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Ford may have saved the best for last.

The 1997 Mark VIII luxury coupe, which is going to be waked or IX’d, depending on which rumor you follow, has been dolled up, spruced up, and, in general, uppity-upped for the new model year.

It rides and handles like folks dreamed it would when it bowed in the 1993 model year, but which it never seemed to achieve because of a focus on the bells and whistles common in luxury coupes, not the smooth ride, crisp handling and performance characteristics of the sport coupe.

We’ve not been much of a fan of the Mark VIII (or the luxury coupe, for that matter) for a few years. The Mark has always added more gadgetry each time it added an I or V, but each addition seemed to rob the vehicle of room and comfort while requiring even more space on the sticker.

The Mark VIII, sad to say, was long on shortcomings.

For 1997, that’s not the case. Consider that:

– The seat bottom is longer and provides more comfort and support, correcting one that was so short it cut support too far up the thigh and was most uncomfortable for long-distance trips, not to mention a bit lacking in holding power in aggressive maneuvering. The seat now boasts more overall cushion plus a deeper butt bowl (where your wallet rests) and wider side bolsters. It makes for easy-chair comfort on long or short trips and hold-you-in-your-place support when you opt to press hard on the pedal.

– The seats are heated, which may not tickle the fancy of Floridians, but eliminates the tickle for Midwesterners.

– Suspension and engine have been tinkered with–the suspension to eliminate the traditional swoopy sway each time you changed lanes, the engine to reduce the amount of clatter coming back into the cabin from under the hood. Ivory Soap is supposed to float, but an automobile isn’t, because the more the vehicle wanders on its own, the less control you have over it.

– With larger front stabilizer bars, a higher performance axle ratio and true dual exhausts with separate pipes and catalysts for improved engine breathing, you feel more immediate response to pedal input.

– Sheet metal was tweaked slightly to allow for wider and larger high intensity headlamps for a wider, clearer field of vision at night. You’ll notice the lamps also provide a blue glow that takes some getting used to. On the LSC version, the grille also stands more upright and is color-coded with the body.

– The taillamps run the width of the deck lid and incorporate a neon gas that allows the lamps to shine 0.2 seconds quicker than with traditional lamps. That doesn’t sound like a major feat until you realize that 0.2 seconds means the motorist on your tail is served enough warning so he or she can stop one full car length quicker after you apply your binders. It could save the golf clubs in the trunk–not to mention the folks who will use them.

– Sideview mirrors in corporate red LED lights that blink in tandem with turn signals so motorists following get added warning that you are changing lanes or turning in case they are so close they can’t see your lights flashing along the deck lid.

– When you press the key fob to open the door, “puddle” lights under the mirrors flash on.

– The ignition lock and key have been moved off the steering column and onto the instrument panel to the right of the wheel, ending the days when long-distance motoring meant listening to keys rattling against the steering column or when exiting the car meant catching those keys on pant leg or nylon.

We tested the base and LSC version and found the ’97 smoother, quieter, more comfortable, yet more responsive than ever. It has taken a giant leap ahead of Cadillac’s Eldorado in ride and handling.

And perhaps the best part is that the base price for 1997–$37,950 for the base model, $3 ,550 for LSC–represents a $1,470 to $1,970 reduction depending on the equipment package from the 1996 LSC and a $2,370 cut from the ’96 Mark VIII.

Probably the only Mark VIII drawback is that it has just two doors at a time when consumers are opting for four-door sedans. Hmm. If the four-door Continental offered the same ride and handling as the Mark VIII coupe, would you need a Mark VIII?

>> 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC Wheelbase: 113 inches Length: 207.3 inches Engine: 4.6 liter, 290 h.p., 32-valve V-8 Transmission: 4-speed automatic EPA mileage: 18 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway. Base price: $39,550 LSC; $37,950 for base model. Freight included on both. Price as tested: Add $1,515 for power moonroof,$290 for heated seats, $790 for voice-activated cellular phone, $670 for trunk-mounted compact disc player. Pluses: LSC price reduced by $1,470 to $1,970 and base Mark VIII reduced by $2,370despite added standard equipment. In the LSC, tweaks to the air intake and exhaust on the 4.6-liter V-8 provides a bit better off-the-line and passing response. Ride smoother and less mushy, handling crisper and more predictable. Traction control now standard along with dual air bags and ABS. Flashing red lights in outside mirrors warn others you are about to change lanes. More comfortable, supportive seats. Minuses: It’s a 2-door. >>