Continental Mark IV and Mark V
Design Concepts

These Continental Mark IV and Mark V styling concept illustrations were made available by the Lincoln auto designer, Mr. Richard (Dick) Nesbitt. Mr. Nesbitt worked on these concept designs of the Continental Mark IV and V at the Lincoln and Lincoln Mark Advanced Design Studios at the Ford Motor Company. These illustrations were recently on display at the Henry Ford Museum as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Ford Motor Company.

Mr. Richard Nesbitt was a designer with Ford Motor Company at the Ford Design Center in Dearborn, Michigan from 1970 to 1975. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design with honors and received a full-tuition Ford sponsored scholarship in 1970.

For most of the year 1973, Mr. Nesbitt was assigned to the Lincoln and Lincoln Mark Advanced Design Studio. During mid-year of 1973, he received an assignment to create a series of new Mark V styling proposals to be reviewed by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca for presentation at the Ford Strategy and planning conference in Boca Raton, Florida. It was an honor to be selected for this assignment. Mr. Nesbitt received recognition for his contribution to the Mark V program and a promotion to the International Design Studio, where he was involved with several design projects co-ordinated with Ford's Ghia studios in Italy. The illustrations Mr. Nesbitt provided us here are from the Florida presentation of 1973. Unfortunately, the Arab oil embargo in late 1973 caused Ford to scale back considerably more ambitious plans for the Mark V program, including a possible convertible version.

Although his influence on Lincoln design was significant, Mr. Nesbitt is probably best known for the creation of the Ford Mustang II. Later, he went on to design Chrysler Corporation's concept vehicle that later became the Caravan/Voyager mini-van series. However, his designs are not just limited to the automotive industry -- his work includes aerospace, trucking, RV and ATV clients. He is also an author & illustrator for various automotive magazine & book publications.

Currently, Mr. Nesbitt has his own independent design firm "Dick Nesbitt Design" located in Arlington Texas. You can contact him at: