1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector series from North America - Comments

I bought my first one from a used car dealer.

It is blue inside and out with moon roof and velvet interior.

The second car was from a private owner. it is exactly the same except for leather seats and no moonroof.

I got 23 mpg on a trip from outside of Cleveland, Ohio to Pittsburgh, Pa. and back using the cruise control set on 70mph.

The cars handled like a tank in the snow. My girlfriend has no problem with driving in bad weather.

I know what you mean, I own a Collector Series as well.

The "Collector's Series" edition Town Cars and Mark V's were instant classics due to the fact that they represented an "End of an Era" for the American car as we know it. They were built as a last chance to own a real full size automobile. Lincolns (as well as most other vehicles by this time) were SERIOUSLY down sized in an effort to meat EPA ratings, competition from imports, as well as changing tastes of the American car buyer.

The Collector's Series was meant to be the best and most opulent of any Lincoln, of all time. Many people and critics have varying opinions of whether this was achieved or not. I for one have to say that at the very least, there has not been a more distinctive or commanding presence from a Lincoln ever since. And also, while sharing many features previously seen in the Diamond Jubilee Edition cars, the Collector's Series still seems to up the ante' over its more popular predecessor.

I own a 1979 Midnight Blue Collector's Series Mark V fully optioned. While I own 6 other Marks from the 70's, the 79 always seems to out-class, and even stand out from its siblings. In my opinion, if you are lucky enough to own a Collector's Series Mark V, then you hold a piece of automotive history at least as important as a '57 Chevy or a '59 Cadillac. One day, the automotive world will see this and I shudder at the thought of what these wonderful automobiles will be worth. One day...

Just searched for this model on google. I know what you mean by "full size" lol. Nice cars.

Yeah, someday a '79 Mark V might be worth what a '57 Chevy brings these days.

But I wouldn't bet the retirement fund on it.

Maybe, maybe not. However I can remember a time about 15 years ago when one could purchase a nice example of a 57 for around 15 grand. If you have a Hemming's motor news available, look at what a nice example of Mark is going for... I rest my case.

I just bought a 1979 Mark V Givenchy Series tonight for $600 dollars. It's been in storage since late 2006. The car is in very good shape and I should have it on the road with very little work. God I feel so lucky...

Apparently a "nice example of Mark" is now going for... $600.

To the person with the Mark V in storage, you had better replace all your power steering lines, pump and gear box. Trust me, it's worth it. If you lose power steering, you lose power brakes. There is no brake booster, it is powered by the power steering system. Every Mark I've owned has had power steering leaks of some kind.

To the person who found the "600" Mark, yeah is that an opening bid for E-Bay or did you actually look in a car trader or Hemmings book? Because nice examples, and by nice I mean good running order and decent body (no rust holes, clean paint, good interior) are going in the 8000-10000 range, depending on options as well as whether or not it's a designer or other premium series's.

If you found a truly "nice example" for 600 dollars, then by all means buy it and flip it for about 6000 or 7000 and make some money, even if you don't care for the vehicle, and it's obvious that you don't, try not to be obtuse and see an opportunity to make some fast money.

M.O.C

I am the owner of the 79 Mark V that I bought for $600. It was in a carport for 3 years and started on a regular basis. I have replaced all fan belts, exhaust system, brake lines, rotors, pads and calipers. Full tune up and the car is running nicely and driven everyday with pleasure. It's a step by step, day by day process that I will be going through over the next few months getting the car up to were I want it to be. Which is simply a decent everyday car.

Someone commented on me buying the car and not caring about it and, or reselling it for better money. This car's title will only be taken out of "my cold dead hands"!!! I waited way to long to get my Mark V and it's not on the market.

Next Plans; Carburetor is going to need adjustment, she is running a little to rich and also get the timing check and adjusted, I think it's a little off. I think I'm going to have to replace the headlight switch though, don't get me wrong it works fine but my dash lights don't work at all and I think it is the rheostat that is the problem. But hey like I said, step by step.

After I get those few things done I'm doing the car a great favor and moving out of Pittsburgh, Pa. (Steelers Country) and moving down to Florida. I'm hoping parts for the car will be easier to come by there. That's about it. Take it easy all.

The Big Guy

Pittsburgh, Pa.

To the Big Guy.

It makes me smile the way you speak of your car, I feel the same way about my Marks (I have 7).

I can give you some advice on your dash lights, check your fuse block, there is a little 5 amp fuse that blows and takes out your dash lights, try that before you buy a new switch.

Also it is very fortunate that you are moving to Florida, as there is a place called Lincoln Land in the Clearwater area. If they don't have, it doesn't exist.

I daily drive a 1978 white and blue Mark V 460 and I love it (white body, blue trim, rear landau top, and blue interior).

I have run into many little miscellaneous glitches that come with owning and operating a 30+ year old car, some of which have pulled out all my hair (I'm a bald 27 year old now LOL) so if you ever need any help figuring out something or need to locate a part, maybe I can help. Contact me at Miketastic1982@yahoo.com

Have fun with your Mark, because when you drive it, NOTHING stands out quite like it.

M.O.C

The Lincoln Nut.

I have a 79 Mark V. I can't get to shift from Park to Drive, or back to Park. Anyone had this problem? kwtw95@aol.com

I've always been a BOPC kind of guy, but I couldn't pass up a $300.00 '78 green Givenchy at an estate sale. The car has 36,000 miles on it, but I'm not sure how long it's been sitting. It was last registered in '06, but newspapers from the interior indicate it may have not been driven since '99.

I originally wanted to flip it, but after cleaning it up a bit, I'm really falling in love with this nice solid car, but unfortunately it doesn't start. It has no spark at the coil wire until you back off the key, then it has just one single strong spark. Could this be a distributor pickup problem? Any other thoughts on common problems associated with these cars? I'm seriously thinking on dumping my Caddy to make room for this car, but I have much to learn about Lincolns.

To the previous poster:

Give the Mark V a full tune-up: air filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. The car should run a lot smoother after these simple items are replaced. These old beauties don't have computers like the new cars, so problems are generally easier to diagnose and solve.

-Pat

'79 Town Car owner.

The above claim that these cars are worth 8000-10,000 dollars would be questionable, seeing as how all these doods, even ones with cold dead hands, are buying low mileage examples for $300-$600...