A DIFFERENT VIEWER-SUBMITTED
VINTAGE CAR FEATURED EVERY MONTH
APRIL 2002
1976 Continental Silhouette Mark IV
1 9 7 6 S I L H O U E T T E M A R K I
V
in Black with matching vinyl half roof and Dark Red body side striping.
For many years, Spring season sales were dismal for car dealers. The "new"
models weren't so new anymore, and next year's models were just around
the corner, so there was little to spark interest in buying a car. Car
makers, always looking for ways to sell cars, began introducing new models,
colors, and options in the Spring to entice potential car buyers into the
showrooms. None were better at doing this than Ford, which launched its
successful new Falcon (1960), Mustang (1964), and Continental Mark III
(1968) during the month of April.
1976 was no exception, as the Lincoln-Mercury Division rolled out several
premium upgrade options for the Mark IV in its final year. This practice
first began in the Mark line in 1973 with the Silver Luxury Group. Each
year, new Luxury Groups were offered, including 1974's Gold Luxury Group,
and 1975's Saddle and White, Lipstick and White, and Blue Diamond Luxury
Groups. In 1976, Lincoln offered the new Red/Rose, Jade/White, Dark Jade/Light
Jade, and Gold/Creme Luxury Groups in addition to the earlier ones. Mid-year,
two additional offerings, Black Diamond and Desert Sand, were added. 1976
also saw the introduction of the Mark IV Designer Series Marks from Bill
Blass, Cartier, Givenchy, and Pucci, all of which were available at the
beginning of the model year.
And as if that wasn't enough of a selection, yet another trim package was
offered in 1976: the Silhouette Mark IV. Reportedly built to commemorate
the 1976 Bicentennial Presidential elections, only 200 were built. Customers
wanting to "make their own Mark" could choose from a limited
assortment of exterior and interior colors, and equip the Silhouette with
just about any option offered on a 1976 Mark IV. Basically a stock Mark
IV mechanically, the Silhouette was a trim package that featured a unique
vinyl-padded half roof without the normally standard Opera Windows. A metal
plate was inserted into the opening reserved for the Opera Windows, then
covered by the vinyl half roof. Padded vinyl panels were used in the same
area inside the car. Forward of the vinyl half roof was a Stainless Steel
cap with a color break between the Stainless Steel section and the roof
moldings. The top band and wider side moldings found on the Landau Roof
option were included, along with custom two tone color-keyed body striping
which ran from the tips of the front fenders to the base of the vinyl roof
moldings, following the contour of the upper body lines. "Silhouette"
identification appeared in script on the roof rear quarters.
A similar trim package was offered for the 1976 Thunderbird, with just
32 "Commemorative" models built. Offered only in a special Silver
Metallic finish with black vinyl half roof and black leather interior,
the Thunderbirds all featured a dark gray tinted glass Power Moonroof and
a fake spare tire mounted on the deck lid, similar to the Flite-Sweep Deck
Lid offered by Chrysler in the late fifties and early sixties. The Commemorative
Thunderbirds were all marketed through the West Virginia and Ohio Ford
sales districts.
Very little is known about the Silhouettes, but a few common traits have
appeared. Most seem to have the Versailles Option, which featured an ultra-plush
pillowed velour upholstery. Most were also equipped with Forged Aluminum
Wheels. Available in limited colors, including Black and Brite Dark Blue
Diamond Fire Metallic, the Silhouette's all came equipped with a matching
vinyl roof. Black exteriors were teamed with Dark Red interiors, and Brite
Dark Blue exteriors had Medium Blue interiors. The exterior striping matched
the interior colors. The majority of Silhouette's seem to have been built
in the black color scheme, but at least one is documented as being built
in dark blue.
The Silhouette Mark IV was one more way you could make a Mark for yourself
in 1976!
The Showroom at Automotive Mileposts is edited by Sheila Masterson
We'd love to feature your car in The Showroom.
We welcome your comments, suggestions, and criticisms. To provide feedback
or submit a car:
Address: The Showroom at Automotive Mileposts
PMB 819, 8177 S. Harvard Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74137-1600
E-mail: smasterson@automotivemileposts.com
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