Good morning! I seem to have inadvertently stumbled on a theme for this week, in the form of two cars from the same corporate family with something weird about the tops. I’ll show you what I mean in a minute. First, there is the small matter of yesterday’s GM convertibles to attend to:
The garage-find Oldsmobile takes the win. Not often that a running car gets beaten by a non-running one, but I agree with the majority – the rust on that Metro scares me. I’d rather wrench than Bondo, and I don’t know how to weld, so for me it’s an easy decision.
Speaking of questionable bodywork, how do we all feel about vinyl tops? Or worse, fake convertible “carriage tops”? Personally, I can’t stand them; I did once own a Cadillac Coupe DeVille with a fake convertible top that I thought I could live with. Once I decided it had to go, I researched how much work it would be to remove it – and elected to sell the car instead. It was too bad, because I really liked that car, but that roof just made me angry every time I looked at it. I’ve tried to remove vinyl landau tops in the past, and that hasn’t gone well either.
So the question is: If you found an otherwise nice, good-running car that was saddled with one of these automotive toupées, could you bring yourself to buy it? Would you try to remove it, or just embrace the cheesiness? We’ve got two examples to look at, both from the Ford Motor Company.
1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 5.0 liter overhead valve V8, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Goshen, IN
Odometer reading: 120,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
I didn’t think much of the Lincoln Mark VII when it was new. But then, I was a kid when this car came out, not exactly the target demographic. I couldn’t understand why anyone would choose it over a Mustang, or even a Thunderbird. I hated the big upright grille, the silly fake-spare-tire lump in the trunk lid, and all that chrome. But now, with a lot more miles on my own odometer, I look at that cushy interior, and I think about the pillowy-soft ride from that air suspension, and I get it.
The Mark VII underwent a lot of changes and improvements over its eight-year run. This 1988 model is towards the end of the run, with the full-on high-output 302 V8 from the Mustang GT. It’s also the LSC model, which offered a modicum of handling to go with the marshmallow ride. It goes without saying that it has power everything, and all the other luxury toys befitting a vehicle of its stature in the late ’80s. [Editor’s Note: It was also the first car in America with composite, shaped headlamps! – JT]
It also has a sunroof, which makes that horrible carriage top even worse. The little caps on the tops of the door sills are bad enough; the sunroof just adds insult to injury. Worse even that that, someone somewhere along the way tinted the windows with some awful reddish tint. No accounting for taste, I suppose. I’ve heard of looking at the world through rose-colored glasses, but I think maroon-tinted windows would just give you a headache.
Mechanically, it sounds like this car is in fine shape. The ad consists almost entirely of a list of recently-replaced parts, and it’s everything you could hope for in a used car. It appears to be rust-free, and the paint is shiny, and a great color. But that top… ugh.
1974 Ford Mustang II – $3,995
Engine/drivetrain: 2.8 liter overhead valve V6, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Odometer reading: 86,000 miles
Runs/drives? Great, the seller says
A lot has already been said about the Mustang II, and it’s almost a cliché to pick on the poor thing, or defend it, these days. The simple fact is that the Mustang got too big, around the same time there was a gas crunch, so they made it smaller. And it worked: Ford sold more than a million of these things.
In 1974, the first year of the new fun-size Mustang, there was no V8 option. The biggest engine available was the one you see here: a 2.8 liter “Cologne” V6, equipped with a two-barrel carburetor, putting out a sad 105 horsepower through a three-speed automatic. Acceleration is not its strong suit. But the seller sings the praises of how this one runs, proclaiming that you could “Drive to California today.” Personally, I wouldn’t; it’s August, and the air conditioning is non-operational, but it’s good to hear that the seller has that kind of confidence in it.
It’s rust-free, and the interior is certainly better than most Mustang IIs I’ve seen recently, but much like the Oldsmobile from yesterday, the seller seems to think this car is in a lot better condition than it is. The carpet is badly faded, there’s a huge crack in the dash, and the paint is chalky and not all the same shade of red. If it’s the old single-stage paint, you might be able to polish it up, but as it sits, it’s pretty scruffy.
It’s probably easier to find a Mustang II with a vinyl roof than one without it. This one’s full roof is slightly less offensive than the landau top seen on the Ghia models, but it’s not pretty. But then, the only really good-looking Mustang IIs were the Cobra hatchbacks anyway.
I try really hard to be impartial and just present the cars for you to choose, but let’s be honest: between these two, the Lincoln really is the better car. It’s a decade and a half newer, has more than double the power, and it’s in nicer condition. But it has that stupid top on it, it’s not something you can remove yourself, and paying a body shop to get rid of it and repaint the roof would probably cost more than the car is worth. So can you tolerate the toupée, or would you rather take the baby Mustang with a mere vinyl top?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I saw the back window sticker on the Lincoln and thought “No way is this better than the Mustang”. Then I saw the Mustang, I was wrong.
In a car of this age and condition, how leaky must that air box have been to prod the owner to wrap it in duct tape? How did he/she know it was leaking? How clogged is the carb and how scored are those cylinder walls? God, its awful.
They’re not my favorite by any means, but I’m not horribly bothered by those fake convertible tops either. I agree the one on the Lincoln is extra dumb on account of the car’s sunroof. But, what the hell – the car also has what amounts to a fake spare-tire holder on the trunk. May as well lean into it – pick up some stick on ventiports and chrome door-edge guard during the next PepBoys run to complete the look.
As to the Mustang II, it’s not a car I particularly hate or like. It’s just an old car, and at that price with a three-speed auto, a six-cylinder and slightly off-color doors, I’d just rather not.
I thought the back window on the Lincoln said “uncool” at first glance, and I’m a Mustang II apologist, so I’m going against the grain here.
I thought the exact same thing when seeing the rear of the Lincoln! Still voted for it, though.
agree, the window tint is disgusting. Stang II for me.
Por que no los dos?
I absolutely envision some stupid shenanigans with either car, both involving gofast parts. Shine up that paint, replace the carpet, get all the weight out of the Mustang I can, and stuff a beefy carbureted SBF in it and have a fun weekend hot rod. Take the tint out of the Lincoln, make a nice HO 5.0 build, and rip it down the highway as a tourer.
I tend to view these things as an exercise in potential, rather than the thing as it is. So maybe I’m too rosy on the Mustang, but honestly I think the thing that doomed the late 70s Mustangs was the running gear more than anything else about them. Fix that, and you got a solid car.
Speaking as someone who finds the Mark VII LSC rather attractive and appreciates what can be done to turn it into a sleeper, I just… can’t. That top is so horrible that I am unable to overlook it and the car isn’t worth taking the effort to get rid of it. Also, the Mk VIII is enough better that it’s probably worth getting one of those instead.
Meanwhile, the Mustang II has taken a lot of unwarranted criticism; in some ways it’s better than the bloated thing that immediately preceded it. While it’s easy to look back today and criticize there was much worse stuff being put out there in the 70s. At least this example is honest, if somewhat overpriced, and would serve admirably as the starting point for a nice hobby driver.
Put me in the minority here.
I love the Mustang II, but the Lincoln Mark VII is just a newer Mustang with air suspension and a Lux Interior (RIP).
I’d take the Lincoln and see what kind of stealth monstrosity I could make of it, after removing the fake top, tint, and LINCOLN decal. A manual transmission is also possible.
IF the Mustang II were a little nicer, manual, and the cheaper of the two, it might have gotten my vote. But there’s no way it should win against a Mark VII in decent running condition the way it’s currently presented.
I’m still watching for a Mark VII with the BMW I6 turbodiesel at the right price…
Mustang II is a Pinto, they didn’t even change the front sheet metal. I’ll take the Lincoln, and it isn’t even close. Probably gets only slightly worse gas mileage anyways.
The Mustang II and the Pinto share no sheetmetal.
Which really shocks me, as the fronts look as similar as 40 years of memories allow, and driving a coworkers Mustang II felt exactly like driving my Pinto.
At half the price, I’d take the Pintostang, but for $4000?!? Not when there were a million of them made. Look harder and find a hatch with the manual.
The 302 LSC is the Conti VII to own, but that top! Uuugggghhhh! Since it was probably done aftermarket (I think Ford stopped vandalising the Conti’s themselves with the VII), it may not be quite as bad to rip off and repaint, but don’t take my word for it. I’d still take a chance on it.
The Lincoln is desirable, fancy 5.0 Mustang. this is a clear choice.
When the Mark VII came out I definitely wanted one and when the LSC version w/o the neutered 5.0 I really wanted one. Then the Mark VIII came along and I completely forgot about the VII. Regarding the Mustang II if it was a 1975 or later model I’d be more interested as the front it was significantly modified to make room for the V-8. The header panel is smaller, the hood longer and the core support moved forward to make it all fit. I guess since it is the German V-6 you could put in a Ranger 2.9 and 5sp or maybe even the 4.0 and 5sp. I’m definitely torn but I guess if I have to pick one I’ll go with the VII.
I almost bought a Mark VII, but the test drive evidenced more maintenance needs than the seller had disclosed and he wouldn’t budge on the prive. Around the same time, a friend’s dad picked up a Mark VIII, and boy are you right about the VIII making your forget about the VII.
“I couldn’t understand why anyone would choose it over a Mustang, ”
And you still don’t apparently. No contest here: baby Mustang all the way. Not only is it in better shape overall, it’s just a better looking car. I never thought I would say that about a Mustang II, but there it is. Toss in a 289 V8 and you’ve got yourself a nice little driver.
Malaise.
I grew up hating vinyl tops as a silly affectation, especially egregious when useless snaps, faux top bows, opera windows, or padded canvas are involved. Then I found this old Corvair with a very rare vinyl top.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yJEav9noqSTLYByP9
Purely out of curiosity (and we all know what that did to the cat), I’m going Mustang.
That Lincoln is a solid deal at $3,500. It’s not everyone’s cup o’ tea, but as a cheap cruiser it will be hard to beat at that price. The interior alone is worth a premium with how clean and intact it is. As for the Pinto-Stang, *fart noise*. You could go through the hassle of a 5.0 swap on a run down car, or you could pay a little less and get the Lincoln that already has a 5.0 in it. Easy choice for me.
I was going to vote Lincoln before I even saw the Mustangs photos date stamped from several years ago, along with a duct taped air cleaner. I’ll pass.
The Mark was a decent piece. Pretty good performance, better-than-expected handling, and all that Luxury Stuff that you could do without but, for $3.5K, why should you?
Yeah, I’d want to broom the vinyl top. Those things are embarrassing, as far as I’m concerned. That’d add some cost, but worth it to not look like, well, someone I’m not.
The ‘Stang II has nothing to recommend it. No speed, no style, and no fun for the driver.
Lincoln, please.
The tint bothers me more than the fakety-fake roof and would be easier to remove. This would probably be a comfortable way to cover a lot of miles. My friend’s parents had these when I was a yute: one had the first car phone I’d ever seen (the massive, permanently-mounted type).
And Mustang IIs are just… ugh, no.
The Mark VII LSC is one of the best-looking cars of the ’80s, and I would buy one today if I could. But between that silly roof treatment, the red tinted glass and the LINCOLN callout on the backlight, I just can’t. Way too much to undo.
Also, I may be one of the few Autopians who likes the Mustang II — and even though the paint’s faded and I don’t get what’s happening around the air cleaner, I think it could be fun … especially, as someone suggested, with a 302.
The Mustang wins.
Unfortunately being 74 means putting in a 5.0 won’t be an easy thing, since Ford changed the front end in 75 to accommodate the V-8. You can still fit it in with the MII V8 oil pan but you’ll have to figure out how to mount the radiator farther forward which includes cutting the core support where the hood latch goes and switching to hood pins to hold it closed.
Easy win for the luxobarge. It’s pretty damn close to the platonic ideal of the Pimp Mobile archetype. I love the color purple in general and I consider this maroon color close enough to it for my taste. It also has that gorgeous red interior and it has a big ole V8. It’s a little bit of TLC away from being an excellent cruiser.
So, it was the late 90s and there were a few spots around Houston where street racing went down without much interference from the police. This being pre-Fast & Furious, it was mostly muscle cars that would show up, and only if they were legit fast. One night a Cobra II rolls in, and the owner starts talking all kinds of trash to just about everyone. Nobody is taking the bait, out of fear of losing to Mustang II, but one person finally does and lines up his stock-looking and sounding Mark VII. The lighting wasn’t good enough to tell just how many truck lengths the Cobra II lost by, but the Cobra II driver just kept on driving and didn’t come back after the loss. Had he come back he would have found out the Mark VII had a built 347ci stroker and extra mufflers to keep it sounding stock.
For that memory alone, Mark VII.
That Lincoln is like 10 minutes from me. I’d buy it and strip the top off but my wife would disown me if I brought that home. The level of hatred she has for the “fake Continental tire hump” is next level. HATES those. I like the Mark VII myself though.
Are you saying if you brought it home there would be hell toupée?
Winner Winner, Chicken dinner.
Absolutely. It would only be seconds before she started wigging out.
Is that where you run around like your hair is on fire?
I’ll take the Lincoln, then go full Faster with Finnegan on it. Imagine a blower coming out the hood
I took the Lincoln as the Mustang II just makes me ill.
I know I picked the loser, but I am a sucker for these mustangs. Leave it as is, drop a 2.3 turbo or even a mild 5.0 and a 5 speed. Weld the rear dif and go have fun.
I,too picked the Mustang. I may be weird but I always liked the look of them, plus I like Cheat’s idea of dropping a 2.3L turbo and a 5 speed, or even better,a German 2.0 like the one that my old 1972 Pinto had.