(non-limousine) sedan. Coinciding with the launch of the Seville, Ford began development of a Lincoln-branded competitor to the model line, tasked with bringing the model line to market for the 1977 model year. Adopting the Lincoln Versailles name, Ford used the body architecture of the Ford Granada/Mercury Monarch compact sedans, introduced for 1975. Sized closely against the GM X-body compacts, the Granada/Monarch were developed to replace the Ford Maverick/Mercury Comet. With little over than a year until its product launch, the Versailles was relegated to become a variant of a production vehicle, sharing a large degree of its body panels with its Mercury counterpart. To further streamline development, the Versailles adopted the design features of the highest-trim Mercury Grand Monarch Ghia (which was discontinued for 1977). In line with the Seville, the Versailles was the most expensive Lincoln sedan at $11,500 ($ in dollars ); Lincoln-Mercury priced the model line $2000 under the Seville, keeping the model line below the Continental Mark V in price. The first Lincoln manufactured outside of Wixom Assembly since 1957, the Versailles was produced alongside the Mercury Monarch and Ford Granada. The model was notable for being the first production vehicle to be sold with clearcoat paint and halogen headlights in North America. Overview The Lincoln Versailles marked the first time since 1960 that Lincoln offered two sedan lines. Nearly three feet shorter than the Continental, the model line was offered only as a four-door sedan. Exterior Offered only as a four-door sedan, the Versailles shared many visible body panels with the Monarch and Granada, including the entire roofline. Several design elements were revised, giving the Versailles an appearance closer in line to the Continental and Mark V, including a "Continental spare" decklid (with LINCOLN lettering) and model-specific taillamps; the Versailles (the first Lincoln with exposed headlamps since 1969) introduced rectangular headlamps to the brand. For 1979, the model line received a revised roofline, distinct from the Granada/Monarch. Developed by American Sunroof Company, a fiberglass cap on the rear roof and reshaped rear doors gave the model line a notchback appearance (a vinyl landau roof was now standard). Interior Essentially taking over the role of the Mercury Grand Monarch Ghia, the Lincoln Versailles inherited many standard interior features, including many seen in the larger Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Continental. Along with power-operated leather-trim seats and steering wheel, power steering and windows, the Versailles included