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Photo of a Lincoln Continental Mark IV

Lincoln Continental Mark IV

1973: 69,437 Mark IVs built, leaving Eldorado's 51,451 behind.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 33 sources

Also called

  • Land YachtA nautical label for the Mark IV's huge two-door hardtop body and emphasis on comfort.2
  • Lipstick LincolnA label for the Lipstick editions' white upholstery, red carpets, red seat stripes and red trim.3

At a glance

0150300
191–217 hpPower
07.515
10.8 s0–60 mph
0100200
195 km/hTop speed
0250500
464–482 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
2,265–2,388 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.148

Engine
7.5 L (460 cu in) Ford 385 V8, four-barrel carburetor4
Layout
Rear-wheel drive; Thunderbird chassis; 3,058 mm wheelbase48
Gearbox
Ford C6 3-speed automatic, standard on every Mark IV4
Built at
Wixom Assembly, Wixom, Michigan, United States4
Units built
278,599 total; 1972–1976 yearly: 48,591 / 69,437 / 57,316 / 47,145 / 56,1104

The story

Built to contest the personal-luxury market with Cadillac Eldorado, the 1972–1976 Mark IV shared a Thunderbird chassis and wore opera windows that became a Mark-series signature.24

1968: Knudsen chooses Dahlberg's design19681971: 1972 model enters production19711973: 69,437 built: the production peak · Opera windows become standard19731974: Gold trim and King of the Hill19741975: Blue Diamond, Lipstick and Versailles · 1976 Designer Series launches19751976: March's Black Diamond and Desert Sand · Four-wheel discs, then the Mark V1976 Lincoln Continental: 1939–1948Continental Mark II (Mark II): 1956–1957Continental Mark III (Mark III): 1969–1971Continental Mark IV (Mark IV): 1972–1976Continental Mark V (Mark V): 1977–1979 194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones4571317
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1939–1948Lincoln Continental
1956–1957Continental Mark II (Mark II)
1969–1971Continental Mark III (Mark III)
1972–1976Continental Mark IV (Mark IV)
1977–1979Continental Mark V (Mark V)
1968Knudsen chooses Dahlberg's design
19711972 model enters production
197369,437 built: the production peak
1973Opera windows become standard
1974Gold trim and King of the Hill
1975Blue Diamond, Lipstick and Versailles
19751976 Designer Series launches
1976March's Black Diamond and Desert Sand
1976Four-wheel discs, then the Mark V
  1. 1968

    Knudsen chooses Dahlberg's design

    Knudsen chose Wes Dahlberg's studio proposal over Gene Bordinat's objections. Iacocca backed an alternative, but Knudsen stayed too long for a switch.56

  2. 1971

    1972 model enters production

    The Mark III's replacement began production in fall 1971. For 1972 it measured 5,591 mm long and returned 10–12 mpg.578

  3. 1973

    69,437 built: the production peak

    Mark IV output reached 69,437 versus Eldorado's 51,451; Lincoln's total production cleared 100,000 for the first time.12

  4. 1973

    Opera windows become standard

    The former option became standard; Heinz Prechter's glass-panel moonroof arrived as an expensive extra.45

  5. 1974

    Gold trim and King of the Hill

    Gold and late-year Saddle and White joined Silver. Faster and riding more smoothly than Eldorado, the Mark IV regained MotorTrend's King of the Hill crown.910

  6. 1975

    Blue Diamond, Lipstick and Versailles

    Choices included Blue Diamond, Lipstick Red/White and Saddle/White Luxury Groups, plus a spring Versailles edition.3

  7. 1975

    1976 Designer Series launches

    The October 3 launch brought Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy and Pucci themes, signatures in the opera windows and gold-plated dash emblems.11

  8. 1976

    March's Black Diamond and Desert Sand

    Spring Luxury Options added Black Diamond and Desert Sand; estimated production was no more than 50–100 examples of each Spring Edition Mark IV.12

  9. 1976

    Four-wheel discs, then the Mark V

    Disc brakes reached all four wheels, retaining rear-only Sure-Track ABS. After 56,110 cars, the Mark IV gave way to the 1977 Mark V.2345

Every generation

  • Lincoln Continental
    Lincoln Continental1939–1948
  • Continental Mark II
    Mark II1956–1957
  • Continental Mark III
    Mark III1969–1971
  • Continental Mark IV
    Mark IV1972–1976
  • Continental Mark V
    Mark V1977–1979

Power over the years

From 212 hp to 217 hp in 2 years.

0100200300 197219741976 hp 1972 · 212 hp · 1972 model: switch to SAE net1973 · 205 hp · 1973 model1974 · 217 hp · 1974 model1975 · 191 hp · 1975 emissions revision1976 · 202 hp · 1976 model 217 hp 1974 model 212 hp 1972 model: switch to SAE net
14
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19722121972 model: switch to SAE net
19732051973 model
19742171974 model
19751911975 emissions revision
19762021976 model

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Continental Mark IV

    1972–1976

  • Special

    Silver Luxury Group

    1973–1974

  • Special

    1974 Gold and Saddle/White Luxury Groups

    1974

  • Blue Diamond and Lipstick/White Luxury Groups

    Special

    Blue Diamond and Lipstick/White Luxury Groups

    1975–1976

  • Special

    Versailles interior option

    1975–1976

  • Special

    Gold/Cream, Red/Rose and Jade Luxury Groups

    1976

    202 hp

  • Special

    Bill Blass Edition

    1976

    202 hp
  • Cartier Edition

    Special

    Cartier Edition

    1976

    202 hp
  • Givenchy Edition

    Special

    Givenchy Edition

    1976

    202 hp

  • Special

    Pucci Edition

    1976

    202 hp

  • Special

    Spring Luxury Options

    1976

    202 hp

  • Special

    Barris/California Show Cars Bugazzi

    1972

    212 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Upright, Rolls-Royce-style grille.45
  • Concealed headlights behind opening doors.4
  • Faux spare-tire hump on the trunk lid, absent from the earlier 1959 Mark IV.451617
  • Oval opera windows in the rear roof pillars.1
  • Long hood, short deck and a vinyl roof, with full coverage or a landau top.41113

Year by year

  1. 1972–1973

    The 1972 front bumper dips under a taller grille; the 1973 bumper runs straight across, with a shallower grille.14

  2. 1972–1973

    Opera windows are optional for 1972, then standard from 1973; a windowless car can be an early example.14

  3. 1974

    A new rear impact bumper accompanies taillights relocated from the bumper into the body.4

  4. 1976

    Designer Series adds signed opera windows, dished aluminum wheels and a 22-karat gold-plated dash plaque.411

  5. March 1976

    Spring Luxury Options use a different landau-roof material; Desert Sand has a tan patent-leather vinyl roof.12

Don’t confuse it with

  • Continental Mark III

    Look for the Mark IV's oval opera windows and longer hood; the Mark III has a shorter hood.125

  • Continental Mark V

    The Mark V wears sharper-edged bodywork; the Mark IV has more rounded sides.356

  • Photo of a Lincoln Continental Mark IV
    Continental Mark IV
    Photo of a Ford Thunderbird
    Ford Thunderbird

    Ford Thunderbird

    The roofline and doors are shared; the Mark IV's distinct lower body carries the upright grille and spare-tire hump.45

Prices

Value today $4.3K–$22.0K2627

Auction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 20142016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $4,300–$22,000 2014 · $12,650 · 1976 Cartier Edition, 16,497 miles, Santa Monica, California2018 · $31,350 · 1972 Mark IV, 906 miles, Auburn, Indiana2019 · $4,400 · 1974 Mark IV, Auburn, Indiana2025 · $4,100 · 1976 Mark IV, 87,705 miles shown, Lynden, Washington2025 · $7,151 · 1972 Mark IV, 93k miles shown, BaT2025 · $40,000 · 1974 Mark IV, 4k miles shown, BaT2025 · $4,300 · 1976 Mark IV, 43k miles shown, BaT2025 · $6,100 · 1973 Mark IV, 31k miles shown, BaT2026 · $9,800 · 1976 Mark IV, 69k miles shown, BaT2026 · $16,750 · 1976 Givenchy Edition, 38k miles, BaT2026 · $12,500 · 1974 Mark IV, 16k miles shown, BaT2026 · $22,000 · 1975 Gold Luxury Group, 20k miles shown, BaT $40.0K BaT, 2025
222324252627282930313233
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2014Auction sale$12,6501976 Cartier Edition, 16,497 miles, Santa Monica, California
2018Auction sale$31,3501972 Mark IV, 906 miles, Auburn, Indiana
2019Auction sale$4,4001974 Mark IV, Auburn, Indiana
2025Auction sale$4,1001976 Mark IV, 87,705 miles shown, Lynden, Washington
2025Auction sale$7,1511972 Mark IV, 93k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$40,0001974 Mark IV, 4k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$4,3001976 Mark IV, 43k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,1001973 Mark IV, 31k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,8001976 Mark IV, 69k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$16,7501976 Givenchy Edition, 38k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,5001974 Mark IV, 16k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$22,0001975 Gold Luxury Group, 20k miles shown, BaT
2026Value today$4,300–$22,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “The 1973 boom took Lincoln past 100,000”
    • “A Funny Car with a real landau roof”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Continental Mark IV – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  2. The Ultimate '70s Land Yacht: Lincoln Continental Mark IV, 1972-76 - Mac's Motor City GarageMac's Motor City Garage macsmotorcitygarage.com
  3. The Lipstick Lincoln: 1976 Continental MkIV - Old Motors oldmotors.net
  4. Lincoln Continental Mark IV - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Mark of Success: The Lincoln Continental Mark Series < Ate Up With Motor ateupwithmotor.com
  6. The Continental Mark IV—A Contest Of Wills – Dean’s Garage deansgarage.com
  7. Lincoln Continental Mark III - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. 1972 Lincoln Mark IV: The Jalopnik Classic Review jalopnik.com
  9. 1974 Continental Mark IV lincoln-continental-club.eu
  10. King Of The Hill: 1968 Cadillac Eldorado vs. 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III motortrend.com
  11. Rolling Fashion: The Continental Mark IV Designer Series - Mac's Motor City GarageMac's Motor City Garage macsmotorcitygarage.com
  12. Spring Color 1976 Continental Mark IVs | Lincoln & Continental Owners Club lcoc.org
  13. 1976 Continental Mark IV lincoln-continental-club.eu
  14. Pucci lincoln-continental-club.eu
  15. 1972 George Barris Bugazzi Review: Driving the Most Extravagant Lincoln Ever Made thedrive.com
  16. Lincoln Continental - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Continental Mark II - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. The Misc. Files: The G Force | NHRA nhra.com
  19. TV Det. Frank Cannon and his Mark IV are Still Thrilling Fans | Lincoln and Continental Owner's Club - Western Region lcocwestern.org
  20. IGCD.net: Lincoln Continental Mark IV in Driver: Parallel Lines igcd.net
  21. 3 Tons of Water In a Road-Legal 1972 Mark IV: Hot Tub Lincoln! autoweek.com
  22. 1976 Lincoln Continental Cartier Edition | California 2014 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  23. 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV | Auburn Fall 2018 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  24. 1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV | Auburn Fall 2019 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  25. 1976 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK IV 2-DOOR HARDTOP available for Auction | AutoHunter.com | 74766273 autohunter.com
  26. No Reserve: 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,300 on June 14, 2025 (Lot #196,067) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 20k-Mile 1975 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,000 on January 27, 2026 (Lot #227,984) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,800 on November 6, 2026 (Lot #272,647) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 38k-Mile 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,750 on April 29, 2026 (Lot #240,131) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 16k-Mile 1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,500 on February 19, 2026 (Lot #230,559) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,151 on September 6, 2025 (Lot #208,883) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $40,000 on September 2, 2025 (Lot #208,175) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1973 Lincoln Continental Mark IV for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,100 on May 29, 2025 (Lot #193,834) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • macsmotorcitygarage.com
  • oldmotors.net
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • ateupwithmotor.com
  • deansgarage.com
  • jalopnik.com
  • lincoln-continental-club.eu
  • motortrend.com
  • lcoc.org
  • thedrive.com
  • nhra.com
  • lcocwestern.org
  • igcd.net

Photo credits

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