Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Or so it seems when one finds an inaugural year example of designer Elwood Engel’s fabulous 1961 Lincoln Continental in such deplorable shape. Well, at least it’s still with us and hasn’t been transformed into an LG refrigerator, yet. It may well be still salvageable, let’s look her over and see what’s what. This once stately Lincoln convertible is located in Wallingford, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for $5,600 with twenty-four bids tendered so far.
The seller of the Continental drop-top suggests, “it’s a rare car a really blue-chip investment better than stocks bonds“. I’d say that’s such an open statement that it’s entirely debatable – there are just too many elements to consider. Regardless, this one-time Executive Gray Lincoln has a long way to go to get into any kind of an investment class vehicle – and these are big, complicated for the time, automobiles. This example has plenty of rust, surface and otherwise, along with missing Bondo – which probably means that there is more lurking in other places. That said, it does appear to be complete, or mostly and the few images of the underside don’t reveal anything seriously out of place.
The listing contradicts itself with statements such as, “The vehicle is drivable and is not regularly driven“, followed by “…last ran 10 years ago“. This much is evident, the 300 HP, 430 CI V8 engine, based on the condition of its engine compartment, doesn’t look like it has turned a lick in many moons. I can’t even describe what most of that underhood dreck is. The owner has had possession of this rag-top for about one year and it is claimed as a barn find but the overall condition of this Lincoln may lead one to believe that the barn consisted of that blue tarp seen in image two.
The interior is pretty well destroyed. It looks as if it has been exposed to the elements though the fabric top is in fair shape, minus the lack of fit around the rear driver’s side of the dutchman panel. Interesting to see is the A/C system, it was one of the only options available on a Lincoln in ’61. I suppose that it is carpet underlay or sound deadener that is tossed around on the passenger side floor, but it looks more like pieces of asphalt roofing shingles. The seller does mention that there is a hole in the passenger side floor.
It is suggested that this Lincoln is,”…all original needs restoration“. Well, that’s an understatement and once that’s done, and done properly what do you have? A car worth $45K to $80K, maybe? And then what after that? So maybe its investment value is questionable but the existential nature of this one-time magnificent four-door convertible isn’t. Here’s to hoping that someone takes this project on for the sake of saving a grand old car, right?
These really DO hold their value once restored. The `61 are prized among Lincoln collectors, and being a cvt. makes it even more so. Sure, you’ll sink $125K+ into it, but it will be worth more every year as it ages. The very best ones are worth $80K all day.
I don’t know if you’ve been watching the stock market but the economy is probably about to go into a recession. If that happens, discretionary purchases of 6-figure early 1960s gas guzzling Lincolns could be put on hold by many consumers.
remember how the collector market tanked in 89? I do.
You might be correct about an upcoming recession but the gas guzzling Lincoln is not a very valid argument. I don’t think people are buying these for their daily 200 mile super commute in Los Angeles. I own two cars a 56 Continental mark II and a 61 Lincoln sedan. I drove one of them every day. Gasoline is not an issue even if it hit ten dollars a gallon. The cost of gasoline is far less than the depreciation and tax of a new car
This was my dream car back in the Sixties. I remember seeing Perry Mason drive one (not sure of the year). The suicide doors were really boss, man.
(Today I would buy any new 4 door that had suicide doors. They really turn my crank).
I’ll let your local Rolls-Royce dealer know you’re ready to buy.
Thanks. Do you have any money to offer towards the price?
Same here with the Perry Mason reference. I’ve watched the whole original series on the oldies tv network and the car sponsors had Perry driving the newest, hottest sleds every year. https://www.metv.com/lists/perry-mason-is-filled-with-some-of-the-most-beautiful-cars-ever-made
I just saw Perry driving a 61 a couple of days ago. He is on ME TV in evenings. Just about everyone outside of cops and cabs had a neat car.
Funny thing about these cars is there only seem to be two conditions ,either beautiful shape or complete junk . I cant see anyone spending time and money on this heap ,when there are perfect ones available. Being a New England car and sitting for decades I can only imagine what the underside looks like – well actually I can imagine it, I’m only an hour from this car and have seen a lot of what the CT. weather and rodents will do to a car
Life in Wallyworld, lol.
Same here with the Perry Mason reference. I’ve watched the whole original series on the oldies tv network and the car sponsors had Perry driving the newest, hottest sleds every year. https://www.metv.com/lists/perry-mason-is-filled-with-some-of-the-most-beautiful-cars-ever-made
It may have gotten an offer that the seller accepted because the listing is shut down.
Seller ended the auction, but you can still view the listing on eBay. Click on the sideways arrow to open it.
This car didn’t look as bad, to me, as most are saying. The pics underneath were surprisingly clean. Pretty complete car. If offered for a reasonable price, worth the effort for such a cool vehicle. No mention of a title though.
I like that! “the car is driveable”. yeah! right up to the point it craps out and becomes undriveable again until the next time you get lucky!
1962 restomod continental sold this year at Barret Jackson for $715,000.
https://www.classic.com/a/barrett-jackson-scottsdale-2022-bnw0alW/lots/1962-lincoln-continental-custom-convertible-gold-d-Wkm0A04/
I love the lines of these, but the tops are a nightmare to keep operating correctly. Someone must have purchased it, because the ad was “taken down”.
They are not that difficult to repair for anyone who can read a schematic and has a little troubleshooting ability. It is a well designed and well built system. However the average hobbyist may not have the ability to keep the top working. I have owned five 61-65 convertibles in the past thirty years
I felt my bank account draining, just looking at the pictures of this heap.
My father owned a 61 and a 63 drop top. The tops worked fine on both cars. The 61 I drove a good portion of the summer of 71 before I went into the AF. Did a lot of small repairs to get it reliable and it was quite the ride. That torque monster under the hood moved the car effortlessly and to put the top down in traffic was a stopper. Car was equiped with the largest 14″ tire made I think and was not a light automobile. Ride amazing and the real wood inserts on the dash and door panels just icing on the cake with the chrome. With the top down the straight lines made them look even larger than life. Yeah I liked these cars!
I have always been impressed by these but never dreamed of driving one cause its not my style !
About 15 years ago my friend’s commercial neighbor had a white convertible one , he was asking 15 k for it , by the first winter snow storm , the neighbor was on a drug binge and sold it to me for 5k
I drove that boat into storage and took it out in late spring and sold it for 15 k
I drove it for 15 minutes and that was it
Money takes less space than this bardge !
I took the time to go and look at this as its been offered before and whoever buys it if sight unseen will be very disappointed.