A Lincoln idea automotive from the flip of the millennium shall be among the many featured heaps at Mecum’s upcoming public sale in Glendale, Arizona.

Scheduled to cross the block on March 8, the Lincoln Mark X idea made its public debut on the 2004 Detroit auto present. Its design was overseen by Marek Reichman, who’s at present head of design at Aston Martin, however was then answerable for Lincoln’s design division.

The Mark X was based mostly on the final-generation Ford Thunderbird that was in manufacturing at the moment. Its 3.9-liter V-8 and automated transmission have been sourced from the Ford, and the idea’s general form and proportions are much like these of the donor Thunderbird. Nonetheless, the Mark X added a retractable hard-top roof and a entrance fascia that vaguely remembers Lincolns of the Nineteen Sixties.

Idea vehicles are typically only for present, and Mecum cautions that some options on this automotive might not be useful. Nonetheless, this automotive’s production-car base means it’s kind of extra useful than most ideas. Along with an actual engine, it has power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, navigation, cruise management, energy home windows, and door locks, plus a tilt steering column. The Mark X is being offered on a invoice of sale, although, so driving it on public roads may not be doable.

Lincoln guardian Ford was on a retro kick within the early 2000s, churning out a stream of idea vehicles and manufacturing fashions based mostly on memorable autos from the previous. Nonetheless, whereas the Ford model obtained the Thunderbird, the GT supercar, and the fifth-generation Mustang with throwback styling to populate its showrooms, Lincoln by no means obtained an equal mannequin.

The Mark X is a reminder of what may need been had Ford taken an analogous method with its luxurious model.

The Ford Shelby Cobra idea—one other retro Ford idea from this era—fetched $2.64 million at public sale in 2021. This Lincoln did not appeal to as a lot consideration because the Shelby when it debuted, so it most likely will not command the identical value. However it’s nonetheless a novel piece for collectors.