null Mark IV Cartier Edition

INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION 

You are viewing my 1976 Lincoln Mark IV "Cartier" Edition.   It is powered by the 460-4V (7. 5L) V8 engine. the C6 three-speed automatic transmission. and the standard ("open") differential ratio of 2. 75:1.  I am the third owner of this Mark IV. having purchased it in 2000. and it has just under 32. 00 original. documented miles (as of the date of this auction).  

If you are viewing this vehicle chances are you already know exactly what it is.  However a quick background is provided to assist you in your research.

In 1976 Lincoln built certain "special edition" Mark IV models among which were the Designer Series.  Each of four different models had a "signature" (in the opera window - see photo) of well-known jewelry and fashion designers (Cartier. Pucci. Givenchy. and Bill Blass) of the day and each vehicle had unique design themes (colors. fabrics. trim features. etc. . selected by each of the designers.  The design themes for each vehicle were advertised by Lincoln to be "unavailable" on any other Lincoln models.  Keeping their "personalization" theme. Lincoln offered a gold Dash Plate (just above the glove box - see photo) where the new owner could put their own "signature" on their new designer Mark.  

Please do not be confused about the "Cartier" edition Lincolns.  The Cartier Designer vehicles like this one first appeared in 1976. but because for several years earlier Lincoln used a Cartier-branded clock in the Marks/Continentals. people mistakenly see that clock and then call such vehicles "Cartier" Editions. Many times they are really not Cartier Edition vehicles.

True "year-one" Cartiers have the following codes in addition to their outward appearance:  Code "1N" = Dove Gray Exterior Finish.  "TE" = Dove Gray Custom "Valino Grain" Vinyl Half Roof. "FS" = Dove Gray Velour Interior.  My Cartier has all these codes of course as part of the "Cartier Decor" option.  In addition. a deluxe Marti Report® confirms this is 1 of 5. 16 Cartiers. and 1 of 930 with the Velour cloth Interior (most had leather interiors) of the 56. 10 Mark IV's built in 1976.  It was delivered to Stuart Lincoln Mercury in Stuart Florida in June 1976 and tipped the retail price scale at almost $16. 00. or $67. 00 in 2013 dollars.

Other notable standard features (working fine unless otherwise noted) are four wheel power disc brakes. power steering. power windows. power seats. automatic temperature control AC system. cut-pile carpeting. remote driver mirror. chrome rocker moldings. advanced sound-quieting materials. carpeted trunk. and additional dash panel instrumentation.  

Optional features on my Cartier (working fine unless otherwise noted) include the power "Moonroof". forged aluminum "deep dish" wheels (including the spare wheel). nbsp;power vent windows. nbsp;cruise control. nbsp;power locks. nbsp;rear window defroster (condition not known). tilt steering column. interval wipers. power antenna. remote right hand mirror. reclining passenger seat. and the Premium AM/FM “Quadrasonic-8” eight track stereo system.  

This Cartier runs and drives very well.  It has the single exhaust with its catalytic converter and resonator intact.  The AC/heater system works fine.   The tires are an older vintage 235/75-15 Michelin radial with excellent tread remaining.  The plush. "loose cushion-look" Velour seats are in exceptional condition (i. e. . no tears. stains. fading. or brittleness) as are the dash (observe the pristine dash lettering. no cracks or fading in the pad). door panels. and headliner.  All gauges operate fine.  

Prior to my ownership. this Cartier spent its entire life in SW Florida in garaged conditions (one look at the exceptional condition of the vinyl roof and if you know your Marks you know this to be true).  Several detailed receipts from the prior owners (Owner 1: 1976 to 1992. Owner 2: 1992 to 2000) document the mileage and some repair/maintenance work since the early 1980's.

The vehicle appears to have had a professional exterior refresh at some point in its past.  The original red and white Cartier pinstriping (body sides. hood. and deck lid) was painted on as it would have been from the factory.  The under-hood. under-deck. and door jamb finish is 100% original.  It has no evidence of structural rust damage or repair on its frame. floor pans. or major body panels.  There is no evidence it was ever in an accident.  

The Valino vinyl roof is original and in excellent condition.  All the chrome external trim is intact. but there are minor imperfections (dings. scratches. patina. etc. ) in the trim consistent with the age and actual usage.  The headlight doors operate perfectly and stay closed for several days without starting the vehicle (this means vacuum lines are still in good shape).  

A Lincoln Cartier Mark IV in this documented. highly original condition is just not going to come along every day.  While the other Designer models sold well and also looked great. the apparent "star" of the series were the Cartiers.  They were featured prominently in all the brochures and media advertising of the day and sold the highest number (still only 5. 16 Cartiers were sold in 1976) of the four models. The Cartiers continued some years beyond 1976. but this was the only year they had this body style and had the "Mark IV" nameplate.

Beautifully "understated" in Dove Gray but with gleaming stainless and chrome brightwork. polished aluminum wheels. and its "window to the sky" Moonroof. and bristling with the era's "state-of-the art" in luxury. performance. and technology. the Cartier Editions had it all going for them. back when they were new and even now.  

I sure hope my Cartier finds a good home with a new owner who will also get to put their "signature" on the gold Dash Plate and who like its previous three owners also genuinely appreciates it for what it really is. a striking example of American luxury automotive history that hopefully can be preserved for many more decades to come.

AUCTION SUCCESS CONSIDERATIONS

I have established a reasonable reserve (reserve will not be revealed while the auction is running) for this 1976 Lincoln Mark IV Cartier Edition. This is a rare. original. low mileage. classic American personal luxury coupe car and it is priced consistent with what the better specimens of the Marks from this era actually are selling for.  Please consider bidding during the auction to the extent and level you deem appropriate and based on whatever factors are important to you.

Other websites sometimes pick up Ebay auctions and that may give the appearance that this vehicle is for sale on those other venues.   Be assured that this vehicle is not available for sale through any other site other than Ebay.   Please note that I reserve the right to end this auction early at my sole discretion.

If reserve is not met. I may provide Second Chance Offers (SCO) through the Ebay system. but note that this is only possible with people who actually bid during the auction.   If you get a SCO (which is a Buy-It-Now auction that only the seller and the bidder to whom it was sent can access). it will only come through. the Ebay system (meaning it will appear in your Ebay mailbox) and it will be for a 24-hour duration.  

Depending on where the recorded bidding ends. and if the reserve is not met. nbsp;I may also write the high bidder(s) through the Ebay system only. nbsp;one at a time in the order of their final recorded bids. to discuss the item.  If I do not hear back from a bidder within 24 hours after writing them. I have to assume that person is not interested and I may move on to the next person.  If I do not contact any bidders. it was because the bidding ended at a level where a negotiation would likely be unsuccessful.

I am sorry in advance for the following realizing it will not apply to the vast majority of responsible Ebay members:   Encountering non-paying or unresponsive bidders is a very disruptive event that makes the auction experience quite unpleasant for both the seller and any legitimate potential buyer(s).    Please BE SURE BEFORE YOU BID that you have done whatever you need to do to STAND BEHIND the actual bid(s) YOU MADE and were recorded during the auction.  

Because of a tendency to simply misunderstand or just outright ignore Ebay and seller auction requirements. bidders with less than 5 (five) feedback ratings may. nbsp;at my discretion have their bids canceled (I may or may not try to contact you before canceling your bid) and then blocked from further bidding on this auction unless they contact me in advance of bidding. Bidders who make and then cancel their bid(s) will also be blocked from further bidding on this auction.

Bidders outside the continental United States are welcome to bid but also must email me before bidding to discuss important international payment and shipping procedures.   

INSPECTION AND WARRANTY INFORMATION

Please ask any questions that you may have that may not have been answered by this detailed listing narrative and visual media attachments. My listings are constructed in complete sentences in order to communicate my knowledge of important facts and to encourage independent thoughts and then any questions from interested parties.

But respectfully. I do not know what is important to you that may not have been discussed or depicted herein unless you ask me.   Any and all relevant and appropriate questions you submit while the auction is running will be answered promptly and as thoroughly as possible by email only to ensure clarity of any correspondences.  

Given that this is a used vehicle. nbsp;please do not have unreasonable expectations as to its current condition or future condition under your ownership.  Also given its obvious age. this vehicle represents whatever standards of design. quality. and workmanship that existed when it was built so comparisons to improved build standards of today's vehicles is not appropriate.

Your bid forms the basis for a binding. legally enforceable contract.   As such. if you require it. please make all pre-purchase inspections (at the sole expense of the bidder) before committing to purchase the vehicle. Inspections can be done by appointment only by you or your designated inspection service.  Although I believe I have described and depicted (with numerous high-resolution photographs and video) this vehicle accurately. nbsp;please note that this vehicle is sold "as-is. where-is” with no express or implied warranties or guarantees of any kind.

With the required legal statements provided. I am a reasonable person and I know potential buyers may not be able to see this vehicle before bidding.  If the winning bidder was unable do a pre-bid inspection and then determines that. nbsp;after submitting a timely deposit but before taking delivery. I did not accurately represent the vehicle in some significant and obvious way. I will immediately refund your entire deposit and we can both move on without any further obligation to each other.  Please recognize that this is not an invitation for potential bidders to skip your own pre-purchase due diligence and is not an opportunity for me and the winning bidder to try later to negotiate away our respective contractual responsibilities.   

PAYMENT AND STORAGE

A $1000 deposit is required from the winning bidder. due electronically via PayPal within 24 hours after the auction ends. to hold the vehicle.  I will not be accepting trades.   Full payment is due within 3 days of auction end via cash. wire transfer. or certified bank check (drawn on a major US bank).  Clear title in my name is in hand and vehicle can be scheduled for buyer pickup by appointment at anytime after full payment is received and cleared.   I can hold the vehicle in indoor storage for 15 days (or longer. if weather or other uncontrollable factors emerge) at no charge to the winning bidder after the auction (the charge is $15. 00 per day after 15 days).

Thank you for viewing my auction.

Also published at eBay.com

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