Ok, so i drove her home last night from NJ. Initial thoughts are wow, pretty comfortable and near flawless ride. I will list the good and the bits and bobs that need to be fixed or obtained.
The car is a Crystal Blue original near flawless paint with less than 36K pampered miles. Interior is a exact color match to my 87 Cougar in Blue Leather. I cannot find any flaw in color, fading or even a scratch on the inside. Mechanically all the big stuff is operating as it should. Air ride is perfect, with all airbags original and working. Power antenna, power trunk latch, ABS brakes all working as they should. All buttons, s and switches are good.
Here are the interior issues i have found:
Factory original cassette deck is working well. Sound only on right side front and back. Light sound out of the front left if i turn all the way up, nothing from rear left. I am puzzled about this.
The inside trim above the doors is flopping down a bit, not sure if i need a tab or fastener, or if they had adhesive that held them there. Cosmetically perfect though.
Headliner is amazing, floor matts look new. Need a glove box kit with manuals etc.
Exterior is pretty amazing too.
Here is what i discovered in daylight. Foglight's are missing. supports are there, no damage and the switch lights up and works, just need a clean set with mounts. The crazy overpriced fog light covers were in the trunk, so that was lucky. They sell for more than the fogs themselves.
Paint shows as new with 2 small exceptions.
Driver side rear quarter has a small dent, i think it can massaged out by a good PDR guy. The front right lower fender has a small rub mark down to the primer from a badly judged u-turn or parking job. The small belt line moulding there is coming up, just needs new double sided tape.
One small circular crack in windshield, can be resin filled and is mercifully located out of my sight behind the brights sensor on the rearview mirror.
Engine needs a gentle cleaning, all original, no mods of any kind. Stock exhaust, tranny and rear, all appear to be solid. Not a pin hole of rust to be found.
Rims are flawless, tires are really solid, just a hint of dry rot here and there, but look solid.
Trunk looks like it was opened for the first time by me. Everything that should be there is.
Wheel lock is MIA, not sure what to do there. I wonder if McGaurd or whomever made these can still create a copy with the vin? Anyone know about this?
All in all its not far from being a serious show car.
Here are some initial pics i took late today before sundown, many more to follow after i clean and detail her this weekend.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7899.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7899.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7904.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7904.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7916.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7916.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7921.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7921.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7918.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7918.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7905.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7905.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7909.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7909.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7911.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7911.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7913.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_7913.jpg.html)
I got mine inspected today, ordered 2 new side markers, an inner turn signal and bulbs for the Marchal fog lamps. Then I cleaned the interior. I still have to actually use my steam cleaner on the carpet, but I vacuumed every nook and cranny, put leather conditioner on the seats on some Adam's VRT on every plastic piece in the car.
I have an appointment with the paintless dent removal guy at 10AM tomorrow for that spot on my door.
I envy how nice your wheels are. I either need to refinish these ones or find a better set, whichever is cheaper.
I've put over 100 miles on the car already. LOL!
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l110/fordtruckfreeek/1016_zpsy8denied.gif) (http://"http://s94.photobucket.com/user/fordtruckfreeek/media/1016_zpsy8denied.gif.html")
^^^^^^^^^^^
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b567/DeadPunisher/aww-yeah-meme-money-i10_zpsf4ef012c.jpg)
Freakin time capsule of a car. Congrats...that's the nicest I've ever seen since those cars were fairly new.
I have not even washed or vacuumed the car yet. LOL Thanks so much guys. I feel like i had something coming on the Karma Tree since the Bird is now a Turd after Sandy.
Looking good :).
Just a tip: the painted area below the moldings is actually gloss gray. On many mark VIIs I've seen it's dull (like on yours). Take some time to polish and wax it and the area should shine again.
Very nice!
Congrats on the biggest fox of them all....looks great.
Does it have posi? Oddly was an option.
Travis
Wow, just wow. Did I say wow.
Thank you good sir....... is it gloss grey on all LSC's? Mine is only very slightly faded there.
Thanks!
Traction Lock yes...... (Posi is for GM guys, :-) ) Its a 5.0 HO with AOD transmission and Traction Lock (8.8) rear end. All stock.
Im still feeling that too on day 2 of ownership.
I have the urge to cruise craigslist to find myself a Mark now.
As the others have said, NICE SCORE!!!...I have always liked the Marks as well. Just shows there are some well preserved rides out there..You gotta be in the right place at the right time. lol
Yep that gray below the molding should be glossy on all 84-92 Mark VIIs. It's the same paint code for all LSCs. I know because I had to buy some paint for touch up and the guy who mixed it noted that the paint code was the same for all LSCs.
Cleaned her properly and photographed in daylight today. More detail shots to follow.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3105copy.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3105copy.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_8820copy.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_8820copy.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_8812.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/CON_8812.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3080copy.jpg)[/URL
[URL=http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3091.jpg.html](http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3091.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3080copy.jpg.html)(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3099.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3099.jpg.html)(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3092.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3092.jpg.html)(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3084.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3084.jpg.html)(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3094.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3094.jpg.html)(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3096.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3096.jpg.html)
Scored a very nice set of Marchal fogs off a local guy with a 90 LSC SE he is parting out. Lights are perfect, brackets are straight, just need a replacement spring for one of the brackets.
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3121.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/Lincoln%20LSC/DSC_3121.jpg.html)
Here are the cosmetics that need to be addressed:
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/DSC_3116.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/DSC_3116.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/DSC_3114.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/DSC_3114.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg169/my70gt/DSC_3108.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/my70gt/media/DSC_3108.jpg.html)
That's the original radio? I didnt know pre air bag Mark Vii's ever used that radio.
That is a 100% bone stock survivor. The car has premium sound, not the JBL System. I don't think that mattered for the head unit. Sounds great for a 25 year old system.
I mean, as opposed to this radio.
I have that radio in my 83 Thunderbird
Minus the AMS button of course, they didn't get that untill 85.
Its crazy how nice the interior was on these cars for their day. Hell new cars similar to this are $50000+ and I think the Mark's seats look more comfortable, lol.
Looking good :).
I'm surprised the gray below the moldings didn't shine up better. That area on my Mark came back after a polishing and a coat of wax.
Thats a question actually.......is that area just dull, or is that like the 2 tone on my XR-7? I have not waxed the car, just washed it well.
I'm pretty sure it's glossy. Mine was dull till I polished and waxed it. Try polishing a small section and see what happens. It should be glossy.
Nope, look at this low miler survivor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58aHuxJosNw It has the same color scheme below as my car. Its a 2 tone treatment, the contrast is lower on my car, so it looks murky compared to with a dark color. Mine is dirty and needs to be cleaned good there anyway.
You should make some custom height sensor linkages (longer) to bring the air ride down a little.
Side note, the lower trim with the bright finish running across the top of it; how is the fastened to the Mark VII's? I'm debating removing it. I know the higher belt molding on the doors rests in a channel and would look unnatural with it removed, but I'm thinking if the lower stuff is put on with adhesive all around it would make for a clean look as all my molding has seen better days and the stuff is near impossible to find in good condition unless you wanna pony up about $70-100 per piece.....
Im not touching a thing on this car. Its way to original....i do want a LSC SE black on black car at some point too, so that one i would turn into a Darth Vader stealth mobile.
Paul, i have a source for a complete set of trim for super cheap, call me when you have time.
Found out some cool info this week about the car and history. I had a oil change decal on the upper left part of the window with a local auto shop phone number. I called the number asking if they know or remember working on the car. It turns out they have serviced the car since 2002 until the original owner passed on in 2008. They had full computerized service history, and did a great job keeping the car operating well. They emailed me the history, so i can now connect the dots a bit better. I was also able to verify that less than 5K miles was put on the car from 2002 to now. Turns out the original owner was a well to do bachelor and had never married or had kids. So this car was apparently his child. I did locate a horse racing flier under the drivers seat, so i think he played the ponies for fun.
The paint under the moldings on mine is shiny enough that I can see reflections in it. It looks like the Mark VII in the video is the same way. I wonder if the paint below the moldings just isn't clear coated and oxidizes easily?
I am sure you are correct. I think i just need to compound the whole perimeter strip, and then polish it up. I don't know if the lower area is clear coated or not, but there is absolutely no fade or peel anywhere on the car. Can you snap a photo of your cars lower area in daylight so i can see what yours looks like?
Did a quick clean of the engine bay today, washed and detailed the cowl area and under the rubber door moldings to get the crud out from over the years. Yanked the trunk liners out to disinfect the trunk as there was a water leak and a funky mildew smell. I used a watered down solution of clorox clean up and left it open all day to dry out. Smells fine now, but i am going to search out a parts car nearby for a clean trunk liner set, so i don't have to breathe in black mold while trying to disinfect. I ironed out the speaker issues, seems just jiggling the amp wires fixed that. Radio won't tune, antenna goes up and down just fine, i am thinking loose wire in back of radio unit or bad ground somewhere. Don feel like tearing into the dash right now, and i have my bluetooth cassette adapter so tunes are no issue, i just like everything working as it should.
I got a picture of the paint area below the molding. You can see the reflectivity in these pictures. I hope they help.
Your lower paint treatment looks darker than mine. Mine is not shiny, i think on lighter color paint, the lowers were a lighter color.
Nah should be the same from 84-92 on a LSC. Note the door tag on the 88 LSC in this link: http://thelincolnmarkviiclub.org/documents/tech/colorCodes.pdf
7Z is the same paint code I have for the paint under the trim on my 91 Mark VII. My Mark VII Is YX, which is titanium frost. It's as light a color as your car. I bet the paint on yours is just really faded. It happens on quite a few Mark VIIs. It should look like my car.
you think a good compound/wax on the lower might bring it back?
I used Meguiars Ultimate Compound, followed by Meguiars Ultimate Polish, and then Meguiars Ultimate Wax on the area on my car. It worked great. Your favorite compound, followed by polish, and then wax should work fine.
Well aside from the obvious of making it look correct, the contrast of the dark lower against the Crystal Blue clear coat should look stunning if i can get it back to its proper state. Thanks so much for the input and tips.