Preserved on jack stands since 1975, this 1970 Lincoln Continental hid untouched for nearly three decades in a Missouri garage until Lincoln super-fan Gene Epstein acquired the Light Blue classic. Imagine finding a beauty like this at a garage sale! You open the door, stepping across a threshold encased in newspaper from 1970. You peek at the odometer, and it reads… 9004! Epstein and other experts touched up imperfections and curated a sympathetic overhaul of safety and mechanical items, preserving details such as factory assembly markings. After 300 hours of careful labor, the time-capsule Continental performed like new, again driving in quiet elegance.
The original E-code Light Blue enamel gleams, and the vinyl top looks like it was installed yesterday. Though the seller described a car that was parked “without a scratch” in its history, a wash revealed a yellowish tint on the right front fender. A detailed investigation found that the texture of the orange peel (factory finish) matched the other panels exactly, and Epstein concluded that the panel’s variation began at the factory. Paint correction and compounds brought it back, putting the matter to rest.
Detailed clean-up left the interior leather and plastics in like-new condition, with no rodent damage or other storage tragedies. The supple leather seems to say, “Let’s drive to Vegas!” After accumulating fewer than 10,000 miles in decades, this Lincoln is unlikely to gather many more.
Even the factory exhaust came through the long storage in almost-new condition. Where factory markings were visible, Epstein’s crew took steps to stop any surface rust without disturbing the markings. Thanks to Gene Epstein for the photographs and a fantastic garage sale story.
You might find restored Continentals this sharp, but few, if any, originals. The 460 cid (7.5L) V8 moves the nearly 5000 lb two-door with subtle authority. This rolling poster child of American excess proves that three times too much is just enough. Roll up to the valet stand in this Lincoln, and the staff will move that S600 out back to give you premier parking. What would you do after finding this long-parked Lincoln at a garage sale?
An extremely nice example of a cool, highly desirable car. It should proudly live a life of trailer queen, making appearances at appropriate events (probably not a car to take to the burn-out contest). Thanks for writing it up Todd.
I rotate and burn the tires and installed a line lock on my 71. Boils them effortlessly. Good fun
A true Barn Find type “find”. I state the obvious, but this one is the perfect example to show the uninitiated when they ask you “why are you looking for a barn?”. That actually just happened to me this past Tuesday.
I’ve never been a trailer-queen type, I gotta drive it whether or not I stole it, and in some ways it is a shame for a motorcar to exist just for folks to gawk at, but I totally agree with the motivation to preserve something like this in original form.
Wonderful preserved dream car!!!
I detailed a few cars for Gene years ago. His collection is amazing. His knowledge of cars even more. I detailed the chassis of a 1940s Rolls Royce for him. Basically I cleaned it and waxed it. Unlike many other collectors he DRIVES his cars. He owns a Mercedes once owned by Elvis.
Gene Epstein is a legend! I had the pleasure of touring his private collection 20 years ago. Great to know he’s alive and kicking and still chasing classics
To add a Comment
After having the car totally checked out, we drove this car from the Philadelphia area to Hershey for the Eastern United States AACA where it was awarded first place going against freshly restored vehicles. Not only that, but we drove it on the original tires since when the car was put in storage the owner removed the tire valve so there would be no pressure on the tires whatsoever. after realizing that that was actually foolish, I purchased a replacement set of tires, keeping the originals in my storage facility.
I will say that it is the finest riding and handling automobile that puts many of my precious Rolls Royce and Bentleys to shame. It’s a smooth ride than my new Mercedes Maybach.
Wow, straight from the horses mouth. Mr. Epstein, I’m not only impressed by the meticulous but conscientious and sensible work you did on this automobile (the word “car” is just too pedestrian of a tag for it), but the fact that you actually drove it to Hershey. That smacks of a true connoisseur.
I’m not even a fan of these cars, but the condition is stunning, mind blowing. I would drive it, but VERY carefully.
Nice find, enjoy it
The usual leaking vacuum system for the headlight doors. Closed with the engine running, and open after engine shuts off.
back then they used real rubber, not so susceptible to the elements, besides wherever it was stored must have been a climate controlled hermetically sealed environment by the looks of everything.
So, you think it is alll good? Trailer queen it? That will work! But if you want to drive it, let the leaks begin!!! It’s nice, but I drive original cars and highly restored cars, I am 65 and I cannot take them with me, although some of my friends think they can!!! I see no reason not to drive cars like this and have FUN!
What is the asking price for this beauty ?
300 hours @ $60.00 per hour =$36000.00. Plus cost of car, wow! it better be nice. I say $60.00 per hour because that is a low price to pay a shop to do that work. Even with hourly employees to do the work He’s got a lot into this car. I say he’s doing the right thing showing it off at shows and Museum. It’s a time capsule, and in a few years might be the only one left like it.
God Bless America
God Bless America! For sure, thank you for that beautiful end to your comment.
300 hours @ 60$ an hour = 18000. ?
Not even a big Ford/Lincoln guy but this car is just stunning!
And yes, DRIVE IT…
What State,city town and finally type of garage was it stored in to not have any humidity, heat or freezing that would cause corrosive condensation that would eat away at the car regardless of low mileage? PLEASE SOMEONE ENLIGHTEN ME, PLEASE!