lincolntowncar.org - The Legend Of The Cartier Edition

By Kevin A. Campbell

Featured were 4 versions of the Mark IV in 1976, 3 were by famous designers Bill Blass, Fulio Pucci & Hubert de Givenchy. The 4th was a name that has become synonymous with Lincolns up until today, the Cartier Edition, inspired by a New York jeweler.

Each version featured their own special paint scheme, and continued into 1977 when the Mark Series was restyled and renamed Mark V.

In 1980, when the Mark Series was downsized & renamed Mark VI, the Designers continued. Bill Blass lasted until 1992 when it was added to the Mark VII in 1984 up to it's end in 1992. Pucci was used up to 1983, the last year of the Mark VI Series. Givenchy was moved to the Continental in the early 80's after it was introduced in 1982, and discontinued after the last of the rear drive Continentals in 1987, the top-line Continental for 1988 became the Signature Series, a name also associated with the mid-range Town Car. During the '80's, Versace was added to the Mark VII lineup for a brief period.

The Cartier name was moved to the Town Car for 1982, and through the '80's, the color scheme basically changed yearly, but it was always a tu-tone silver & grey. Early Cartier Town Cars were grey & white with white or grey leather, depending on the year. Late '80's Town Cars were generally tu-tone silver/grey with matching leather/cloth or all leather interiors. A Gucci version was introduced for 1989 only.

In 1990, when the Town Car was redesigned, the Cartier remained as the top-line version, along with base (later renamed Executive & Signature Series). Also with the 1990 redesign, more color schemes became available for the Cartier. From 1990-92, there were 3 color schemes: silver, silver-blue & champagne gold. From 1993-up, more color schemes showed up, including dark grey & burgundy. In 1995, you could order a Cartier in crème with matching supple leather interior. As the '90's rolled on, you could enjoy heated leather seating as part of the Cartier experience. In 1996, Lincoln introduced the Diamond Anniversary Edition, which featured a Signature Series-style interior, as well as Cartier features like heated seats, Cartier wood trim-delete on the steering wheel, as well as the Cartier style wood trim on the dash & door panels.

The Cartier name continued to the redesigned 1998 models. Colors included black, silver, crème & burgundy, with grey or crème interiors. In 2000, Lincoln "upped the ante" with the Cartier "L", a Town Car stretched 6 inches. The "L" was available on Cartiers as well as base Executive Series.

For 2003, the Cartier nameplate will make it's final run on Lincolns, on the Town Car. For 2004, it will be replaced by the "Ultimate" which will no doubt, live up to the name, but it won't have the mystique of the Cartier name. A name which has proudly announced the top-line Lincoln.