Rare and Stately: The 1977 Lincoln Mark V Without a Vinyl Roof!

Take a walk around this dark cordovan 1977 Lincoln Mark V.

[@jeffrobodine8579]

Remember, the 1977 models usually went for sale in September of the previous year hence the 1976 license plates.

[@UberLummox]

Exactly.

[@kenttalsma7906]

As I recall, there were no 77 metal plates. I'm 63 and a life long Michigander so I can speak with authority.

[@rogergoodman8665]

From 1975 to 1977 states were issuing "Bicentennial Plates" Some states had really nice designs. I have 8 or 9 Bicentennial Plates in my plate collection.

[@dougbelanger3479]

76 plates were used for 3 years with stickers for 77 and 78

[@CarlLovgren-lh4em]

Yes... Michigan Bicentennial plate ran from 1976-1977-1978.

[@jeffrobodine8579]

Beautiful Lincoln that has a 460. That Cutlass next to it is pretty 😎 looking too.

[@pulsarpilot7501]

Had a 1977 Town Coupe. We got 7 people in there with absolutely no issues. Just like riding in your living room, but with nicer furniture.

[@paulparoma]

Let's not over-romanticize. Getting 7 people into any of those cars was possible, but far from comfortable, especially in a 2-door. How do I know? I was often one of those 7 people. And it was very difficult for the driver.

[@petestaint8312]

Wow! Awesome. 👍

[@marko7843]

Plus 4 more teens in the deep-well trunk... ;0)

[@averyparticularsetofskills]

I _LOVE_ the seemingly never ending knowledge & amount of content from Adam and this channel. 😋👌

[@drno-xc1yt]

The Mark V is such a handsome car, and the all maroon color scheme of this one looks so nice.

[@davidweichel4121]

What a beauty! I've never seen one without a vinyl top. Owned two of them- a 77 and a 79. The drivetrains were generally reliable,but when they got older there was a high probability of electrical problems. Fun fact: these cars were available with an optional early form of anti-lock brakes.

[@komradkolonel]

My favorite Lincoln of all time is the Mark V Diamond Jubilee in blue. I've never been lucky enough to see one yet. If only Lincoln built cars like this today instead of rebadged Ford SUVs.

[@dc10driver1]

I was lucky enough to own one of these for a few years. Really miss it.

[@charlesb7019]

Tell me about it - we owned a 78 for a few years. Best car ever and I regret selling it to this day.

[@jimdayton8837]

Those were super cool! Also very expensive for the time.

[@renatoigmed]

This is not just a car. Its a icon of a gold era where americans have pride to own a pure american car.

[@bobert8618]

But you have to admit, Detroit made a bunch of junk in the 70s

[@paulparoma]

@@bobert8618 And everybody else made stellar car in the 70s?

[@rumplestilskin5776]

The apex of Lincoln's design. They have never gotten anywhere near this car since.

[@paulparoma]

I think the '90-97 Town Car was a great design success.

[@jimdayton8837]

So true, and the new Lincolns don't even look like they should be wearing the Lincoln name.

[@tombrown1898]

Beautiful color. A lot of cars then were of very similar color. Don't know if I like the absence of a vinyl top on this car. Usually I don't like them at all on any car. But the Mark V was styled for a vinyl top, as certain cars were styled with rear skirts.

[@briansearles4473]

I feel the same way, car looks unfinished?

[@douglasthrelfall5318]

I went with my dad to the Wixom assembly plant (the exclusive factory for the Lincoln’s & the 1976 & prior Thunderbirds). It was mid-summer 1976 and the Mark IV was in its last year of production (along with the Thunderbird before it switched platforms). My dad knew people in Ford, so it was a VIP type plant tour and I was fourteen and we were shown the soon to be released 1977 Mark V in “sneak peak” in the executive garage along with a few other special styling exercises (like the 1978 Town Car/Coupe without the fender skirts) and the color keyed bumper rub strips that came out on the 1978 Diamond Jubilee 75th anniversary Mark V. Seeing all this years before public release on regular production vehicles took me a while to figure out what I was seeing back in the summer of 1976.

[@pyrexmaniac]

I love the sheer lines of the V. It looks so sleek and elegant...the opera window would look ridiculous on most cars, looks just right on this "topless" beauty. I understood that the Grand Torino Elite, which was hastily cobbled together as a real-world "test car" to see if Ford could compete directly with the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix, which trounced the "big" T-bird. The success of the short-lived Elite was good enough to verify Ford's potential in taking the T-bird down market, enabling Ford to cash-in on the perception of the T-bird historically being something that competed with the Riviera and Toronado, if not the Continental Mark or Eldorado.

[@pcno2832]

The Elite was quite ugly though, with those fishgill opera windows. It was the start of Ford's many roofline misadventures in the mid 1970s. The '77 'Bird wasn't much better; the basket handle would have looked cool by itself, but the vinyl-clad C-pillars, which should have been blacked-out, gave away the fakeness of it.

[@teebird94]

Maroon is all it's names has always been my favourite car colour,all my Thunderbirds have been maroon.I like the no vinyl roof,i've never seen a MK V without.

[@johanbrand8601]

I fully agree! I love maroon!

[@Well_hello_there_]

My grandma bought a used '77 Mark IV around 1988. It was White with a burgundy interior. Always loved that car.

[@madmike2624]

Kinda liking that cutlass next to it also!

[@michaelwilder9231]

I agree,that T-Top Cutlass is awesome.

[@cargogh]

Dad bought Mom a 1980 Chrysler Cordoba in a similar color. Nice. This Lincoln's lines are really sweeter without the vinyl.

[@pt008]

Michigan didn't have "77" or "78" stamped regular passenger plates, they issued 77 and 78 stickers for the "76" stamped Bicentennial style plate. I bet this one has a 77 sticker but you couldn't see it under the bumper. Likewise you'll see "79" stamped plates stickered through 83 and you can YOM them from 80-83 with the right sticker on them.

[@grandtheftautotune7715]

Agreed, the Bicentennial plates stuck around for quite awhile after 76.

[@Project_Low_Expectations]

Would L O V E to see one about that 76/77 olds back there. One of the best looking cars ever made.

[@jeffaulik3980]

Never saw one without a vinyl top--thought it was standard.

[@sporkfindus4777]

I think that the crisper lines on the V compared with those of the IV, and the fresher paint colours, make it look quite modern.

[@steven.l.patterson]

I still remember the day our next door neighbor went from a Pontiac Bonneville to a new ‘79 Mark V. Such a tank - barely fit in their garage. Loved the vent windows.

[@royperry2859]

Ive never seen a clean top Mark V. Spectacular! The Mark V is my favorite car of the series and of the Seventies!

[@jeffsmith846]

Love how somebody is hanging around and also filming at the same time. What a pain.

[@blakedawson2129]

yep. I love the V. 77 is my fave. and the slick top looks great. nice car.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Beautiful Mark V 👍👍

[@The1cdccop]

I still want a MKIII

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Nice, but what about the one beside it? Oldsmobile Cutlass! Love it!!!

[@AB-pl1ko]

- Yes, 1976 or 77 Cutlass.

[@thomasdearment3214]

jeez I remember years ago seeing one w/o the vinyl top thinking god that's stunning. and now all these years thinking the same thing.

[@dc10driver1]

Had a 1978 Mark V, Blue Diamond Jubilee Edition. Loved it. It was like driving your living room. Really miss it.

[@charlesb7019]

I had one in gold back in the 90s - I miss it too!!

[@ALightInTheForest]

I'm now attuned to cornering lights!

[@colbycrawford8969]

I remember a girl whose mom had a 1977 or 1978 Mark just like this one with leather seats and it had a power moonroof. It was the summer of 1979 when I first saw it. It had the power mini vent windows. I always thought it looked best without the vinyl top.

[@waynejohnson1304]

One of the nicest riding cars ever to roll down the American highways. Those leather seats were every bit as comfortable as they look too.

[@charlesb7019]

And they handled very well too. People may scoff at that statement, but they were not meant for racing. In the context of their intended purpose they were very predictable and went exactly where you pointed them. They drove much smaller than they were.

[@elizabethcherry920]

This brought back some great memories, my foster father had a 78 Mark V , well he decided to teach me how to drive in it and there was one funny moment that I can think of while driving it, one day we went out and he said to take a left turn ,well I was going too fast when I took the turn and had that car on 2 wheels and of course my foster father was screaming, I broke a brake line doing that stunt. Oh those bumpers where useless, my foster mom at low speed damage the fiberglass cap in the front that surrounds the headlights and those bumpers had aluminum on the back side of them and were they mount to the bumper struts they would break, because of electrolysis. Great car though wish I had one

[@nickbonvino]

Great looking Lincoln… but that green VW Bus with the camper top is a trip!

[@paulhooker516]

Had a bill Blass mark v. 77. Loved it for road trips. Just needed a rebuild. Actually sold it to a guy when passing through Iowa 20yrs ago. Made a couple grand and enjoyed it for a few years.

[@chrispnw2547]

My eyes can't focus while that beautiful Cutlass Supreme 2 door personal coupe (with t-top) is sitting there in the background. Dad wants the Lincoln but the kids fancy the Cutlass. Had a rental while in college and almost wanted to quit school just to own one. Alas, I made the right decision and stayed in school.

[@funguylance]

I've been a huge fan of the Lincoln brand for more than 50 years and still my fondness for them remains. Up until several years ago, I've owned several 60s and one 70s Lincoln Continental, Down the road I hope to own another classic/antique car and have been open to other makes and models, but for several months now I keep coming back to wanting another Lincoln. I'm leaning toward a Mark V as I love the lines, sharp edges, vertical tail lights, and the list goes on. I've previously owned a 1979 Thunderbird for 31 years, and although a very different car, it is reminiscent of the Mark V, a more formal car if you will. The car you've showcased here is very unusual without the vinyl roof. I've never seen one. Many thanks for bringing it to your viewers Adam. All the best.

[@user-dc3tv3rg7y]

I had a 1997 Lincoln town car

[@funguylance]

@@user-dc3tv3rg7y Very nice.

[@damianbowyer2018]

Dark Cordovan is Perfect for this '77 Lincoln Mark V.....Gr8 Lines too, as U said, Adam😊👏

[@brettb8825]

I'm crushin' on that Cutlass Supreme Brougham next to it. Great vid, Adam!

[@jimdayton8837]

Never seen one without a vinyl top before. Looks cool. I love that color too! I have a 1/18 scale Mark V by Model Car Group in this color.

[@drkennedy6844]

VERY interesting! My grandparents had Lincoln's for as long as I can remember and these cars always intrigued me. I have never seen a Mark V without a vinyl roof! Thanks for educating us Adam!

[@jeffreyappezzato9179]

I so miss these era autos. They were so easy to work on and maintain, from simple maintenance items like oil changes or tune-ups, to more complicated repairs like water pimps or carburetors. You actually had to know how to diagnose and repair these things. Nowadays all mechanics do is check an onboard code, swap a part, and hope for the best.

[@brianhamel493]

As I recall, the 1976 michiagn plate was used with a tab in 1977. only trucks had a specific 1977 plate

[@barriobajaj]

Didn't 1977 car sales start in September 1976? If so it could had technically been registered in '76. Off topic, That Olds Cutlass with the T-Top roof is gorgeous and the apple green VW Westfalia looks yummy!

[@gregstevens5010]

...and the 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham with the very rare T-Top option next to this...beautiful as well.

[@douglasburket9196]

I'm old enough to have ridden in and drove Lincoln Mark IV and V cars when they were near new. The Mark V's had noticeably more road noise and did not feel nearly as isolated from the road as the Mark IV's did. Adam mentioned that Ford reduced weight by 400 Lbs. on the V''s, while still using the same chassis. I read somewhere that the Mark V's used thinner gauge sheet metal to get some of that weight reduction. Perhaps sound deadening was cut also. The bottom line is the Mark V's did not have the impressive road isolation the the Mark IV did, even though the chassis was carried over. I add the comment because not many people now would have experienced these cars when they were relatively new and would know the significant difference in road isolation between them.

[@richceglinski7543]

As a young L M mechanic during that time period I agree with your observations too. The door on a M4 felt like you were swinging open a bank vault. The M5 felt about like the newer (77 up) T bird or Cougar. A business man would give me the use of his M4 when he left the country on business for a week. He didn't want it setting around unattended at night. I recall watching the scenery go by in silence at 80mph with the R12 AC system ice cold on a August day.

[@snuffa.luffagus7588]

I wonder which one drives better, a 1977 Lincoln Continental (sedan/coupe) or Mark The Mark IV felt better than the Mark V. The Mark V looked better.

[@rickberglund2134]

I owned both, and didn’t notice that at all. In fact, I think the 1979 was the finest of all of them. It was virtually silent, with no road noise.

[@freddyhollingsworth5945]

I have 3 "new body" Town Cars in this color and love this paint!!! 2003+ Great video...

[@timbullough3513]

Oh yeah. Perhaps the most imposing and yet delicate beautiful cars that ever rolled off a line. I can only think of two cars that wouldn't look frankly pathetic parked next to it: Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham and R body Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue. And even those would need to be special to stand up ... like triple white or a two tone that really works like silver and maroon metallic. I mean Jaguar XJ6 Series III is beautiful ... but would be so bowled over by sheer size and glitz as to go un noticed. Stunning head turner of all time Lincoln!

[@treyreed6203]

My love of Lincoln’s started when I was a kid and my great aunts Mark V. I always wanted a Mark V but then my heart went with the Town Car and I bought me a 79 Town Car in 2018, finally! However I do also like the 4 door Mark VI, I think I’d actually prefer that over any 2 door Mark series now. But for sure the Mark V was an enormous and stylish 2 door luxury vehicle and still my favorite of the 2 door Marks.

[@Chris-vt6px]

Had a 72. 76. 88. All marks. Love those boys. 88 not so much. Looked liked a t bird .. boo..

[@jimdayton8837]

Awesome! I have a '78 Town Car. What color is yours?

[@treyreed6203]

@@jimdayton8837 white with full gold vinyl roof

[@marko7843]

When I repainted my '81 Eldorado, I de-vinyled the top as well. Like this Mark, it revealed the fender cut @ the bottom of the sail panels that had been hidden by the padded landau & trim moldings, as well as accentuating the concave edges of the roof. Everyone who saw the before and after definitely preferred the slick-top.

[@MrJayrock620]

It’s hard to believe that these were probably touted as a “lighter and more nimble” Mark Series

[@TalismanPHX]

What Lincoln? Im all eyes for the Oldsmobile Cutlass t-top coupe next to it!! 😮 Actually, I love the Givenchy Designer Edition of the Mark V.

[@alexmerlin4764]

My friend once got a '79 Bill Blas edition with no opera windows, we were surprised to find an opera window under a fiberglass vinyl top insert covered with a metal plate attached to the body with simple screws)

[@postmodernrecycler]

Supposedly the '78 Blass, which was essentially the same colors and top, had the interior opera window cut out inside and a mirror installed in place of a usual window. We found the same metal cover on the outside of the opera window when we removed the top.

[@CA-nm7mb]

I own a 79 Mark V Cartier edition and a 78 4 door Lincoln Continental. The 78 Conti is hands down one of the smoothest riding cars I have ever owned. The ride is very isolated and very soft. Both Lincoln’s are well constructed much better than any Cadillac of that era. I will say however that the Mark V interior is very cheap feeling compared to even the 4 door Conti. Lots of flimsy hard plastics used on the dash is my biggest complaint. The doors feel solid and well built on both cars and the build quality in terms of exterior fit n finish is great. Much better than modern cars in many ways. The sheet metal is still very thick on the Mark V and the chassis looks to be made for a truck. The full size Fords in those days were tough cars, they did suffer from electrical issues that GM cars weren’t plagued with. Specifically the power windows and switches including poor interior lighting output that would dim or the lights would completely go out in the dash. The Mark V rides smooth, but it doesn’t ride as well as the 4 door Contis. The Mark V suspension is a little firmer vs the regular Contis. But the ride is still superior to most modern cars. Regarding the curb weight, in my brochure of the 79 Mark V, the base curb weight says the car weighs 4,850lbs. So this 77 weighs over 4,900lbs from memory after also looking at a 77 Mark V brochure years ago. Similar to that effect in the 78 Lincoln brochure, it states that the 4 door 78 Lincoln Continental weighs 4,855lbs. So both cars weigh pretty much the same yet one being slightly shorter and only having door doors. Also the brochure doesn’t mention the curb weight with options like if the car is equipped with twin comfort lounge seats, having a Town Car package with added sound deadening material, cruise control, 460 engine, etc.. which can all add additional weight.

[@harley0519PDX]

From the sides and the front this reminds me a great deal of my grandfather's '77 Thunderbird

[@DSP1968]

I agree with you, Adam. This is a great color for this car. And I think the matching interior looks great too.

[@markbehr88]

My favourite car.

[@michaelnault5905]

It's a beautiful car. Those bicentennial plates got ran for a few successive years. The Great Lakes frieghters ran special paint for 76' and beyond also.

[@jefweb5043]

I love that '76 or '77 Cutlass parked next to the Lincoln!

[@Charlies_Corner]

I owned a 77 Mark V with the 460, it started life as a 4 barrel car and I converted it to a 2 barrel car using an intake from a 73 Marquis Brougham 429 engine my mom had. It ran a Holley 2 barrel and I drove it from Utah to Ohio and it did amazing!!

[@MillerMeteor74]

Beautiful car. It doesn't seem that long ago that cars like this were very common on the roads As for those mini vents, my Mom's `87 Town Car had them.

[@Kizzle001]

Man that Cutlass next to it is super sharp…

[@curtisworthing6036]

The hardtop version in silver metallic grey really suits these cars. The opera windows makes them. I have a 79 Bill Blass.

[@LincolnRay]

Ahhh, but they DID start making Mark Vs in late September 1976… hence the 1976 plate.

[@alsguitars5127]

Saw you taping that car but didn’t want to interrupt you. Hope you looked at that Cutlass next to it. A great 350-4bbl loaded Brougham with T-tops. You just love those no vinyl top cars. They look like a Lincoln F-85 without the top.

[@bw6378]

My parents had a Cartier version. The under steer in that big wallowing boat was unreal. lol

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Actually, illuminated entry was introduced in 1977 for many Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln vehicles, and all of the parts carried D7AZ full-size Ford part numbers....surprisingly they weren't Lincoln Part numbers.

[@danielulz1640]

I had illuminated entry on my 77 Town Car.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@danielulz1640 My 79 Town Coupe had moonroof & Factory CB but no illuminated entry. Strange!

[@wmalden]

Our 1977 Granada Ghia had all the options including illuminated entry.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@wmalden makes me wonder what all it was available on.

[@markmaiello9180]

That ‘77 Olds Cutlass Brougham keeps catching my eye…

[@Thunder_6278]

Adam, the Mark V to me were the best or the series. and they SOLD. I do like the landau roofs, although they do rust from under.

[@edwinmassie]

Cool car! I'd also like to see that black Cutlass Supreme Brougham!

[@GhostDragon907]

I have the same car, it's wonderful, now has 88k miles on it no issues

[@Johnny_RB]

I agree, the Elite was not a good looking car. But I think what really killed it was it didn't seem to fit in anywhere market wise.

[@josieann5031]

I always thought the bump on the trunk actually had a spare tire. I would love to to own that Cutlass on the right. One of my favorite cars.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, Is that Tony the power window specialist? 🤔

[@fp5495]

0:27 side by side, the body of the Olds Cutlass, parked next to this Lincoln, looked so much more sculpted and solid than the Lincoln. Granted, it was a much older design for the Olds, and its follow-up generation was horrendously bad, it still looked better more sculpted than even the previous Mark series that would have been built at the same time. Fords definitely had a more "modern" look with slab sides and very square shapes, for the time, but they didn't look as detailed as what GM or Chrysler was still producing at the time. Their interior still looked more clunky compared to the others.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

That was a nice looking example.

[@chuckselvage3157]

I never got the vinyl roof I'd prefer just to have the roof plain very nice car though.

[@draklord18283]

I have one of the 78 Diamond Jubilee's in Gold. I love that car she gets me where i need to go with all them 460cubes.

[@randyfitz8310]

In California the 400 CID (6.6L) 2V was the only engine offered in 1977, ‘78 & ‘79 for Lincoln Continentals, TownCars and Mark V.

[@jwelchon2416]

I had a 77 Versailles this color. It really made the car look expensive. We had several of the Mark V's. At one time used car lots were full of them. They were good cars and could be had pretty cheap. But they were LONG!! It was like driving from the back seat.

[@gregarmstrong552]

I love this one. Thanks Adam!👍

[@P.Galore]

Now if only that RubberMaid body strip was a delete option too.

[@mkernen]

I believe Michigan ran the 76 bicentennial commemorative plate through 78, so a 77 Lincoln Mark V would have had this as its first plate.

[@dalegereaux1863]

Beautiful car ! 👍

[@Vegaswill714]

The Mark V's were commonplace when I was young, wish I had bought a clean example back then (when they were cheap) and kept it. Beautiful, underappreciated car.

[@billsoltys7611]

Early Mark Vs came out late 1976 so the plate could be correct. Some of the collector series had the vinyl roof over just the front of the roof leaving the C-pillar painted. IMO this was the best look. I'm not sure if that was an option you could get on non-collector series cars

[@adamf663]

I always considered vinyl roofs to only be good for depreciation, and about as attractive as peeling paint and rusted-out bumpers.

[@jamesengland7461]

I've noticed that you've described many cars by wheelbase and overall length, and the difference is usually 96 to 100 inches. This one is 110!

[@RareClassicCars]

Huge overhangs

[@louislepage5111]

This is first time i have seen a MarkV without a Landau Top from the factory 😊

[@steves9905]

As much as lacking the vinyl roof, a rust catcher if ever, it also lacks the sunroof , so a double win in my book. Have never seen a sunroof car with dry carpeting

[@paulm6481]

Best luxury car in the world, ever.

[@davidgold5961]

I would love for you to do an in-depth episode on the 1973 to 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, which at one time was the best selling car in the United States. Ironically, there is one right next to this Lincoln.

[@murphman76]

Not having the vinyl roof reveals a beautiful disappearing character line below the opera window! I had one like this...loved the "look", but the build quality was nowhere near the Mark III, so I went with a '69 model as the keeper.

[@greggstankowski5073]

Had 2 mark 4 s and a mark v,, awesome cars, that vent window was always a problem. One thing I noticed is when people see these cars coming down the road,,they Do Not pull out in front of you !!

[@billgueltig6136]

Great color for this body style

[@jeffreykurth2703]

Good job not letting that other guy who keep coming in your field of camera not bother you. He obviously to me kept being disrespectful on purpose. Nice video, nice car.

[@drippinglass]

I had a ‘78 Diamond Jubilee Mark V. In Diamond blue. It had every option including dual exhaust 460, CB, and the moonroof. The sticker was $22,000 in 1978. A fully loaded Corvette L82 Pace Car edition was $12,000. I got it in ‘94 with 40k on it garage kept. I smashed it into a tree two weeks after I got it. I should have listened to the Consumer Reports road test that said the road fell was non existent to the point of being dangerous. Oh well.

[@anthonywilliams4100]

While the 75th anniversary Diamond jubilee edition available in gold or light blue with a gold tone grill was a 1 year option, the model did continue as the "Collectors Series" for both the Mark V and Town Car/Coupe' in Dark Blue with the gold tone grill. Tom Selleck actually appears in the 1979 brochure next to the Mark V Collectors Series, but by 1980 he'd be driving a Ferrari as Thomas Magnum.

[@charlesb7019]

The blue Diamond Jubilee had a blue grill and wheels - amazing car.

[@michaelsullivan2361]

Glad you finally did a Mark V! I like that car from nearly every angle! Move the front wheels forward by about 8 - 10 inches, and it’d be perfect!

[@volktales7005]

Looks sooooo much better without those awful vinyl tops...

[@stephenshea8168]

Part of the weight reduction...was the 400V8 engine ....a modified 350 it was...(with a longer bore ..and called a 400 ) The car was heavier with the optional 460V8 ...the 400V8 got 12mpg around town ...the 460V8 ....maybe 8mpg around town ...I have owned them both The 400V8 also gave the big luxury car a touch more maneuverability...with less weight above the front wheels

[@user-dc3tv3rg7y]

I had 1979 thunderbird. And 1997 Lincoln town car