(first posted 6/23/2012) Recently a scenario about Sue Ellen’s Mercury Colony Park was featured. Let’s now consider another car from Dallas, this time Jock’s Lincoln Mark V.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGQmYURfQeg
But first, let us refresh ourselves with Jock Ewing. The patriarch of the Ewing Family was written off in 1981, primarily because Jim Davis, the actor who portrayed him, died. After the video to give you a taste of Jock, let’s take a fanciful journey back into a snippet of Jock’s life.
Here is a link: Jock’s Life
It was the Fall of 1979. Jock Ewing was the owner and founder of Ewing Oil and a self-made bazillionaire. And, Jock itched for a new Lincoln.
Jock really liked his Mark V. However the new Mark VI was coming out and he was curious. He knew a man of his stature couldn’t risk being in yesterday’s ride. So he stopped by Dewey-Cheetam Lincoln-Mercury in downtown Dallas one sunny afternoon.
“You the salesman of the hour?”, Jock asked Archie Banks. “My name’s Jock Ewing and I’m looking for a new Mark VI. Haven’t seen one, what can you tell me?”
“Mr. Ewing, I can tell you that is a very wise choice. The Mark VI is all new for 1980 and comes in a size much more personable than the Mark V. It even comes with such features as a cutting edge 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, as compared to the traditional 3-speed. It makes for such a comfortable driving experience.”
“Okay, Archie, but what’s under the hood?” Jock inquired, “a man not only needs a car that looks good, but a car that runs good. I want to really haul the mail, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, Mr. Ewing, the new Lincoln has a 5.0 liter V8 with an optional 5.8 liter V8,” Archie cooed. “So much more refined and fuel-efficient than the 7.5 liter V8 in the old Lincoln’s.”
“5 liter? Isn’t that a 302? Hell, Miss Ellie’s Maverick has a 302. Hell, boy, what are you trying to sell me? I want a car, dammit! I want a Lincoln, not some pansy-tailed Maverick!” Jock Ewing was losing his ability to be subtle. A man can only be subtle for so long before something has to give.
“Mr. Ewing, I fully appreciate your reluctance. Please let me tell you more. Your Mark V is big, it weighs almost 4600 pounds. The new Mark VI weighs just under 3900 pounds. It doesn’t need so much engine to pull it and it burns less fuel!” Archie attempted to explain.
“Sir, I am an oilman. I want to burn fuel. And a lot of it. Wouldn’t it be counterproductive for me to worry about fuel economy?” Jock was starting to have fun with this poor unfortunate salesman.
Archie was getting flustered. “Mr. Ewing, perhaps you would be comforted to know that the new Lincoln Mark VI Signature Series has a base price of only $20,940. It is quite the bargain.”
Jock Ewing was a man who knew that if you watched your nickels and dimes, your dollars would ultimately take care of themselves. So he knew exactly how much he had paid for every vehicle he had ever purchased. “Sir, my Mark V is two years old. The base price on it was $12,099. Are you telling me your new Lincoln is about 75% better than my Lincoln? Let me see one of these Mark VI’s. I want to see for myself.”
Archie Banks awkwardly walked to the door of the shop. Jock followed. When Archie opened the door, Jock was greeted with:
Jock was aghast. “Sir, thank you for your time. A man such as me does need to be concerned about what he drives and I would be concerned driving your Lincoln.” Jock paused and thought for a second. “Archie, you have any new ’79 Mark V’s on the lot?”
“Yes, sir,” Archie answered carefully, “three of them.”
Jock smiled. “Good. I’ll take all three.” The hell with money, he thought, I want a real car. After writing a check, Jock strapped his checkbook into his pocket and left, happy to have avoided an unsavory situation.
….Jock wasn’t the only Lincoln customer aghast in the Fall of 1979. Lincoln Mark V’s had been selling briskly since their introduction in 1977. Sales had been 72,000 to 80,000 each of those three years. Sales of the Mark VI in 1980 (2 door and newly introduced 4 door combined) were just under 39,000 with 1981 and 1982 being even worse. Part of the blame can be placed on the recession then affecting the United States.
In 1979, the year after Jock’s Mark V was built, Lincoln was the only game in town for people who desired a traditional sized automobile. Cadillac had downsized as had Chrysler. The only downsizing Lincoln had performed for 1979 was eliminating the 460 cubic inch V8 that had previously been available leaving the 400 cubic inch V8 as the sole engine for the Mark V. A little known fact is the Mark V was a downsize from the previous Mark IV.
The Mark IV weighed almost 5100 pounds, so the Mark V did have a roughly 10% weight loss. In contrast, the 1977 Impala weighed 3659 pounds in comparison to the ’76 Impala weighing 4222 pounds, a reduction of 15%. Looking at it that way, Jock had already downsized once and didn’t care to repeat it.
Surprisingly enough (or not), the ranch in Dallas used for exterior shots on the television show is now a museum. The house was built in 1970 and upon the popularity of the show, many persons from around the world flocked to see the house. So it is now a Dallas themed museum. In one room is a car that is being preserved for posterity. Wouldn’t you know?
Oh no! Jock would roll in his grave seeing what Lincoln has to offer today. All FWD Acura wannabe. He won’t like any of them. In fact the only car left that might interest him today come from Europe, the likes of Rolls drophead coupe or Merc CL65AMG. I think the CTS-V, while it does have 2 doors and appropriately gas-guzzling engine, might be a bit small for his all-Texan frame.
Jock was not alone in his revulsion at the Mark VI. However, I think that he may also have taken home a 79 Town Car or two in addition to the Mark Vs. Never know when you are going to need a real Lincoln.
The 1977-79 Mark Vs and Town Cars may have one of the highest survival rates of anything made in those years, with the possible exception of GM F bodies. Lots of Lincoln owners kept their old ones because they knew that they would never own another like it. I still see these out on the road from time to time, and mostly they are very nicely kept originals. I was tempted by a really nice Mark V on Craigslist awhile back. Must. Not. Buy. It.
See them………. in the HOOD maybe!
I knew if I waited long enough we’d finally get to one of my top three cars of all time. The 1974-1983 Mark series remains near the top of my list. I remember my mother wanting a 1980 Signature Series Mark VI so badly, but it was $21,000, which in 1980 was a small fortune for the middle-class. We went to the dealership though, and there it was in all its electronic-dashed glory. “So many buttons!”, she exclaimed. I didn’t know what was going on, but I liked the car.
I see these on ebay every once in awhile, some with extremely low miles. *sigh* What I wouldn’t give for the ability to own/store one of these beauties today.
The Mark series want list:
1976 Continental Mark IV with Black Diamond Luxury Group
1978 Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition
1979 Continental Mark V Collector’s Series
1983 Lincoln Mark VI Emilio Pucci Edition sedan
The 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V Collector’s Series:
We have featured both a Mark IV ( https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1976-lincoln-continental-mark-iv-gas-fed-beef-steak/ )
and a Mark V ( https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1978-lincoln-continental-mark-v-paging-bill-blass/ )
The Mark VI still eludes us. These both sold poorly and were not preserved like the older ones, so it may take awhile. Personally, I have not seen one in a long time, but am always on the lookout.
I’ve been on the prowl for one for years; it’s a trying to elude me from its inevitable Deadly Sin status.
Unlike with the 81 Imperial, a Mark VI had better not hope for better treatment by falling into my hands than into yours.
I’ve seen a white four door Mark VI with the turbine wheels in East Moline, but not for a while. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it.
(whistling innocently) Or mine — I still get the occasional hate-mail…
Yes, ebay is full of late seventies pristine examples, but the eighties Lincolns are almost non-existent. Shame, cause I really would like to get my hands on a 1983 Emilio Pucci sedan. Brand new those things were $27,000. I remember seeing one at the Chicago Auto Show, on a platform, and drooling as a kid.
The 1983 Lincoln Mark VI Emilio Pucci Edition coupe (the sedan had the Carriage Roof as well):
Well, I own a 1983 Mark VI Signature Series 4 door with moon roof. It is by far one of the most elegant cars i have ever driven.
The Mark VI’s are not in vogue now, but i believe in the next 10 years, Lincoln fans will start to appreciate them.
The Mark VI has more interior room than the Mark V, and like the salesman said, the 150 HP 302 V8 is sufficient to pull her. It is a wonderful cruising Lincoln, having the overdrive, and i get 18-20 MPG on the highway, and 10-12 MPG in city driving.
I think your car is, absolutely gorgeous; my favourite colour. Thank-you, so much, for posting the picture.
@ $12 per gallon explains why I see very few of them here and those that are here are rarely seen in use.
Hi,
Not sure if this is still a valid post- but my dad is FINALLY ready to sell his 1981 Lincoln Mark VI Emilio pucci edition. About 80k, summer car only, In near perfect condition.
Step one:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3088337044.html
Black Diamond’s Do show up on Ebay. Almost all of them need new carpets.
I too have much love for the Lincoln Mark series. My love of the Cadillac Eldorado (by contrast) was an on and off flirtation while my love for the Mark encompasses every generation.
I’ve never been able to put a finger on it, if it was the Marks sheer imposing presence, styling, just the fact that it was a creme de la creme of American Luxury for its time… The Mark has been one of my fantasy automobiles.
It Was Great That Someone Went Head 2 Head With The Eldorado as the Marks Did like no others. I Love The Marks Way Too Much Too… All The Designer Editions with etched names in the opera Windo and color coordinated seatbelts ETC
diamond green 69
76 aqua was it gucci or givenchy
mark 5… In Turquoise Givenchy or again was it ?group
Mk6 – Id Take a Red With White Leather and White sides Etc
2 tone=Tacky as can be
Love the writing Jack! I can only imagine how red Jock would have been.
I didn’t realize Dewey and Cheatem were the original Lincoln Lawyers.
Jack, I don’t know what you did before you came across CC but I can say that you are good at this. Enjoyed everything you have written.
Hated Dallas, don’t really care about land yachts but loved the article.
Thank you, Texn and wstarvingteacher. I had a blast doing these.
As JPC said above, the survival rate of Mark Vs nowadays is quite high. I think most Lincoln owners knew that these cars represented the end of an era.
That being said, if Jock had stuck around another seven years he might be quite pleased with the Mark VII .
The Mark V was not a cheap car and owners of expensive cars tend to take care of them. In addition, many of these cars were sold to elderly customers, who didn’t drive all that much. I would wager one of the reasons that the Mark VI didn’t do well is that many former Lincoln owners took their final ride in a Cadillac hearse. The Mark VI just couldn’t compete with BMW and Mercedes at the prices they commanded, which were similar. Lincoln when right down the tubes in this era. I have no idea why it survives today.
Finally, these cars were quite well built. Things did not fall off them. The trim, for example, was very high quality, as was the body hardware. Things like window motors rarely fail. The C-6 and 9″ rear are indestructible and the rear disk brakes are really ahead of their time.
The Mark VI was indeed an abomination. It seems that Detroit has learned that there will always be a place for big cars and is keeping them around, at big profits, for this round of down sizing, which is now going on in earnest. The way the CAFE rules are written, large (read very profitable) cars are given a big break.
My buddy in Saskatchewan has a 1979 Mark V as his daily driver. It has a 400 but it has been heavily modified with Australian heads and 11:1 compression. With a mild cam it makes an easy 350hp and 400 lb/ft of torque. It also has a Gear Vendors splitter, making the C-6 a six speed automatic. Very cool.
That is freaking awesome… Has he ever calculated his fuel economy with the overdrive? I know the car now has tremendously more power but I’m guessing the engine isn’t working nearly as hard either to maintain speed.
Fuel economy and 350 hp V-8 engines are mutually exclusive. I doubt he has ever measured it.
The 351M-400 is okay as long you get a good block casting. Obviously, the bad ones were weeded out years ago. However, when 351M-400 equipped Ford products were new, owners stood a very good chance of the block cracking right along the lifter valley.
Lots of head problems too, valve dropping was common. My friend across the
street had this happen to his 1977 Cougar at 15,000 miles. Dealer told him to pound sand. Really earned them a bad rep and turned a lot of people off Ford.
From the front end proportions of the that Mark VI, with the front wheels so far back, you’d swear it was fwd. Ford went a bit overboard on the wheelbase all the box Panthers, 114″ was just too short. The GM B-Bodies are dramatically better balanced designs. The Fords look like they have a genetic abnormality of some sort.
Exactly. I was wondering whether a two-inch top chop could restore some normality and Lincolnness to the VI, but if anything that just accents the overhangs. What was it with US Ford proportions back then?
I Was thinking it was Dark Blue Collectors Series 1979.mark v
…. i loved these cars at the time… i envied them in my 67 firebird… now what would you want…id still want the luxury interior of a mark v
Wow, you people are truly running out of ideas for stories…I’m a bit disappointed.
Well then, it’s your turn to come up with something better. Send it to me at the “Contact” form. We’re all eagerly awaiting it.
I was Riding shotgun in the white leather of a 73 Thunderbird, wishing my Mom was a car nut or worse keeping up, Thankfully not! But I sure wished We Had a Mark v Let Me Tell You. That Was A sweet looking ride 2 me… and the Designer Color schemes just CLINCH THE deal Over A Cadillac, El Dorado, Coupe DeVille. Sedans Were For Families/older folk.but i like cadillacs better in all seriousness
But In The Long Run… Looking Back Its A Ford , But a Cadillac is Still a Cadillac
collectors editions have been kept mighty fine in many cases. Good Buys now thas GAS$$$ . But Who Drive These Old Cars That much. When You Do you Can Afford to…
In the early 80’s I worked for a gentleman who had a light blue 79 Mark V. His wife had a matching salmon-pink Mark V… Obviously special-ordered that way. Neither car had a vinyl top, which struck me as a strange omission, since a padded top of some sort was almost obligatory on a luxury car during The Great Brougham Epoch. The cars (IMHO) looked better without the vinyl top… Just a cleaner look. I wouldn’t mind having the blue one!
These Lincolns are the darling lawn ornaments of shabby little used car lots everywhere and have been for the last 20 years or so. They’re worth virtually nothing, they’re still somehow extremely plentiful and they’re a hell of a lot more eye-catching than a ’02 Elantra or mid-90s Caravan in purple with black plastic bumpers. It’s usually these, but sometimes it’s a T-Bird or Cougar propped up on a display ramp… always a 70’s FoMoCo land barge – the most unpractical vehicle you could possibly own in 2012.
I used to really hate on them, but now I guess I’m softening my stance a little bit. Enough time has gone by where they’re at least an interesting conversation piece… although I still don’t see why anyone would own one, aside from the not insignificant amount of weirdos who fetishize Malaise yachts. It’s a good thing ole’ Jock didn’t live to see that uncouth Mark VII LSC. Even though it went like a jack rabbit on blacktop in the August sun and cornered something fierce, it was a licentious homage to pronounced European druthers. An impetuous slight towards the fine pedigree of it’s bloodline! Who wants to cut through the wind in some impertinent “aero” sports coupe? When you own a Mark V – the wind, and everything else under God’s sun, knows to step aside – lest pay the consequences – when it makes your presence from afar! REAL POWER IS SOMETHIN’ YA TAKE!!
“…The not insignificant amount of weirdos who fetishize Malaise yachts.”
Round these parts, we call those people “readership,” pardner. 😉
Sometimes I think we’re all just KOOKS (Keepers Of Odd Knowledge Society)… 😛
“Jock itched for a new Lincoln.”
Is that really what Jock itched for?
His other itch had been scratched earlier that morning….
Over four years later this is still funny.
With all the itching Jock had, I’d be concerned about who (or what) had been on those Lincoln front seat cushions.
With all of the sleeping around on that show its a wonder that everyone wasn’t itching.
This is some entertaining stuff.
Jock buying all of the remaining Vs on the lot would have made an interesting scene.
I could also see him scooting over to the Caddy dealer after planting a boot firmly in “Archie’s” behind for wasting his time on the VI. The sponsor probably wouldn’t have liked that too much though.
The long front overhang on the V didn’t hurt it as much as the odd front and rear overhangs on the Panthers. (In my eyes at least..)
The Panther cars could have used an extra 4″ of wheelbase so they didn’t look like they were teetering.
@Canucklehead
That’s a Hot Rod Lincoln! Does it have the Factory CB?
The 335 engine series always fascinated me. The C, M and 400 were great engines (aside from the M and 400s tendency to split).
No CB in this one but it is a Bill Blass edition. The leather is really good after 33 years, very impressive.
The 400 is at this moment being removed from the car and a stroker kit is being installed to bring it up to like 432 cid. I asked him why and he told me “for the fun of it.” It also has a serpantine belt system and all new stainless stuff for all the accesories.
The only bad thing about the car, in my opinion, is the 4.11 rear axle. It is too short for a car of this power and character. The gear splitter helps but it really needs shorter gears. It over revs on the highway and 120 km/h is the limit. Kind of a waste.
Here is an engine pic, taken in May.
That is a waste, I hate when people do that. Car that’s supposed to be a cruiser and they put silly low gearing in it like they’re going to be pulling stumps on Aunt Fran’s farm or something. 3.5 would be plenty, heck I’d even be happy with 3.18… with an engine that powerful you’d have an awesome highway cruiser.
With a car that heavy and a splitter I’d think 4.56 or 4.88 would be ideal depending on tire size. 275/60s (roughly 28″ tall) with 4.88s would go well.
Stroking a 400 is pretty cool. Not many venture that far before going Windsor power.
Sorry I don’t want to drag race I want to go from Chicago to LA retracing as much of 66 as possible.
That’s the beauty of the GV overdrive unit. You don’t have to be a drag racer unless you want to.
I want to do Route 66 as well, but I also plan on doing old highway 99, formerly US 99 that predates I-5. The section I plan on doing is largely the Puget Sound and northern portion through at least Skagit County to the north.
many parts of it still exist around these parts, especially up north of Seattle, but even through the city (minus the viaduct as it gets torn down).
There is still sections of it between Tacoma and Seattle, though not always known as State Route 99, but in many areas as Pacific Highway S.
Will need to do research on the old road before I can do it though.
If it were mine I’d have just dumped that 335 series at the start and put a 460 in it.
In fact that is what I told him but he is having fun doing something usual.
Nice article!
The other day on my way home from work, I spotted not a conti, but a Townie of this vintage, or perhaps a tad earlier (1976 at the earliest) and it had pretty much the same taillight treatment as the ’79 townie.
It was dark brown with a tan vinyl top and looked to be in nice shape too going the opposite way down Broadway on Capitol Hill.
Maybe it’s because I was playing music all afternoon in a hot garage but “And, Jock itched for a new Lincoln.” made me giggle. Another well written episode. I like the way you paralleled Jock’s dismay over the new Mark VI with the public’s response.
I’ll take two please.
This story reminds me of my uncle. He was a Cadillac man, got a new Sedan DeVille every 2 years and when the downsized B/C cars came out his reaction was I’ll go and buy a new Lincoln before I buy one of those sawed off excuses for a car, pure blasphemy since my aunt worked at the local GM dealer. He was in the oil business too. The funny thing is not that long before he traded his full-size pickup for a LUV and that was what he drove a lot of the time as my aunt drove the Caddy to work and he didn’t drive it as much as her.
Since they lived in KS we didn’t see them that often, so I don’t know what if anything he eventually replaced the 76 Caddy with.
I recall test driving a left over 79 and new 80 Mark. The sticker prices were thousands apart. The salesman touted the 80’s superiority, with the FI and the 4 speed overdrive. I didn’t buy either. The 80 drove dramatically different than the bigger 79. Instead of the big, cushiony ride of the 79, the 80 felt like a mid sized ford. The 79 and 80 T-Bird compared similarly.
Can’t really say I want a Mark now. Too big for the era we live in today. I’d go for a mint 77-79 T Bird though.
They were too big then as well. My Dad (living in the midwest) bought a new 1978 Mark V Cartier Edition with the 460 and virtually all options – including factory CB – except for the moonroof. Those doors were incredibly long and heavy and you had to be careful when parking on a hill. If you got in the way of one closing you could get bruised easily. Parallel parking in the city – forget it, especially with those vulnerable glass blades shrouding the turn signals in the front fenders. He offered me the car in 1982 but my LA carport at the time could have held about two-thirds of the car at most. It was a great highway cruiser, especially equipped with the 460 (not available in CA) that loafed along silently at speed.
Funny thing about the Panther platform cars. While Lincoln owners were ‘agast’ in fall 1979, years later the same people gobbled up Panther Town Cars by the truckload for decades. Once they “got used to the look”, the cars were big enough.
And, the Jock Eiwng of today would be driving a Navigator all over the DFW Metroplex.
Great piece! Funny writing peppered with plenty of Mark V eye candy. It made my morning.
I loved the fictional dialogue between Jock Ewing and the car salesman. My mind was actually envisioning this as I read it. I think Jock would have been truly happy with a Continental Mark III. But, even in late 1979, the Mark III was considered “old”. Now, 9-10 year old cars just don’t seem that old, anymore.
I am a new proud owner of a beautiful low millage 1977 Lincoln Continental Mark 5. I like the way it handles on the highway. Crisp, responding to every detail. And the best part. “good looks” which the designers no longer put into cars. Julia Mead said it best on the Ed Sullivan show. For Lincoln truly is, the Finest, of the Fine Car Field!
I have driven quite a lot professionally in Lincolns from the 1980’s.
They are smooth and quiet, but to me they are boxes on wheels. They never meet the standard and the aura of the 1970’s.
I doubt they will ever be classics and loved equals to the Lincolns of the 1970’s.
Once you get to 1990, it is a different ball game. The Town Cars are great in any aspect.
My private ride today – since 2002 – is a Continental Mark IV, and I love it.
I fell in love with it watching William Conrad starring in Cannon, A love that still lasts.
Strangely enough I have never been behind the wheel of a Mark V, but we have friends who have driven a 1977 Mark V Bill Blass since the mid 1990’s, and they would not dream of parting with it.
It seems like they have been everywhere in it.
Even pulling a trailer to the North Cape in Norway and back again.
As much as I like the Mark IV, Lincoln did a great job when they designed the Mark V. Once in a while I will come across a pampered Mark V on Kijiji at a reasonable price. Of course I’ll never buy one, it won’t fit in my garage. To leave one outside in the elements year round would be a sin.
This is the one right here… The ’79 Bill Blass…
My dream brougham when I was 19. I know, I was a weird kid to want one of these at 19. My doctor at the time had one. What a beautiful car…
I have a ’79 Mk V Collectors in white. I bought it from the original owner back in 2006 with 22k miles. I drove it everyday for two years and retired it to weekend duty. It still looks like new (98 point car at LCOC shows). It has been reliable, trouble free and by far the most comfortable car I’ve owned. Plus, even a trip to the corner store feels special. Averages 11-13 MPG, ridiculously huge for a 2+2, but then, so were Duesenberg roadsters, of which this type of car is a direct descendent. If you get past the space utilization, it’s actually practical!
Unrelated to this post, but thought placing the comment here would most likely grab your (Jason S) attn. Was looking at craigslist ads and saw an “’89 5th Avenue” so clicked it. Spammer ad using the pic from your 1985 Dodge Diplomat write-up (and other hodge podge assortment of tan/gold/brown Chrysler products). It’s been flagged for removal now, but isn’t that interesting?! 🙂
I’ve always been a fan of the Mark V…guess I like their interpretation of the “sheer look” better than the slightly baroque curves of its predecessor. (Though the IV was a much more cohesive design before the dreaded 5 MPH bumpers sprouted on either end and ruined the grille/tail treatments.) So I can sympathize with Jock here. The VI didn’t look so bad as a sedan (though it still could have used more wheelbase and a shorter front overhang), but the coupe was literally a MkV squeezed in a press. Identical styling on proportions gone quite wrong.
I notice that in the lead photo, the car is equipped with turbine alloys, whereas the photo with it parked in the driveway shows flat hubcaps. And the car in the museum, the final photo, has something else entirely (not sure, but it’s neither of the previous two options.) So maybe Jock did, in fact, buy several of them? Or maybe his enthusiastic driving on the ranch resulted in broken wheels and tossed hubcaps…
It has the standard wheelcovers from about an ’89 Town Car.
Buyers like “Jock” did return to Lincoln showrooms later in the 80’s and got new Town Cars, after they “got used to” the size. And, the Panther platform lasted quite a long time.
I remember the episode after Jock died, and the dealer asked Miss Ellie if she wanted to sell the Lincoln. The last shot was the dealer driving away in the Lincoln.
Stylewise I prefer the Mark V to the Mark IV. It is Iaccoca’s version of the sheer look. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that these Lincolns would still be appealing to a “real” rich person. Maybe an old fashioned, traditional, wealthy person, but still someone of substantial means. While Cadillacs and Lincolns had been bought by people of more modest means with good credit, I think these were still considered high echelon vehicles. I actually knew people that bought new ones, so they really weren’t unattainable.
Today, I suppose that the folks with money don’t shop anywhere but the Bentley dealer, though they could settle for a Mercedes or a BMW. I imagine that the “thrifty” millionaire might buy a Lexus, if they were watching their pennies.
Of course I could be completely wrong, in Paul Fussel’s book, Class, he stated that the really rich don’t care about the status of a car, they just drive whatever does the job. They actually prefer to drive something that is down market in a display of indifference. Only the nouveau riche are concerned with image.
Times have changed and the older generations who built the 20th century are dead or dying. Shame, but that’s the way of life. I personally wish we could go back to the year 1960 and redo the 60s without President Kennedy’s assassination and not getting involved in Viet Nam.
In the comments above, back in 2012, Paul posted “From the front end proportions of the that Mark VI, with the front wheels so far back, you’d swear it was fwd.”
I find that true not only of the Panther platform, but also the Fox platform. The proportions are a bit off. Vehicles built off of both of these platforms would have looked infinitely better had the wheels been placed further forward, with less front overhang.
When did Miss Ellie ever drive a Maverick? She drove a VW Gold Cabriolet.
Once the ‘Jocks’ of Middle America got “used to the size” of Panther Town Cars, they snapped them up like hotcakes. And, the 79’s were forgotten.
CC what do all you want? Efficient cars or 10 mpg?