1997 Lincoln Mark VIII Wife's Car, Runs Great, Frustrated We Can't Get Parts

1997 Lincoln Mark Series Description

WIFE'S 1997 MARK VIII
PLEASE READ FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY AND IN IT'S ENTIRETY
Car runs strong, no known issues with engine or drive train. We're simply frustrated with not being able to locate any parts to repair, replace or upgrade many of the cars' components as necessary or desired and have decided to try to find it a new home as we are not getting any younger.
This car has not been involved in any crashes or fender benders. Garaged nightly and when not being driven to locations away from home.
Nearly all of the negatives regarding this vehicle are cosmetic in nature and most if not all are common for this make and model car. Some of those negatives include and are pictured:
Cupholder on passenger side broken (part unavailable).Fake chrome around headlamps and on grill peeling (see photo).Rubber trim around rear window had a "lasagna" effect and was trimmed off by owner (no replacement trim available).Headliner ripped and/or torn in several places, mainly above the driver side sun visor. Damage is likely due to age and possible mouse or rodent damage (see photo).Minor dings/chips on rear bumper above license plate (see photo).Air blows cold and heater works.Minor wind/road noise from sunroof, but no leaks.No shimmy in steering, but a slight drift to left with no hands on steering wheel (needs alignment or tire rotation maybe).Passed state safety inspection 2 months ago. All lights, signals, wipers, etc. in working order. Registration current through September 2017.Tires and wheels in great shape.Minor rattles in suspension when traveling over bumpy or rough road.Headlight lenses cloudy.Brakes good, do not squeak, grab or pull.Power seats in working condition.Cruise control and all instruments in working order as well as all interior lighting.No egregious rattles under normal road conditions.Radio & CD player in working order.Oil clean and pan at normal fill level.Power windows and power door locks in working condition.No rips or tears in seats or interior other than headliner.
We are second owners of this vehicle. Purchased by us in 2000 from San Gabriel Valley Lincoln Mercury in West Covina, CA. It had just over 33,000 miles on it when we purchased it.
A complete history including receipts of virtually all repairs/maintenance performed during the last 16 years will be included as part of the sale of the car. A few of the repairs and issues that have been attended to over the years are:
Left head light assembly replaced (2002)Right door handle and door ajar switch replaced (2004)A/C blower motor and speed controller replaced (2004)Air suspension module replaced (2004)Front & Rear brake pads replaced (2005)Left door handle broken & replaced (2008)Blend air door actuator replaced (2008)Air suspension springs replaced (2008)A/C blower motor replaced (2008)Speed control deactivation switch installed per recall (2008)Drive belt replaced (2008)Turn signal switch and multi function switch replaced (2008)Power seat bezel replaced (2009)Rear deck lid lighting ballast resistor shorted & damaged wiring. Wiring repaired, but ballast unavailable and was not repaired. Trunk lid lighting remains inop. (2010)A/C compressor and A/C compressor clutch along with other associated parts and components replaced (2010).Drivers' side seat track assembly (reconditioned) replaced, and loose connector to CD player from radio repaired (2010).Battery replaced (2010).Power steering pump replaced (2011).Heater vacuum hose under dash repaired (2011).Blend air door motor sticking, does not go to heat. Replaced (2011).Pressure test cooling system (2011).Replace fuel filter and perform minor tune up (2012).Wiring to A/C blower motor repaired (2012).Right valve cover gasket (leaking) replaced. Window regulator replaced, leaking fuel line repaired, fiber optic wiring to sun deck light repaired (2012).Oxygen sensor replaced (2012).Plug at brake light switch repaired (2012).Air pump replaced (2013).Left ball joint replaced, left side strut rod bushings replaced (2013).Replaced mode door actuator, rear suspension bladders, blend door motor (2013).Battery replaced (2014).Right lower ball joint/control arm bushings replaced, sway bar links replaced (2014).Spark plugs, ignition coil, BMX ign COP Boot replaced (2015).Ignition coil cylinder #2 replaced, IMRC is no longer available (2015).Small oil leak noted on garage floor. Diagnosed to be minor oil pan leak, no repair made (2015).Ignition coil replaced on cylinder #5 (2016).
Repairs noted above do "not" include regular maintenance, e.g. oil changes, fluids added, filters replaced, etc. which were done in accordance with owners' manual service recommendations and at appropriate intervals.
My wife is and always has been very meticulous regarding her vehicles' maintenance and records. No warning lights or abnormalities in the vehicle's operation or performance were ignored or "put off" and were attended to in a timely manner. All regular scheduled maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer was followed and handled "by the book". Wife is 71 years old, but doesn't drive like a typical granny. She likes to "gas it" occasionally, and this car is more than up to the task.
There is mothball odor about the vehicle's interior as my wife was told by a friend that mothballs would deter mice and rodents from damaging the vehicle so we scattered a few around the trunk area. The odor has subsided and will "go away" fully over time. We live out in the boonies where critters compete for space and nesting spots, so we felt it was worth a try since the car has not been driven that much over the last 12 months while we were trying to decide whether or not to keep it or find it a new home. Seemed to have worked for the most part and I felt the mothball issue worth mentioning for auction purposes.
WRITTEN QUESTIONS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE ANSWERED HONESTLY AND AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU WISH, PLEASE CALL 817-579-5518 AND DISCUSS ANY ISSUES OR CONCERNS WITH THE CAR. IF NO ANSWER, PLEASE LEAVE CLEAR MESSAGE WITH CALL BACK NUMBER AND CONVENIENT TIME THAT WE CAN RETURN YOUR CALL.
Arrangements for delivery or pickup of the vehicle will be made post sale and upon remittance of payment.
If I have any additional information relative to this vehicle that has not been noted in this description, it will be posted and dated at the bottom of this page, so check back in case there is anything that I have forgotten or accidentally omitted.
THANKS FOR HAVING A LOOK AT THE WIFE'S MARK VIII.