Throughout the 1960s, the Lincoln Continental would come in second in sales behind Cadillac. After a successful sales performance in 1966, the Continental was little changed for 1967. Three body styles would be offered, with just one out of every four being a hardtop coupe like the seller’s car. This one, finished in Light Aqua paint, doesn’t run but seems to be complete. Located on a trailer in Cisco, Texas, the project luxury car is available here on craigslist for $6,250 OBO. Another bigger than life tip from T.J.!
The Continental continued to wear a star on its hood in 1966, but now it was spring-loaded for safety reasons. These cars were every bit as luxurious as anything offered by General Motors and Chrysler and more than 45,000 copies rolled off the assembly line as demand continued to be brisk. For whatever reason, the coupe version of the Lincoln wasn’t nearly as popular as Cadillac’s Coupe De Ville.
We don’t know the history of this Continental, but it looks to be very much restorable at just under 84,000 miles. The paint has some issues and there is light rust on the body. Though the finish has been redone, it’s said to be in the original color which seems a bit bright for a Lincoln. The machine is numbers matching and not running, so you’ll need to bring a trailer of your own – and plenty of labor to load and unload it.
The factory 462 cubic inch V8 produced 340 hp in its heyday and is not stuck, so there is reason for optimism. But these land yachts were loaded with electronic doodads, so hopefully you’ll find all of that in order once the car is up and running. But in an era of $5 per gallon gasoline, is there a lot of interest out there in restoring a big automobile that was only good for 12-15 mpg?
Easy now SG, better to have loved and lost,,,blah, blah, our own Scotty G had this same car, only WAY nicer. You can look it up by entering “Scotty Gs Garage”, ( no more links from me) and his was ’66. I felt bad for him, even he admits, it was the classiest car he ever drove, but too many obstacles, like storage( takes up an entire storage space) and needed work he wasn’t prepared for, and it had to go. I have a kindred connection to these cars too, as it was the car I took my drivers test on. I think the examiner was impressed by not only the car, but my expert driving at 16, as well.
Another for the “what to do” category. It’s nice enough to save, but as Scotty found out, it’s incredibly expensive to restore big, aging cars, with options controlled by antique electrics, and while gas is still “only” $3.29, a bargain compared to where groceries went, however I fear that will change soon, but you can ask the man who owned one( sorry Packard fans), Scotty knew it was a great car.
How true! As a Vintage Rolls Canardly (Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next), I’m here to tell you that maintenance and revitalization are extremely expensive!
In 72 I owned a black 65 coupe similar to this. I remember putting in $7 to fill the tank from empty and getting about 10mpg.
Nice one, Russ & T.J.!
Ha, oh man, this one is super painful. $6,250 for a two-door Continental Coupe in that condition with vinyl seats when my much nicer, usable one sold for $5,700 or some ridiculous thing like that?! Uuuffff, that’s a gut-punch. It was too long for our garage in how I had to back it in so I had to pay $200 a month for a storage unit and that wasn’t worth it. I’ve had some big regrets in life, but one of the biggest was selling that car.
https://barnfinds.com/scotty-gs-garage-1966-lincoln-continental-coupe/
Scotty. That is one gorgeous Lincoln you had there. Definitely understand your sellers remorse.
Hey Scotty! If you’d like another one I have one! It runs but needs some engine repair. It’s blue with white leather seats, the seats are in good condition just needs cleaning. And the white vinyl top needs to be replaced. I’m selling it for $5000 (firm) and I’ve done a lot to it. (extras)
Don’t see the 2 door cars that often. They are good looking but the ’50s wide whites don’t quite fit the era. We had a few cars this big in the shop over the years and our body man referred to them as “like working on a box car”.
If you’re seriously Thinkin Lincoln, have the time and money, SAVE this beauty and it could become your BLUE BIRD 🐦 of Happiness 😊. Too me, better than a Thunder
⛈ bird.
Unless you’re going to be using this Lincoln as a commuter, or planning on a couple of cross country trips? Who cares about gas mileage, with a classic car? Definitely not a fan of the color, but you don’t see coupes, everyday. GLWTS.
Thats the classic Ford robin 🐦 egg 🥚 blue Big C .
Looks best.on a 1986 2wd f250 🙌
Ford used Robins Egg Blue on 1986 F Series trucks? That’s news to me. And that Lincoln’s paint must be oxidized to the max, cuz I’ve never seen one that putrid looking.
That blue looked great on my 63-1/2 Galaxie and my 74 Country Sedan SW. Man, I miss both of those cars.
I once owned a 78 Town Coupe (never should have let it go). A couple of friends gave me some BS about gas consumption. My response….It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! I LOVE ❤ it! Current 2007 Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans! Driving is like driving your living room! 👍 LINCOLN…What a Luxury CAR should be and once was.
In 72 I owned a black 65 coupe similar to this. I remember putting in $7 to fill the tank from empty and getting about 10mpg.
Actually, if driven lightly, these could get low teens on the highway, and was about typical for most big cars then. It was a small price to pay for such luxury.
Coupes didn’t start till 66
I once owned a 78 Town Coupe (never should have let it go). A couple of friends gave me some BS about gas consumption. My response….It’s HUGE! It guzzles gas! It pollutes the air! It scares the birds! Other cars part like the Red Sea to get out of the way! I LOVE ❤ it! Current 2007 Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans! Driving is like driving your living room! 👍 LINCOLN…What a Luxury CAR should be and once was.
Awesome Lincoln. We bought one from an old ford dealer in Pa and used on our honeymoon tour through the northeast to Maine in the early 1990’s. What a cruiser. She wasn’t so keen on me changing brake cylinders at b&b’s along the way, but it needed to be done.
What a car, huge 2 door and unibody! And that monster, Carter carbureted, 462 under the hood. Who remembers in-dash factory 8-track players?
Unfortunately, being young and unawares of the devil that lurks in old cars that have been in storage for over 10+ yrs, that big v-8 succumbed to a blown oil pump after a couple years of service. Was pure beauty while it lasted.
Would love another one but not in the cards for now.
Scotty G,
Great story. Sorry it didn’t work out for you but man, well worth it if you get the chance again.
For the record mine was a ‘66 2door coupe. White with a light green interior.
Incorrect paint. $10k
Incorrect interior. $20k.
Mechanical. Unknown $.
Chrome. Unknown $.
Purchase price $6500.
Current #1 value. $36k.
You do the math.
Sounds ds like a really good investment as specialty cars go. Potential increase in value over time? Fun to money ratio? Damned good deal in my professional opinion I’d say!
My 67 Continental story: In the mid 80’s I was operating a fairly large special interest auto lot in Dallas. Most of our cars were on consignment, and one day the ex-girlfriend of an old racer buddy of mine came by with a beautiful white 67 Lincoln Continental. I really liked it because most folks went for the Mark and this was IMO a prettier body style, and not as prevalent. The story went that this was her dad’s car, 67K miles never wrecked, scratched, abused etc.
She wanted me to sell it for her dad. I was doing a fairly critical walk-around and found that the front passenger fender had been replaced (build quality in the Lincolns was great during that period) and it shot her “perfect” claim down. Now make no mistake, this was a beautiful car, but not perfect. She questioned my ability to “read” a car, my professional standards, and my parentage, and I simply apologized and pointed out the repair, that was Very Good, but not perfect. She left in a huff, and I never expected to see her again. A couple weeks later she showed up in the Lincoln, with the consignment papers signed and an apology. Seems Mom had used the car while Dad was on a business trip, banged it in the grocery store parking lot and had it repaired before he returned. She never told him, and it was her secret for 17 – 18 years, only to come out because of some used car dealer.
BTW, the car sold for all of the money, and every one was happy in the end.
I really enjoyed driving the car, it was, to me, perfect!
About 1980, a friend wanted me to buy his ‘66 Continental convertible. After the excesses of the late ‘50s, I thought the ‘61 Lincolns were like a breath of fresh air after having been trapped in a coal mine for a week—and I love convertibles. His car was in perfect shape and he gave it to me to drive for a week and that cured me. The build quality was atrocious and it was like driving a barge. I had been driving smaller European cars for about 15 years and this car was a shocker, both in size and quality. They’re beautiful, but I don’t want one.
I wonder what the build date of that ‘vert was…? The ’66 models did in fact suffer from very poor quality-control early in the model run. Despite its success, Lincoln was just not turning enough profit to satisfy the Ford execs and stockholders; so they were directed to cut corners and increase sales in any way possible. Among several things cut, I suspect, was the stringent quality-control program that made Lincoln into America’s Rolls-Royce. But when that was cut, assembly quality plummeted, and many customers brought their cars back to have them done right, or their money refunded. Lincoln learned fast that was a mistake and reinstated the program, so by turn-of-calendar-year those issues practically vanished. I wonder if your friend’s car was a victim of that and somehow was missed when its flaws were still covered by warranty…?
Proud owner of a 2007 Signature Limited. Last gasp of traditional American Luxury. A recent article referred to these last generation Town Cars as the American ROLLS-ROYCE. Totally agree. LINCOLN, what a Luxury car should be and once was. I am now a Vintage Rolls Canardly, Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next, but still Thinkin Lincoln
i call em the Kennedym0bile as thats the gen he rode around in. Never saw a coupe. Have a lincoln exclusive yard near here (CT) who sells world-wide but his stuff is thinning out.
Best running/lookin ‘big’ (limo) car in my mind. Never had my hands ona euro limo tho ( RR, Bently Jag, the MBs etc). Love the lill details like the tiny art-deco squares ) frnt/back/inside). M Gilbertsons grn is very nice. I like the white or blk most, a vert might not be a bad cruzer…
If I’m not mistaken, 1966 was the first year for the two door coupe in this generation. ” But these land yachts were loaded with electronic doodads…”, again IIRC, most were vacuum powered; likely miles and miles of dried out vacuum hoses on this Texas car. As Bill the Cat would say “GACCCKK!” on the color, and “DOUBLE GACCCKK!” on the wide whites! For me, pale yellow or white, as shown in the ’66 sales brochure.
https://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1966_Lincoln/1966_Lincoln_Continental_Brochure/1966%20Lincoln%20Continental-19.html
https://smclassiccars.com/lincoln/273091-1966-lincoln-continental-coupe-restored-all-original-462ci.html
Too old to own one now, but I’ve got a grill and headlight bezels tacked up on a wall in my garage.
Seen this one before so there’s not much luv down here – now if it was a convert in this condition yes…..but coupes or 4 doors just don’t get the luv around these parts….
I love this ultra rare personal luxury Coupe’, this is a real Lincoln!
On a Friday night in 1976 my Dad was shot in the jaw while being robbed in San Jose Ca. On the Monday night news I remember footage of a separate incident with the news cameras going up the side of a 67 Lincoln 2dr. with driver door open and back then showed the driver dead. He reportedly shot himself after being chased by police and crashed into an orchard.
The guy had been robbing places always threatening to shoot the victims in the head. He did not say that to my Dad, just did it.
Detectives showed my Dad a pic and with his mouth wired shut, he nodded yes. Informed that he was dead Dad gave a thumbs up!
My 67 Lincoln story. Even though at the time I had no idea, that footage has always stuck in my mind. And as life sometimes goes, 3 of my 4 kids went to the elementary school across the street of where the orchard use to be because we lived in that area.
The color on this ’67 Lincoln is Palomar Blue. This car is a perfect example of why you should always install period correct whitewalls on a classic car. Most cars used the thinner whitewalls by 1962 (there was one exception to the rule that waited until 1963 to change over…Studebaker, I think was the only one).
I often thought of writing a book, titled The LAST Whitewall. But figured so few would even know what a Whitewall was! 😲. Present company excepted! 👍
My Lincoln story is a few years after this car was built, my 75 MKIV was pool liner blue, I called it, with dark blue, gorgeous car, low miles, bought at an estate sale mid 80s, redid everything, all the window motors, all 4 calipers, yes 4 wheel disc brakes,vacuum lines, heater core, then the timing chain went and basically destroyed the 460, had it redone, trans too, leaked oil forever rear main seal, FOMOCO carb went bad, converted to a Holley, ignition module burnt the harness twice, had enough, took my spokes and 1.5 inch whitewalls off and sold it
Whatever reason not as popular as the Coupe Deville? I have nothing bad to say about a Lincoln but really have to wonder, just look at the elegance of the 66’ Coupe Deville. Nuff said
Ha ha ha.
Funny, almost.
“The factory 462 cubic inch V8 produced 340 hp in its heyday and is not stuck, so there is reason for optimism.” Yes, that is a big plus; however, I would strongly recommend at minimum a flushing of the critical-fluid networks: Motor oil and coolant. Where the latter is concerned, that flush needs to involve removal of the block’s drain plugs. The shop manual can show the details (the new owner *will* have a shop manual, right…??). “But these land yachts were loaded with electronic doodads, so hopefully you’ll find all of that in order once the car is up and running.” Not this car, not in this year. The only electronic doo-dads this car has are windows (and even then, not all of them), seat adjuster (which may be either 2-way or 6-way, IDK from the pictures shared), and A/C (which appears to be the only option besides leather upholstery that the factory fitted this car with). If the last was given the ATC option for controls, then yeah, that doo-dad alone is enough to confound a MIT graduate. “But in an era of $5 per gallon gasoline, is there a lot of interest out there in restoring a big automobile that was only good for 12-15 mpg?” Short answer: YES. Long answer: These cars still draw attention wherever they go; my own, which looks like it came from and belongs back in a junkyard, still gets second gazes from jaded metro types in San Antonio. 9 out of 10 admirers ask if it’s for sale, consistently; some resort to begging when they are told it’s not. This one, being a mere Coupé (people just love to be able to say “suicide doors,” makes them sound so sophisticated where car matters are concerned), and an all-but-stripped offering at that (only two, maybe three, options–not counting the one ghetto mod the dash panel was butchered for), may take a bit longer to move than a ‘vert or sedan…but *it will move*, politically-correct fuel-consumption lectures be damned! If the new owner winds up being domestic, then prices argued by the author are moot; not even Dallas is pushing gas for $5 a gallon now. In fact 4 out of 5 states don’t push that price, not even in the biggest depression since FDR.