The new-for-1993 Lincoln Mark VIII would be the final Mark-series car that Lincoln would churn out, the final two-door, and one of the last true efforts of a high-performing luxury coupe to come out of Ford to date. A worked-over version of the platform that underpinned the 1989-97 Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar, the FN-10 platform was Lincoln-only and compared to the other two sister models, looked out of this world, with it’s thin headlights and taillights and overall radical aero look. It was meant to be the updated personal luxury coupe, but you’d swear that Lincoln was looking at NASCAR opportunities. (They were, but political issues within Ford Motor Company put that to bed quickly.)
What you’re looking at here is one of the preproduction mules that has a very large footnote in history with Ford Motor Company: a Bonneville trip that saw the car crack a top speed of 182.694 and a two-way average of 181.717 MPH. Not bad for what is essentially a Mark VIII wearing a Mark VII’s VIN tag, running catless through dual pipes, with a rollcage and a fire suppression system in the interior. If you didn’t see the hood pins, bars in the quarter glass, or notice the thumping exhaust note, this would be another sand-colored Continental that was somehow still roaming the earth. The 4.6L V8 isn’t a ringer…at best, it might be pushing 295 horsepower. The number doesn’t lie, however. Surely, if a factory prototype can get plates, this thing can too. Who would really be the wiser?
If you want to know more about the Mark VIII’s runs at Bonneville, CLICK HERE to read up on the story from Jerry Wroblewski, one of the Ford workers who was instrumental in the Lincoln’s Bonneville trip.
Mecum Auctions Indy 2018: Lot R160 – 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII Factory Prototype
If I had lotto money I would buying it. I had that same car but mine was much ruffer. I got mine to run 138 in the standing mile with very few low cost modifications.