If your classic leanings are more towards luxury than outright performance, you may find this 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible rather interesting. It would undoubtedly benefit from a cosmetic restoration, but it is a rock-solid project candidate that runs and drives extremely well. It has generated reasonable interest, but the bidding remains within what most people would consider affordable territory. The seller has listed the Continental here on eBay in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bidding sits at $6,100, though that figure is below the reserve.
Lincoln vehicles from the 1950s were renowned for their complicated styling, which some motoring journalists described as “busy.” However, the release of the Fourth Generation Continental in 1961 marked a dramatic shift in design philosophy. Penned by Elwood Engel, the lines were more conservative and crisp, and the bright trim was quite restrained. The Continental received annual updates until this Generation’s production ended in 1969. Our featured Convertible rolled off the line in 1966, and would have looked stunning when its Silver Blue paint was at its best. Time has taken a toll, with the exterior now having a matte appearance. The power top, in contrasting White, also looks tired, suggesting that a cosmetic restoration forms part of this classic’s future story. However, the best news hides below the surface, with the underside shots showing no evidence of anything worse than dry surface corrosion. In fact, the only penetrating rust is this area in the passenger-side rear quarter panel. It is patchable, and once the new owner effects repairs, they can pack away the grinder and welder. The trim looks comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, and the tinted glass is clear.
I was pleasantly surprised by this Lincoln’s interior. It is by no means pristine, but it looks far better than I expected. Trimmed in Gold leather, the seats look clean and free from major problems. There is a developing seam separation on the driver’s side, but catching it now would prevent further deterioration. The dash and pad look very nice, and the most pressing needs may be replacing the carpet, the front kick panels, and the cracked wheel. It features the usual array of luxury touches, including power windows, power locks, a six-way power front seat, and a tilt wheel. The seller confirms that some power accessories, including the top, are inoperative.
Aauugh! Someone grab the rattle can out of the seller’s hand. Their willingness to paint almost anything in sight has done their cause no favors. This is especially true because it appears they performed no surface preparation before going to town on the 462ci V8. The Continental is a heavy car, but that 462 delivers a fairly impressive 340hp and 485 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, while power steering and power front disc brakes were standard equipment in 1966. The engine bay proves that we should never judge a book by its cover. The seller includes an embedded video in their listing, showing the Continental rolling along the open road. They pegged the speedometer at 65, and it was cruising effortlessly. It supports their claim that this classic is a turnkey proposition. They don’t mention evidence verifying the claim that it has a genuine 70,000 miles on the clock, meaning we must take the figure at face value.
If you had to choose which of the three available body styles that Lincoln offered 1966 Continental buyers in 1966 to park in your garage, the Convertible is the one to have. They consistently command a heavy premium over the others, and their values climb faster. Our featured car needs work to achieve a pristine presentation, but it runs and drives so well that the winning bidder can enjoy immediate motoring pleasure while assembling the budget and parts required for restoration. That process would also be an excellent way to occupy the upcoming winter months, allowing it to emerge in its former glory when the warm weather returns. Is that a prospect that you find irresistible?
The words Adam used to describe the styling of this generation of Lincoln— “conservative”, “crisp”, “restrained”, are spot-on. These cars looked great when new, and still are attractive today. This example needs plenty of work, that rust is nasty. But it would look terrific restored.
Rrrrrraming speeeeed!!!!
True Story. I took a class called “The American Comedy and Horror Film”. “Animal House” is an allegory for the Kennedy Assassination.
-The movie took place in 1963; Kennedy was killed in 1963.
-The climax/end piece of the film? A parade; Kennedy was killed in a parade, ending the Camelot era in America.
-What did the call the Lincoln Continental? “The Deathmobile”; Kennedy was killed while riding in a Continental.
So when the professor was asking the class to connect the dots, I, evidently being the only car guy in the class, was able to put this together.
This, people, is the blessing and curse of a liberal arts education!
A full restoration would easily exceed $70,000. Can you do minimal work and drive it as a beater? Sure but definitely not my thing
Terrible News: Indy is experiencing the worst flood since 1913 right now.
Let’s hope the seller kept this barge out of the water. These are enjoying some demand in the restorod market currently. That could change in a year from now.
The seats and door panels are not original to this car, they are from a 1967.
Having owned a couple 1960’s Ford convertibles, I can tell you the difficulty lies within the convertible top mechanism(s). Relay, pumps and switches oh my! Most of them made out of unobtainian. True story: When working on a ’63 T-Bird convertible, I got so frustrated with the switches. My bright idea was to lay in the trunk and close the top so I could watch the limit switches to see which was causing the issue first hand. I was young, the car was old and had plans for me. While the trunk space is fairly spacious with the top up, it gets crowded in a hurry with the top down. As I watched the top come down, my fear finally kicked in I scrunched down in the trunk and began hearing my wife in my head telling me this was a bad idea. I also lost track of my mission and couldn’t really see the top switches. As light in the trunk faded, the realization that only a young wrencher without the proper tools and too much ambition would make set in. Of course, the top would not go back up… As my wife phoned cemeteries the bury folks inside their cars, I was able to jump one of the 7 relays and get the top to raise up. Not for the faint of heart or an empty wallet!
Step away from the spray paint! 👮
I think I see an AC compressor in the engine bay, although seller didn’t list it with AC. I could be wrong or distracted by all the rattle can blue paint on all the hoses and surge tank. That rust is going to take some surgery and welding skills, and looks pretty bad. But for the right price, maybe someone will try and tackle this Lincoln
Very unusual color combo of the light blue/gold if original color was blue. It has factory air which is a plus and if I’m not mistaken it has the rare reclining passenger seat? This beautiful Lincoln will require new front fenders and rear quarters but at least it seems to run very well for it’s outward condition. Let’s hope someone with deep pockets will restore this magnificent automobile and once again be able to look out over that hood to see one of the most iconic hood ornaments, the Lincoln Star, guide the new owner forward.
That rust is just the tip of the iceberg; look at the left front fender where it meets the door. The top will be difficult to fix; only a few shops in the country will take it on and do it right.
Yes, that rust and rot on passenger side rear qtr and in back of rear door,will be expensive to remove, reweld and replace. All that old bondo there is really bad. That along with rebuilding the drop top mechanicals and pumps makes this Lincoln more than a little scary project.
A bit odd that this 1966 car has wide white wall tires…I believe the last year that they were in general use was 1961.
Wouldn’t touch it with the hideous spray paint on the engine outta principle. Gotta ask yourself what other malfeasance is the seller up to.
I have 2 friends who have 66 Convertibles. Outstanding symmetrical styling. But you’d better have a strong stomach and deep pockets for electricals!
The engine bay got a Craigslist restoration.
Or Krylon
For anyone truly contemplating this 66, an excellent source for reproduction patch panels for the front and rear lower sheet metal is Mark II Enterprises. They also have floor patch panels for the 66 Continental. I have purchased from them and they are top notch.
What a beautiful car. Sure, the hydronics are a nightmare, but this is a classic and worth fixing.
The hydraulics and electrical aren’t that complicated. I bought a 63 T bird when I was 14 years old in 1972. Same top operation as this Lincoln. It was completely disconnected. I had it working in 6 months. It is all logic based. Think like the mechanice of the top operation. What’s it trying to do and what comes next. Pre internet days- bought several $100 junkers for parts and found a shop manual in the trunk of one junker. Ended up with a beautiful California triple black factory air m code 63 Sports Roadster. Wish I still had it! 😎
In the Ebay video, the car is going straight, but does the steering wheel appear to be pointing to 2:00 instead of center?
Repairing the tops on these will break anyone’s bank. That, and the fact there are very few qualified techs to work on them makes this a unit that will quickly find one deeply underwater. A very nice #3 67 convertible is for sale on Hemmings for $61k currently, so that should give one an idea what they are up against with this example. Savable? Yes! Economical? No! But this definitely deserves to be saved! Lose the added on vinyl side protection!
To add to Jonathan’s trivia, when the Mommas and the Poppas hit it big in 66 they all bought new cars. One bought a 66Lincoln convertible.
Speaking of Lincoln’s, I’m looking forward to the next season of the Lincoln Lawyer.
Even though Lincoln Lawyer had a major mistake in end of season 3. They show the cop opening the trunk of the convertible with a key in the conventional sedan position and a dead body in the trunk with the top down but no top in the trunk. You could never fit a dead body in the trunk of one of these with the top down. Major flaw in a shows who has a Lincoln convertible as a central theme😵💫
Similar to when Louise powered down the decklid after Thelma put multiple huge suitcases in the trunk of the 66 T-bird top-down convertible…. impossible! Hollywood magic!
I had a ‘65 bought in ‘72. It almost ate me alive in good times. As my daily driver, the Arab oil embargo put the final nail in the coffin.
I put it in the garage and only occasionally pushed it out for a quick wash. Finally, in desperation I sold it for $700 and was glad to get it.