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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lincoln By Vignale

1987Coachwork by Ghia

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1987
Body style
Cabriolet
Type
Concept

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Lincoln by Vignale, a two-passenger, world-class convertible concept car, was unveiled in 1987, showcasing Ford’s vision for the future of luxury performance touring cars. Displayed at prominent auto shows in Detroit, Chicago and New York, the Lincoln by Vignale offered a glimpse into what the high-performance luxury vehicles of the 1990s might look like. The concept car was a collaboration between Ford’s North American Design Center and its Italian manufacturing facility, Ghia, based in Turin, Italy. Designed to combine elegance with performance, the Lincoln by Vignale featured a stunning blend of sleek, aerodynamic styling and innovative design elements. Ford’s designers focused on creating a visually striking exterior that would signal the evolution of American luxury cars. The car’s front end featured a multibeam headlight system, a cutting-edge technology at the time, which enabled a lower front-end height. This design choice also contributed to a low base for the windshield, giving the car a more streamlined and futuristic appearance. The integrated front bumper was designed to optimize air intake, providing not only functional benefits but also adding to the vehicle’s aesthetic appeal. Wide driving lights were incorporated into the design, allowing for a smooth transition from the front of the car to the sides. This emphasis on fluidity and cohesion in the bodywork highlighted the car’s luxurious, contemporary feel. At the rear, the Lincoln by Vignale featured an integrated bumper design with sweeping taillights that emphasized the car’s wide stance. This design helped accentuate the vehicle’s broad track and large tires, further emphasizing its high-performance capabilities. As a concept, the Lincoln by Vignale was never intended for mass production. However, its innovative design elements and luxurious features paved the way for future high-end Ford models, offering a clear vision of the direction American luxury cars would take in the years to come.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Concept

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Ghia
Manufacturer · Documented
Lincoln

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

Chicago General · legacy_preserved
Date
1987
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events. No award inferred.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Motor1 — Concept We Forgot: 1987 Lincoln by Vignale www.motor1.com Major automotive press history
CarStyling.ru — 1987 Lincoln by Vignale (Ghia) www.carstyling.ru Specialist design archive with period release
News d'Anciennes — Lincoln by Vignale newsdanciennes.com Independent automotive history

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history1 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Chicago

THE CONVERSATION

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