1979 Lincoln Mark V Bill Blass Edition

1979 Lincoln Mark Series Bill Blass Description

The following information was taken directly from our website: 1979lincoln.com

The Bill Blass Edition Continental Mark V was a marine theme in 1979, depicted by the brochure. This brochure [included with the car] was provided to me when I acquired the car in 2012 from the wife of the original owner who had passed away a few years prior to me acquiring the car. The deal he made when he purchased it was penned inside it.

As you can see from the photos posted of the actual car, this car fully resembles the one inside the brochure. The white seats with the blue piping is by far the classiest color choice for this model. The blue seats were a bit bland in comparison, but the car was available either way.

The carriage top as shown above (not an actual convertible) was also not the only choice available. All Bill Blass edition Mark V cars came with a special Bill Blass designed boat anchor styled into the buttons in the seating, the pin-striping on the trunk lid, and the badges on the top. The royal blue and white color combination added the final marine theme touch.

The 1979 model year was the final model year [of three] for the Mark V Lincoln Continental personal luxury coupe and this distinctive series was far less “bulky” than the previous series. Mark V models showcased a clean stately look that executives felt at home with in the driver seat, portrayed by sharper bladed fenders and a fresh crisp roof line not associated with other vehicles offered at that time.

The fender “gills” not only added styling, but were also functional in their design by adding air flow to the engine compartment for increased cooling. Other discriminative identifiers exclusive to the Continental series include the “Rolls” styled grille and the Continental “humped” trunk lid.

These design features created an overall look and feel that appealed to executives, and at a price that was within their reach. Today, however, this car likely turns more heads than it did early on. When I drive it, I feel like I am escorting a beautiful woman across the stage. People seem to stop and stare with a look of surprise, often pointing and always smiling with admiration.

You will love this car!

Notes:

When I got the car in 2012, I updated the AC refrigerant. In 2013, I replaced the original radiator, but I kept it should the new owner want to re-core it and reinstall it back to original. I also replaced the battery with an Exide NASCAR Select.

In 2014, I replaced the starter and kept the original starter – but the original starter was not broken, rather the solenoid was the issue, so I replaced that.

The original owners (husband and wife) owned a local business. The car was titled to the business and used sparingly during the summer months [as they owned other vehicles too].

Several years ago, the [husband] passed away after being bedridden for a few years prior to that. During that time, the Lincoln remained in their garage and the [wife] kept it going by starting it and running it in the garage on a regular basis. The patina in the passenger door came as a result of her opening her mini van door into it. (Makes you cringe, right?)

When I acquired the car in 2012, I did not start it. I had a local ramp truck pick it up and deliver it to my mechanic. He is an old-school wizard with classic cars, and serviced the engine and fuel systems before firing it up.

This Mark V had just under 24,000 miles on it when I picked it up in the spring of 2012. I have now operated it for fivesummers and exercised it well, putting another 11,000 miles on it. The title says that I bought it with 28K on it due to a typing error at my insurance company, but the bill of sale is accurate to my statement. This is obviously not an issue anymore because I drove it past the 28K miles anyway.

This 1979 Lincoln Mark V has been a privilege to own and drive. What surprises me is the attention she gets everywhere she goes. It seems everyone wants to take a closer look and pay her compliments.

If you really want to own a really nice classic car, this is one of the finest drivers you will find in this price range.