View the first Mark VII SVO youtube video...
This was the first video taken of the vehicle.
The video was shot at night to show the unique LED lighting and originally shown with amber colored Euro-Marchal driving lights.



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** The following information contains Ford SVO/SVT facts, but...the story of the Mark VII "SVO model" is fiction **
(Although this car does exist...it was never actually built or conceived by Ford/Lincoln.)

SVO or Special Vehicle Operations, was Ford motor company's production team responsible for the 4 cylinder turbo charged SVO Mustang from 1984 - 1986.

SVO was later changed to SVT or Special Vehicle Team for the 1993 Mustang Cobra. Although Ford's SVO parts catalogue name continued until 2000.

The Lincoln Mark Series had been around since 1956 and continued through 1998, ending with the Mark VIII. 

In 1984, the Lincoln Mark VII made it's debut with a fantastic reception.  It was the first American automobile to feature something that is now common-place...composite plastic, aerodynamic headlights and Anti-lock brakes.

The Mark VII was built on Ford's "Fox body" platform that hosted nearly a dozen different Ford/Lincoln/Mercury models from '79 - '93.

 

First conceived in 1986, the Mark VII SVO was created from the sporty Mark VII LSC and enhanced by Ford's SVO performance team. 
However, due to many other projects and priorities, the SVO Mark VII wouldn't see realization for many years.

   - The only prototype model ever produced.

Although, not specifically planned for production in this form, a carriage top Mark VII was all that Ford donated for the prototype; and so represented a possible convertible option.

- Custom designed LED Tail Lights, SVO & 5-Speed emblems, as well as a complete chrome black-out make the SVO model easy to identify; although only one exists. 

Unfortunately, the Mark VII GTC was already in limited production and accepted for the high performance model... 

Additionally, due to the fact that the Mark VII was too be discontinued at the end of '92, the Ford/Lincoln motor division did not see a point in producing this model so late.

. . . So the Mark VII SVO project was scrapped. 

 - SVO's LED Oil Pressure Gauge.

The Facts of Fiction...
(My own mods)
SVO's performance enhancements for the Mark VII:

Exterior/Interior

* The SVO Mark VII was to be available only in Twilight Blue clear coat metallic paint with a non-chrome black-out scheme.

* The low profile hood scoop was reproduced from the 1982 Mustang GT series and was drawn in for the first draft.  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 only Lincoln symbol can be seen on the trunk key cover.

* Deeper offset BBS-type aluminum wheels with 225/60/ZR16 radials. 
   Although resembling the '90-'92 factory wheels, these deeper off-set wheels help to enhance a "Hot Rod" 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 Turbo Coupe.

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

* Distinctive LED tail lights were uniquely created for the SVO Mark VII.  These were the only ones ever made.  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.
 

Engine

* 347 Stroker motor rated near 500 HP.  This engine included a high lift X303 camshaft and high-flow, AFR 185 CNC ported heads. 

* Trick Flow Track Heat intake.

* Mass-Airflow Fuel Injection system with enhanced EEC IV computer.  No other Mark VII from 84-92 had Mass-Airflow injection, although it was standard on Mustang GT's from '89-up (CA. '88-up). Many of the EEC program parameters were taken from the up-coming '93 Mustang Cobra.

* 70mm throttle body. 

* 70mm airflow meter/sensor.

* 24 lb. fuel injectors.

* 190 lph fuel pump.

* Aftermarket BBK Headers and 2 1/2" dual exhaust system with newly designed X-Pipe technology vs. the standard H-Pipe designs of the time.  The tail pipes were shown under the rear quarter panels similar to the Mustang LX. But they were black, unlike the bright stainless pipes used for the Mustang.  A note was made to have them blued like gun metal.  This prototype has black tailpipes.
 

Drive train/Suspension

* Coil spring fitment.  Complete suspension system was taken from the '88 Turbo Coupe parts supply except the coil springs.

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

* A-5 manual transmission from Astro Performance. This is a high alloy geared transmission rated at 650HP and 525 ft. lbs. of torque!  No Mark VII's were produced with a manual transmission. All models from '84 - '92 had Ford's AOD (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 have anti-lock brakes in 1985).

. . . .

The car, ideas and designs were conceived by builder, Mike Kaminski.

The current location of this original Mark VII SVO model is Clearwater, Florida, USA.

The original car at the paint shop...

Here's the 1982 Mustang hood scoop, salvaged from a junk yard, in it's original state...
Having sat in rain and harsh weather for so many years, the surface was nothing but an eroded mass of exposed fiberglass.



A broken tip had to be re-formed and repaired...










After filing, shaving and paint, the scoop fits the Mark VII hood lines!