Although luxury like the Ford F-150 Limited and Ram 1500 Limited seem like the norm now, there was a time when luxury pickup trucks didn’t exist. Simply put, auto manufacturers didn’t see the point in blending premium features with something that was meant to be a working vehicle. But that all changed with the introduction of the truck. A very poor pickup that was discontinued after one model year.
Why did Lincoln Blackwood fail?
The Blackwood lacks capability and practicality, two things truck buyers want from their vehicles. This Lincoln truck could not come with all-wheel drive, and it had no usable payload capacity.
It had a starting MSRP of over $50,000. Adjusted for inflation in 2023, it’s approximately $85,000. So, for over $80,000, you got a van with no usable bed, no four-wheel drive, and only seats for four passengers. It seems clear that Blackwood was a Lincoln truck destined for failure.
To make matters worse, Lincoln struggled to produce a large number of Blackwood trucks. Lincoln produced only 3,356 units during its pickup truck’s production run, which lasted just 15 months.
To put things into perspective, Lincoln had planned to sell about 18,000 units over several years.
Blackwood may have been built much earlier
Although luxury trucks are very popular today, they weren’t really a thing in Lincoln Blackwood’s time. Blackwood was based on the Ford F-150, but Lincoln aimed to make it more upscale. Even the side panels of the bed were intended to simulate wood.
This is not the only strange design of this Lincoln pickup truck. The bed was covered with a permanently attached tonneau cover. It is powered and offers a weatherproof box. This feature almost makes the Blackwood look like, but with the bed of a pickup truck.
Unfortunately if you wish to use the bed it is carpeted with aluminum padded sides. This means that Blackwood probably shouldn’t be walking around dirty items. It is more convenient to carry your golf clubs to the course.
What is the most luxurious truck in 2023?
Accordingly, perhaps the most luxurious truck in 2023 will be the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate. You’re probably familiar with GMC’s Denali brand, but the Ultimate model takes it to the next level. The car also costs around $85,000, which means that in 2023, it has the same price tag as a Lincoln Blackwood in 2002.
So, obviously, some people are willing to pay that kind of money for a luxury truck. The big difference is that trucks like the F-150 Limited and Sierra 1500 Denali are already usable. These vehicles have conventional beds, are four-wheel drive, and can be transported. These are all things that Blackwood lacks.
Blackwood’s failure didn’t stop Lincoln from exploring future trucks. Back in 2005, Lincoln again borrowed the F-150 to build the Mark LT. This was another flop for the brand, and in the US, it only lasted a generation.
