Vehicle Description
1989 Lincoln Mark VII Bill Blass Edition
It's the big premier. You're on the red carpet, cameras are
flashing, and the big question is who are you wearing? Versace?
Gucci? Cartier? Givenchy? Valentino? - all are relevant
world-renowned designer labels that consumers shell out their
high-limit credit cards for, and all were at one time or another,
special "Designer Series" editions of the Lincoln Continental Mark
Series. But Bill Blass you say... who might that be?
For consignment a woman's shoe and handbag designer lends his name
for a Marquee edition of the Lincoln Mark VII Continental. In an
age where high limit credit cards are used to shell out big dollars
just for a name brand or designer brand, this car was the longest
running example of such a deal.
Exterior
For this year, Lincoln broke with several traditions. One being
gone are the long and boxy designed previous editions that were
held on to with tooth and nail and finally the top brass decided to
acquiesce and forego the hidden headlights and utilize the much
smaller rounded design for this year's car. Unlike GM and Chrysler,
whose downsized cars were mostly generic unemotional boxes, Ford
didn't sacrifice style in the process of going smaller with the
Mark VII, giving it a look that was like no other car on the
market. Even more impressive is how designers managed to
incorporate traditional Mark Series styling cues - such as a
prominent radiator grille, long hood and short deck (it is a
Foxbody car after all), rakish (for the class) roofline, and even a
Continental spare tire bulge - seamlessly into the modern,
aerodynamic sheet metal for a contemporary stately elegance. Our
excellent example is bathed in Twilight Blue Metallic. A few areas
that have suffered a bit are among the rockers and their stainless
trimming joints, where some bubbling underlying rust can be seen
through the paint. All else is shiny and some features new to this
year are a numeric pad entry code, an aftermarket sunroof, aircraft
styled door sills that wrap slightly into the roofline, and a
gracefully swooping rear glass that eventually ends up on a
smoothed over spare tire hump on the back. Wire wheels top off this
car's elegant looks befitting to wear the famous designer's
name.
Interior
Tasteful Titanium Gray flirts with faux wood panels for the doors
and full on leather on the overstuffed seats. These big buckets up
front have severe padded panels in the Titanium leather color and
sport buttons for that extra oomph of luxury. In the center is an
undulating center console which houses window and side view mirror
controls, an ash receptacle, and shift lever. These are all within
more faux wood paneling which rises to the center dash where we can
tune the aftermarket neatly mounted AM/FM/CD player, temp controls,
or play with a litany lineup of toggles that will bring various
blue readout displays at the touch of your fingers. Interestingly
the dash did not get the rounded look message and hangs on top of
the square and rectangle design motif that the exterior has since
forgotten. Displays are all in blue and all in LED readouts, and
are with square panels in front of the driver. Gray carpeting
floods the floors, and a nice tight gray headliner floats above the
massive overstuffed rear bench that could double as a queen size
bed in a pinch if the mood so motivates you.
Drivetrain
All stuffed under the long aero, euro styled hood and behind the
iconic grille is a 5.0 Liter V8 fed by EFI. Some slight patina and
light corrosion is noted on various cast aluminum parts, but
overall very clean and there are a long list of maintenance records
that have been meticulously kept over its years of service. An AOD
4-speed automatic transmission is on back with a Ford 8.8-inch rear
axle with 3.08 gears.
Undercarriage
Straight structurally sound steel which is remaining rust free
unibody construction supports the upper car and drivetrain. Slight
surface rust is forming on the rear pumpkin and axle and lightly on
the brake housings but remains mostly unremarkable. Suspension is
Macpherson strut airbag for the front, and a 4 link with more
airbags for the rear. A totally smooth ride is obtained for any
conditions. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners, and dual
exhaust is in inspection passing condition.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and a smooth idle where I did not even realize it
was running! I hopped in the luxurious leather interior and on the
test track was treated to total comfort and ergonomic controls
right at my fingertips. Nice acceleration, good solid braking, and
even nimble handling for that bagged suspension. Definitely a great
cruiser. The power antenna resisted the coaxing of my fingertip, as
did the high beams which did not stay on with my steering mounted
stalk. All else worked perfectly.
A fine example of the new aero, smooth compact exterior restyling
to meet the times when European luxury cruisers were invading our
shores in droves. This car does a nice job of keeping up with the
Germans and presents well. A beautiful exterior and interior combo,
let's take a long road trip to break her in!
VIN DECODE
1LNBM92E0KY765994
1-USA
L-Lincoln
N-Passenger Car
B-Manual Belts
M92-Mark VII Bill Blass Edition
E-5.0L V8 225hp
0-Check Digit
K-1989
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
765944-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.