1971 Lincoln Continental With Air Ride on 2040-cars

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Junkyard Gem: 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V Bill Blass Edition

The car news in 1979 America wasn't all bad, despite gas rationing and Detroit V8s producing 25 horsepower per liter of displacement. That's because some of the plushest, flashiest, white-powder-ready luxury coupes in history were rolling off assembly lines at the time. Ford's game was strong when it came to such machinery; there were long-snouted Thunderbird Town Landaus, opulent Cougar XR-7s and — best of all — the special-edition Lincoln Continental Mark Vs. The Lincoln Division had partnered with four prestigious fashion houses to lift the Mark V to unheard-of levels of conspicuous snazz, and I found one of those cars in a Denver car graveyard. The design houses that worked their magic on these Mark Vs were Givenchy, Pucci, Cartier and Bill Blass. Each had a distinctive color scheme and mob-boss-grade interior. The Pucci cars were the rarest, with only 763 built during the 1977-1979 model years whereas 6,720 Bill Blass Mark Vs were built during that period. Today's Junkyard Gem is the second 1979 Bill Blass Mark V I've found in this very junkyard; the previous find happened back in 2015. Bill Blass was an Indiana native who began his design career as a member of the 603rd Camouflage Battalion of the United States Army during World War II, helping to deceive the Germans with a fake "Ghost Army" poised to hit the beaches far from the actual D-Day sites. Blass worked with Ford from 1975 through 1992, when the last Bill Blass Mark VIIs were built (Cartier stuck it out much longer). The 1979 Bill Blass Mark V came with "Tu-Tone Midnight Blue Metallic" and white exterior paint, while the interior was done up in white or blue leather with contrasting straps and buttons bearing the Blass logo. This one is pretty icky after 44 years, but hints of its former glory can be seen. A white padded-vinyl "carriage roof" was standard equipment on the Bill Blass Mark V. It was a $1,200 option (about $5,286 in 2023 dollars) on ordinary Mark Vs. The one on this car trapped water against the sheet metal and caused it to rust out. All 1979 Mark Vs got the Cartier clock, with calendar function. A 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 was mandatory on all 1979 Continental models. This one made 159 horsepower and 315 pound-feet, which was grim for a coupe that scaled in at nearly 4,600 pounds. The MSRP for the '79 Bill Blass Mark V was $16,546, or about $72,880 in today's money. The Collector's Series Mark V cost even more that year: $22,029 ($97,031 after inflation).

Matthew McConaughey returns in new Lincoln MKX ads

Matthew McConaughey is getting back behind the wheel of a Lincoln for a set of cool new ads for the MKX. Unlike his oft-parodied spots for the MKC, the latest ones eschew the easy-going actor's semi-philosophical musings in place of some smooth jazz, a mysterious story, and shots of the luxury crossover on the road. Separately, the three commercials are titled Welcome, Arrival, and Winning Hand, and they combine to tell a story of McConaughey getting ready for a game of poker. Of course, the MKX is meant to be the real star, and the spots show off its high-end tech, including a 360-degree camera, Revel Audio system, and hands-free parking. Keep an eye out for a cameo from a classic Lincoln in one of the ads. For really curious viewers, the automaker is also extending the story to its homepage to explain more about the people McConaughey is meeting. In addition to giving McConaughey and the MKX starring roles, there's A-list talent behind the camera too. Replacing Nicolas Winding Refn from the MKC spots for these is Gus Van Sant, best known for directing Good Will Hunting and Milk, plus recent BMW i8 videos. The new ads make their broadcast debut during college football games on Saturday, September 12 on ABC and re-air during NFL games on the 13th on CBS and Fox. However, you can get an early peek by watching the combined short film above. Let us know in Comments how you think they compare to McConaughey's MKC spots. Collaboration Between McConaughey and Lincoln Evolves in Spots for All-New Lincoln MKX Quiet Luxury, an understated yet compelling experience brought to life by the all-new Lincoln MKX, underpins a new series of television advertisements featuring Matthew McConaughey. All-new Lincoln MKX, representing the latest chapter for the brand, featured in new television advertisements with Matthew McConaughey Acclaimed director Gus Van Sant brings distinct cinematic style to these Lincoln MKX ads, which introduce new characters and storylines. The new spots debut during key college football matchups on Saturday, Sept. 12, on ABC. They can be seen again during NFL games on Sunday, Sept. 13, on CBS and FOX. "What appeals to me about this new series of ads is that while the overall Lincoln message remains consistent, the way it is delivered continues to evolve," said Matthew McConaughey.

Best Large SUVs of 2024

When it comes down to large SUVs, there's more to consider than price and just how large it is. First, it comes down to what's underneath the skin. Some are built on a truck-like body-on-frame chassis — this would be the traditional, literal definition of an "SUV." Others use car-like, unibody construction, which would make them a crossover. What really matters, though, is how you use them. For most American families, a large three-row crossover is going to be your best bet. They have loads of passenger and cargo space, and deliver superior fuel economy, handling and ride quality than those big traditional SUVs. They're cheaper, too. On the other hand, those traditional large SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition are better-suited for more heavy-duty tasks like towing. Most now have bigger third rows than big crossovers, while extended-length versions like the Chevy Suburban have way more cargo capacity behind their third rows than everything but an airport shuttle. As for luxury large SUVs, they fall into those same two categories as well, with American choices mostly being truck-based. The pros and cons of choosing one over another are similar. Below, you will find our list of the best large SUVs broken down into three categories: large family crossover, large traditional SUV and large luxury SUVs, which comprise both construction types.  Best Large Family Crossovers  |  Best Large Traditional SUVs  |  Best Large Luxury SUVs Best Large Family Crossovers 2024 Honda Pilot Why it stands out: Exceptional storage and cargo space; unique second-row functionality; refined ride; versatile and capable TrailSport; advanced AWDCould be better: Subpar acceleration with lackadaisical transmission and engine response; so-so driver assistance tech Read our full 2024 Honda Pilot Review The Honda Pilot was completely redesigned for 2023. It maintains its predecessor's family-friendly packaging and overall focus, but it has injected a welcome sense of style (especially in the TrailSport pictured above) that makes it stand out much better from the big crossover crowd. The Pilot's restrained adornment and classic proportions are refreshing compared to the increasingly busy Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Subaru Ascent. Let's talk about practicality, though, which is ultimately the Pilot's best attribute.