2004 Lincoln Mark X Concept

'The focus wîth Mark X was on pure, integrated design. Our holistic exterior and interior design approach instantly shows its rewards…' - Marek Reichman, Chief Designer • Mark X's sumptuous interior and integrated exterior design theme embody future Lincoln luxury. • Mark X is Lincoln's first convertible wîth a power-folding, retractable, glass-roofed hard top. The forward-lòòking design aspirations of Lincoln vehicles in the 21st century are expressed by the Mark X, Lincoln's first two-door convertible concept wîth a power-folding, retractable, glass-roofed hard top. Mark X, pronounced 'Mark Ten,' is a two-seat luxury convertible roadster that blends design elegance wîth driving athleticism. The use of rich materials, varying textures and contrasting colors represents an evolution of the current Lincoln design philosophy. Throughout its history, Lincoln has used the Mark name to signal a truly special vehicle. It began wîth Edsel Ford's first Continental, the Mark I. Next followed the 1956 Continental Mark II, which quickly became a classic because of its high quality, clean styling and consumate good taste. The 1969 Mark III went on to sell more than 30,000 units, making it at the time, Lincoln's most successful new model ever. Other Mark vehicles were introduced in the 1970s, '80's and '90's. The Mark X concept is designed to demonstrate the potential of the Lincoln brand by stretching its DNA to a sophisticated roadster. While a concept at this point, Mark X illustrates one possibility for expanding Lincoln into new luxury niches. 'The focus wîth Mark X was on pure, integrated design,' said Marek Reichman, chief designer. 'Our holistic exterior and interior design approach instantly shows its rewards, competing against the best personal luxury convertibles in the world.' Based on the rear-wheel-drive Ford Thunderbird architecture, Mark X features a 3.9-liter, 4-valve DOHC V-8 aluminum engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission delivering 280 horsepower and 286 foot-pounds of torque. Its athletic stance is accomplished through 19-inch, 12-spoke machined aluminum wheels wîth P245/40/R19 Michelin tires on the front and wider P275/35/R19 tires in the rear. Clean Surface Design Mark X's surface language is a model of precision engineering. Emphasis was placed on integrating design into the functional aspects of the car from the expansive grille to the innovative door handles to the sleek rear fascia. The result is an uncluttered exterior where essential details like the delicate contrast of Atlantic Pearl paint, chrome accents and well-placed Lincoln emblems are subtle, yet drape the vehicle in elegance. The focal point of Mark X's exterior is a new Lincoln grille. The polished aluminum egg-crate grille features a rhythmic pattern of solid horizontal and vertical chrome trim. Mark X's grille may appear on future Lincoln vehicles. Two High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps use an arc capsule to generate a faster response and produce double the amount of light compared to a conventional headlamp. Mark X's sleek 185-inch profile is accentuated through the refined use of a chrome finisher along the upper shoulder line that wraps the entire vehicle and a subtle shoulder break that runs front to rear. Únderstated breaks also appear on the rear deck and hood while heated exterior rear view mirrors wîth directional indicators are elongated for visual emphasis. Occupants access Mark X using slender polished aluminum door handles that are flush-mounted to the driver and passenger door surface. Thumb locators set in the door handles allow the handles to reveal themselves when pushed. Both doors can also be opened by remote keyless entry. To ease ingress and egress, one-piece hinges on the inside driver and passenger doors move the doors forward and out to give increased foot clearance at the front compared wîth conventional hinges. Mark X's boattail rear fascia offers pure and clean surfaces without typical bumper offsets. The wide, Light Emitting Diode (LED) tail lamps center the Lincoln emblem. The LEDs light up 200 milliseconds faster than traditional bulbs, consume less power and outlast more conventional lighting sources. Consistent wîth the vehicle's integrated design theme, the dual exhaust pipes are neatly placed into Mark X's sloping rear. At nearly 15 cubic feet, Mark X's leather-lined trunk is spacious. The fully powered two-piece glass roof is choreographed to stow smartly into the rear deck in less than 30 seconds without interfering wîth trunk space. Inviting and Indulgent Interior Mark X's high-quality interior showcases Ford Motor Company's tripling of investment in interior design. The interior workmanship of Mark X is flawlessly crafted. The right combination of contrasting colors and textured materials presents a modern and luxurious cabin. Mark X's Lime Sorbet interior is complemented wîth White Corian accents, polished aluminum, dark chrome, natural grain leather seating, plush sheepskin flooring and tailored tone-on-tone stitching throughout. The instrument panel integrates a softly illuminated, jewel-like instrument cluster that combines analog wîth digital technology. A solid flowing center console constructed of ribbed dark chrome separates driver and passenger, unites the interior wîth the exterior and conceals a storage unit in the rear bulk head. A laser-inscribed 'Lincoln Mark X' vanity plate above the glove box suggests an air of luxury. A four-spoke, power adjustable §teering wheel wrapped wîth leather and dark chrome features cruise, volume and navigation controls. Mark X's SelectShift transmission allows the driver to shift from manual drive to a five-speed automatic from the §teering wheel or shifter in the center console. A multi-functional, 7-inch LCD information panel is operated by a mouse located in the center console and displays satellite navigation, climate control status and vehicle dynamics like seat memory or tire pressure. Occupants further benefit from Mark X amenities like rain-sensing windshield wipers, an automatic dimming interior rear view mirror and Lincoln's exclusive THX®-certified audio system wîth six speakers, automatic mute control and automatic volume adjust. Dual zone climate control wîth pollen filtration allows a 30-degree F difference in temperature settings for the driver and passenger. Source - Lincoln Media Sold for $101,750 at 2010 RM Auctions. The Lincoln Mark X is the last of the 'Mark Lincolns', serving as the company's replacement to their MK9 Concept shown three years earlier. The Mark Ten was a direct take-off on the 2002-2005 two-seat Thunderbird but with a number of luxury touches. The Mark X had a new Lincoln grille. The polished aluminum egg-crate grille features a rhythmic pattern of solid horizontal and vertical chrome trim. Two High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps use an arc capsule to generate a faster response and produce double the amount of light compared to a conventional headlamp. The cars had polished aluminum door handles that are flush-mounted to the door surfaces. There are thumb locators set in the door handles which allow the handles to reveal themselves when pushed. There is a remote keyless entry system which can be used to open both doors. One-piece hinges move the doors forward and out to allow increased foot clearance at the front compared with conventional hinges. In the back are wide LED tail lamps that center the Lincoln emblem. There are dual exhaust pipes that are placed neatly into the sloping rear contour. Inside, there is a Lime Sorbet interior that is complemented with White Corian accents, polished aluminum, dark chrome, natural grain leather seating, plus sheepskin flooring and tailored tone-on-tone stitching throughout. There is a four-spoke, power adjustable steering wheel wrapped with leather and dark chrome features cruise, volume and navigation controls. The SelectShift transmission allows the driver to shift from manual drive to a five-speed automatic from the steering wheel or shifter in the center console. Power is from a 3.9-liter DOHC V8 engine delivering 280 horsepower. There are four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes and a five-four-wheel independent coil spring suspension. In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $101,750 inclusive of buyer's premium. Source: Internet

2004 Lincoln Aviator Concept

Sold for $44,000 at 2010 RM Auctions. The Aviator Concept was Lincoln's first car-based 'crossover' sport utility vehicle. It made its public debut at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Perhaps one of its most prominent features was its new grille, which was soon to be seen on other Lincoln models. The polished egg-crate grille, reminiscent of Continental models of the past, had a rhythmic pattern of solid horizontal and vertical chrome trim. Also a cue from the 1961 Lincoln Continental were the grille surround which encompassed the headlamps. The face incorporates a nearly 2-inch by 4-inch Lincoln star and a bright horizontal blade by the lower air intake. The engine was a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 that delivered 302 horsepower. There was a six-speed automatic gearbox with overdrive and four-wheel hydraulic power anti-lock disc brakes. The Aviator Concept rode on 21-inch spoked wheels, made from a combination of polished and cast aluminum. In the center of the wheels were the Lincoln star. Additional polished brightwork was found running the length of the side windows, on the door handles, head-and tail lamps and vehicle badging. The glass lift-gate features a nearly 3-inch by 6-inch floating Lincoln star, integrating horizontal taillamps that stretch the full breadth of the rear and emphasizing the vehicle's width. The tailgate hinges flat, offering an unobstructed entry to an unexpected amount of interior cabin space. In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $44,000 inclusive of buyer's premium. Source: Internet

The 2002 Lincoln Continental Concept

Sold for $56,100 at 2010 RM Auctions. The Lincoln Continental Concept was a powerful executive car that had an understated appearance. There were center-opening power-operated doors that operated independently. They had pillarless aperture on each side stretching nearly six feel with both doors open. The articulating hinges allowed the doors to be opened 90 degrees and a right frame that added structural rigidity along the A-pillar, rear roof pillar, sill and roof rails. Under the hood was a 6.0-liter V12 engine that delivered 414 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. There were four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and a six-speed automatic transmission. The wheelbase measured 136.6-inches. Each door panel and in the headliner featured indirect fiber optic lighting. Headlamps also utilize fiber optic technology, using a single light generator ducted by fiber to each of the four round headlamps. This requires less power than conventional halogen bulbs but produces two-and-a-half times the illumination. The instrument panel makes use of Organic Light Emitting Diode technology, which uses a light-emitting polymer film. The deck lid is hydraulically-power operated and opens on a parallelogram linkage that keeps it horizontal at all times. When open, it provides easy access to three sliding storage draws fitted into the luggage compartment. A large luggage tray slides out by remote control to accept fitted Zero Halliburton luggage and golf club cases. In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $56,100 inclusive of buyer's premium. Source: Internet

1953 Lincoln Fifty-X

Source: Internet

1955 Lincoln Futura Concept

Some enthusiasts say that the Lincoln Futura was the most successful, and the most dramatic Lincoln concept vehicle that ever graced the circuit. The original Batmobile, the ultimate car that struck awe in countless fans for a decade was originally a concept dubbed the Lincoln Futura. Designed by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company, the Futura was constructed entirely by hand in Turin, Italy for an extreme $250,000. Ghia is famed for having the best pane beaters in the world, and at the time of the Futura, Ghia craftsmen were famous for their workmanship and preferred to work in metal over fiberglass. Much like many other concepts, the Futura was never actually put into production. The Lincoln Futura made its official debut on the auto show circuit in 1955. Even in comparison to other eccentric and exotic vehicles in the 1950's, the Futura's design style was considered extreme and even impractical. Unlike other concepts of the day though, the Futura was fully operable and featured a complete powertrain. The concept featured double, clear-plastic canopy top, huge outward-canted tailfins on both ends of the car and exaggerated hooded headlight pods. With a chassis that came directly from a Lincoln Mark II, the Futura was powered by a 368 cubic inch Lincoln engine and powertrain. As a show vehicle, the Futura was a tremendous success and was well received by an excited public that loved the futuristic machine. The Futura's headlights and tailfin motifs were used on production Lincolns for the 1956 and 1957 models, though in a much less ‘loud' way. This exciting car was also released as a model kit and a toy. Lincoln-Mercury's Division's chief stylist from 1945 until 1955, Bill Schmidt was the ultimate brains behind the design of the Futura. Schmidt was also responsible for updating the '50 and '51 Lincoln models and also the design of the 1952 Lincoln, the '53 Lincoln XL 500 concept vehicle and the '56 Lincoln. In 1940 Schmidt received his initial training at the old Ford Trade school before going to work in the Ford styling studio in 1942. Though he wasn't lead of the design team, Schmidt was an amazing stylist whose skill was apparent in the futuristic and prolific styling of the Futura. Responsible for the initial design behind it and the concept of the Futura, Schmidt had assistance from other engineers and stylists, but he had the distinct pleasure of seeing his project to completion. Schmidt's conceptual design of the Futura was inspired by a Bahamas vacation, a run-in with a shark, tropical sea life, and the shimmer of underwater fish. A mako shark and a mata ray get partial credit for the 1955 Lincoln Futura influences as well. Bill Mitchell, (Harley Earl's right hand man), also went with Schmidt and gained inspiration for the Corvette XP-755 Shark concept vehicle and the production 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. The vacation had a hermetic effect on Schmidt, Mitchell and on auto history in general. Schmidt sketched several renderings initially, since the Design Center Budget allocated 10 % of its finances for the design of this project. Schmidt put together a design team along with engineers to ensure that the design would actually be something that could be constructed. John Najjar carried out body development of the Futura while the engineering was taken care of by Martin Regitko. The 20 years following World War II were a craze of modern jet aircraft inspiration for vehicles, and the Futura was no exception. All of the futuristic innovations on the Futura; the air intakes at the front of the rear fins, the interior, the rear-end treatment, the front and rear fins, the ventilation system and the grille, were heavily based on America's love affair with aircrafts. Pearlescent, frost-blue white was the brand new color painted on the Futura, in Schmidt's attempts to capture the iridescence of the fish he had viewed in the Caribbean. This brilliant color was created by Ghia who ground and pulverized the scales of thousands of fish to mix into the paint color. Most concepts discreetly disappear following their debut, but not the Futura. A much more thrilling future was in store for the concept. One of the great Auto Customizers, George Barris purchased the Futura concept and since the car had never been titled and could not be insured, it remained parked behind its owners shop for several years. The Futura was allowed to fall into disrepair and many would have assumed that the story ended here. Not so for the Lincoln Futura. Barris was asked to design a theme vehicle in 1966 for what became the Batman TV series and he contracted styling Dean Jeffries to actually build the vehicle for the show. Starting with a 1959 Cadillac, Jeffries started on the design and the original fabrication for the Batmobile. The studio demanded something faster than that, and it was more than Jeffries could deliver, so he sent the project back to Barris. Barris used Jeffries initial vehicle, but he also had a feeling about the Futura due to its unique winged shape that made it a great beginning for the creation of the Batmobile. Bill Cushenberry was responsible for all metal modifications of the Batmobile. Five more corresponding models were constructed for the show circuit. The actual model used for the filming of the Batman series swapped out the Lincoln frame and engine with 1966 Ford Galaxie parts. The Futura concept lives on always as the Batmobile was the banal Sixties TV version of the Batman saga. The actual Batmobile is much better known in the history books than the Futura, which stings car enthusiasts. Source: Internet

1944 Lincoln Zephyr Ambulance

In 1936 Lincoln introduced the Zephyr, named and styled after the streamlined Burlington Zephyr express train. The train was an aerodynamic diesel powered streamliner that brought an end to the steam-engined trains and set many new speed-records. The Zephyr stayed in production until 1942 when it was discontinued to make way for the new Mercury line which was in a similar market segment. Since the Mercury's were derived from a Ford running gear and chassis they were cheaper to produce, Lincoln decided to cancel the Zephyr after only six years of production. The styling was courteous of the Dutch-Born designer John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Corporation, however, prior to production Ford's stylist Bob Gregorie restyled the front end. Under the hood was a Ford-derived V-12 that produced 110 horsepower, not enough to do justice to the Zephyr name and what it represented, but a modest amount to carry the vehicle where it was tasked to travel. In 1936 around 15000 Zephyrs were constructed, nearly 80% of all Lincolns sold. Nearly 1500 were given coupe/sedan body-styles which were a two-door sedan configuration built on a chassis that could have accommodated four-doors. In the year 2005, Lincoln reintroduced the Zephyr. To help create excitement at auto shows, Lincoln purchased a 1936 Zerphyr serial number H-5739, to tour with the modern Lincoln Zephyr. Due to the onset of World War II, Lincoln switched to war-related production. Production resumed in 1946 and continued until 1948. Source: Internet

1956 Lincoln Custom Pioneere

Providing inspiration of the 1956 Premier, William M. Schmidt, Manager of Lincoln styling department, designed the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car basing his design on the Manta Ray and the Mako Shark, debuting January 8th of 1955 at the Chicago Auto Show at an estimated design cost of $250,000. The Futura is equally famous for its feature in the movie 'It Started With A Kiss' starring Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford and became the 'Batmobile' used in the famous 1960's TV show. Styled in the tradition of famous 1950's how cars is this custom built station wagon created in the likeness of the Hess & Eisenhart's station wagons produced for Cadillac in the 1950's. It features a 14-inch chassis stretch and a 52-inch roof stretch. Source: Internet