1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V

1977 Lincoln Continental Mark V - A Big Winner

For 1977, Lincoln completely reskinned the Mark series, renaming it the Mark V. The external dimensions were almost identical to its Mark IV predecessor but due to the angular styling the car appeared to be longer and lower. The Mark V offered more trunk space and weighed 500 pounds less than the IV, tipping the scales at 4,650 pounds. The V rode on a 120 inch wheelbase and was 230 inches long overall. An AM/FM radio was now standard, as was a Cartier day/date clock. For the first time, a CB radio was offered as an option.

The Mark V's standard engine was a 400 cubic inch V-8 with a two-barrel carb, making a mere 166 horsepower. A larger engine, displacing 460 cubic inches, was optional. It had a four-barrel carb and produced 210 horsepower. Both engines had the same compression ratio (8 to 1) and could be run on regular unleaded fuel.

The base price of the Mark V was $11,396 but several trim options were offered including four Designer Series cars - Gevinchy, Bill Blass, Cartier and Pucci. Designer this-and-that was quite big in the 1970s. 1977 was the best year for unit sales in Lincoln's history-to-date. Overall Lincoln sales were 191,355 cars; 80,321 were Mark Vs.

For the first time, the Mark outsold Cadillac's Eldorado. Some folks were put-off by the newly-restyled and downsized Eldo. Overall Cadillac sales were almost double those of Lincoln at 358,487, but Lincoln was catching up and would eventually outsell Cadillac after Caddy's next round of downsizing in the mid-1980s. (Originally posted 2/28/14)

Remember When: 1977

In 1977, Elvis Presley died at age 42. Other deaths included actor Sebastian Cabot, actor/singer prima donna Maria Callas, Bing Crosby, actress Joan Crawford, actor Charlie Chaplin, actor Andy Devine, jazz pianist Erroll Garner, actor Peter Finch, bandleader Guy Lombardo and comedians Groucho Marx and Freddie Prinze, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, conductor Leopold Stokowski and rocket scientist Wernher von Braun.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Silver Jubilee. The first Space Shuttle flew; the notorious Son of Sam killer was arrested in New York. Jimmy Carter was inaugurated as U.S. President. Transfer of the Panama Canal was agreed to with full transfer to be completed by 2000. Most Vietnam draft evaders were pardoned.

The Apple II computer was introduced; other new products included generic 'no-brand' food products, computer games and windsurfing equipment. MRI was a new device used for medical imaging. Red Dye No. 2 was banned in the U.S. due to cancer concerns.

General Motors downsized its full-size cars; Peugeot and Citroen merged into a single automotive entity. Over two million imported cars were sold in the U.S. during the 1977 model year. Toyota, Datsun and Volkswagen were the most popular import brands. Volkswagen ceased production of the ‘Beetle’ in Germany after forty years. Production of the Wankel rotary-engined NSU Ro80 came to an end. Janice Gutherie became the first woman to race at the Indy 500.

New movies included 'Star Wars', 'Saturday Night Fever', 'Semi-Tough,' 'Annie Hall', 'Airport 1977,' and 'Oh, God!' New television shows included 'The New Mickey Mouse Club', 'Eight Is Enough', 'Soap', 'Lou Grant' and 'The Love Boat'. A new miniseries, 'Roots' - based on Alex Haley's 1976 book - debuted.

Top songs for '77 included 'Hotel California', 'Margaritaville', 'Dancing Queen', 'How Deep Is Your Love', 'Blue Bayou' and 'Hard Rock Cafe'. Disco was in full swing with a whole potful of disco songs including 'Disco Star Wars.'

The NY Yankees won the World Series over the LA Dodgers 4-2.

More AutoSketch car drawings can be found here.

Other Pages Of Interest

Disclaimer

The facts presented here are based on my best guesses and my substantially faulty geezer memory. The opinions expressed herein are strictly those of the author and are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Probably.

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If I have slandered any brands of automobiles, either expressly or inadvertently, they're most likely crap cars and deserve it. Automobile manufacturers should be aware that they always have the option of trying to change my mind by providing me with vehicles to test drive.

If I have slandered any people or corporations, either expressly or inadvertently, they should buy me strong drinks (and an expensive meal) and try to prove to me that they're not the jerks I've portrayed them to be. If you're buying, I'm willing to listen.

Don't be shy - try a bribe. It might help.

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