Something I've observed.

"El Rivinado" (joeman856) 08/22/2015 at 18:27 • Filed to: None

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Maybe this is just me, but there’s something about the Lincoln Mark series that I’ve observed.

This isn’t just on Jalopnik or Oppositelock, but also on places like Curbside Classics or the like, but when it comes to the Lincoln Marks, everyone favors the odd-numbered ones over the even numbered ones most of the time. Again, these are just the observations I’ve seen, so YMMV but I think its a very interesting trend.

For example, on some of the stuff I’ve seen, when people ask for their favorite Marks, one of three answers pop up.

The Mark III, because it’s the progenitor and it still is the “prototypical” Mark for a lot of people, also lending to the design and what’s to come.

The Mark V, because of being the last of the American big cars, and also for the styling and being one of the only “malaise era” cars that’s got some sort of desirability (and from the comments I’ve seen, this is the only Malaise car other than the 77/78 Trans Am that’s got any sort of following.)

Or the Mark VII LSC, for having the aggressive looks, the performance to back it up, and the fact that it was a pretty good alternative to a German sports car.

Those are the three that are the ones that every one talks about fondly, and they’re all the odd numbered ones.

Let’s look at the others though.

The Mark II technically doesn’t count for most people, but I always count it among the Marks. It’s not a bad looking car, and most people don’t hate it, but this is the one that’s pretty much never brought up, it’s the forgotten Mark.

The Mark IV is hit or miss, some people like it, some people don’t. Some people look at this as either a nice looking car that got worse as time went on (I’ve always seen that people say that it looked best before the battering rams got bolted on.) some a fatter Mark III that just lacked the grace of the III or the sharp-edged baroque styling of the V. It’s very much a car that either elicits disgust, admiration, or just a hearty “meh”.

The Mark VIII remains in the same boat, some people like this car and some don’t. Some have said it’s an underrated car that had clever technology and good performance that was a nice end to a long line, or an amorphous blob that looked nothing like a Lincoln, was a mechanical pain in the ass, and was an underwhelming end. Hell even the 97 refresh is debated, some say it makes the car look better, others say it looks worse. Again, this is clearly a car that you are not neutral to, you either swing one way or the other.

As for the Mark VI, yeah no one likes that one. For a damn good reason, just look at it!

So that’s one that’s not brought up, two that are divisive at best, and one that everyone drinks to forget. But all of those are the even numbered ones.

What is it about them though? Why do the odd-numbered ones elicit more positive opinions than the even numbered ones? Is it because of the styling (for the record I like the styling of the III, V, and VII the best.), the mechanicals, the context with which they were built, the quality, what is about the odds over the evens?

Of course, these are just observations I’ve seen, you guys may not feel the same way, but it’s something I kind of wanted to talk about.

What about you Oppo? Any Mark Series aficionados/land yacht lovers here that can bring something else to the discussion?

Birddog > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 18:35

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You forgot one. The Mark VI LSC. The best iteration of the Fox Body. It’s even numbered and people like them.

I get what you’re saying though.

El Rivinado > Birddog 08/22/2015 at 18:38

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Mark VII dude, and I did actually mention it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 18:41

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This one is my favorite.

Birddog > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 18:46

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Oh crap.. And I haven’t started drinking yet either..

Sorry.. Give me a few beers and I’ll try again.

desertdog5051 > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 18:54

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I agree with your post. I do Like the VIII, though. I drove one often that my ex owned. (talk about hooning) It seems to be a very nice, sorted car. The 4.6 seems to have a bit more power than in other cars. Don’t think production numbers were that high so when you see one it grabs your attention.

Mark II. My uncle had 2. I always enjoyed their basic 50’s style.

Mark VI. Turbine wheels!!!

RallyWrench > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 18:57

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I love the Mark II, it’s an elegant design. I also think the IV looks better than the III or V, a little more muscular, more a mafia hitman than a pimp . I could take or leave the VIII, but it is interesting. I would daily a VII, no questions asked.

El Rivinado > desertdog5051 08/22/2015 at 18:59

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I agree about the Mark VIII, I saw one while with my friend in that really sort of nice/sort of weird Dark green that Ford had it in during its run, that also had a matching vinyl roof on it. Even though it was beat, it still drew my attention, particularly how subtle they made the tire hump, integrating it nicely for that same Mark styling cue while keeping it aero and modern.

Your uncle must’ve bought those Mark IIs pretty early or he may have been loaded, the only Mark II on Ebay I’ve seen has a buy it now price of 40 grand.

Them Turbine wheels, Lincoln always had the best turbine wheels of any manufacturer.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 19:21

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I had a Mark VIII, really cool car. Always wanted a Mark VII, because Fox Body.

But to me, the best one is really the Mark III. It’s just a fantastic looking car all around...a black one with a black vinyl top and red interior is what the devil would drive.

LeftOfTheDial > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 20:08

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haven’t looked at these a lot but that Mark VII does look nice!

desertdog5051 > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 20:18

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My uncle was a tool and die salesman in the Detroit area in the 50’s-70’s +. He made a lot of close contacts in the auto industry. He particularly liked Fords. He had the 2 Mark II’s and a set of 55, 56, 57 T-Birds.

He also had a set of original, hammer formed front fenders from the 55 ‘Bird. These were prototype fenders. I loved going to his house. I was just a youngster. We would spend most of the day in his garage. Great memories.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 20:43

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I actually quite like the MK IV. It’s like a more muscular MK III. It looks really long aND low. Wonder if anyone’s ever made a landspeed car our of one. It’s plenty heavy enough.

TLDR the MK IV is the most muscle car of the three so I like it

anon-sxmcyecofnu1eocpqsk9iq > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 22:12

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I really like all of them.

blacktruck18 > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 22:18

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As a land yacht owner, I can say that a Mark II is very close to the top of my dream car list.

The Mark VII and VIII are the only other Marks I would own. I really like those cars and being and 80’s baby I was coming of age when those cars were new and I have never not thought they were cool. I can say those and the same vintage Eldorado’s ignited my love of big coupes.

The other Marks I an not a huge fan of. The Mark III is okay but, I am not a huge fan. I have never cared for the IV or V if I had to choose I would rather have a Lincoln Town Coupe from the same years.

They are way better looking in my opinion.

JR1 > El Rivinado 08/22/2015 at 22:20

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I hate the Mark V and quite enjoy the Mark IV. The Mark II is understated elegance in an era of brash overstated opulence.

Don't forget about the forgetten Marks of 58/60. The Mark V from 1960 is stunning as a convertible

El Rivinado > JR1 08/22/2015 at 22:31

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That’s kind of why I like the Mark II, in an era where everything was just so over the top and unattractive (I don’t care what anyone says, the 50s where the decade that taste forgot), the Mark II was just this nicely styled car that was very tasteful in its design.

I know about those forgotten 58-60 Marks, but I feel like that’s more an extension of the Continentals of those years than different cars in their own right. I could be wrong though.

May I ask why you hate the Mark V? I always like the rather angular and sharp styling compared to some of it's more awkward and blobby peers and those cars were some of the best FoMoCo products to wear the battering ram bumpers the best.

JR1 > El Rivinado 08/23/2015 at 08:15

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They all had the unfortunate vinyl roof, they all had those side hood vents I do not like, the proportions look way off, the bumper is too big, and finally the lines are too straight. There is just a subtle about of curve in the Mark III and Mark IV that I prefer to the Mark V

JR1 > blacktruck18 08/23/2015 at 08:17

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I agree the forgotten Town Car Coupe of the era is the better looking car from Lincoln at the time.