Most of us are already familiar with Lincoln’s massive flagship Continental Mark V, which, in some configurations, measured just shy of 20 feet long. What you might not have known about this luxo-barge, however, is that Lincoln once offered a Givenchy Designer Edition of it.
One of a series of Designer Editions that also included Bill Blass, Cartier, and Emilio Pucci, the Givenchy Edition was actually quite rare. Of the roughly 228,000 Continental Mark Vs produced from 1977 to 1979, a small number of Givenchy Designer Editions were made: 917 for 1978 and 2,262 for 1979. There appears to have been some sold for 1977, although that number is not known.
The Mark V was the epitome of malaise-era American luxury at its time, and the Givenchy Edition only took that further. The option package consisted of designer-coordinated exterior paint colors, interior upholstery and trim, vinyl roof, and body moldings. It also distinguished itself from the regular Mark V with a designer’s logo on the trunk, the designer’s signature embedded in the opera window glass, and a 22-karat gold-plated nameplate plaque to be mounted on the instrument panel, which buyers would receive shortly after taking delivery of their new Mark V Designer Edition.
Along with each Designer Edition series differing from each other, all four were changed in colors and trim each year. In 1979, the Bill Blass, Cartier, and Givenchy also adopted color-keyed alloy wheels.
Aside from the appearance, the rest of the car was identical to the regular Mark V. It was powered by either a 6.6- or 7.5-liter V8 delivering 166 hp or 212 hp to the rear wheels respectively via a 3-speed automatic transmission. Not exactly something to write home about, but its main focus was on luxury and comfort.
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Despite the Givenchy Designer Edition’s rarity, one is currently up for sale in the Netherland by Gallery Aaldering, with a listed price of €26,950 ($32,803).
