To All;

On a 96 MK VIII Diamond Anniversary car, can the color "Desert Violet", (code SC), in any degree, be concidered rare?

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

A true Diamond Anniversary car is only going to be silver or cordovan, though many people mistakenly call all 96 models "Diamond Anniversary". As far as I know, the code for Desert Violet is JC, a one year color, and 1996 was the lowest production year. So yes, I would say in the universe of Mark VIIIs, it is a rare color.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

Yeah, that's what I ment,"JC". The car dealer is advertising the car has a Diamond, but I have not gone to look at it, they want $4884.00, I offered $3900.00, they countered with 4250.00, I'm still holding firm, and they don't seem interested in any further action, unless they're playing the "wait and sweat" game.
It has 88,000 miles on it, looks clean in the pics, and they claim everything works. It's a California car. what do you thing in reality it might be worth? I know hi blue book is about 5 g's.

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

Is there a code number in the VIN# that would designate it has a "true" Diamond car? or any other way to designate it a "true" Diamond car? or any interior/exterior parts, other than what the exterior color that you say it shouldn't be?

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

> Is there a code number in the VIN# that would designate it
>has a "true" Diamond car? or any other way to
>designate it a "true" Diamond car? or any
>interior/exterior parts, other than what the exterior color
>that you say it shouldn't be?

I copied this from the Home Page listing for DAs

"As shown in Lincolns special four page brochure, limited edition Diamond Anniversary models were offered on each model Lincoln available in 1996 - the Continental, the Town Car and the Mark VIII. Each was available in either Silver Frost Metallic or Cordovan Metallic. Silver Frost was a standard color that was available on all Mark VIII's form 1995 to 1998. Cordovan Metallic was only available on the Mark VII in 1996 on the Diamond Anniversary Edition and in 1998 on the Collector's Edition. Curiously Cordovan Metallic was a standard color that was available on all Mark VIII's in 1997. The interiors were trimmed in Light Graphite with Cordovan stitching and piping. The leather seating was done in two-tone Light Graphite & Cordovan. The cars has model specific floor mats with the Diamond Anniversary logo. The rear quarter windows were etched with the special diamond anniversary logo. The original buyer got a gift of Waterford Crystal diamond sculpture and a wood display stand with a customized plaque. The cars appeared for the Spring 1996 selling season, around May 1996. The Diamond Anniversary Mark VIII was offered on the base model, but may have also been available as an LSC model. In Auto Revista, Connie Keane writes, "To celebrate 75 years of automotive technology, Lincoln is producing a luxurious Diamond Anniversary Edition of the Mark VIII. The Diamond Anniversary Edition is bestowed with the creme de la creme of standard equipment. This special Mark VIII model includes the Ford voice-activated cellular telephone, power moonroof, chrome directional wheels, embroidered floor mats and the JBL sound system. It is available in Silver Frost or Cordovan paint with Light Graphite leather seating surfaces. My tester was equipped with the Luxury Sport Coupe (LSC) package. The LSC is the icing on the cake for this 1996 Mark VIII. It includes a monochromatic exterior paint, covering front and rear bumpers and bodyside moldings. The LSC has a new dual exhaust system and high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps." The cars may or may not have carried an individual serial number like the Collector's Editions of 1998. Production numbers were probably low, though we have not been able get documentation on how many were produced. Based on the frequency of sitings of these cars, fewer than 500 Diamond Anniversary Mark VIII's were produced."


Ke11eyman
96 LSC/Bright Toreadore Tint/Saddle
96 Medium Graphite/Lt Graphite

So, in reading this, it seems that this dealer is not being exactly "accurate", shall we say, about it being a Diamond car, that the exterior paint color being "Desert Violet". does that seem accurate to you? i don't understand why they would say it's a Diamond car, unless something on the car says it specifically. is there any possibility that this car, with that exterior color, could be an extremely rare Diamond car? any chance at all? what are your thoughts? if it is, maybe i better go grab it, before someone else does. i have the VIN# here with me right now. and what color exactly, is "Cordovan"?

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

Much DA info here -
http://www.markviii.org/LOD2/Diamond.htm

That information is in the above post. I know now that cordovan is maroon red metallic, and they have 1 interior color, light platinum, with a cordovan band and stitching. This car I'm looking at has none of the above, so I think the dealer doesnt have a clue what their talking about! I suppose just trying to get more interest that way. Creeps! Thats dirty pool to me!

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

1996 was the 'Diamond' anniversary for Lincoln, so a lot of people will refer to ANY car produced that year as a 'Diamond Anniversary'. It has been so long, I'm certain that very few, if any, dealership employees realize that there was a specific model with special colors, interior, etching, and crystal keepsake. Most dealers don't have a clue about the Mark VIII in general.

As for pricing, it's worth what you're willing to pay, but I wouldn't pay anything extra for a 'rare' color or even a DA or CE, unless it was super low miles and I was wanting to start a collection. When you get to a car as you described, nearly 90k miles and the appropriate/expected wear, I'd only pay more for condition. It's not as though you'll ever recoup any extra you pay for it at that point.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen

>This car I'm looking at has none of the above, so I think the
>dealer doesnt have a clue what their talking about! I suppose
>just trying to get more interest that way. Creeps!

Bingo! I'd tell them to keep their base '96 Mark at that price. And probably make some suggestion about their parentage too, but that's just me. If you want a DA look for the seats, if you find one with the driver seat in good condition then that's the one you want.

______________________________

Thanks to all of you gentlemen, but I have decided to blow this car off, because it obviously is not a Diamond car. thanks though!
How about another question? I'm sure on here some place, there's info on the Spring Edition car. id like to learn a bunch more about this car! I now know more about the DA car, and my first MK VIII was a Collectors Edition, which I hated to let go, but such is life. I have a nice 98 LSC in black, platinum interior now, it's got 180,000 miles on it, and runs great. It's my daily driver, and I'm a super commuter, traving 168 miles a day,3 days a week for work! what can you tell me about the SE car? everything possible. Thanks again to all!

Fishnetter(Warren) <,+++"+++<

If you're referring to the Spring Feature Edition, it's simply a different paint color and a few emblem differences. Only increase in value would be for an exceptionally low mile example, to a collector who doesn't plan on driving it.

Honestly, if your car is still going strong, I'd stay on top of the maintenance and keep rolling up the miles. After all, you know your car, what's been done, etc. and you likely won't have that same knowledge of something new. Plenty of folks have gone 2-300k miles w/ no major repairs, just the normal maintenance and repairs.

Calvin Louie
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - Linen Metallic / Linen