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The Lincoln Mark X concept from 2004 was based on the relaunched Ford Thunderbird of the time.
Last week, we revisited one of the most popular concept vehicles in Ford’s history. Today, we’re taking another look at another one-off, which also debuted at the 2004 North American International Auto Show and is worth another look.
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The Mark X was introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.
Based on the rear-wheel-drive Ford Thunderbird architecture of that era, the Lincoln Mark X was the brand’s first two-door convertible concept. The roadster featured a 3.9-liter V8 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission delivering 280 horsepower.
The two-seat luxury convertible roadster was said to blend design elegance with driving athleticism, and its forward-looking design was intended to set the tone for Lincolns of the 2000s. The Lincoln Mark X was deemed so special by its creators that it bore the coveted “Mark” name, which has been used to signify a truly special vehicle.
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The roadster was based on the same architecture as the Thunderbird produced between 2001 and 2005.
“The focus with Mark X was on pure, integrated design,” said Marek Reichman, then-Lincoln chief designer. “Our holistic exterior and interior design approach instantly shows its rewards, competing against the best personal luxury convertibles in the world.”
The Mark X was also the first Lincoln to feature a full glass roof, which would fully retract into the rear decklid in less than 30 seconds with the push of a button. Another standout feature was the car’s flush-mounted, polished aluminum door handles. Each featured thumb locators, which exposed the handles when pushed. The exterior of the Mark X also included an updated polished aluminum Lincoln grille featuring a rhythmic pattern of solid horizontal and vertical chrome trim.
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The car’s full-glass roof was designed to fully retract in less than 30 seconds.
The car’s interior was the beneficiary of Ford Motor Company’s tripled investment in interior design, which resulted in a “modern and luxurious cabin” full of contrasting colors and textured materials, according to a 2004 press release, including a Lime Sorbet interior. The Mark X also featured a laser-inscribed vanity plate above the glove box and a four-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with dark chrome. A seven-inch LCD information panel featured satellite navigation, climate control and vehicle dynamics such as seat memory. It was operated by a mouse located in the center console.
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The “modern and luxurious” interior of the Mark X included a Lime Sorbet interior color.
In a rare feat for concept vehicles, the Lincoln Mark X prototype is not only still in existence, but it’s going up for auction in the coming days. While the T-Bird companion never made it to production, it gave Ford and Lincoln fans a glimpse of what could have been.
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