1976 Continental Mark IV
Cartier Designer Edition

The world renowned jeweler makes its Mark

CARTIER DESIGNER EDITION AT A GLANCE:

Years Available: Mark IV: 1976; Mark V: 1977-1979; continued in the Mark VI series
Introduction Date: October 3, 1975
Body Color Code: 1N - Dove Grey
Paint Stripe Code: Custom Red and White
Vinyl Roof Code: YE - Dove Grey Valino Grain Custom Landau Vinyl Roof
Interior Trim Code: JS - Dove Grey Versailles Velour
     KS - Dove Grey Leather
Price: $2,000.00 with Velour, $1,500.00 with Leather

The legendary Cartier made its mark as one of the top precious jewelry designers, taking fashion and luxury to new levels. The 1976 Cartier Edition Mark IV is proof of Cartier's exquisite taste. The creamy Dove Grey paint finish is the color of freshwater pearls, and the monochromatic look continues inside with luscious grey velour (shown at left) or soft, supple grey leather. Rich cut-pile carpeting and interior components (consisting of instrument panel and steering wheel and column) are a darker shade of grey to provide a subtle contrast to the predominant lighter Dove Grey shade. Unique Red and White Custom Pinstriping provides an exterior accent that is not shared with any other Mark.

The opera window is set in a Dove Grey Valino Grain Landau vinyl roof, and bears the golden Cartier signature, as does an identifying 22-karat gold-plated plaque mounted on the instrument panel, which provided for the engraving of the original owner's name as well.

The Dove Grey monochrome color scheme established with the 1976 Continental Mark IV Cartier Designer Edition became very popular, appearing in years to come on everything from a 1977 Ford Thunderbird [link opens in new window] to a 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Regency Brougham.

The Cartier Edition Marks would continue into the Continental Mark V series, with Dove Grey remaining the main color theme for 1977, but a color change for 1978 and 1979 to Light Champagne was equally distinctive.