The Long and Bumpy Road to the Lincoln Mark VIII: A Look at Its Styling Evolution
When Ford launched the MN12 platform project in 1984, it aimed to take on European two-doors by lightly revising the standard Thunderbird and Cougar chassis into the FN10. The FN10 was used exclusively in the Lincoln Mark VIII and also debuted an all-new sophisticated aluminum V8 engine. However, the development of the Mark VIII’s styling was a long and bumpy road that led to a considerable delay in its launch.
Initial Styling Work and Turmoil
The original styling directive for the FN10 project was one of evolutionary change. However, the fall of 1988 saw Ford management realize that an evolutionary boxy Mark VIII wouldn’t cut it after seeing upcoming designs from the competition. The new ask was a complete redesign and a different styling direction to any other Lincoln, with an eye toward recognizable cues from past Marks.
Ford designer Kyu Kim was tasked with the Mark’s redesign, and his resulting vision was the “Stretch I.” With scalloped side detailing, a full-width headlamp, and an unusual upward-sloping tail lamp design, Stretch I also featured a Continental tire hump. Slim C-pillars made for a delicate appearance. However, the artwork was not ready for Lincoln’s brass until December 12th, 1988, which was already too late for the Mark VIII to debut on time in 1990.
Immediate changes were ordered to Stretch I, which evolved into the Stretch II. Styling alterations included toning down the front and rear clip designs and the addition of chrome trim expected by domestic consumers of luxury cars. Stretch II was fairly close to the Mark VIII’s production design, though more fine-tuning continued through half of 1989.
Debut Timeline Pushed Further into the Future
The FN10’s styling alterations were finalized by late 1989, and road testing could begin. Prototypes with a Mark chassis that wore edited Thunderbird and Cougar bodies started on-road testing in 1990. The test mules advanced to full Mark VIII prototype bodies early in 1991. However, more time was needed, and the launch was delayed again.
In February 1991, shortly after on-road prototype testing began, it became clear that the Mark needed more time in development. Production was scheduled to start in April 1992, and Lincoln would launch the Mark VIII in June 1992 as a ’93 model. The timeline was moved back by a full six months.
Concept Cars and Technological Displays
During that interim, Lincoln debuted two concept cars at the Chicago Auto Show that would not reach production. The first was the Machete, a futuristic design that used a full-width light bar front and rear, a very thin C-pillar, and scalloped sides. Perhaps what was displayed was a version of the Stretch I? The Machete had a futuristic interior full of LCD screens, and a full-length console that flowed down from the dash.
The second concept car was the Marque X, a two-door convertible that wore a sleek aerodynamic shape, rear-leaning waterfall grille, and full-width headlamps. With a Continental hump at the back and a wrap-around tail lamp treatment, the Marque was a decent (if fanciful) preview of the production version of the Mark VIII. Marque X was used as a technological display with features like fiber-optic headlamps, LEDs at the rear, navigation, a fax machine, and a key card for the ignition.
The Public Debut of the 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII
The press launch of the Mark VIII took place in March 1992, but the public debut of the 1993 car was made at the last possible minute on November 18, 1992. Suitably, the Mark VIII debuted at the 5-star Hotel Mark in Manhattan. It seemed the extended timeline was worth it, as the Mark VIII arrived with unexpected and forward-looking styling that diverged from its predecessors.
Conclusion
The long and bumpy road to the Lincoln Mark VIII’s styling evolution was a result of Ford’s realization that an evolutionary boxy design wouldn’t cut it in the face of upcoming competition. The resulting redesign led to the creation of the Stretch I and II, which eventually evolved into the production version of the Mark VIII. Along the way, Lincoln debuted two concept cars that served as technological displays and previews of the Mark VIII’s design cues. The extended timeline was worth it, as the Mark VIII arrived with unexpected and forward-looking styling that diverged from its predecessors.
