In 1968 Lincoln claimed to be “America’s most distinguished motorcar.” Still distinguished 52 years later, the suicide door Continentals are instantly recognizable. Sent to us by an anonymous Barn Finds reader, this 1968 Lincoln Continental sedan is being offered at no reserve here on eBay in Essex Junction, Vermont. There’s not much time left on this one after 28 bids have pushed the current price to $5,400.
By 1968 the Continental’s dimensions were growing, but its production numbers were shrinking. While 1968 was the next to last of the suicide door years that began in 1961, a coupe was offered for the 3rd consecutive model year. Coupes accounted for 9,415 of Continentals in 1968, but the most popular choice was the sedan, of which 29,719 rolled off the assembly line.
This car appears to be painted Grenoble Green, but the seller believes the car has received one poor repaint at some point. There’s no confirmation if the current color is actually a repaint, original, or even a color Lincoln offered in 1968. The body appears fairly straight, but there is rust in the rear quarters. Some lenses are missing and the vinyl top has seen better days. The seller tells us the floors and trunk are solid. I’d recommend a thorough inspection of the exterior condition, because replacement body panels are extremely expensive.
The interior is finished in saddle leather that is well worn, but looks useable. The dash is cracked and the carpet is dirty and worn. I’d be curious to see how it looks after a thorough detail.
Under the hood is the new for 1968 460 cubic-inch V8. Performing better than the 462 it replaced, the 460 was rated at 365 HP and a whopping 485 lb.-ft. of torque. Even though this one doesn’t have it, the 462-equipped 1968 Continentals were the last model to be produced with a MEL (Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln) engine. The seller notes the engine runs and the transmission shifts but points out a host of other mechanical and electrical issues. As with the body, a through inspection is in order as the mechanical and electrical systems on these Continentals are complicated and costly to repair.
As an owner of a 1969 Continental, I can say these cars can be a challenge. Parts aren’t always easy to find, they’re unique in more ways than many can imagine, and they aren’t cheap to restore. That said, I love my Continental and have found other owners from the suicide door years do too – they’re passionate, knowledgeable, and always helpful. So, to the high bidder of this auction I say this: While at times frustrating and discouraging to own, I fully expect you’ll love your new Continental. We welcome you.
Must be “memory” day,,,wait, EVERYDAY on BF’s is memory day. I took my road test in a car like this. The old man had a ’68, only light purple. The examiner was a bit taken back initially, but it actually was a very easy car to drive. Passed 1st time, natch. Was a heavy car, tipping the scales at close to 5 grand, but I don’t think I ever drove a nicer car. Presidents and dictators used them for a reason. Thanks, dad,,,
This brings back memories. My cousin had one of these when he was 20. In 1988.
Tried to sell it to me. Fortunately, or unfortunately I did not have room to store it.
Yes we are both car nuts.
These cars have class oozing out of every crevice. The interior in this one looks like it could be saved by a good leather restorer. Too bad if it got a bad paint job, that’s gonna be a bear to fix, and a Continental deserves no less than the best.
With a car like this it pays to buy the best example you can find as restoration costs quickly exceed the market value. For the longest time these cars were unappreciated exception given to the Convertible which brings its own set of challenges. These cars are so large the repaint process is to often paint the car in parts.
Does anyone know how to send a listing tip to BF?
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I have a 67 with 37000 miles on it and the interior is mint.I’d have to say more like 150k miles by the appearance of that interior.
I wonder if that Lincoln was under a fabric “portable garage” that blew away in a windstorm. I had that happen and it left the car inside sitting in the open on top of a similar makeshift floor.
I lashed the replacement to the ground with several heavy duty straps and it has not happened again despite multiple heavy windstorms.
I’m not a stylist or designer, not even close. Now, when I look at the 60’s Lincolns, what strikes me is their clean look. One might even call their look somewhat basic or plain. But at the same time they come across as classy and elegant. So what is the differentiation between basic/plain and clean/classy? What makes them appealing even today?
Cool that Jonny and Joey have first-hand experience.
I wonder if this car was in New York when it was new?
If it was I would look for bodies, or parts, in the trunk.
Just kidding, kind of.
Great car I loved these cars way before it became a star on entourage!! The convertibles are untouchable any more and even though this is a later model than that car!! It’s still a sweet ride!! In high school I had a Mercury Marquis Brougham with a 428 and three speed automatic!!! Great car would do 80 on the interstate all day like it was on a cloud!!!
How far styling came in a decade, eh?
From Garish/Flamboyant, to Understated/Elegant in such a short time.
From Here https://barnfinds.com/parked-for-45-years-1957-mercury-colony-park/ to this Lincon in 11 short years…. Like them both, for drastically different reasons.
This one appears to have sold through at $6000
Sold. $6,000.00.
Lincoln is a great car, not when your restoring them however, lotsa wires, vacuum hoses, and little electric motors that tend to break, the 460 is a great motor, however Lincoln’s run hit a lot, radiators and clutch fans and head gaskets, oh you wanna use the AC, better be prepared, I owned a 75 Mark IV, bout 30 yrs ago, loved it when it ran, except when the module box used to go bad and burn the harness, just carry a fire extinguisher
when ever I C 1 of these it reminder me of the Kennedy-mobile (4th gen ’60/9). What a car! Some1 above said ‘clean lines’, another ‘understated elegance’. I say nice ‘straight lines’ B4 the hump-over-the-wheels came in late ’60s. After the ‘bulge-mobiles’ of the 50s these were refreshing (all of them-chevy II thru plymouths satellite & this one). Just like the care’n love of one’s ‘adolescent music’ I’m cognizant of that “car style” preference as well.
Attempting to catch the caddy it achieved “the finest mass-produced domestic automobile of its time – an enviable reputation it (reached)” (’87, Geo Dammann). The detail is great to see. I even like the ‘tiny sqs’ used as a unifying theme (see dash, grill, rear deck strip, etc).
Thanks Johnny, I think this is the last car – suicide doors, USA made?