For the past three years the Mark VIII has been at RIA-JMTC undergoing reconstruction work to reinforce its structure, stabilize it and paint it. Renovating the tank was a combined effort.

The Mark VII wasn’t a bad performer for its day. Built at the end of the Malaise Era, it benefited from improvements to the venerable 5.0-liter V-8 that powered the contemporary Mustang. In ...