Battle of the Marks! The 1969 Lincoln Mark III vs. 1972 Lincoln Mark IV

[@Johnnycdrums]

No contest, MK III is the ticket.

[@tonyelliott7734]

Agree 100%

[@WyattWillis88]

Damn straight. Hard to think of any golden era car where I wouldn't rather have a 1969 vs a 1972 version of the same car

[@jimmiecarter2094]

Have to agree

[@serfcityherewecome8069]

I wouldn't say no contest, but yes, always preferred the III as well.

[@gregoryj.m.8985]

Mark lll hands down....69/70 highest output 460s.

[@amandab.recondwith8006]

My dad had a Mark V. it was white with a white leather interior. I loved it, but found the dimensions daunting. The front hood was so long, it was like driving an International Harvester tractor, and the two doors were so huge and heavy, my mother was once trapped because she had parked uphill and couldn't keep the driver's door from slamming shut on her because of gravity. I once drove it to a party my girlfriend had gotten an invitation to. It turned out to be on a tractor trail through the woods, and the party consisted of a gathering of the Hell's Angels. They stared as this huge white car came bouncing across the field. Needless to say, we did not fit in with the torn jeans, tattoos, and huge Harleys. But they were very nice to us and thought I had a lot of guts to barge into their party driving that huge fancy car. When we left, I thought I would never be the same again!

[@pcno2832]

Even when I was driving early 1970s Cadillacs, the Mark IV, Mark V and Thunderbird looked clumsy by comparison, with so much of the length in the hood. I worked with a woman who had just bough one and the first thing she noticed was how hard it was to get a view for a left turn without getting too close to the path of oncoming traffic.

[@BubbaSmurft]

Did your girlfriend or you "pull the train"?

[@tonyelliott7734]

I worked in a small town with a biker guy back in the late 80's that was known around as someone not to be messed with, even by all the other 'tough' guys. In and out of jail constantly. Got off on self defense when he killed his brother. He drove a clapped out black on black 69' Lincoln Mark III and it seemed to fit his personality perfectly...lol

[@Doc1855]

The wheel arches are beautiful on the Mark 3

[@vince6115]

I always give u a thumbs up before watching

[@jamesengland7461]

same

[@ChadQuick270W]

Both were driven by Frank Cannon on the TV series Cannon and were nicknamed “The Cannon Mobile” great video here of two awesome huge vehicles

[@czechmate6916]

You beat me to it 🤣

[@TheAstrueblue]

A Cannonmobile Mark IV is a dream car of mine, complete with a car phone

[@ChadQuick270W]

Yeah “Cannon” is a favorite of mine as I’m in the large category myself, lol. I like big cars with a soft pillow-like ride.

[@curtcollett2893]

And the Mark III in the French Connection came equipped with illegal drugs.

[@chrissunde1104]

The 72' exterior is gorgeous. The 69' would be my pick. Great comparison video.

[@DSP1968]

I'm with you, Adam. I too, have a preference for the Mark III. I think the Mark IV is OK, but I do appreciate the luxury trim groups, the Silver Luxury Group and the Blue Diamond Fire Luxury Group in particular. Having owned one for a number of years, i loved driving my Mark III. One thing you failed to mention is the way the Mark III would push you back against the seat under hard acceleration. Such wonderful torque!

[@RareClassicCars]

Yes. The Mark IV doesn’t have the same oomph

[@volktales7005]

Mom had the identical Mk IV, down to the colour. She found navigating it in steep driveways to be downright dangerous due to lack of visibility over that hood. That car had the shortest tenure in our family by far as she hated it so much. It was certainly pretty to look at though. And as a bonus, I built my first model car (a Revell snap together '57 Chevy) in the back seat while waiting for my older sister to finish her shopping. Good times...

[@johnkendrick7304]

I absolutely love the 72 mark with the small bumpers and that interior color is absolutely gorgeous

[@wmalden]

I really enjoyed my 1985 Mark VII LSC. Sadly, it was often mistaken for a Thunderbird by non-car people!

[@ScarlettFire341]

I had the 87 Mark VII Bill Blass - sweet Driver

[@corralescruiser8957]

I currently own a 92 LSC Special Edition garnet red over black leather interior. Absolutely wonderful car!

[@ScarlettFire341]

@@corralescruiser8957 I also owned a 93 Mark 8 - Loved that car as well - the wrap around dash was a great look

[@Richard4point6]

I always wanted a III. I even prefer the III's styling. Great presentation!

[@jeffe4297]

The Lincoln Mark series is one of the very few cars that I like every generation of, though I’m partial to the later Mark VII models.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I really love the 69 thru 79 Mark series with the Mark lll being my absolute favorite!!! 👍👍🙂

[@joegy9944]

Beautiful comparison, the burgundy Mark III is fabulous! Mark III is worth 10 of the Mark IV! Unbelievable how they cheapened it in just 3 years. Great trivia on the pintuck on the seat cushion, pure quality!

[@gsams1969]

I had a Mark IV. Rode excellent. Did a Duke of Hazzard airborne of about 6 inches going to fast. But my son was about 8 years ago and to this day he remembers it.

[@JoshuaBSams]

This is true! It shaped my whole life. 😂

[@douggoding8431]

The wheel well flaring on the Mark IV remind me of you 1966 Toronado.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Nice to see a side by each lol comparison! FIRST thing I noticed was the Gold '72 looked more streamlined with the wipers hidden! Nice colour too!

[@TheMormonPower]

Adam, the only thing I wish your Mark III had, was real wood dash instead of plastic. I would get a '70 or 71 cause I really love the organic feel of natural wood 😮

[@Cstoreri]

Thx Adam

[@markbehr88]

Great comparo. I am lucky enough to also have both of these models.

[@jjonesbanking]

I’m obsessed with the Mark III. Such a beautiful, well built car. Thanks Adam for sharing your cars with us. Your channel makes my day!

[@OnkelPHMagee]

I particularly enjoy these "one generation apart" comparisons. Have you ever done a GM full-size '76 vs. '77 review?

[@RareClassicCars]

Not yet.

[@doriandenard5846]

​@@RareClassicCarsmaybe not a generation to the next but how about your 67 Impala with the 454 vs your 1977 Chevy Impala 9C1? Would be interesting to see how much they changed. I already know your favorite one😉

[@70sleftover]

That would be interesting. I can imagine the handling and rattling differences alone. But even if the '77s had supposedly "more interior room" according to the EPA, I bet the '76s would feel wider especially in the back seat.

[@rickr442]

I had the twin of that ‘69 back in the ‘70s, just a magnificent car, eerily silent and FAST.

[@MG-sj1em]

Great video and 100% agree with you. When the Mark III came out I remember all I wanted was M lll. But I believe, because a friends dad had one, the Mark IV actually was introduced in 1971-1/2, it did not have the lower cross bar on the grill and it also did not have an opera windows. Some late models (71.5) did have opera windows but still no cross or bumper bar on the grill. I read it was because Ford rushed it. These Marks (3&4) were the best in my view. I had 75, 76, 77 never a 72. I did have a 68 Lincoln 2 door it was very much like a Mark lll. Thanks for the great video!

[@nlpnt]

What I heard is that the extra bumper bar was in response to owners' complaints about how easy it was to bash the grille while parking.

[@flubberlane8437]

I like those big cars and they ride like a dream 😀

[@MattGuzman-ng2yx]

In 1982, my older brother had a '72 Lincoln, it was a light blue w/a white vinyl top. Don't remember whay Mark it was, but it was certainly a tremendous car for my 13 yr old eyes! Then a week or so later, his bestbud drives up in a 78 Town Car, that was even more HUGE!!! 😳 Since seeing THAT Lincoln for the first time, I've driven nothing but Town Cars since! But the Linc Coupe my brother had...started me on my love for these boats!!! 😊

[@dcole9589]

GREAT story. I remember seeing the 59 Caddilac at a gas station in 59 for the first time, at 6 years old. I have been a Cadillac fan ever since, even though I owned a 69 Mark III, a most stunning, fine automobile. The Mark III finer than the 67 Eldorado I owned and loved it also.

[@onkelmicke9670]

That gold Mark IV is a really great looking car.

[@tonyelliott7734]

I know where a 58' Lincoln Premier is. Just finished complete drivetrain and all mechanical restoration on one about 2 months ago in Southeastern Virginia. Also did a 69' Mark III 6 months before that. I love the 69'. The 58' not as much...lol

[@dj33036]

I bought a '63 Thunderbird from an older gentleman that had just upgraded to a brand new '69 Mark III

[@ezedozitt21]

There was a TV Serial, "Cannon"...he used to drive Lincolns...it was a great show with great cars! 😀👍🏼

[@MARKB3946]

I owned a "72 Mark IV in Ivy Moondust, green interior and black roof (it wasn't vinyl but appeared to be some sort of nylon.) I really enjoyed driving it.

[@wilco3588]

I remember those long heavy bank vault doors when they close you tdident what your fingers anywhere near! Also remember the blue green backlining for the gauges. The the 8-tracks tapes always seem to have some sort of a Whistler or hum, dad thought it was maybe a bad diode on the alternator.

[@ScarlettFire341]

YUP sorta Electric Blue Green Back Lighting as I remember it was SHARP !

[@richard169]

Both cars are such a pleasure to look at.

[@tedlym.3390]

This was another premium presentation. I own a Cadillac, a Lincoln, and a Thunderbird. The Thunderbird is my favorite. Thank you,

[@MELLIEbevhills]

I had a 79 Mark V Cartier I restored when in my 40's but the Mark III is the best. Real wood. Gauges. Solid doors.

[@damianbowyer2018]

Both Tremendous Cars, Adam😊🙌

[@TomSnyder-gx5ru]

I'd be happy driving either one of these beauties. I remember when the Mark IV came out I thought the dash looked "Fordish" and cheap compared to the MarkIII dash. I think the best year for the MKIII was '71 and the best year for the MKIV was '72 because of the smaller front bumper - although I like the the one that has the totally exposed radiator instead of the one in this video with the bumper that goes across the radiator.

[@markharkey2480]

Love all your cars Adam! Great video as always!

[@hardyboy1959]

I did this same 'battle' as 13 years old when the new '72 Mark IV came out! I ended up just thinking of one as Matt Helm's car and one as Frank Cannon's car... it's kind of makes sense!

[@billwood6168]

I have Mom and Dad's mk V... when driving you look thru the tent...sun visor down blocks 1/2 the windshield

[@TCBElvisAPresley]

I always wanted a Mark III, but it never happened. But I had an identical 72 Mark IV to the one in the video, including the same color exterior, but black interior. I bought it on eBay around the year 2000, with 10k original miles, and it was _literally_ a barn find, as it had been stored in a barn for decades. It's true that with the changes to the 460, the stock Mark IV wasn't a scorcher. So I gave the engine a little help with an Edelbrock performance intake and carb. I added an appropriately quiet dual exhaust, which I believe further woke up the 460. All that plus being carefully tuned for high octane gas (which allowed for advancing the timing a bit). With these changes, my Mark IV was able to do some scorching. ...And was able to burn through even more gas! I was asked several times about the mileage, and I would always answer, "Umm... it does pretty good, it burns _slightly_ less fuel than the space shuttle when launching." Lol

[@vettezeppelin]

Would love to see you compare the features and driving experience of the Mark III vs the 72 Continental Coupe that you have. I am considering both and would love your comparisons on them!! 🙏🏻

[@jrpeet]

Nicely done!

[@anthonydelgiudice3245]

Thanks!

[@RareClassicCars]

Welcome!

[@Badwfx]

😎👍🏻 Awesome Lincoln Marks! 😀

[@RapperBC]

@10:51 I remember as a two- or three-year-old asking my mom why there was a sundial on the Pattersons' car. This really confused her, so she asked me where it was. When I said it was on the trunk, she finally realized what I was referring to and said, "Oh! No, that's a styling feature that's supposed to look like a spare tire, like on older cars from the '20s and '30s." I remember then wondering what *those* cars looked like.

[@moboutmen]

69 Mark III. Finest, quietest car I ever owned. With the AM 8 TRACK!

[@ScarlettFire341]

My mom bought a new Burgundy 69 Mark lll and then a new Medium Blue 73 Mark lV - I Like the the bigger look & feel of the lV. I had a new (sister car) - the 75 Thunderbird (but with the rectangular Opera window) that was FULLY Optioned that included the front ELECTRIC Vent windows that went down 1st the then the main side window followed, the car was White with White Leather Interior and Black Carpets & Dash, with a White Vinyl Roof with Moon roof, auto headlights & delay wipers ... (It was gorgeous). I drove the 73 Mark IV to my High School Prom in 74 ! (my car then was a 69 GTO Judge Carousel Red 4 Speed Ram Air lll)

[@robertvance1873]

Mark 3 is Stunning.

[@williambush7971]

If I could deal with today's parking lots I'd daily drive a Mark IV.

[@WILL-sn4us]

Cannon

[@jeffrobodine8579]

Needs to be silver with a maroon interior. That Cannon could sure run a kick some butt for a big guy.

[@filipfaraci2751]

A Quinn Martin Production!

[@HypocriticYT]

These cars look like they were made yesterday and I feel that way being old enough to grow up with them 😮 Hard to believe they are over fifty years old 😅and I over sixty 😮

[@sp-lc1fy]

ME too.

[@jayweiss4378]

I remember seeing these on the road 👍🏻

[@michaelroberts6450]

I had a 1969 mkIII it was a really nice car. Noticed yours must be an early build car, it doesn't have the embroidered Lincoln crest on the rear seat, unless leather interiors didn't do that mine was fabric interior. I found the build sheet for mine under the hood center insulation peice that is inline with the air cleaner. 69 models had the only factory balanced and blueprinted engines ford ever sold for a production model. Those engines were also externally balanced, there is an counter weight on the front of the crankshaft. Sent the cylinder heads on mine for 3-angle valve job and porting and polishing, after flow testing they pulled more cc's than a 429scj head. found a dual 4bbl low profile intake manifold and installed a couple 390cfm holley's on it. The 69 was the lightest mkIII also, by 71' they had ballooned up to 5000lbs, mine weighed 4280lbs. Love the memories with that car.

[@CJColvin]

Definitely the 69 Lincoln Mark III no questions asked.

[@bitrage.]

I concur

[@filipfaraci2751]

Good choice!

[@JohnnyDodge-k8q]

Good show and information

[@EndeavorsDnB]

Loved the drive.

[@wilco3588]

I grew up with a 76 Thunderbird my grate aunt was 4 ft 2 never drove when I knew her but she had a 76 Thunderbird all options except sunroof lipstick red with white interior. When she went in a nursing home she gave my dad the car I remember many trips in it and I wanted to have it for my first car but Dad was not going to give me a 32 k miles 460 with dual exhaust for my first car. Anyway my 73 Dart Swinger two-door hardtop 318 with duel exhaust and repainted all red was nothing more than a kid could ask for!

[@gene978]

Love these Great Looking Cars. The dash on the ‘69 LOVE IT! But the ‘72 Full sized Ford products all kind of look very boxy to me and especially as the 70’s progressed.

[@Lasuvidaboy-jp4xe]

My mom bought her triple black 1970 Mark III in 1970. My dad wanted her to buy an El Dorado but she would not drive a Cadillac. When my mom saw the 1972 Mark IV her salesman showed her, I remember her commenting that the interior looked cheap compared to her Mark III.

[@user-pgchargerse71]

I was given a 1976 Mark IV by an aunt and uncle in the early nineties. It had the blue diamond luxury group which ment turquoise inside and out plus light driftwood faux wood trim. It rode very smooth and quiet although the 1968 Imperial i had at the time was much better handling. The 76 Mark had a rear wheel antilock braking system that worked quite well in the rain.

[@jakereal3604]

Forgot to mention that I also LOVE the Mark lll wheel arches. Theyre similar to the "French Curves" of Classic Cars Think Talbot Lago. But another Iconic car that was a very similar front and rear wheel arch is the 1957 Chevy! I just did a google search and its uncanny how similar they are though the Mark has a bulging lip around the upper part of the arches. Does anyone else agree?

[@williamgrimes668]

my favorite cars

[@Ascotman]

The Mark III was a unitized or "Unibody" construction, where as the Mark IV, which was body on frame.

[@RareClassicCars]

The 58 mark iii was unibody. Not the 69 mark iii

[@Rom3_29]

Mark III is sure the nicest. Cheaply built Mark IV looks sleek but front bumper has that guppy fish mouth. My brother had a floaty 77 mark VI Lincoln with 5mph bumpers.

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

Frank Cannon would be so proud of this video.

[@garycrawford2256]

I noticed Adam's Mark IV did not have cruise control. I love the Ford 3-spoke steering wheel from that era.

[@Charlies_Corner]

On the 76 Mark IV the quarter windows were fixed and that would carry on in future Mark series cars.

[@nlpnt]

Those early Mark IIIs had real leather on the dash. NOBODY else was doing that in 1968-70, except Rolls-Royce and maybe the Italian exotics.

[@zaphodsrealm1549]

I've always loved the 69 Mark lll.

[@gusevening4910]

I like the styling on the Mark 3 better than the 4

[@steveking4203]

Question, didn't the original MarkII have the spare in the trunk well right up front?

[@addiewinnie]

Ok I love these cars!!! I remember back in the 80s when I was a kid one of my neighbors down the street had a 70s Lincoln mark 4 !!! I remember they traded it in for a brand new Honda Accord 🤷‍♂️ but at the time the Honda Accord was very popular!!!! I remember my parents had an Audi 5000 and a Volvo wagon!!! When the elderly couple down the street traded their big old Lincoln for a Honda Accord!!! Everyone was so surprised, but I remember my mom telling my dad how did they get a Honda Accord, I have been on the waiting list for a few months!! 😂😂 obviously the Honda Accord was very popular!!! But the 60s 70s Lincoln is beautiful car and probably didn’t not know how much the Japanese cars were coming and how well received they were 🤷‍♂️

[@gregglick78]

I thought that the ‘72 had a full waterfall grill; is this grill bar an option?

[@joegarcia54]

Awesome review

[@sooverit5529]

I absolutely love the color of the 72. It glows.

[@pcno2832]

Even when I was a kid delivering papers in 1972, the new Thunderbird looked big-for-the-sake-of-big and kind of cheap compared to its predecessors, which I saw in the driveways of the houses on the route. While the T-Bird's sister car, the Mark IV, did have a bit more legroom than its predecessor and with obviously more crush length, was probably safer, it had clownish proportions and a Torino-esque dashboard. As I often point out, the Mark III was 2.5 tones of car packed into about the same exterior dimensions as the "downsized" 1977 T-Bird. The price premium of a personal luxury coupe is for exclusivity and the Mark III just seemed to have a lot more of it. But ... the public swallowed up the 1972-1979 overgrown-Torino models as fast as Ford could churn them out, so it seems that sector of the market wasn't as exclusive as it was hyped up to be.

[@eddstarr2185]

The 1972 Ford mid-size platform family elevated the Ford Gran Torino and Mercury Montego MX Brougham into the "near luxury" class with cars so heavy that 6-cylinder engines were no longer offered, only V8 power. But while the Torino and Montego got a step-up in class, the Mark IV and Thunderbird took a luxury hit when compared to their predecessors. The 1972 all plastic interiors were acceptable in the Ford and Mercury mid-sized cars but were a disappointment in the Mark IV. Styling made the 1972 Mark IV a success. The luxury crown goes to the Mark III.

[@pablostark1665]

I think we need a MK V in the line-up/comparo as well.

[@BY504A]

Even in high school I felt the Mark III was on my list as one of the nicest styled car of the era. The 72 was the nicest and most pure design wise of the Mark IV series. The trim bumpers were perfect for the car, the later ones with the large bumpers not so much. I was not fortunate to own either series, but did own a '78 Mark V and loved it. It was a joy to drive and super reliable. Would love to have it back. You did hit the nail on the head about the dashboard and door panels as more Fordish than Lincoln on the Mark IV, same with the Mark V. Too much cross sharing of components with the mid-size Fords.

[@Primus54]

When comparing interiors, the Mark IV looks like a lower trim level of the Mark III. Yes, the Mark IV has better exterior styling but, in the end, you spend your time in the cabin and there really is no contest which of these two is more luxurious. Mark III all the way.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid, cool cars!

[@jetsons101]

If I had to drive my "Livingroom" down the road I would choose the 69 Mark III.

[@rogerhinman5427]

Both Marks are sweet rides, but my favorite is the Mark III because of the peppier engine and nicer interior.

[@somejackball]

i like the 72, i think for the little oval side window, reminds me of a Thunderbird, and i like the sloping rear end.

[@markwegner6100]

Great job!

[@ryanelectra225]

You nailed the comparison. Having driven both, the Mark III is nicer, although the IV looks terrific

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

The gas tank on it, was right at the license' plate . Danger ď

[@its.just.me.1.2.3.]

Both are beautiful but I have a sweet spot for that 1972 especially that color combo!

[@alecfromminnenowhere2089]

I had the 1972 Continental and I liked the Mark III better for all the reasons you gave in this video.

[@MillerMeteor74]

My `97 Lincoln Town Car has a lot of wind rush sound coming through the windshield. I've never experienced that in any of my Cadillacs. The trunk is the deep well trunk like your `69. In some ways my `96 Cadillac Sedan DeVille rides nicer than the Lincoln, but the Lincoln has much less engine sound inside. As for those two cars, both are beautiful, and the comparison was interesting. Thanks.

[@halhenryg]

For me, hands down the 1969 Mark III stunning!

[@judgedread-q4t]

Nice old boats, I've never seen one only an LTD of the same era. The ruched and buttoned leather and heavy cut-pile carpets is something you don't see any more. A pity the camera lens fogged up, lol.

[@Leawoody]

Love both of these cars but the Mark III is definitely my favorite. I wonder if Lincoln drew some design inspiration from the 66-68 Toronado. The overall shape and fender flares evoke an evolution of that theme.

[@steve20118]

Mark VII's were fantastic! 1989 my favorite.

[@trucking604]

I like the ‘70 and ‘71 Mark III best, the best interior and the ‘70 and ‘71 Mark III had hidden windshield wipers and the thicker Lincoln style exterior mirror. All nice though. And all the full-size Fords, Mercury’s and Lincolns had the smoothest, quietest and most serene ride.

[@BB-tc6gz]

Give me top notch classy understated Mark 3, or full blown disco land yacht Mark 5. I think I'd genuinely be just as happy to own either. The Mark 4 is just an awkward set of years for me though.

[@georgechambless2719]

I'm sold on the Mark III.

[@JazzzRockFuzion]

Admittedly, I prefer the Mark IV’s exterior *appearance* , but the Mark III is undeniably the superior car - bottom line, I’d take either in a heartbeat! 😅

[@rogersmith7396]

Still want the 72 Cougar parked by me. About the same color as your MK III. 351 Cleveland. A real gem.