The Lincoln Mark VII
SVO Prototype

"This Page features my 'Hot Rod Lincoln' SVO Prototype & all modifications.
I had the idea over 25 years ago and wanted to create this High Performance model, appearing as a Factory Option that many wanted to see from Lincoln. 20+ years, and a lot of work invested.
I hope you enjoy these pics & facts about a car that never existed... so I built one!" 🇺🇸

~ Michael Clive (actor/comedian/engineer)

This car was not built or conceived by any Ford or Lincoln division.

SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) was Ford Motor Company's high performance team responsible for the 4 cylinder, turbo charged SVO Mustang from 1984 - 1986.
SVO was later changed to SVT (Special Vehicle Team) for the 1993 Mustang Cobra.

The Lincoln Mark VII SVO in clear coat Twilight Blue Metallic

A carriage top Mark VII was used for the SVO prototype project.

With custom LED tail lighting, strobing backup lights, "SVO" & "5-Speed" emblems with a complete Black-Out scheme; the Mark VII SVO is easy to spot.

I also converted the Marchal Driving Lights to LED!
(The original H2 bulbs are hard to find and burn too HOT)

She gets a lot of looks on the road! 😮🇺🇸👍

Mark VII SVO LED Oil Pressure gauge

All Mods on this Mark VII SVO:

Engine

* 347 Stroker motor.

* X303 camshaft.

* Comp Rockers.

* Eagle crank, Probe pistons, H-beam rods.

* Main cap girdle.

* AFR 185 CNC ported heads.

* Trick Flow "Track Heat" intake.

* Mass-Airflow Fuel Injection system with EEC IV - A9L computer & BBK Cold-Air Induction System #15575. - No factory Mark VII (84-92) had Mass-Airflow injection, although it was standard on Mustang GT's from '89-up (CA. '88-up).

* 24lb fuel injectors.

* 190 lph fuel pump.

* 70mm throttle body.

* 75mm airflow meter/sensor.

* BBK Shorty Headers and 2 1/2" dual exhaust system with X-Pipe & Flowmaster 40's.

Exterior/Interior

* Twilight Blue clear coat metallic paint with a non-chrome black-out scheme.

* The low profile hood scoop is from the 1982 Mustang GT in reversed position. It is non-functional.

* There are "SVO" and "5-speed" trunk emblems. "Mark VII" and "Lincoln" emblems do not appear anywhere on the Mark VII SVO

* The "Lincoln symbol" is only seen on the trunk key cover and side mirrors.

* Deeper offset BBS-type aluminum wheels with 225/60/ZR16 radials. Resembling the '90-'92 LSC factory wheels, these deeper off-set wheels give it some handling properties and a beefier appearance.

* Ford performance bucket seats in heavy dark blue cloth and velour with manual thigh bolsters and power lumbar support. Taken from the '87-'88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

* In-dash LED Oil pressure gauge. An oil pressure gauge was absent from all previous Mark VII models ('84-'92). Many owners questioned this omission in a performance car.

* Distinctive LED tail lights were uniquely created for this SVO Mark VII. (LED's are now growing in popularity with car manufacturers. They have attention-getting brilliance over standard incandescent light bulbs for added safety as well as a modern look).

Drivetrain/Suspension

* Coil spring fitment replaces Air Springs.

* Heavy Duty front and rear sway bars. These were also taken from the '88 Turbo Coupe.

* 5 speed Astro Performance A-5 Transmission/26 spline clutch (gear ratios are 2.95, 1.95, 1.36, 1.00 and the fifth gear is 0.64) This is a high alloy geared transmission rated at 650HP and 525 ft. lbs. of torque.
No factory Mark VII's were produced with a manual transmission. All models from '84 - '92 used Ford's Automatic Over Drive transmission.

* 3.73 rear end gears with Ford's Traction-loc differential and 4 wheel antilock disc brakes. (The Mark VII was the first American car to offer anti-lock brakes in 1985, however, the stopping distance didn't actually improve much).

Lincoln's Mark Series had been around since 1956. It ended with the Mark VIII, in 1998.
In 1984, the Lincoln Mark VII made it's debut with a fantastic reception. It was the first American automobile to feature composite aerodynamic headlights and Anti-lock brakes and more items that are now common-place. The Mark VII was built on Ford's "Fox Body" platform that hosted nearly a dozen Ford/Lincoln/Mercury models from '79 - '93.

Mark VII History Fact:
In 1985, Lincoln partnered with "Cars & Concepts" and "Jack Roush" to create the limited edition Mark VII GTC. There were 3 variants - Stage 1 was a body kit. Stage 2 added some suspension upgrades, and Stage 3 had a 351 engine with optional 5 speed manual tranny with Hurst shifter.
It is believed that only 3 GTC’s were built with the 351 engine & only 2 with the 5 speed tranny.

Pics from the build history

Testing the LED concept

Speedo reset @ Rebuild

SVO Concept, design & build by Michael Clive.
The current location of the Mark VII SVO is Las Vegas, Nevada; still owned by Michael.

"Entertainers can have awesome car collections... but Clive can build & work on them!"

Product of USA! 🇺🇸