SAPPHIRE
Sapphire, a 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII, is a true Radical Custom based on the drawing of a concept car by the legendary Steve Stanford, under exclusive license to Eddie Potestio of Eddie’s Rods and Customs. Suitable as a trailered show car or daily driver, it has less than 10 miles on it since the build.
Click on any picture for closer views.
Show Wins:
This car won its class (Late Model Radical Custom Coupe or Sedan) at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2025. Generally, GNRS doesn’t allow cars this late to compete, but an exception was officially made because of the level of workmanship present.
It also won the New Concept Custom award at Salina, and the KKOA Pick and two Sponsor Pick awards at the Kustom Kemps of America show in Wichita. Trendsetter Magazine chose it as its cover car during the same period.
Made the Fine Nine in Tulsa, and has been the featured car at several other shows.
Was picked as a year-long feature display at the Kustom Hall of Fame Museum at “The Garage”
Underneath all the modifications and the spectacular bodywork and interior, this is a stock, reliable Mark VIII, except for new control arms, the air bag system, and coated rotors. It features the original 4.6 liter engine, the same as was used in the Boss Mustang that same year. It produces 280 hp, enough to propel the car to a top speed of 146 mph. And don’t forget that this car has 4-wheel disc brakes standard, for quick stopping.
Paint:
Painted in House of Kolor Iceberg Blue Pearl, with an additional 20% of white pearl mixed in, this paint job reflects light in a way that changes its saturation based on the angle of the light.
Interior:
All interior construction, aluminum underpanels, and custom fabric design was done by Eddie Potestio himself.
An Alpine head provides the tunes, and dual Kicker amps powering 8 speakers make this an incredible touring sound system.
Wheels and Tires:
Great care was taken to precisely align the wheels with the body panels, resulting in a fit that cannot be matched by simply buying the same tires. Measurements were taken for offset, size and depth, then Intro Wheels custom-made a full set of 18x8 “Image” wheel specifically for this car. Diamondback then provided a set of their own branded tire, based on a 245/45ZR Hankook base, to fit these wheels specifically.
Modifications:
All mods were also done by Eddie, including:
Chopped 5 3/4”
Roof skinned with ’66 Olds Delta ’88 roof
B-pillars removed
A-pillars leaned back 3 degrees
Stationary quarter glass removed and replaced with slide-in quarter glass
’99 Sable rear glass with surround
Extended trunk lid to meet rear glass
Exterior rear view mirrors chopped 3/4“
Tail light chrome removed and tail light openings have been pinched ½” to compensate for removal of chrome
Head light chrome removed and openings closed up 1/2” to compensate for chrome removal
Hood chrome removed and leading edge of hood extended to compensate for chrome removal
Door handles removed
3” body rub strip removed and reveal was filled
’99 Sable 3rd brake light
Hard one piece aluminum headliner
Custom Billet grille from Alumicraft
Lincoln trunk emblem purposely left 1/2” taller than tail light line to accentuate the fact this is the only Lincoln emblem on the car
Hot match motorcycle gas filler
Custom-made, curved side glass
Hand built chrome side and bumper trim
Rear Seat Eliminated
Kicker sound system with 2-10” subs in rear seat Area, 2 Kicker Amps, 2 Q series component speaker sets
Stock Mark VIII seats re-shaped and cut down
Air Lift Performance/Flo Air Ride System
18” Intro Image Wheels
House of Kolor - Lightened Iceberg Blue Pearl
Available at $60,000. Inquire on our Contact page.
