides w/ fender flares looks identical to a 1969-1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 coupe. The best design has to be the greatest production version by far. Always been in love with that car! Not one line would I change on it. The early production run without the Oval opera window look so cool without the gimmicky oval window. I remember as a kid of 13, begging and begging my Father & Mother to buy a Continental Mark IV in '72. My pleas fell on deaf ears. He bought a '73 Mercury Monterrey Custom Sedan instead, much to my disappointment.
This was not the first time Bordinat showed a tendency to hold grudges. Ten years prior, he held a very strong grudge against Elwood Engel, for a similar reason. The narrator states several times how flat flanks were Bordinat's design M.O. That was *not* the case ten years prior, especially where the '61 Lincoln was concerned. Bordinat wanted to establish a sense of continuity to the Lincoln design, which was lacking in the '50s to the point that Lincoln was suffering an identity crisis. To end that problem, Bordinat decided to continue the design theme introduced in 1958 as Lincoln's long-term identity. He produced a design based on that monstrous monstrosity *and* got approval for it to go to production. Meanwhile, Engel, who had some involvement in the original '58 design, had sworn to learn from that mistake and produced a Thunderbird concept based on the extinct Mark II. When that proposal was shown to the hierarchy, Robert S. McNamara (yes, *that* Robert S. McNamara) declared that Engel's T-Bird concept become the new identity for Lincoln. Approval for Bordinat's proposal was rescinded, and Engel's design went to Bordinat's studio for tweaking. Even though Bordinat also took bows for the '61 Lincoln when it was handed the IDI award that year, he still had to have some vitriol towards Engel for essentially overruling him. I suspect he took revenge on Engel by sabotaging the '64 and '65 Lincoln proposals with flat side glass, something the car was never originally designed to have, and which was already starting to fall out of favor with the whole industry (thanks to Virgil Exner, Sr., whom Engel left Ford to replace at Chrysler in 1961)...but he also knew he could not totally scrap the design, so he kept his meddling primarily to the side glass. Luckily that dictate of his lasted only two years. I've never been much of a fan of Bordinat, based on the history I've read and heard about him; but that's not the main reason my personal pick is the Knudsen/Dahlberg design that became the production IV. Bordinat's leftover post-'50s extravagance was very evident in his proposal. If he did become known for "slab-siding," he begrudgingly had Elwood Engel to thank for that.
1972 Mark IV one of my favorite looking cars from when it came out and I was 11 years old - very glad Knudsen picked alternate proposal!!! And thank you very much for mentioning the book - I’m going to order it tonight!
I believe the same disagreement happened between Bordinat and Elwood Engel with the design of the 1961 Continental. Bordinat was the designer of the 1958-60 Conti, and he wanted a mere update for the 1961 model. Fortunately Engel's brand new design prevailed and we got that beautiful "suicide door" Lincolns of 1961-69
Bordinat did not become head of Ford Design until later. 1961 Continental by Engel was designed under George Walker with heavy influence from William Clay Ford. That gorgeous Continental was originally proposed as a Thunderbird. They slapped on an extra set of doors and made it a Lincoln Continental. The suicide doors were to make it easier to get into the shorter entry into the back seat. Bob McNamara, then President of Ford insisted on the smaller overall dimensions since the huge, ugly predecessor had been such a sales disaster. McNamara actually wanted to close the Lincoln division because it was such a money loser! The 1961 Continental was done under a very restrictive budget as a result and turned things around for Lincoln. You're right, they are beautiful!
I always thought that the 72 MkIV was a gorgeous car! The Bordinat version not only was ugly, but those fender scallops(?) looked like over-exaggerated MkIII fenders, and, at least in my mind, looked a lot like the 66 Duesenberg revival attempt. Knudsen picked the right design!
I wondered why the Mark IV didn't have the perfectly straight edges and flat planes that plagued Lincolns and Fords later in the 70s. The A pillar bulge is odd, but if you can avoid focusing on it, it also helps prevent the Mk IV from looking too rectilinear like the Mk V and VI do.
Here is a design lesson of not putting strong curving lines against a strong straight lined body. The Monte Carlo pulled it off because the curve was less severe, stayed high on the fender and blended out at the A column.
I keep seeing a '92-'98 Cadillac Seville in the background and I hope to see a video about those one of these days (unless there's already been one I've missed). My folks had two when those were new and I was learning to drive, (a '92 4.9 SLS and a '93 Northstar STS), great-looking cars and great to either drive or to ride in. (And I say this as someone who knows about and has needed to use the Northstar water pump socket. I know, the starter's in the engine valley, etc.; the last time I had to care where a starter was, was 22 years ago helping fix my sister's bought-for-$600 in ~2001 '87 N-body Iron Duke/TH125 Grand Am coupe.)
My mom had & drove a 1974 Riviera GS 455 with console placed trans shifter & 40 / 40 front seats that from a styling pov I think had the best looking post 71 - 73 Riv front end …The 74 Riv’s egg crate grille combined with last year for the 4 round headlights was best of show in view of how 75 -76 Rivs looked with squared up face lift front ends & square headlamps … …As for the 74 Rivs new roof, rear deck and tail light / bumper redesign it was better looking than any of the 1973 - 1978 Toronado & Eldo post 1972 efforts… …One day a electric power / utility pole somehow got in Mom’s way and the 74 Riviera’s big 5 mph bumper and long hood front end became a mangled tangle of acute collision damage which totaled that Riviera …Was a sad way for any 1974 Riv to end up and more so for a GS option equipped Riv but happily Mom was OK thanks to the Riv having taken / absorbed that utility pole head on hit and so Mom now needed a car …I found & suggested a used 1974 Mark IV painted in light metallic silver which Lincoln marketed / described in the 1974 Mark IV promo brochure as being a “Moondust Metallic Paint “ with the interior of that 1974 Mark IV done in deep cranberry / burgundy velour cloth & vinyl which was hedonistically luxurious for a mid 1970’s American made luxury car being shown & sold by Detroit’s Big 3 carmakers… …With the 74 Riv having proved the value of having 7 plus feet of 5 mph rated bumper & hood out front the 74 Mark IV easily also had all of that or even more up front…That Mark IV was a genuine Frank Cannon looking Mark IV with a very posh interior and it radiated prestige luxury status in ways that those mid 1970’s Mark IV’s excelled so well at doing… …While my held opinion of FoMoCo 1970’s and 80’s 5 mph bumper efforts generally is not very high I did / do find the 74 - 76 Mark IV’s front & back bumpers with the wrap around blended in parking lamps & tail lights to look OK in ways that suited the Mark IV’s Frank Cannon bigger sized persona…I do think ChryCorp handled the 5 mph bumper styling quandary the best from 1973 onwards & submit the 1974 -75 Imperials as Exhibit A to that being so … …While the 1969 - 71 Mark III ‘s had all the real deal panache and retro classic luxury car styling & detailing FoMoCo made & sold lots more “oval opera window” signature equipped Mark IV’s and Mark V’s …Mark IV’s had interiors with more & nicer content detailing whether just a standard Mark IV or any of the Designer Edition Mark IV’s … …As it was in time Mom also had and drove a 1979 Mark V which she enjoyed picking up her bridge club friends with for bridge club outings …Was always amusing to see how Mom took to wheeling around in a big 1970’s era GS Riv, Mark IV and Mark V …As it was then I had ample opportunity to review Mom’s 1974 Mark IV and 1979 Mark V and concluded the 79 Mark V had a somewhat more “ Ford LTD “ looking less detailed & more de-contented interior which visibly & virtually lacked the sumptuous luxury aura & elan of Mom’s 1974 Mark IV… …The upgrade trimmed & appointed Mark V “ Diamond Jubilee “ editions had superbly done plush upholstery & nicer interior detailing all Mark V’s should have had😉
Hi Adam, very nice car and very accurate video! Some people do not remember the 1959-1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II, they where "hand built", they cost so much they did not sell to well and Ford lost money an every car. Last but not least, in 1936-1942, Lincoln offered the Zephyr series of cars. They could be had as a 3 passenger coupe, that was very personal luxury. Please respond. Dave...
As much as I liked the 72's exterior (althoug not as exquisitly executed as the 67 Eldorado), one thing I like is the interior of the Mark IV. Especially the design of the driver's door and the window controls. The car also looks best with the deep dish aluminum wheels.
Hi from Sydney , Australia. The Eugene Bordinat mk4 concept was PURE UGLINESS, terrible, I would never have bought one. However, being the owner of a 1972 Ford Homebush, Sydney built right hand drive completely knocked down MK4 kit/pack, the Des Wahlberg car is beautiful, graceful & elegant, to me they are everything that the 1971 to 1978 Eldorado should have been. The MK4 looks ever bit a GM type design, it looks like the natural progression from the 1970 Eldorado look at the body side contours, curve to the door glass, even the wheel arch shape, the 1972 MK4's are PURELY STUNNING. I've always hated the 1977 MK5 with its slab sides , hateful side gills in cheap plastic , and the cheap glass fibre nose cone , nasty . MK4 pure class.
One could argue that this is one of the best automotive history channels on the interwebs. I enjoy your choices in topics. 👍
I agree. I have been watching this channel for some time and I learn something new every time.
I agree, 100%. Every other channels focus on muscle cars. Here, we get the vehicles that everyone bought. Plus, we get a little history of the manufacturers. When America was great.
Always interesting and informative, Adam’s content is superb and well researched - he personally knows many in the industry as we have been introduced in his interviews; these videos are a joy!
Whats an interweb?
Agree 100%!!!
Adam needs to do a background video on himself.
Wes Dahlberg died 11/1/23 at age 106(!) Please do more interviews, so that their stories live on forever.
@ericruud9328yeah, he lived to be 106 😂
Thanx for the information about the death date of Wes Dahlberg. I wrote several articles for classic cars magazines about cars designed by Wes Dahlberg and was astonished he was still alive. He was a great designer, and the founder of the design department of the German Ford division.
Wow... Lincoln did dodge a design bullet thanks to Bunkie. I didn't realize how horrific the proposed alternate was.
Bunkie got a raw deal from HF2 and Iacocca.
Perhaps, in addition to thanking the great designers, we need to thank the upper level managers that prevented lousy designs. Who should have cancelled the Aztec project?
@@John-i3t9o Although Breaking Bad wouldn’t be the same! 👍
That proposal is an instant Super Fly pimpmobile🤩
It's all in the grill. You either have a Rolls-Royce or you don't. 😂
I saw a fairly new vehicle the other day. I cannot remember the make. But it had a badge on it that said PIMP Edition.
Thank god Bordinat was not allowed to get his way! See what I did there? 😀👍
@wildward93 If one has a Rolls - Royce complex.
That being said a saw two Chrysler 300s wearing Bently badges.
@@edgarbeat2851 Or a less complex RR!
69 Mark III was one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
The Mark III is a very beautiful car. I do prefer the Mark IV but I think I’m in the minority there.
The 1956 and 57 Continental Mark II has them both beat though. It was one of the most beautiful and well built American cars ever produced. It was competitive with Rolls Royce and Bentley. Even though they were extremely expensive (almost $10,000, equivalent to about $100,000 today) Ford lost money on each one they sold. They were loaded with features that were options *(if they were even available)* on most luxury cars but standard equipment on the Mark II. The only option was Air Conditioning which raised the price by almost $600.
True but the IV's were ugly as sin, and the 460 should have been tooled for about 270 hp. 208 was too soft for a 4900 lb car
@@glenw-xm5zf
Right 🙄 the III was beautiful but the IV which looks almost the same except a little more rounded was ugly as sin.
Brilliant comment Poindexter.
I had a 1973 Lincoln Mark IV Continental 460 4V. It was an Awesome Car.
LOL
It probably had a 40 gallon gas tank too.
The final design of the Mark IV was absolutely fantastic. Definitely, the correct choice was made. These cars are wonderful and they float the driver down the road as if floating on a cloud!
just don't expect it to make the corner with any alacrity....
What makes Adam's channel so fantastic is that no only does he own vehicles like he covers but he has revived a period of automotive history that idiots over at Curbside Disasters has mocked for years. Great channel, Adam.
The 1972 Mark IV that came out was the right choice. Its a beautiful design and one of the best Ford ever did. I was hoping for more insight into the porthole window. I seem to recall that had a story too.
It was a rejected design cue for Mercurys and Thunderbirds
... and it was actually an option the first year.
@@marko7843 It was, there is photo of a dark Blue one without, the car looks great both ways
I agree with your comments on the first year Mark IV. Once the big bumpers kicked in the car looked like it was designed by Peterbuilt.
First year designs just have all the original intent.
Reminds me of what happened to the 1973 Gran Torino compared to the smaller looking 1972. Those bumpers were useless and ruined cars for years.
When lawyers design cars...
I bought a two year old Mark IV for $5500 in 1975. It was, and is to this day, the most elegant and stunningly beautiful car I've ever owned. It was ice blue and it was a showstopper that turned heads wherever we drove it.
On the downside, it was heavy and even though the monster V-8 really kicked ass, the suspension and brakes were not built to last. Maintenance was high, especially high because my wife had a heavy right foot.
Later, I bought a 1976 model, but it lacked the look of perfection of the 1973 model.
Mark IV always make me think of the TV show Cannon. The early Mark IV without the 5 mph bumpers are beautiful. Those 5 mph bumpers just didn't look right on them.
I actually liked the 5mph bumpers on most of the Ford-Lincoln-Mercury products. But I think it’s because those are the cars that were produced in my formative years.
Cannon was driving this thing really hard as if it was Corvette.
funny and true. I watch reruns of Cannon on MeTV. I was laughing at that fat guy chasing people, then I realized I am his weight now as he was then. Old age..it's not for faint of heart.
@@V8_screw_electric_carsWhich is why the hubcaps were always coming off! LOL
Yes ... Watch him tool around in his big floaty boat, then win a very brief, hilarious fight!
th-cam.com/video/Algrs_jBVbc/w-d-xo.html
The 72 mark IV is my favorite car. Memories!
A friend of my father’s still drives his father’s Mark III. Beautiful car. Still looks brand new.
I was never a fan of the Mark IV styling, but loved the styling of both the Mark III and the Mark V, especially the designer editions of the V 😍
As a 1972 owner myself, I am glad the alternate design was chosen instead of Bordinat's one. Thanks for the video and the many others👍
My grandparents had the light blue Cartier Mark. I got to ride solo cross country in the back seat when I was 8 years old.
I owned a '72 Mark IV from 1975 to 2010. It was garaged most of the time due to horrific gas mileage. It was quite a time capsule when I sold it in 2010. The collector who bought it was thrilled with the condition of the car.
I loved my 73 Mark IV!
This is the best channel out there for followers of 60's to 80's automobiles
I definitely concur that Adam has one of the best classic car enthusiast TH-cam channels. I know I am always in for a treat whenever he posts new videos. While enjoying the interviews with high profile icons from the industry and automotive history lessons, I always feel among friends who love cars as much as I do. Please, keep the videos coming, Adam. You are a great commentator and extremely so knowledgeable. I would love to meet you someday. I know it would be a fascinating conversation for sure. I have unfortunately lost all of my car-crazy friends who have all passed on at young ages years ago. No one I have met in the past 23 years since, is as attuned to the automobile hobbyist passion like you and my lost friends were. I am sure you collect everything "automobilia" just like me - scale models, literature, etc. Thank you for your great history lessons and interviews.
Everyone likes to pick on Bunkie for his time at Ford. Personally, I loved the designs he gave the "green-light" to. I also loved the Ford squared-off "three-box" era of the late 70s- through the 80s.The 1977 Mark V is my all-time favorite.
Hard to beat the Mark III. Peak performance and build quality and style. Those were the best Marks ever!!
Mark II was even better imo
Huh? Mark 3 had horrible reliability and build quality. I can't list all the problems that would occur in the first 2 years, so please google it. By 1971, Ford fixed most of their errors. Today, I think people have fixed those problems by now. Just don't buy a 69-70 survivor unless you want lawn art.
...and a whopping 8 MPG
I love the Mark IV from 72. Luckily my dad was a car guy so i convinced him to buy me a 72 when i was age 14! Light yellow with white top and leather with brown dash, carpets etc. started my love for the brand. LOVED that car even though i wasn't legal to drive. We lived in rural Georgia so... I've had 9 lincolns since. I so want to find one of these now (72). Have a 96 town car that i drive more than my Rover. Brought back memories.
Wow, you convinced your dad to buy you a 72 Mark 4? That is rare. You must have been in a wealthy family, and I hope you took good care of that car. I like you taste in cars too. I went to a home once to make a delivery; the lady of the house had a beautiful black approx. 65 or so Tbird in the driveway. She told me she wanted to give it to her son, but he wanted a Firebird.
...and I thought my dad was king when he gave me $400 to buy my first car...a rotted out 77 Mustang...but it was a 302 Cobra II with 138hp ! (Actually it was pretty fun car.)
Adam, you can see the Bordinat design in ALL the Ford Fox and Panther platforms with one single panel: The lowest part of the rear fender behind the rear wheel. ALL of them have this panel! From the Ford Squaremont to the Mustangs to the Lincoln you show at 5:18. This angled, slightly tucked up panel is very apparent on every Thunderbird and Cougar in the '80's, and on many Lincolns as well.
Look at Ford Fairmonts then later LTD's, and Mustangs, and Cougars. All have this Bordinat panel...
Yeah, I see it now. It's a trick to reduce visual heft. The cheapo version much used by the Italian is painting the sill and front and rear valances in a contrasting color, mostly black. Like people wouldn't figure out the car isn't actually that slim, it's just painted that way?
@@ingvarhallstrom2306 Thanx!
As a senior in high school in ‘69-‘70, my close friends mom had a top of the line Mark III. She used to let him use it. That was without a doubt, the nicest riding car I was ever in. It was the same burgundy/black combo like the one shown here. I wish I could find one now.
Some of the nicest riding cars on the road.
Yes they are, although I don't have an MK IV, I have a 73 T-Bird which is a MK IV without the Jewelry and Roll Royce grill. From what I've read both were built off of the same assembly line.
@@kevincostello3856 I rode in a 1976 Thunderbird on a 70-mile trip. I was fascinated by the ride. At 65-70 MPH it was incredible but, I would think it would be a handful at speeds over 80. That's okay with me though.
@@waynejohnson1304 Yeah the ride is just butter smooth and quiet, now over 80 she can get " floaty" I've had her up to 85 once , front end starts wandering a little, that was enough for me. I like 70s land yachts. Malaise Era yes I know but I grew up with these big beautiful boats. Now my 78 Town Car is actually tight around 80-90mph, that surprised me a little. Thank you Sir.
@@kevincostello3856 You are welcome. I own and drive a 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood in the Summer months. It's also a great riding car but, it's not meant for high speed driving either. :)
I was just a little kid in the 70's but I remember the new Fords of the 70's rattled, squeaked, rusted and broke down a lot. However, the design, comfort and ride are much better than cars today. For some odd reason, people today think every car has to be sporty with hard suspensions and ugly utility pickup trucks is luxury....its not.
10:41 1981 Imperial headlights!!
I came here to write that comment!
Was it the influx of Ford people to Chrysler in the late seventies?
@@ingvarhallstrom2306 And I was about to write exactly what you wrote!
my thought too.
The production Mark IV was a winner. It was just gorgeous. I had a 76 Mark IV.
Thank you for your hard work. 🙂 Your posting are always so very informative!
Back in the late sixties I read in car and track, or maybe motor trend that the instruction was to add a Rolls Royce grille to the newly restyled and very successful Pontiac Grand Prix, and if you compare the two, you'll see that's more likely.
I always loved those years of Mark IV's. Thanks Adam!
Love these design-development videos -- absolutely priceless historical information! Fantastic!
I owned one new and had it for 5 years. Loved the car. Great on road trips,
Mark VI and Mark VII were amazing!!
My dad bought a Mark V and let me take dates out in it. I was always amused because the front was so massive, it was like driving an I
International Harvester.
I'm sure if you had to take a very long trip, that "Combine" would have been very much appreciated !
I currently have a 78 Mark V. I tell people that you don't drive it, you aim it with the hood ornament.
The Dahlberg design. Even with the edition of the 5MPH bumpers I think it still looks good.
The first front end looks like a Cadillac and the second an 81 Imperial.Wheel arches are a blast from the past.Mike the Greek
Exactly. I think it is the slanted back headlights that makes it look like the 1981-83 Imperial; even with a hint of "bustle-back."
SUPERB video. Highly informative in detail & it’s great that you name names & their contributions.
Adam you always top yourself. Indeed, it would be great to see a video on your background & automotive career. By far one of the best automobile channels on-line.
I like the Wes Dahlberg. I wish they would have used the rear window treatment Bourdenay (sp?) version. It would be interesting to see what and how the Mark V came into being. Your videos are the best in the business.
The Gene Bordanet version of the Mark IV proposal looks more like the first generation Eldorado, heavy and boxy. Wes Dalberg’s version was beautiful, especially the 1972. The semblance of harmony was all there. Made Frank Cannon proud!
That was my first thought as well. It was obviously trying to mimic the Eldorado. Glad they didn’t go with it.
The internal politics of FoMoCo made Game of Thrones look like child’s play.
Hahahahaha! You're so right! Take Game of Thrones and mix in some Dynasty, Falcon Crest, As the World Turns and some Dallas - and you would STILL not have all the internal drama that "Fix Or Repair Daily" had internally!!!!
as opposed to , say , GMs' "Rule by Committee" ?
Politics at FoMoCo were a 'blood sport'. GM was not as bad.
@@dznr723I’m sure Bunkie knew no better bc he was brainwashed the GM way
Most of the politics came from Hank the deuce and probably Lido as well.
I’ve never been a fan of the Mark IV and neither was my mother who bought a brand new triple black ‘70 Mark III. When her Mark turned nine, she traded it in on triple black Mark V. She never cared for that car and regretted turning in her Mark III. She went in a completely different direction and bought Mercedes SL in 1985 which surprised me. I said, why did you buy a two seat convertible when you don’t even like the sun. Her answer was I can keep the roof on which she did for the next 20 years she kept that car. 😄
This topic comes up on the AACA forum now and then...The '72 Mark IV is a truly fantastic looking car, maybe the best looking personal luxury vehicle of that year. I've grown to like the '72 even more than the Mark III series, which I like a lot. Many (or even most)people on the forum agree with me. The '73 and later look nice, but the '72 is stellar.
This was great, thank you. I remember these cars and rode in many. My favorite is the '74 Mark IV.
When new, the Mark IV's were exciting and stylish. They were huge, luxurious and expensive. Even the floor to roof red velour seemed just right......
They nailed it! I remember these models and they were striking.!
Remember back in the day the tv show "Cannon" which was somewhat popular the main character drove a MKIV Continental . So the car did get some exposure every week probably helped the sales a little bit I imagine. I owned a 1969 MKIII. It was such a good car.
LOVE your Video's, I grew up in the Late 60's the Muscle car era. So these video's bring back so many Great memoires. Don, CA. 3-24-2024.
I remember as a kid , the Continental Mk4 was such an elegant and distinctive car that exuded status and prestige.
Ahhh, the Bunkie Beak. Learned about his influence from your channel. It’s a design feature I don’t care for, but it was so prolific….across companies he was with, and the copy cats that had to compete.
People must have loved it, back in the day, as the beaks sold cars.
I like the beak on the T bird. Also like the big Birds that had no beak. I'd love to have one of each.
Probably increased business for body shops.
That red 1969 Mark III is so beautiful! Thanks again Adam for keeping the interest in cars....I sincerely doubt anyone will be doing this for the 2010 - 2030 automobiles! Lol
The proposal looks like a video game knockoff version of a classic Mark. That being said, I do generally like Gene Bordinat's designs. I think those boxy Panthers, and the mark vi coupe in particular, are really handsome designs that managed to not look like GM clones during the malaise era.
Adam, this report on the design of the Lincoln Mark IV is outstanding. Thank you.
I like the first proposal. The later one seems to be harkening back to 30s fenders, and also reminds me of the movie The Car. I will now say something that will shock many folks: I have owned multiple LSCs both VII and VIII, but my FAVORITE 2 door Lincoln is a VI - make mine black with dark red interior. To me just the classiest car. Maybe I'm a mobster at heart :)
The quality of the Mark III was far superior to the Mark IV and V. The Mark III interior with real walnut, diamond patterned leather seats and gorgeous instrument panel was first class. The Mark IV showed cost cutting measures. Interesting how the slab sided Mark V handily outsold the Mark IV.
I owned a '70 MK III and a '72 MK IV. There was absolutely NO comparison in the quality of materials, as well as build quality. The MK IV was a beautiful design, but it was really a piece of cr@p. I think it also cheapened the brand to share the platform with the Thunderbird '72-'76. I owned one of them too, a '75. Even worse quality. Yeah I bought it because it was beautiful, but an even worse piece of cr@p!
@@kenk7451 But the Mark II was also based on the 67 Thunderbird chassis (the 4 door model). I had a 1975 Mark IV and it was the worst mechanical piece of junk. Everything went wrong with that car! And it went through ignition modules what seemed to be every month!
I own and drive a beautiful Mark V. I have no complaints.
… 1969(68) thru 1971 Mark III’s had superbly styled exterior/interior’s that were pace setting for 1968 - 1971 Detroit era luxury cars…Mark III’s “ Rolls -Royce” themed front end styling was mimicked by the Detroit Cadillac “after market” trade vendors for decades… The “ retro classic “ front end styling of the 1974 - 75 Imperial which was nicely done seemingly appeared to have been cued / based on Mark III front end…
…1972 thru 1976 Mark IV’s were better styled and trimmed than the 1971 thru 76 Eldo’s and had much nicer interior detailing / trim than those post 1970 Eldo’s…
…Mark V’s had striking “retro classic “ exterior styling but were much more like a “Ford LTD” inside from dash to seating with interiors that were de-contented in very noticeable ways from 1972 - 1976 Mark IV’s ( no movable rear side windows / back seat lights & controls / back seat center armrest ) ….the Jubilee Mark V’s had the interior all Mark V’s could have / should have had…
…1968 -1971 Mark III ‘s were / are / remain the bench mark Conti’s…
Absolutely! The interior on the IV was simulated luxury, The III was genuine, especially when it came to materials. The IV shared the intermediate Ford body with the Torino and apparently the same cost-driven, downmarket interior materials. You really have to appreciate Wes Dahlberg's design all that much more when you consider the restraints he had to produce such a beautiful car. The Mark III was the successor to the Mark II of the mid-1950's and I believe Ford put a lot of extra effort into the III because of the high quality of the Mark II which had preceded it. That, as well as to set the Mark III apart from the Thunderbird upon which it was based to justify the much higher price of the Lincoln. By the time they were ready to introduce the Mark IV in 1972 the success they had achieved in the market led them to give in to the increasing cost pressures of the day and take a lot of cost out of the interior. Subsequent sales proved it to be a safe decision. @@kenk7451
Great Story, I love the gold one you have in the video. Iaccoca was the man of Detroit. 😊
The Mark III exuded luxury with its real walnut accents, diamond-patterned leather seats, and exquisite instrument panel-a true class act. However, the Mark IV took a step back with noticeable cost-cutting measures. Despite this, the Mark V's success, with its distinctive slab-sided design, proves that in the world of automotive allure, sometimes the unexpected steals the show.
QUESTE ERANO VERE AUTOMOBILI ! UN SALUTO DALLA REPUBBLIKA VENETA! VENETO FROM VENICE !
Adam, you are quite correct in preferring the design of the Mark IV. It's an exquisitely refined update from the busy Mark III design. I've got to give Bunkie Knudsen credit for demanding this version. Those other clay models are an abomination with their superfluous flowing wheel arches and their horrid rear ends. Even their squarish Cadillac Lego-look front end is abysmal. Bunkie, this makes up for that beak you put on the front of the 1970/71 Thinderbird! JJS
Bunkie was right on this one. The 1972 version was probably the prettiest of all the Marks
My father in law had a beautiful 1969 Mark III in dark green. It was a stunning automobile, perhaps the most beautiful car I have ever seen. My wife and I eventually restored it, but sold it years later due to space limitations….. a piece of art….
Another engaging narrative with terrific period pictures... appreciate your hard work. Thank you
I grew up during this era and had more than a passing interest in cars. Read a lot of the contemporary magazines. Your videos really highlight a lot of details about vehicles from the eras you cover that have other been, or will be forgotten. The clay model Knudsen liked was a work of art as far as I’m concerned.
That hood on the actual production version is freakin' ginormous! I wouldn't want to be driving around in tight areas with one of these land yachts. What's under the hood in these cars? Surely, they didn't actually need all that space, right.
Yes, they did need all that space under that hood. There was hardly room to put a hand in anywhere under that hood.
You would want to be careful that aircraft carrier flight operations didn't start occurring on it.
I live in Germany and I am afraid to take country roads and pass through small towns with my '72 Mark IV. 😀 And yes, between the radiator and the Rolls Royce grill I have empty space for a single appartement.
I think today's SUV's and Trucks have many more obstructed views, since they are much higher off the ground, dark tinted windows, high rear seats, huge side mirrors, etc. I actually feel better parking my 70 Chrysler than my 2020 Lincoln.
An Absolutely Beautiful Car was the '69, Adam, but the '72 was Terrific, as well. Cheers fm Damo😊👏
The Dahlberg proposal, of course! 🖖🙏
The Dahlberg design was a superior design indeed. Although I preferred the 69-71 Mark III, was one of the best American cars of the time, except for the 56-57 Mark II!!! Thanks for the video.
i think the designer of the old movie "the car" looked at a few of those clay models as inspiration.
I had a 73 Mark 4, it was a good driving car. I loved it
Wow, thank you for another intriguing history lesson. I actually like this proposal a lot 11:11. Maybe the belt line could be brought down a little to make the car look slimmer like the Eldorado, but I do like this by quite a lot. Look at how the dramatic line blends into the tail fin, wow. That line could've been carried on by the top of the bumper to be wrapped around to the back. Dang.
The one that ended up as the Mark IV was the best one. Simply beautiful. But my favorite Mark will always be the Mark VII
As usual a fantastic video. I'm missing a video about the last gen B-body GM cars (whale Caprice, Roadmaster, Fleetwood) I and my dad had owned 5 ones over the yesrs. They're great daily drivers....apart from the rusty outher shell..😊 especially the LT1 is just pure ❤. Thanks a lot for your documentaries.
The 69 mark III is still the best design of all the mark series lincolns, It is not a giant land yacht but still a full size car and the appointments you could get just made the car a great luxury machine.
'71 Ltd 2 dr was awesome
Fantastic video. This is my favorite car ever. Great grandparents bought a brand new 72 white, black top, and moondust leather in Buffalo, NY.
The production version was definitely best! My Grandfather switched from Cadillac to Lincoln with the introduction of the Mark III and had a new Mark every couple of years thereafter.
The final version of the vehicle. Ever since I was a kid, I have been wild about the 72 Mark IV and the 71 and 72 Cougar. I want to own a 72 Mark IV one day. or a 72 two door imperial crown, or a.....
the Cougar had a Bunkie grill
I addition to my last comment, in all candidness believe the clay models and fibreglass renditions of the early design of the Mark IV all look way too heavy and cartoon-like versions of the 1968 through 1971 Mark III. The one shown from the front three quarter view with exposed headlamps and unsculpted sides w/ fender flares looks identical to a 1969-1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 coupe. The best design has to be the greatest production version by far. Always been in love with that car! Not one line would I change on it. The early production run without the Oval opera window look so cool without the gimmicky oval window.
I remember as a kid of 13, begging and begging my Father & Mother to buy a Continental Mark IV in '72. My pleas fell on deaf ears. He bought a '73 Mercury Monterrey Custom Sedan instead, much to my disappointment.
This was not the first time Bordinat showed a tendency to hold grudges. Ten years prior, he held a very strong grudge against Elwood Engel, for a similar reason. The narrator states several times how flat flanks were Bordinat's design M.O. That was *not* the case ten years prior, especially where the '61 Lincoln was concerned. Bordinat wanted to establish a sense of continuity to the Lincoln design, which was lacking in the '50s to the point that Lincoln was suffering an identity crisis. To end that problem, Bordinat decided to continue the design theme introduced in 1958 as Lincoln's long-term identity. He produced a design based on that monstrous monstrosity *and* got approval for it to go to production. Meanwhile, Engel, who had some involvement in the original '58 design, had sworn to learn from that mistake and produced a Thunderbird concept based on the extinct Mark II. When that proposal was shown to the hierarchy, Robert S. McNamara (yes, *that* Robert S. McNamara) declared that Engel's T-Bird concept become the new identity for Lincoln. Approval for Bordinat's proposal was rescinded, and Engel's design went to Bordinat's studio for tweaking. Even though Bordinat also took bows for the '61 Lincoln when it was handed the IDI award that year, he still had to have some vitriol towards Engel for essentially overruling him. I suspect he took revenge on Engel by sabotaging the '64 and '65 Lincoln proposals with flat side glass, something the car was never originally designed to have, and which was already starting to fall out of favor with the whole industry (thanks to Virgil Exner, Sr., whom Engel left Ford to replace at Chrysler in 1961)...but he also knew he could not totally scrap the design, so he kept his meddling primarily to the side glass. Luckily that dictate of his lasted only two years.
I've never been much of a fan of Bordinat, based on the history I've read and heard about him; but that's not the main reason my personal pick is the Knudsen/Dahlberg design that became the production IV. Bordinat's leftover post-'50s extravagance was very evident in his proposal. If he did become known for "slab-siding," he begrudgingly had Elwood Engel to thank for that.
I miss the 1965 Lincoin with the back doors that opened backwards. I wish I could find one, I would buy it quick.
The models look like the Batmobile. I actually like them. They may be intrusive, but they are truly great works of art.
Great content. Keep it coming! A triple black Mark III has been on my wish list forever!
Fascinating story! Thank you for the research
1972 Mark IV one of my favorite looking cars from when it came out and I was 11 years old - very glad Knudsen picked alternate proposal!!! And thank you very much for mentioning the book - I’m going to order it tonight!
As far as I know there had never been anything like that oval opera window on the Mark IV. Rarely is there anything completely new like that.
Unless you factor in the Ford heritage of the 1955 to 1957 Thunderbird porthole top?
That 69 was and is a classic.
I believe the same disagreement happened between Bordinat and Elwood Engel with the design of the 1961 Continental. Bordinat was the designer of the 1958-60 Conti, and he wanted a mere update for the 1961 model. Fortunately Engel's brand new design prevailed and we got that beautiful "suicide door" Lincolns of 1961-69
Bordinat did not become head of Ford Design until later. 1961 Continental by Engel was designed under George Walker with heavy influence from William Clay Ford. That gorgeous Continental was originally proposed as a Thunderbird. They slapped on an extra set of doors and made it a Lincoln Continental. The suicide doors were to make it easier to get into the shorter entry into the back seat. Bob McNamara, then President of Ford insisted on the smaller overall dimensions since the huge, ugly predecessor had been such a sales disaster. McNamara actually wanted to close the Lincoln division because it was such a money loser! The 1961 Continental was done under a very restrictive budget as a result and turned things around for Lincoln. You're right, they are beautiful!
I always thought that the 72 MkIV was a gorgeous car! The Bordinat version not only was ugly, but those fender scallops(?) looked like over-exaggerated MkIII fenders, and, at least in my mind, looked a lot like the 66 Duesenberg revival attempt. Knudsen picked the right design!
I wondered why the Mark IV didn't have the perfectly straight edges and flat planes that plagued Lincolns and Fords later in the 70s. The A pillar bulge is odd, but if you can avoid focusing on it, it also helps prevent the Mk IV from looking too rectilinear like the Mk V and VI do.
The design is amazing! I find the side marker lights look a bit "After thought" in how the are executed.
Superbly and expertly done! I wonder if there is a segment on the Lincoln Mark VI. The appeal for these cars is certainly growing!
That Bordinat proposal ,,, well, once I caught my breath … shades of ‘73 Monte Carlo, but thank god this Lincoln design didn’t go anywhere.
Here is a design lesson of not putting strong curving lines against a strong straight lined body. The Monte Carlo pulled it off because the curve was less severe, stayed high on the fender and blended out at the A column.
Another GREAT video Adam. 👍
I keep seeing a '92-'98 Cadillac Seville in the background and I hope to see a video about those one of these days (unless there's already been one I've missed). My folks had two when those were new and I was learning to drive, (a '92 4.9 SLS and a '93 Northstar STS), great-looking cars and great to either drive or to ride in. (And I say this as someone who knows about and has needed to use the Northstar water pump socket. I know, the starter's in the engine valley, etc.; the last time I had to care where a starter was, was 22 years ago helping fix my sister's bought-for-$600 in ~2001 '87 N-body Iron Duke/TH125 Grand Am coupe.)
My mom had & drove a 1974 Riviera GS 455 with console placed trans shifter & 40 / 40 front seats that from a styling pov I think had the best looking post 71 - 73 Riv front end …The 74 Riv’s egg crate grille combined with last year for the 4 round headlights was best of show in view of how 75 -76 Rivs looked with squared up face lift front ends & square headlamps …
…As for the 74 Rivs new roof, rear deck and tail light / bumper redesign it was better looking than any of the 1973 - 1978 Toronado & Eldo post 1972 efforts…
…One day a electric power / utility pole somehow got in Mom’s way and the 74 Riviera’s big 5 mph bumper and long hood front end became a mangled tangle of acute collision damage which totaled that Riviera …Was a sad way for any 1974 Riv to end up and more so for a GS option equipped Riv but happily Mom was OK thanks to the Riv having taken / absorbed that utility pole head on hit and so Mom now needed a car …I found & suggested a used 1974 Mark IV painted in light metallic silver which Lincoln marketed / described in the 1974 Mark IV promo brochure as being a “Moondust Metallic Paint “ with the interior of that 1974 Mark IV done in deep cranberry / burgundy velour cloth & vinyl which was hedonistically luxurious for a mid 1970’s American made luxury car being shown & sold by Detroit’s Big 3 carmakers…
…With the 74 Riv having proved the value of having 7 plus feet of 5 mph rated bumper & hood out front the 74 Mark IV easily also had all of that or even more up front…That Mark IV was a genuine Frank Cannon looking Mark IV with a very posh interior and it radiated prestige luxury status in ways that those mid 1970’s Mark IV’s excelled so well at doing…
…While my held opinion of FoMoCo 1970’s and 80’s 5 mph bumper efforts generally is not very high I did / do find the 74 - 76 Mark IV’s front & back bumpers with the wrap around blended in parking lamps & tail lights to look OK in ways that suited the Mark IV’s Frank Cannon bigger sized persona…I do think ChryCorp handled the 5 mph bumper styling quandary the best from 1973 onwards & submit the 1974 -75 Imperials as Exhibit A to that being so …
…While the 1969 - 71 Mark III ‘s had all the real deal panache and retro classic luxury car styling & detailing FoMoCo made & sold lots more “oval opera window” signature equipped Mark IV’s and Mark V’s …Mark IV’s had interiors with more & nicer content detailing whether just a standard Mark IV or any of the Designer Edition Mark IV’s …
…As it was in time Mom also had and drove a 1979 Mark V which she enjoyed picking up her bridge club friends with for bridge club outings …Was always amusing to see how Mom took to wheeling around in a big 1970’s era GS Riv, Mark IV and Mark V …As it was then I had ample opportunity to review Mom’s 1974 Mark IV and 1979 Mark V and concluded the 79 Mark V had a somewhat more “ Ford LTD “ looking less detailed & more de-contented interior which visibly & virtually lacked the sumptuous luxury aura & elan of Mom’s 1974 Mark IV…
…The upgrade trimmed & appointed Mark V “ Diamond Jubilee “ editions had superbly done plush upholstery & nicer interior detailing all Mark V’s should have had😉
The Mark 3 was a beautiful car.
Another deep background story of design drama & history!
Hi Adam, very nice car and very accurate video! Some people do not remember the 1959-1957 Lincoln Continental Mark II, they where "hand built", they cost so much they did not sell to well and Ford lost money an every car. Last but not least, in 1936-1942, Lincoln offered the Zephyr series of cars. They could be had as a 3 passenger coupe, that was very personal luxury. Please respond. Dave...
As much as I liked the 72's exterior (althoug not as exquisitly executed as the 67 Eldorado), one thing I like is the interior of the Mark IV. Especially the design of the driver's door and the window controls. The car also looks best with the deep dish aluminum wheels.
Hi from Sydney , Australia. The Eugene Bordinat mk4 concept was PURE UGLINESS, terrible, I would never have bought one. However, being the owner of a 1972 Ford Homebush, Sydney built right hand drive completely knocked down MK4 kit/pack, the Des Wahlberg car is beautiful, graceful & elegant, to me they are everything that the 1971 to 1978 Eldorado should have been. The MK4 looks ever bit a GM type design, it looks like the natural progression from the 1970 Eldorado look at the body side contours, curve to the door glass, even the wheel arch shape, the 1972 MK4's are PURELY STUNNING.
I've always hated the 1977 MK5 with its slab sides , hateful side gills in cheap plastic , and the cheap glass fibre nose cone , nasty . MK4 pure class.