1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector Series

1979 Lincoln Mark V Collectors Series. 3200 Miles, As New, Window Sticker. 100% original down to the rare and optional dual stripe Goodyear Polysteel tires. Surviving as one of the best preserved original cars I have ever encountered, this Collectors Mark V also boasts every option that was available. This was not a forgotten car like many old Lincolns; this was in a collection and treated as a prize, stored properly for the future. This car spent a good bit of its life on display at a Lincoln Dealer behind stanchions as their pride and joy before going into a major collection. The car shows in every manner as a new car. A Collector Series like this example was also the top US car offered for 1979. Being one of 3900 beautiful and desirable Midnight Blue Collector Series Mark V’s, and being fully optioned, this car had a 25K window sticker in 1979! Although the Collector Series came pretty much loaded and had features never seen on any other Mark V, there were a few options that were not standard. This example has the expensive Astro Roof, the Kasman II interior option with the console, the Quad sound system, CB radio option with the chrome power CB antenna, and Dual Stripe Tire option. Having this selection gives the car the best of absolutely everything. It’s an every box checked car. Just for those who are not familiar with the 79 Lincolns… Leather was a $400.00 deduct on the Collector Series. The Kasman II interior was the top interior option and offered the nice console and ebony woodtone accents and rear reading lamps with its selection. No console, reading lamps or wood accents were available on leather cars.

Being obviously a Cadillac person, I must admit that for the 1979 year Lincoln is hands down the superior car. 1980 Lincoln downsized and that put Cadillac back on top. In 79 things on the Lincolns like the really nice Alloy wheels, the 4 wheel disk brakes, the big motor/trans and diff in a solid full frame RWD car, the side air vents, power vent windows, and dozens of other neat features put the last Mark Vs in a class all by their selves. As the last manufacturer to hold out on the down sizing of platforms, Lincoln had one last offer with its full size Mark V and Town Car for 1979. Lincoln was so certain that cars would never be the same after the demise of the large platform they offered a limited amount of these Collector Series as a last hurrah. I cannot say I really like any Mark series after the Mark V myself, so they were probably right to do so. With the high cost of purchasing the Collector series cars, the few properly surviving examples are one of the last 70’s really collectible pieces and really the most collectible Lincoln to date past the early convertibles. Those early cars are going to all be restorations but with these Mark Vs, you have to buy an original of these as to restore one properly would be darn near impossible due to their intricacy and complexity.

The other collectible examples that should not be overlooked are the 1978 Diamond Jubilee cars. While the Diamonds are quite nice and rare as the 79 Collectors, you only have your choice of Baby Blue and Gold in those cars. Baby Blue and Gold are two highly undesirable colors in today’s collector car world, at least to most people. However, the nicest aspect of the 78 DJ cars is the fact you have a 460 engine available. Unfortunately in 1979 there are no 460s offered. The top motor was the 400 in 1979, and that is the only complaint I have about the 1979 Collector Series. In a collectible Lincoln, I think the smaller motor is the lesser of the two evils compared to the gold or baby blue of the 1978 DJ cars, thus I have the 79 Collectors over a DJ. The 400 is still a very good motor with good power, but its not the 460. The Midnight Blue of the 79 Collectors is beautiful and makes the car in every aspect despite not having a 460 available. Never a perfect world in cars it seems, but this is about as good as it gets in a Lincoln and the 79 Collectors Series is most certainly a unique, rare and high quality piece of nostalgic automobile. It’s just simply a good looking car any way you look at it too.

The example I have here is one heck of a time capsule. It has survived as good as the best of the best cars I have ever encountered and is literally a flawless car. Even the quality of paint in 1979 is exceptional for its day and still is like the day it was made. I cannot say that for any Cadillac in 79. The high miles at 3200 were only put on the car to maintain it as good as possible, many on stands. The car was purchased new and put away, never to be transportation. After all, it was called a Collector Series car… The first car ever to do that.

Nice and desirable midnight blue paint looks almost black at dusk.

Nice sundown shot, all shots taken with Canon 20D with EFS 17-85mm Lens

Dark Side at dusk but nice shot

This is a great shot, I love the turbine wheels with the dual stripe L78 Polysteels

Full frontal shot

Best Alloy wheel ever put on an American Luxury Car.  These Rare Tires are impossible to replace.

This photo shows the quality of this car, paint is unbelievable for original 79.

Rear shot, Vintage 1979 Texas plate added for looks, car has never had a plate.

Beautiful paint reflective shot. See the optional triple factory pin stripe.

The optional Kasman II Interior with Console.  Leather was a $400.00 Deduct in these.

Perfect door panel and see the power vent windows.  Those are great!

Pass recliner and rear seats never sat in.  Old Cliché of smelling like new is a fact in this car.

Perfect driver seat, as new.

Another example of the quality of this car.  Flawless, not a ding and as new.

Under hood as good as expected. As new! 400 CID engine, biggest available for 1979.

This is the rare integrated factory 40 Channel CB radio hidden in the console. Has the big CB power antenna too.

Vintage and rare timepieces. Perfect Goodyear LR78-15 Dual Stipe Polysteels. Optional on the Mark V.

Trivia! Dual stripe tires were made for Cadillac and Lincoln. Cadillac had the Large Stripe on the outside, Lincoln on the inside.

Another rare thing to see, not only a full size spare optioned car (most had spacesavers), but a dual stripe Polysteel.. Untouched!

The Collector Series Leather Tool Kit, Leather Manual, books and, factory license plate frames and umbrella all untouched.

The optional Quadrasonic 8 track system + the hidden CB. The Miles to empty option too!

Auto Dimming and auto lamp option! Rear defrost and of course the Cartier clock.

Never sat in rear Kasman II seats. See the map lights, only with the Kasman option.

See the large chrome CB power antenna up. Straight as an arrow and works perfect!