Dream Car

D

Double 97

Registered
I'll say what we are all thinking: the Mark VIII is one of the best cars ever built.

Now that that's out of the way, if you were designing the car, what would you do differently? I'm not talking about quality or longevity issues - so don't say that you'd make the cupholder of tougher material, or that you'd make the 97 tail light more durable.

What I'm asking is this: If you were on the design team for the Mark, what would you have changed?

I'll start: I would move the wheels closer to the corners of the car. I think that would eliminate the somewhat excessive overhang.

Now I understand that what I'm asking is like saying, "How would you make the ladies in the SI Swimsuit issue more attractive?"
 
+1 for overhang. Make the car shorter (15 inches) overall, it really doesn't need to be 207 inches! It looks downright awkward on a gen 2 .

Performance package:
3.55 Gears
Limited slip diff
18" Wheels
Upgraded 13"+ brakes
Stiffer shocks/bigger swaybars
5 speed auto or 6 speed manual.
 
I would have loved to see the Mark VIII get replaced with a style similar to the Jag XK8.

That look is sstill popular today on many European cars.

I've seen altered wheel-base Mark VIII's...they are not attractive.

the 4000 lb sled looked fine. The overhang was necessary to achieve the aerodynamic package with the engine as tall as it was.

as for the performance package Max mentioned...I agree with all except I would just leave the A/T the way it was, but offer a 5 speed manual. I would have also liked to see some chassis bracing/cowl bracing...again, hard to achieve with the tall deck motor.
 
Good ideas Max, you found a new calling. ;)

I think the trunk should have been deeper, I can't fit a good size cooler in there.
 
maxmk8 said:
+1 for overhang. Make the car shorter (15 inches) overall, it really doesn't need to be 207 inches! It looks downright awkward on a gen 2 .

Performance package:
3.55 Gears
Limited slip diff
18" Wheels
Upgraded 13"+ brakes
Stiffer shocks/bigger swaybars
5 speed auto or 6 speed manual.
Click to expand...

Where are you going to shorten it? There's not 15" to spare front or rear. The motor can't really move back any more and there's not a lot of 'wasted' room in front of the motor. If anything, the trunk does need to be bigger.

As far as performance, I'd say with the weight you really should've gotten 3.73 gears and absolutely a traction-lock differential, so I'm sorta with you there.

18 inch wheels and bigger brakes would've definitely sold well as part of the performance package. Seems most performance cars are finally recognizing the value of brakes based on the preponderance of Brembo brakes adorning a lot of cars at this years' auto show.

Handling would definitely have been better with better shocks/struts and swaybars. The rear swaybar is definitely a non-performer but the front would need to be heavier for proper balance as well.

I part ways with the transmission though. Wishing for a transmission that was unheard of at the time domestically is wishful thinking. I doubt many perspective Lincoln buyers would've opted for a manual. I think for the times and the target audience, the 4R70W was a perfect fit for the car. But obviously the 'performance package' would've had upgraded internals, a tranny cooler and sportier shifting.

I would add some intake and exhaust modifications to the performance package. A bit more attention to detail on the intake and ducting would've complimented a dual exhaust nicely.

All said and done, the 'Police Interceptor' performance package would've really ticked off a lot of 'stang owners though. It would've been a Cobra in a tuxedo. :D
 
i like the looks on either gen just the way they are, rear buckets would have been cool though instead of our back seats, i agree on bigger wheels too, 17's or 18's would have been nice. and craig says it all, a factory 5 or 6 speed would have been sweet, specially with a low gear and a twin screw on top of the motor engine!!
 
Wasn't '93 the first year for the 4R70W? Maybe '92? I know the 4-speed AOD was big before the 4R70W.

Like I said, the 5 or 6 speed auto was just not domestically available then.
 
I like the looks of the Mark VIII's the way they are.

I would have designed the rear drains for the moonroof to drain out the bottom of the rocker panel instead of inside the rocker.:D
 
The one thing I would change would be the design of the engine bay. Build it for an 8 cyl and put a 6 in later with plenty of room left over for forced induction. And hey,no oil filter change issues. Imagine that.
 
I would of made the Gen 1 with good lights...haha

besides that the performance package would be nice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top