Tasca Ford Super Mark
In early 1993 Watson Engineering, Ford Motor Company's prototype
developers at that time manufactured this unique project as a running
driveline Mule for the 1993 Mustang Mach III Prototype and was headed
for the crusher after it served it purpose (As do most prototype
vehicles) until Bob Tasca of the Legendary Tasca Ford had a sharp
eye when he was visiting Watson Engineering for an unrelated project
and spotted this one of a kind supercharged Lincoln Mark VIII.
After a few calls and some strings being pulled way up at the top
brass in Ford's headquarters Bob Tasca saved this beauty from a
certain death and took her from Watson Engineering headquarters
in late 1993 to their Location in Seakonk MA. where she lived in
a museum quality storage facility until we acquired this amazing
car just a few years ago. This vehicle is one of 5 prototypes per
decade that actually makes it to registered driveability in the
general public.
This vehicle utilizes some of the most amazing technology of it's
time. One of the most odd is a shared management computer system
consisting of OBD I as well as OBD II interface ECM's while retaining
the factory ECM under the dash for all other typical Mark VIII functions.
Remember at that time in late 1992 early 1993 when this car was
crafted OBD II was still 4 years away from production in the Lincoln
Mark VIII platform.
One entire ECM in the
trunk of the car runs the coil on plug ignition exclusively while
another ECM also in the trunk runs the second set of 24lb injectors
and the second cam sensor. Both ECM's in the trunk reside in magnetic
shielded case right next to the trunk re-located battery.
The engine features two 65mm Ford Thunderbird Supercoupe throttle
bodies mounted opposing each other and two 80mm Mass Air units
that pull air directly from the outside via the twin ram air scoops
in the hood with modified 1992 Ford Aerostar minivan air boxes
which house K&N Panel filters.
The two 24lbs injectors
per cylinder reside in a custom fabricated 1 inch aluminum fuel
rail.
Atop the 32 valve all aluminum V8 sits an Eaton M90 set to a mild
10lbs of boost with a custom made one off air to water intercooled
intake manifold. The intercooling system consists of a dedicated
radiator, electric water pump and reservoir.
The AC compressor and power steering pump were relocated for proper
belt wrap as well as the alternator being mounted on the bottom
left of the engine to allow for the supercharger clearance.
Underneath the car wasn't ignored either featuring a fully custom
built set of 1 5/8 headers (this is the first ever Lincoln Mark
VIII to be fitted with headers) a custom built 4R70W wide ratio
transmission as well as a custom torque converter, hand made 2.5
inch stainless steel exhaust exits through a set of fabricated
mufflers with twin chrome tips on each side poking through custom
bumper inserts. There is also a 2 piece cast iron Salt Flat Halibrand
driveshaft connected to an 8.8 independent carrier housing a set
of 3.55 gears and a factory Ford Traction Lok posi unit.The engine
is rated at 450hp and this car turns 12 second quarter mile times
in drive all the while keeping every luxury options in tact and
fully functional as well as achieving 25 mpg on the highway.
Please feel free to look around this amazing vehicle for a peek
into Ford Protyping History. This is the rarest Lincoln Mark VIII
ever produced with a 1 of 1 production number and the ONLY factory
Supercharged Lincoln Mark VIII in History.
The Supermark is owned by Geno Angelino of Lincolnmotorsport
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