1997 Lincoln Town Car Last of the traditionalists. By Jim McCraw, New Car Test Drive .com

With the recent demise of the Cadillac'sBrougham,

the Lincoln Town Car remains as the only rear-drive traditional luxury

car made by an American manufacturer. It's also the biggest production

car sold in America.

This big cruiser was part of a price realigment strategy at the beginning

of the 1997 model year that put the Town Car, Continental and Mark VIII

all at the same starting price--$37,950, including $670 destination--a

substantial reduction for the other two, a $370 increase for the Town Car.

But even with the increase, the Town Car is selling 25% better than last

year.

The Town Car competes primarily against the Cadillac DeVille and Concours.

It comes in three trim levels--the base Executive Series, the volume Signature

Series and the fully loaded, top-of-the-line Cartier ($43,870), for those

who don't care to waste time checking option boxes on order forms.