New Stallion at the Ranch

[driller]

So, a funny thing happened while thumbing through FaceBook searching for pics from the Hot Rod Power Tour. I noticed a typical ad posting for a Mark VIII and of course had to click on it. Turns out to be for a low mileage 1993 Mark VIII at a used car lot in PA about an hour and a half from me. A link to their website revealed a plethora of pictures that convinced me to go look at the next morning.

Following the test drive and a thorough inspection the car (including underneath from a lift in their service bay), I left PA that afternoon with a new addition to the fleet less than 18 hours of tripping over it online!







THIS is what 'set the hook'...



The car has obviously been well maintained over the past 30 years and I believe it has found a good home.

More pics and details to come...

 

[driller]

Of course the exterior is Midnight Black, color code UA while the immaculate interior is Mocha, color code AH, an exclusive rare interior color for the 1993 Mark VIII. I have never personally seen this interior, the best description I can give is it is a two tone chocolate. The lighter color seating and carpet is nicely complemented with a darker dash and upper door trim.

 

[billcu]

Beautiful car! My 93 convertible originally had the Mocha color interior but it was trashed. It looks great in mint condition.

 

[beerdog]

Congrats

 

[tixer]

What a great find! We all need more Mark VIIIs in our lives..

 

[driller]

Beautiful car! My 93 convertible originally had the Mocha color interior but it was trashed. It looks great in mint condition.

I am totally enamored with the condition of the car, particularly the interior. Even Mrs. Driller commented how it was nicer than the blue '93, so that's a commendation in itself!

The interior is not necessarily rated a 10 but I'll give it a 9.5. There's a couple small blemishes on the shifter surround, the top of the shift knob is slightly aged and both front seats have minor tears in the bottom outside corners which easily escaped the initial review. But for a 30 year old vehicle, the interior is quite outstanding.

The exterior is quite striking in itself. There are minor rock chips and a couple very minor dings/scratches but the overall appearance shows it has been well taken care of. I am already seeking paint correction and ceramic coating for it as I have learned to appreciate quality of the modern hydrophobic coatings.

 

[steve]

wow, modified just the way you like it, what are the chances

Will you repair the tears in the front seats?

 

[driller]

Will you repair the tears in the front seats?

Not sure, would you?



After looking at the pics, I think it would be an easy enough job for an upholstery shop.

 

[driller]

These octastars are in mint condition...



The tires are Yokohama YK580, excellent tread but a bit aged as they were installed in 2016.





I need to check the date code.

{Edit} The date code(s) indicate the tires are 9 years old (circa 2014). I should replace them next year.

 

[beerdog]

Not sure, would you?

View attachment 520845

After looking at the pics, I think it would be an easy enough job for an upholstery shop.

I would. Could alw

 

[beerdog]

I would. You could always do just 1 panel to retain the rest of the seat. A good pro likely has tricks to repair tears.

 

[driller]

The underbody is remarkably clean with some surface rust on the rear k-member, exhaust and front suspension components. Mid-length headers, aftermarket catalytic converters, dual 2-1/2" pipes with an x-pipe, mufflers and chrome exhaust tips constitute the exhaust system. The transmission pan was a later model dimpled pan indicating prior work on the transmission? All suspension components looked good and the car still has a functional air suspension.











Just a slight presence of "horsepower sweat" on the front k-member and bell housing area but otherwise everything appeared as it should be with zero body rust.

 

[beerdog]

Have you ever seen this car online before?

 

[billcu]

Will you be taking it to the Lincoln Homecoming? I'll be taking my new CE this year.

 

[steve]

Not sure, would you?

View attachment 520845

After looking at the pics, I think it would be an easy enough job for an upholstery shop.

I am sure a shop can fix it, if anything you don't want it getting bigger even if a repair is a bit visible.

 

[driller]

Have you ever seen this car online before?

Not that I recall.

 

[driller]

Will you be taking it to the Lincoln Homecoming? I'll be taking my new CE this year.

Not 100% sure at this point?

 

[billcu]

Not 100% sure at this point?

You know we all want to see it.

 

[driller]

Here's a bit I've accomplished since bringing the car home.

The OEM Lincoln Star Emblem on the trunk lock cover had seen better days.



So we pried it off with a pocket knife and proceeded with the restoration using a razor, very carefully scraping the remaining red coating from the backside of the emblem.



Then we used a small buffing wheel with a Dremel rotary tool to clean and lightly polish away scratches from the backside without damaging the chrome of the Lincoln star.



Once satisfied with the surface prep, we proceeded with several light coats of matching Ford aerosol paint from the local parts store.



We left it cure for a couple days waiting on some 3M Peel & Stick Emblem Adhesive from Amazon and then reapplied the emblem to the trunk lock cover.



In between tasks, we also removed the wiper arms to refinish them with some fresh black Trim Paint and took the opportunity to install a new set of wiper blades since I had noted the wipers skipping while driving in a light rain.

There's a short laundry list of little things "to do" with the car, but I always find much satisfaction in the little details.

 

[tixer]

Have you spent much time driving it yet? Any thoughts on the quality of the build and tuning?

Track times?