Low mileage, everything works, southern car, no rust, drives great, 5.0 H.O.

If you’re of a certain age, you remember when the 5.0 Mustang, especially the fuel-injected versions of the late-1980s, were the hottest cars on the street. They were cheap and built for younger buyers, probably the biggest bang for the buck. Which is why so many of us were excited when Ford rolled out the Lincoln Mark VII LSC, a sleek, aerodynamic coupe with the sophistication and luxury of a Lincoln with the 5.0 heart of the Mustang. It was easy to imagine graduating from your gnarly big horsepower Mustang to the leather-lined refinement of the LSC, and no matter who you were, it was easy to appreciate what Ford was trying to do. Performance was back, and it was bringing a bunch of luxury with it.

This handsome 1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC is a remarkably well-preserved specimen that has not only been properly preserved and maintained, but it’s been upgraded along the way, making it a fantastic choice for a future collectable or even a spirited daily driver. The champagne gold paint is in very good shape thanks to a life down in Florida, which also means there’s zero rust on top or underneath. The smooth, aerodynamic shape is thanks to Ford’s pioneering efforts in the 1980s, and while you can see a bit of the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe in the LSC’s profile, it manages to retain all its inherent Lincoln-ness, right down to the upright chrome grille and spare tire hump on the deck lid. The look has held up very well and the LSC looks muscular and sleek but not dated, especially due to the body-colored rub strips and gray rockers that make it look even longer than it is. The paint shines up well, the original pinstripes highlight the wedge shape, and even details like the bumper moldings are in great shape. Someone really loved this car and it shows.

The leather-lined interior was aimed at performance enthusiasts, which were not Lincoln’s usual clientele. That’s probably why the LSC didn’t sell in huge numbers and why it’s relatively rare today. But the good news is, if you’re not a fan of baroque styling, sofa-like seating, and pillow-tufted velour upholstery, the LSC will delight you. The buckets are supportive and all-day comfortable, and thanks to a myriad of adjustments and lumbar support, they feel quite modern. The steering wheel is a bit dated, but the big, round gauges look great and are easy to read. Secondary switches are clustered in a lower panel, along with a long row of buttons that manages the built-in trip computer. Everything works on this car, and we mean everything. The A/C is ice cold, the power windows, seats, mirrors, and locks are all operational, and the cruise control locks in like a cruise missile. All the trip computer functions are there, too, and even the clock keeps good time! A modern AM/FM/CD stereo system replaces the original Ford cassette deck, and you’ll be glad to have the upgrade, especially since it blends into the dash so well. Clever upgrades include a back-up camera built into the rear-view mirror (very cool!), tinted windows, auxiliary 12V power ports on the center console, and HID headlights that give it a very effective blue-white glow at night. The back seat is spacious enough for real-sized adults and even the trunk is bigger than you’d expect and includes the original space-saver spare and factory jack assembly.

But the real reason the LSC is the same reason the Mustang is special: Ford’s legendary 5.0. By 1988, it was identical to the Mustang powerplant, which means an easy 225 horsepower and 300 pounds of torque. At the moment, this one is completely unmodified, so it starts instantly, idles smoothly, and pulls the big coupe around with the kind of muscular ease of a running back. It’s been properly maintained, with correct replacement parts and an R134a refrigerant upgrade for the climate control system, but given how insanely easy these are to modify, it’s remarkably stock. It’s also very clean thanks to a lifetime in the warm southern climate, and it still wears its original rubber boot over the distributor and factory-issued hose clamps. Nice, right?

The only transmission available in the LSC was Ford’s AOD 4-speed automatic with overdrive, and it’s linked to a 2.73-geared rear end, so it’s a superlative highway cruiser that just loafs along at ticket-earning speeds. These were notorious for having problems with their automatic air spring suspension systems, so this one has been converted to coils, which you’ll note are joined by a set of brand new shocks all around. Ride is unaffected, but maintenance is now zilch, so you can breathe easy. The factory catalytic converters are in place, so it’s legal in all 50 states, but there are now Flowmaster mufflers behind them, adding a bit of a rumble to the formerly silent Lincoln’s personality. It’s not much (I honestly thought the exhaust was still stock) but the thought counts. Four-wheel discs with ABS are a fantastic upgrade that all the guys with 5.0 Mustangs eyed with jealousy and those 16-inch “turbine” wheels are handsome and well-kept and wear fresh 225/60/16 Firestone radials.

Now, the reason I love this car is not just because of its preservation or what it represents to a child of the ‘80s. No, what you have here is a blank canvas. The entire 5.0 Mustang performance catalog is available to you, and with the LSC’s superior brakes and suspension, this car can be anything you can imagine. Aluminum cylinder heads, supercharger, 5-speed manual transmission, all wrapped in a leather-lined cocoon that the Mustang guys can only dream about. There’s a lot of potential here, and it’s priced a lot cheaper than a similar 5.0 Mustang in identical condition. Talk about getting more for less!

This isn’t everyone’s car, we get it. But if you were doing cars in the late-80s, you know this is cool. And if you’re a visionary, this car is also full of potential and they just can’t be this cheap forever. Performance and styling that was ahead of its time and still looks great today mean that the Mark VII LSC is poised for greatness. Hell, guys are paying $35,000 for micro-cars, so who knows what will be hot next? In the meantime, you’re getting one of the very best examples of its type, a car that you can enjoy immediately with no worries at all. Call today!