If you don’t know much about Bill Blass, Road & Track did a great story on his life which is really worth reading. He wasn’t just some fancy designer doing clothes for rich women. This 1990 Lincoln Mark VII Bill Blass edition is posted here on craigslist in Sacramento, California and they’re asking $2,995 which seems like a bargain for such a nice car. In case the listing goes away, here’s the ad.
Did you read the Bill Blass article? I thought that it was super interesting with his WWII history and, of course, his ties with cars, especially Lincoln. We have seen a few Bill Blass Edition Lincolns here on Barn Finds and as with his clothing designs, they’re usually pretty stylish without being over the top as with some other special editions (I’m looking at you, Pierre Cardin) I thought that 1989 was the last year for this car has a hood ornament? I guess not.
The Lincoln Mark VII was made from 1986 until 1992, before that it was called a Continental Mark VII for the 1984 and 1985 model years. There would be no more BMW diesel engine option which is unfortunate for those of us who like things really unusual, and there was previously a Versace Edition that was also discontinued. I think they’re pretty elegant cars for the era, although they’re starting to get into the melted-bar-of-soap era a bit. The Lincoln Mark VII LSC, the sportier model, got 16″ wheels whereas the Bill Blass Edition stayed with 15″ wheels. If you want 16″ wheels, you’ll have to get a 1991 Bill Blass Edition.
The interior is understated, refined, and well-crafted as with a Bill Blass suit or dress. Bill Blass Edition cars had a digital dash which appears to be working in the photo above. This is a lot of car for less than three-grand. The seats look great both front and rear and the seller says that this car has new tires. That’s basically $500 off of the asking price right there. 1990 was the first year for a driver’s side airbag and three-point belts for the outer rear seats as seen in the link above.
The engine is a Ford Windsor 5.0L/302 cubic-inch V8 which had 225 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The seller says that it runs great and man, for less than $3,000 this seems like a great car to me. I would love to own it. Have any of you owned a Lincoln Mark VII?
And it’s gone already. These are great cars, reliable and cheap to own and maintain. A lot of car for $3k
Arrrrrgh! I’m glad I put that copied ad in there now. That seemed almost too good to be true, price-wise.
Thanks for the Bill Blass link, Scotty. A great read!
Again, nicely written.Though I am a proud owner of one of those “melted bar of soap” MkVIIIs, I’ll forgive you…this time!
I do love the starched roofline on this VII. It contrasts with the more doughy curves on the grille and forward fenders. Kind of like a reverse mullet: party up front, opera in the back.
I wonder what it would have looked like with similar right angles on the front fenders and grille…
I might try it on Photoshop.Or do you want to take a crack at it?
Again, nice work!
Bought my wife the same car featured here 40 thousand miles on it, 1990, nothing but problems ,air ride , power windows and air cond. and radio all stopped working. Brakes not right from day one .Paid 2600. back in 96, came from a estate sale.. Gave it to our son in 2000 to see what he could do with it .He dumped 3000 dollars into it and trades it off within a year.
Is that the real price?