Lincoln Versailles Signature Series

[jhkaster]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to share with you my latest project for my Versailles. With extra parts leftover from a donor car, I customized the Versailles to look like a factory correct Signature Series model, had they built one. 1980 was the first year for the Signature Series. Lincoln used it on the Mark. It essentially was equivalent to the previous year's Collector Series in terms of equipment, features and materials.

So, I decided to have fun with my donor parts. This is what I did:

• Add rear seat headrests... didn't have to cut a hole into anything!
  
• Painted the inside of the grille slats, the bumper rub strips and the GMs lacy spoke wheels the same color as the car (Cordovan). Lincoln designer series as well as the '79 T-Bird Heritage did this... I think it looks smart.
  
• Custom made floor mats with the Versailles script and matching orange accent with the Bittersweet pinstripes
  
• My car is over-restored to some degree... There is no vinyl in the interior. Everything was reupholstered in leather. Also, as you know, I had to use real wood veneer to match the original dash vinyl applique.
  
• The only thing that I have yet to do is to attach my Signature Series badges to the car. I will use magnets for that so I can easily remove them to. In fact, everything that I have done can be easily undone so the car is as close to original standards for LCOC events and judging. I just have to swap the wheels back to the aluminum dish, swap the bumper rub strips to the original black, remove the rear head restraints and floor mats and disconnect the mini-console.
  
• There are a couple of things that I will not undo... for example, I covered the lower B & C pillars in matching headliner material and cover the front seat back lower kick panels in carpeting so there would be no exposed plastic in the car except the dash.
  

Anyway, I also created a brochure to mimic the 1980 Lincoln Versailles brochure. You can see pics of the car there. Some of the photos are fuzzy as they were taken with an older camera. I need to retake those photos.

I must say that I really like the Versailles with the painted lacy wheels!

www.lincolnversailles.com/brochures/Lincoln%20Versailles%20Signature%20Series.pdf

[Jeff Roblin]

Very classy pictures - I agree I love those painted rims!. They offered colours on the Granada & Monarch but I guess the Versailles was only offered in natural.

Great job and thanks for sharing the pics!

[girard]

That is a fine looking car!! I appriciate you mentioning that your mods can be returned to original. It might not seem like an important issue now, but with no more of these types of cars that are being preserved the ones as nice as yours will be at a premium in another decade or two (not that your ride isnt already). I'd guess $75,000 Barret-Jackson in 18 years. Well I cant really know much but what I'm saying is take good care of that jewel.

[doneaton]

Great look on the Versailles,Mine is comming along expensively!! But I will continue.I may put on spoke wheels in place of the wheel discs.
ANYWAY YOU HAVE A GREAT LOOKING RIDE ...koko Don..

[jhkaster]

I've continued the cosmetic updates to my Versailles today. (Of course, I saved all the previous trim pieces to take the car back to factory original.) I added a door ajar switch to the driver's door. Now that warning light on my consolette works. I need 3 more switches though for the other doors.

Additionally, I changed out the trim on the driver's door. The faux-wood painted metal (which was faded in spots) has been replaced with my extra set that I stripped and brushed the metal. See the before and after pics.





I'll change the trim on the other 3 doors as soon as I can find 3 more door ajar switches. This way, I remove the door panels only once.

[robic58]

James -

great idea re: interior door trim. I like the look of brushed metal.
Looks classier than the fake wood treatment.

What kind of switch did you use for the "door ajar"?
Cheers, Ralph

[jhkaster]

I used the switch you sent me last year (or earlier this year). Finally got around to it. I think you sent me the switch. My memory has suffered with age.

[robic58]

Well James, my memory is not that good either but I don't recall sending you a switch, I was asking out of curiousity, on the off chance, I might have one of those... I know, I've supplied a number of interior door handles to fellow members or guests.

Anyway, making your Versailles a "Signature" series is a very unique undertaking.
Cheers, Ralph

[jhkaster]

I acquired 3 more door ajar switches: 1 from eBay and 2 from Jeff Roblin (via eBay). They were for other Ford products of the 70's, but they worked. I had to make a slight adjustment for the passenger front door ajar switch. But the two for the rear doors worked with no adjustments. So, now, all 4 doors are hooked up to the door ajar warning light in the mini-console I added.

Also, I replaced all the faux-wood painted metal trim on the 3 passenger doors with the brushed metal pieces. So, my cosmetic make over is now complete for this "what-if" Ford made a Signature Series Versailles in 1980 project.

I'm debating putting the dish wheels back on and removing the painted lacey spoke wheels I added. I like them both and I don't know which I like best.

Now I have to update my brochure with new interior pics because of the door trim changes. Old brochure is here:

www.lincolnversailles.com/brochures/Lincoln%20Versailles%20Signature%20Series.pdf

[robic58]

Hi James-

Glad to hear you got your switches...and all is working well.

As to the wheels, everyone has a preference...

for myself , I prefer the forged aluminum wheels, i think their simplicity speaks understated elegance. but that's just me.

Cheers, Ralph