Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition in Diamond Blue, one of two colors available
Destined To Become a Classic
Ford Motor Company celebrated its 75th year in the automobile business
in 1978. To commemorate this milepost in automotive history, Ford produced
two very special automobiles as limited editions. The 1978 Continental
Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition was one, the 1978 Ford Thunderbird Diamond Jubilee Edition [link opens in new window] was the other. The Mark V version truly was
limited with production of just 5,159 cars. Ford's Thunderbird was at the
peak of its popularity at this time, and 18,994 were built. At $20,529,
the Mark was more than twice as much as the $10,106 Thunderbird edition,
which likely accounted for much of the difference in production between
the two cars. The more expensive Mark did include a few standard items
that weren't offered on the T-bird even optionally, but they alone did
not justify the additional cost. The fact is, after the T-bird's down sizing
in 1977, which resulted in lowered standard equipment levels and a lower
base price, it just didn't have the same status in the luxury field that
it had before. But the Mark V remained at the very top of the market, which
apparently justified its higher price.
To set it apart from the ordinary Marks, the Diamond Jubilee was available in just two colors: Diamond Blue and Jubilee Gold. Whichever color you chose, it would be repeated throughout the car. In addition to the special Clearcoat paint, the padded Landau (shades of T-Bird!) vinyl roof featured color-keyed moldings and integral Coach Lamps. The vinyl-insert bodyside moldings, vertical bars on the grille, bumper guards and rub strips, four turbine-style cast aluminum wheels, grille ornament, and padded vinyl deck lid kickup with matching vinyl-insert lock cover were all coordinated.
Inside, the interiors of the Diamond Jubilee Edition Mark V's were the most luxurious ever installed to date by Lincoln in a production car. Also matching the exterior color scheme, the interior featured front bucket seats with a padded center console. The console provided extra storage, and came equipped with an umbrella built into the underside of the padded armrest. The seats were upholstered in luxury cloth with a unique sew style, and had broadlace inserts as distinctive reminders that this was NOT your ordinary Mark V!
Other distinctions included padded leather in high wear areas of the interior, as well as ebony wood inserts on the instrument panel, door trim panels, front seat backs, and console. The backs of the front seats also featured assist straps and map pockets. The carpeting on the floor was a sumptuous 36 oz. Tiffany cut-pile. All Diamond Jubilee Marks were supplied with a leather bound owner's manual and tool kit. If this weren't enough, special touches appeared everywhere one looked. Instrument panel lenses were beveled, with the look of cut glass. The outside edges of the opera windows were also beveled, and featured Diamond Jubilee Script and a simulated diamond chip laminated between the glass. Even the keys had a woodtone insert. After delivery, the customer could choose to have his or her initials monogrammed on the doors, interrupting the bodyside stripes. Most Mark V optional features were standard on this car, including the new digital "Miles-To-Empty" fuel gauge that calculated approximately how far the car could be driven with the remaining fuel in the tank, based on fuel level, driving speed, and fuel consumption rate. An on-board solid-state computer performed the math. Also included as standard equipment: Defroster Group, Garage Door Opener, Headlamp Convenience Group, Interior Light Group, Interval-Select Windshield Wipers, Power Lock Convenience Group, Power Lumbar Seat, Power Vent Windows, Right-hand Remote Control Mirror, Speed Control, Tilt Steering Wheel, Appearance Protection Group, Illuminated Entry System, Rocker Panel Moldings, AM/FM Stereo with Quadrasonic 8-Track Tape, and Firestone 721 Steel Belted Radial Dual Wide Band White Sidewall Tires (size LR78-15).
Regardless of what other cars may have been compared to the Diamond Jubilee Mark V, they just don't come more luxurious or better equipped. It truly was the most luxurious Continental ever produced. Of course, they are very rare and highly prized collectible cars today.
To set it apart from the ordinary Marks, the Diamond Jubilee was available in just two colors: Diamond Blue and Jubilee Gold. Whichever color you chose, it would be repeated throughout the car. In addition to the special Clearcoat paint, the padded Landau (shades of T-Bird!) vinyl roof featured color-keyed moldings and integral Coach Lamps. The vinyl-insert bodyside moldings, vertical bars on the grille, bumper guards and rub strips, four turbine-style cast aluminum wheels, grille ornament, and padded vinyl deck lid kickup with matching vinyl-insert lock cover were all coordinated.
Inside, the interiors of the Diamond Jubilee Edition Mark V's were the most luxurious ever installed to date by Lincoln in a production car. Also matching the exterior color scheme, the interior featured front bucket seats with a padded center console. The console provided extra storage, and came equipped with an umbrella built into the underside of the padded armrest. The seats were upholstered in luxury cloth with a unique sew style, and had broadlace inserts as distinctive reminders that this was NOT your ordinary Mark V!
Other distinctions included padded leather in high wear areas of the interior, as well as ebony wood inserts on the instrument panel, door trim panels, front seat backs, and console. The backs of the front seats also featured assist straps and map pockets. The carpeting on the floor was a sumptuous 36 oz. Tiffany cut-pile. All Diamond Jubilee Marks were supplied with a leather bound owner's manual and tool kit. If this weren't enough, special touches appeared everywhere one looked. Instrument panel lenses were beveled, with the look of cut glass. The outside edges of the opera windows were also beveled, and featured Diamond Jubilee Script and a simulated diamond chip laminated between the glass. Even the keys had a woodtone insert. After delivery, the customer could choose to have his or her initials monogrammed on the doors, interrupting the bodyside stripes. Most Mark V optional features were standard on this car, including the new digital "Miles-To-Empty" fuel gauge that calculated approximately how far the car could be driven with the remaining fuel in the tank, based on fuel level, driving speed, and fuel consumption rate. An on-board solid-state computer performed the math. Also included as standard equipment: Defroster Group, Garage Door Opener, Headlamp Convenience Group, Interior Light Group, Interval-Select Windshield Wipers, Power Lock Convenience Group, Power Lumbar Seat, Power Vent Windows, Right-hand Remote Control Mirror, Speed Control, Tilt Steering Wheel, Appearance Protection Group, Illuminated Entry System, Rocker Panel Moldings, AM/FM Stereo with Quadrasonic 8-Track Tape, and Firestone 721 Steel Belted Radial Dual Wide Band White Sidewall Tires (size LR78-15).
Regardless of what other cars may have been compared to the Diamond Jubilee Mark V, they just don't come more luxurious or better equipped. It truly was the most luxurious Continental ever produced. Of course, they are very rare and highly prized collectible cars today.
Coach Lamps with Color-Keyed Roof Moldings
Padded-Vinyl Deck Lid Kickup
Leather Covered Console with Two Storage Areas
Built-in Umbrella in Console Armrest
Seat Back Assist Straps and Map Pockets
Leather Bound Owner's Manual and Tool Kit
Customer Monogram
Opera Window with Beveled Glass, Diamond Jubilee Edition Script, and Simulated Diamond Chip
Wedgewood Blue Luxury Cloth with Unique Broadlace Insert
Paint Code: 38 - Diamond Blue Moondust Metallic
Vinyl Roof Code: YB - Diamond Blue Landau Half-Vinyl Roof
Trim Code: KB - Wedgewood Blue Luxury Cloth with Unique Broadlace Insert
Introduction: October 7, 1977
Number Built: 2,602 (in Diamond Blue; 1,511 with Moonroof)
Option Price: $8,000 (Diamond Jubilee option only)
Automotive Mileposts
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Classic Personal Luxury Cars
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Classic Personal Luxury Cars