We have seen some nice project vehicles recently here, small ones. Small cars and small trucks that are easy to fit into your garage and walk around as you’re restoring it. That is not the case with this 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible. This is eighteen-feet of project, your spouse isn’t going to overlook this one. This car can be found here on eBay in Farmington, New Mexico and the current bid price is $7,500 with no reserve.
I have snuck more than a few vehicles into the various garages and storage units that I either own or pay rent on and my vehicles are typically on the small side. A small vehicle sometimes gives the impression of having a small price or a small value to a lot of people, which isn’t always the case, of course. Sometimes with small vehicles, a person can just sort of add one or two, or eight, and your spouse may not even notice or say too much about them, they’re so small (hey, I’ve done it). A Lincoln from this era is not a small vehicle.
This is a fourth-generation Lincoln Continental and I would argue that they’re the most famous, most popular, and most iconic of any Lincoln Continental. This is one instance where I don’t mind using the word iconic, this era of Connie almost single-handedly invented that word. The seller tells us that this is very much a project car despite looking pretty good in the exterior photos. It’s been repainted and it’ll be a lot of work to make it a Pebble Beach contender, or even a safe, reliable driver.
The interior may look nicer than the exterior does, both front and rear. I prefer the dash in my old ’66 Lincoln but this dash does look good other than whatever’s happening on top in the photo above. The big and expensive issue with this car will be the rust, the incredible amount of rust. I don’t know if anyone knows how much rust and bodywork there really is, but the seller is honest in providing a lot of underside photos, so my size 7-1/8th hat is off to them. It really has some scary rust, I can’t imagine repairing a car this rusty but a few bidders think it’s possible.
The engine should be a 430 cubic-inch V8 with 320 hp and 465 ft-lb of torque. For a 5,400-pound car, it needs a lot of power. Unfortunately, on top of the rust, the engine isn’t running. Hagerty is at $17,300 for a #4 fair condition car and I can’t believe this car could be brought up to that level for $10,000, could it? $37,200 is their #3 good condition value and unless the high bidder owns a shop and needs a break-even project to keep their team working, I don’t see it. What do you think about this one, can it be saved without being way upside down on the value?
This car couldn’t be a New Mexico car, could it? It’s probably better as a donor car, given how complex these old Lincolns are to restore.
I was wondering about that, RK. The Minnesota plates probably explain the rust, although there is also a Farmington, Minnesota just south of Mpls. Hmmm…
The funny thing is I loved these cars before they became TV stars and everyone wanted to drive there friends around in them!! Expensive to restore and probably more parts than any car of this era!! I’d love to own one but I don’t need another 3-5 year project!!
I bought one in 1978 for $275 and it ran and drove just fine. Rust? Just in the floors and quarters but nothing too scary.
The reason I bought it so cheap was that it needed a muffler and the owner didn’t want to pay $1,000 to have one installed!
It sounded like a freight train, but we got
it home, put it on Jack’s and inspected
what we bought. After replacing both mufflers, we took it to Wherry Welding
to have new floors put in. Between the floors and the mufflers, I spent about
$400 putting them right. And those were
the two major things the car really needed to be a safe driver again. The
462 ran great, and the brakes would stop
you on a dime! The car was a very dark red with a Cream top and interior and boy
was it sharp! Wound up selling it for $1,500 to a fellow who followed me to my house just to buy it! Do I regret selling
it? Almost daily. Other than quick cash,
I dunno why I sold it. One thing I know,
I sure wished I had it now.
Scotty, I missed the Minnesota plates, which totally explains the underbody of this car. Given the shape of the chassis, there isn’t any price low enough to justify buying this car. Hell, this guy owns it and doesn’t want it!
You guys just don’t seem to appreciate its potential. It would be an awesome demolition derby car. Or a fraternity could use it to disrupt a homecoming parade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX71mALOPKs
Good one Turbo. As I drive around town through traffic , I utter the phrase “Ramming Speed” probably twice a day. It’s usually as I observe all these jokers speeding around carelessly, driving like the idiots they are. People…I can’t stand them any more. I hope they go to a rally soon without a mask.
“I hope they go to a rally soon without a mask.”
I hope you really meant protest/riot.
Rex, agreed. This Lincoln may be the great money pit. I have a few, and the best advice i can give Barn Finders is buy the best one you can afford.
Recent Wisconsin title, but the car is now in New Mexico. Seems to me there’s a bit of the story missing. Typical Wisconsin rust, massive project.
I was so excited to see this car. Said it was from New Mexico. Then I read about the rust and it is actually from the north. I will keep looking.
Agree about the dash. I’ve owned two 65 models, which are my favorites. Don’t like the rear grill on the early ones either. I had some problems with mine. The transmission went out on one and I couldn’t get it repaired properly. Seven times to the local AAMCO shop they could never get it work right. The radio didn’t work right in either one. Power steering pump is gear driven which is a nightmare to repair. Now these cars are very comfortable, and drive great. Oh I just remembered the center link assembly has moving parts where the idler arm is stationary so when wear comes it’s the more expensive part that must be replaced. I loved my Lincolns and drove them for many years.
God bless America
I would have this (early 4th gen, 4 dor) if owning a luxury car. I call ’em “the Kenedy Linc.” Not sure it I’d go for a vert like this, hafta think awhile on that. The art deco lill squares (trunk, grill) just add that much more…
Drop the whde whites, get the or caps. Neyesss…
Really love the 2nd gen (’56/7) but that one’s for hoppin up, racin around. (at over 19 ft who needs the 3rd gen 8^ (
Some years ago, perhaps 30, I had a chance to buy a 66 for $200. I new the car as I was the only one who ever worked on it. My offer of $200 was a joke, but the owner took t seriously. She said that she would have her nurse get the title from the bank. Sadly she died before the nurse got to the bank. Her grandson ended up with the car, and that is the last that I know.
There is one and only one Lincoln Continental convertible worth owning and that is a 1961. It was all downhill after that. Nothing tops that 61 front end. I can suffer a 62 or 63 due to the increased option content and then the 4 bbl carb but 64/65? Blech. Flat side glass? Are ya kidding me? Why not drop in a flathead V8 to boot? And the 66/67 examples fell victim to bloating. For me it’ll always be the 61 and my love affair started in 1978 with a black cherry metallic example. Oh, the memories. I’d post pics if I could.
I agree, the face of the 1961 is tops! Although after that, I prefer the 1967 & later, with the 1969 actually being a close second to the 1961 in my book. Too bad the 1969 wasn’t offered as a convertible!
This car here, having local history (Wisconsin & Minnesota) would really need an up close & personal inspection to see how bad the rust is, but if the seller thinks it is bad and says so in the ad, that is not a good sign lol.
Too bad, she could be a beauty!
I have a 30+ year barn find ’63 Lincoln Continental convertible that I have been thinking about possibly selling or building a sick straight axle gasser out of it!!! Check out my website WhosYaDaddy.com to learn the fate of this cool ride and to see my other builds in the works!