I’ll let you in on a little secret; There’s nothing wrong with buying a classic car that offers a comfortable and luxurious motoring experience. After all, you work hard for your money, so why shouldn’t you enjoy the fruits of your labor by sliding behind the wheel of a classic like this 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible. It is a tidy survivor, and the odometer shows 79,000 original miles. It has little recent use, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Elk River, Minnesota, and the owner has set the sale price at $19,500.
Finished in attractive Spanish Moss Metallic, the Continental cuts an elegant figure. This is a car with a presence, and the overall impression that it provides is very positive. The paint holds a winning shine, and any defects that it carries are limited to some minor chips on panel edges. There are no issues that demand attention, while the Black power top is in excellent order. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence of rust or other nasties. The exterior trim shines as impressively as the paint, while the tinted glass appears to be faultless. There’s no doubt that this classic would be capable of commanding attention wherever it goes.
Turning our attention to the interior, and the positive vibes continue. The Dark Green leather upholstery has developed the wonderful wrinkles that are part of the character of this sort of material, but there is no evidence of wear or physical damage. The door trims and carpet are in a similar state, while it is nice to see a survivor-grade Continental of this vintage with no evidence of cracks or problems with the dash or pad. The owner admits that one rear window isn’t operating and that the buyer will need to investigate this to determine the problem. Otherwise, it appears that everything functions as it should. Occupants are going to find themselves traveling in the lap of luxury. In addition to the leather trim, the Continental features air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power front seat, a remote trunk release, a remote driver’s mirror, a pushbutton AM radio, and an electric clock.
The 1966 model year marked one of change for the Continental. In previous years, the company had offered the 430ci V8 as the sole engine, but the capacity expanded to 462ci for 1966. Also new was the C6 automatic transmission, and we find both of these components in this Lincoln. Standard equipment extended to power steering and power front disc brakes. At 5,284 lbs, the Continental is by no means a light car, but with that V8 producing 340hp, it could still cover the ¼ mile in an impressive 17 seconds. This car is mechanically complete, but it is worth noting that it hasn’t been driven regularly for a while. That means that the buyer will need to treat the vehicle to a thorough inspection and service before it hits the road, but this shouldn’t be a difficult or expensive undertaking.
I have always liked small and spritely cars because they tend to offer an engaging driving experience. However, I also love the idea of climbing aboard a vehicle that provides a luxurious motoring experience because they provide their occupants with some automotive pampering. This 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible is just such a car, and its combination of luxury appointments and supple leather trim should help anyone feel like royalty or a celebrity. In a world dominated by the hustle and bustle, the opportunity to cruise the roads in splendid isolation is tempting. So yes, I do like small cars, but I would find this classic a pretty hard one to resist in this crazy old world. How about you?
I thank you Adam for alluding to the fact that there is more to the classic car world than Mustangs, Camaros, and Corvettes.
Second that.
These are beautiful lowered with nice wheels and tires. I’ve heard they are one of the worst vehicles to redo because of the tops electrical system complexity and parts availability. They have all said make sure everything works or open your wallet and pay and pay and pay
Gary,
I’ve owned and/or worked on many of these over the last 40 years, and I know them well.
All you need to repair the convertible top mechanism is a basic car mechanical & 12 volt electrical system understanding, the tools, and the repair manual for the top.
Unless someone has screwed with it already, the top system is really easy to trouble shoot. The number one reason it’s so easy is because where ever the top stops working, is the exact point where the problem exists. Fix that problem, and it will work.
What worries me about this car is the 2 rear door windows, Those are quite complicated to make work, and if mis-adjusted, or special switches needed to make it possible to open the rear doors are missing or broken, you WILL need the manual to fix them.
This is a wonderful buy. I once helped an older gentleman get his 4 door 66 hardtop out of his garage, get it running and capable of driving around the block. All because I saw him outside while jogging one day and his garage door was open. I struck up a conversation – he had stopped driving several years before, and loved taking it around the block with me. I deferred on making an offer as he said he would like it to stay in the family.
As to the car itself, tons of wiring to sort through (the convertible top has something like 22 motors), but once it’s ready, a great daily driver that feels relatively modern compared to some of the 60’s cars. I love the later, space age dash even thought the early 60s front end looked sharper.
Jim [and other readers],
These cars have the following electric motors for the top and deck lid:
Top header unlatch/latch motor.
Trunk lid unlatch/latch motor.
Upper back panel open/close motor.
Hydraulic pump motors [2] for raising the deck lid, and top assembly. [Earlier examples have one hydraulic pump, and 4 hydraulic solenoid valves.]
That’s all! 5 motors including the hydraulic pumps!
And [if my memory is right] 1 dash switch, 1 keylock switch on fender, 5 limit switches, 1 rotary switch, and 610 feet of wiring.
I attended the last FoMoCo service course for the Lincoln & T-bird convertibles in 1970, and still have the original course books.
Is it in Elk River, MN? (The ad does not give the state).
Yes, it’s in Minnesota
I had a 1962 Convertible.
After educating myself on its sequence of operation, relays, etc, I purchased a manual from a company I think in Massachusetts, It was so easy.
Also, even when done, you need to have a level area you operate the top, or a sequence will not function.
Never operate at an angle like a hill, sideways, or a twisted driveway.
These change the contact sequence.
I bet it was Hydro-E-Lectric. I used to buy from them before the internet, they were in Massachusetts, and sent out a quarterly xerox of available parts. I just googled them and now located in Punta Gorda, FL. Guess they went for the warmer weather.
Yes, Hydro Electric.
They explained to me how easy they are to work on.
I became the go to guy to service them.
Are there any other 4 door convertible cars ever made?
Connecticut Mark,
Virtually every car manufacturer [even Chevy & Ford] made 4-door convertibles prior to WW2. The only other US manufacturer to make a Post-WW2 production 4-door convertible was Kaiser-Frazer in 1947 to 1950.
I prefer the hardtop, and in Black. Iconic, and loved by all who have chosen the Red Pill
I’ve owned two 65 models. They are nice cars, but what irked me was neither one had cruise control and my brothers Imperial did. Both vehicles drove excellent and I loved the rear suicide doors. At this price this is a bargain as when all repairs are complete these cars bring nice numbers.
God bless America
A customer bought a 66 Continental Convertible. I was th only one who ever worked on the car as the dealer knew nothing about the workings of the top, which would malfunction periodically. The woman became bed ridden and stopped driving this car and her Cadilac. She stopped driving the Continental so it sat idle for a number of years. Her nurse drove the Cadillac. She called me one day and asked me to get the Continental running. Jokingly II suggested that she ought to sell it to me. I made her an offer of $200, and she replied that she would have her nurse get the title from the safety deposit box. Sadly, the woman died before the title was retrieved. The last time I physically saw the car, it went roaring by my house with no exhaust. It was then advertised on Craigslist for $4,500. The photos showed it sitting in a field, covered with junk and tall grass around it. Her grandson, who then owned the car, did not seem to feel that it was inportant to put the car in the bare, at the very least. I do not know if he sold the car, but I lost out because the nurse did not get to the bank fast enough.
My dad had one of these when I was a kid. I remember all of us, mom & four sisters, getting our Christmas tree one winter and bring it home with the top down. I was around 9-10 years old. Better times.
I’ll never understand why people don’t pressure wash the engine before taking pictures.
Some vehicles don’t start after washing. Been there, done that.
Many makes had 4 door converts over the decades. 20’s, 30’s and 40’s
I thought these were the most beautiful cars on the market when they came out in ’61. I always wanted one. In the mid 80s, a friend had a ’66 just like this one that he wanted me to buy. He insisted I take it for a week–“you’ll love it”. It was about as much fun to drive as a city bus and the build quality was terrible. I didn’t buy it. The 60s were not a good decade for American cars.
good to hear different opinions.
Mine is quite different than this
(weather european or merican).
Post WWII Frasier built one, and Lincoln this one, and that was all the 4 door production line vehicles. Pre WWII, even up to 1940 or 41 the Big 3 all had them, even Ford, which would have been the least expensive.
yes, 1 of the few “lrg cars” but just cuz I like this gen (I call them Kennedy Limos). As ur self I like one I can throw around a bit (50s/60s alphas
the hoped up early 60s dwn szed mericans, more toward the
SCCA livery). But stray w/a ’67 Fairlane or something on
occasion. What…? if its a dream I can dream
anything…a 350SL, a Bemmer 507…
U asked, no?
aahahahaa
I’m not really a Lincoln fan but a massive 4 door ragtop is pretty special. All the better with low mileage and great condition. Someone should be jumping on this. Also, it’s a great parade car!
Always liked these. Always wished I could have one. One beautiful vehicle.
But like my grandma used to say “if wishes were horses, beggars would ride”.