My Restoration of a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII CE

Some of you may remember me from Carlisle 2009 and I've poked around on the forums many years ago. I've also been posting this restoration on Facebook, but figured I should share it here for those that aren't on Facebook.

I also just registered to go to Carlisle 2022!

A little back history is someone that knew I couldn't say no pointed me to a one owner, 98 CE, clean car fax with 102k miles at Copart. I couldn't let it go to parts, so I bought it sight unseen and towed it from Chicago to Kansas City to start the restoration.

To date (1/15/22) I have the following done:

Rebuilt the front suspension
Replaced all air bags, compressor, relay and relay pigtail
Refinished the alloy wheels and new Michelin Tires
Upgraded radio to support Android Auto, new speakers, and a backup camera
All new interior with 100% leather seats with suede inserts, new carpet, new suede headliner, and new Collectors edition floor mats. Updated the layout of the two tone CE interior
Converted to modern day HID headlamps
Quick sand and polish of headlights (pending further restoration)
Repaired all rust, coated under carriage, repainted front and rear bumpers

Full Gallery of the work so far is here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/9ABExsHGFgGVWEWcA

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g...EtsMhg61QfJA0o_tU2bezpEM4G2Gfl1hLyn4g1U=w2400

Congrats! That's a very fine looking Mark VIII. It will be great to see you at Carlisle!

Nice!!

Welcome back!! Great find with this car. I'd be all-in for a "midwest" meet up in the spring, too.

Ok. So I just flipped through the photos, and I have questions.

Tell me the story of those seats. And the headliner!

tixer said:

Ok. So I just flipped through the photos, and I have questions.

Tell me the story of those seats. And the headliner!

Click to expand...

Ask away! I was never really a fan of the contrasting color layout of the CE's from the factory, so I used inspiration of my 96 Cougar interior for the "redesign". I told the custom shop what I wanted and they delivered.




As for the headliner, the original was damaged so I used it as an opportunity to "upgrade it"

Very impressive. Your shop did some excellent work there.

I gasped when I saw the cut-out emblem from the back seat, then realized that was the "before" photo. They really look great. And that new headliner takes the luxury up a big step or two. it looks like it belongs there, which is why it's so mind blowing.

tixer said:

Very impressive. Your shop did some excellent work there.

I gasped when I saw the cut-out emblem from the back seat, then realized that was the "before" photo. They really look great. And that new headliner takes the luxury up a big step or two. it looks like it belongs there, which is why it's so mind blowing.

Click to expand...

I spent a lot of time trying to make it look as factory as possible.

The cut out of the seat was tough to do but they wanted to make sure the embroidery shop re-created it perfectly.

Beautiful Collectors Edition!

Very nice!

This is an amazing car. First class in every respect. It looks better than new. Beautiful work and car and my favorite color.