1977
Previously standard issue on Marks III and IV, Ford's 7.5-liter (460 cid) V8 was optional for 1977, as a smaller 6.6 L (400 cid) V8 became standard. The 7.5 L V8 was not available at all on Mark V in the state of California, as it could not meet that state's tougher EPA certification standards. For 1977 only, California-bound Mark Vs were offered with the newly optional turbine-style aluminum wheels as standard equipment, to compensate for the missing engine option.
Also, 1977 was the first year since 1960 that a Mark-series model came with an all-metal, body-color painted (non-vinyl covered) roof as standard equipment. The full-vinyl roof – previously standard on Mark IV - was now optional, as was the rear-quarter Landau roof. The Givenchy Designer Series featured a forward-placed vinyl roof for all model years.
Mark IV's successful Designer Series Editions continued with revised color combinations on the new Mark V, as well as revised Luxury Group Option color trim packages. First available in mid-1975, as the "Versailles Option", a renamed-for-1977 "Majestic Velour Luxury Group" carried over to the Mark V - for 1977 only (minus the upper door trim panel wood-tone moldings - which were on Mark IV with the Versailles option). The returning Gold/Cream and new Cordovan Luxury Groups came with an available unique (small block pattern) "Romano Velour" on the seat pillow inserts and matching upper door panel inserts.
The optional Spring Luxury Group came with either Dove Grey (1N) or Dark Blue Metallic (3G) exterior paint, a choice of Dove Grey or Dark Blue for the vinyl roof color, bodyside molding color, and paint stripe color — and a standard two-tone, Dove Grey and Dark Blue, leather interior.
Luxury wheel covers, dating to the 1972 Mark IV, were carryover as standard on all Mark Vs, except for Designer Series models. The Mark IV-era forged aluminum wheels were optional, as would new-for-1977 alloy wheels with machined wheel lip and spoke edges with argent grey accent paint between the spokes and bright, cup-style metal center caps. These were standard on Designer Series models.
Standard tires in all three years were Michelin (225-15) steel-belted radials with a narrow white sidewall design. First optional in 1975, and remaining so through the end of the 1979 model year, were Goodyear's LR78-15" Custom Polysteel radials, in a dual band wide whitewall design. An inflatable spare tire with a pressurized propellant canister replaced the standard conventional full-size spare in 1977. Regardless of any exterior wheel option selected, the standard, conventional spare tire would be of either Michelin or Goodyear brand (matching the vehicle's four exterior tires) but would be mounted on a 15-inch conventional steel wheel.
An optional Illuminated Entry System became available in 1977, featuring a 25-second delay to the interior courtesy lights and door lock cylinder rings (activated by lifting either exterior door handle).
1978
A larger radiator, heater core inlets, and hoses were new, for improved coolant flow and heater performance. Door lock cylinders and ignition lock switches were revised. The standard 6.6 L (400 cid) V8 engine was slightly detuned, and the 7.5 L V8 was available.
A Diamond Jubilee Edition package was introduced to commemorate Ford Motor Company's 75th anniversary. Designer Series Editions and the Luxury Group offerings continued with revised color selections and trim.
For 1978, a two-stage, base-coat/clear-coat, was used for the Mark V for metallic colors only. Non-metallic, solid paint colors continued to use the traditional, single-stage paint.
Joining the optional full vinyl and rear vinyl roof options for 1978, was a full-length, simulated-convertible white canvas-embossed vinyl "Carriage Roof" option with an interior trim panel vanity mirror in lieu of opera windows. The power glass moonroof was not available with the Carriage Roof.
New options for 1978 included a digital (L.E.D. display) "Miles-to-Empty" fuel indicator, new wire wheel covers (non-locking) a garage door control integrated at the lower edge of the driver's side visor, a driver's illuminated exterior thermometer, a 40-channel CB radio with integrated hand-held microphone and controls as well as an integrated tri-band (AM/FM/CB) power antenna.
For 1978 only, revised standard wheel covers became available, with fewer ribs along the outside diameter of the wheel cover.
1978 models featured optional one year only, electro-mechanical seat belt warning chimes, standard only on Diamond Jubilee Edition. Lesser Mark Vs (in all years) were equipped with a traditional seatbelt warning buzzer, with a separate "key in ignition" warning buzzer unit.
1979
The 7.5 L (460 cid) V8 and dual-exhaust 400 V8 are discontinued to meet the newly mandated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
A new AM/FM stereo radio with cassette tape player, as well as Ford's new Electronic AM/FM Stereo Search Radio with Quadrasonic 8-track tape player, became optional. The latter received a floor-mounted foot switch to scan radio stations or advance tracks on the 8-track player.
As the "Collector's Series" package became available, the optional Designer Series and Luxury Group featured revised color and trim selections.
The 1972-style Luxury Wheel Covers returned for Mark V's final year as standard issue (on all but Collector's Series and Designer Series models) - as would the optional Wire Wheel Covers (now standard on Emilio Pucci Designer Series) and Forged Aluminum Wheels. The also-optional very popular Turbine Style Aluminum Wheels continued with argent accent paint between the spokes, except on Collector's Series, and the Cartier, Bill Blass, and Givenchy Designer Series - where these models would be treated to color-keyed paint between the spokes, for unique added flair.
The white canvas-textured vinyl Carriage Roof option was standard on Bill Blass Designer Series with revised interior rear quarter trim panels with reading/courtesy lights. These new interior quarter trim panel inserts would also appear on the Collector's Series where the roof design eliminated the opera windows.
1978's electro-mechanical seat belt warning chimes carried over into 1979, standard on the Collector's Series and the Designer Series.
Full and Rear Landau vinyl roof options continued for 1979. The rare, all-metal, body-color painted roof (no vinyl whatsoever) was discontinued.
Features
Standard on all Mark Vs were four-wheel disc brakes, an anti-skid brake system, a Cartier-branded clock with a day/date feature, automatic temperature control air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power driver's seat, and a power radio antenna.[7][8]
The 1978 Mark V offered an optional "Miles-To-Empty" indicator, replacing the "low fuel" lamp. The system represented the first dashboard LED display of a mechanical function.[9]
