There is nothing like hitting the road on a sunny day behind the wheel of a classic Convertible. While many enthusiasts focus on performance models, there is nothing wrong with undertaking such journeys aboard luxurious classics like this 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible. It presents nicely, is rust-free, and has generated plenty of interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in South Pasadena, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $25,100, although the auction statistics suggest the situation could change at any time.
Unlike its predecessors, the Fourth Generation Lincoln Continental enjoyed a long production run. The first cars hit showroom floors for the 1961 model year, with the last leaving the factory in 1969. Lincoln performed a mid-cycle update in 1964, lengthening the wheelbase to increase rear legroom. Our feature Convertible left the factory that year, finished in Arctic White. The seller indicates that this gem underwent a restoration years ago, but it still presents nicely. The paint retains a healthy shine, the panels are straight, and the gaps are as tight and consistent as you would rightfully expect from any vehicle that commanded a high sticker price when new. The seller supplies several underside shots and, when combined with the car’s location and garage-kept history, confirms that this Lincoln is rust-free. There is no information supplied regarding the state of the power top, but I won’t be surprised if it is in excellent condition. The trim and glass look spotless, and the seller’s willingness to negotiate in-person inspections suggests they have complete confidence in its condition.
This Lincoln’s interior is a sea of Red trim, with the seats sporting the wrinkles of elegantly aging leather. There is no evidence of wear, with the carpet particularly noteworthy for its spotless state. The dash and pad are excellent, and the wheel is crack-free. The first owner didn’t load the car with options like air conditioning, although the winning bidder will undoubtedly welcome the power windows, power locks, power front seat, remote driver’s mirror, and the AM radio.
As was a common practice during this era, Lincoln adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the Continental’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 430ci “MEL” V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The company’s Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 320hp and 465 ft/lbs, and with the Continental Convertible weighing in at over 5,400lbs, it needed every ounce of power and torque to provide respectable performance. It might be a big car, but city traffic or cruising on the open road at 70mph wouldn’t cause it to raise a sweat. The seller states that this gem is ready to go, with no identified mechanical needs or shortcomings. Flying in for a Californian vacation and driving home behind the wheel of this classic must sound mighty tempting to many.
Gauging whether a classic is desirable can be challenging, but with the auction view and Watch List tallies of 375 and 64 respectively, there seems to be little question that people like this 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible. However, as impressive as those figures appear, they are meaningless if they don’t translate into bids. This Lincoln has that base covered, courtesy of its bid total of thirteen. There is plenty of time remaining for the price to climb, but what do you feel would be a fair price for this classic?
If this car is in “excellent” condition, then Hagerty says it’s worth 75K.
This car just oozes class. The white/red look is terrific. The clean styling of this generation of Lincolns is simply classic. I can see this convertible in the town parade or escorting the prom queen around the football field. But it would also be fun cruising around town or down a rural two-lane on a pretty spring day.
Like Rex says, not cheap.
So nice.
This is an incredible car! It is everything that a Lincoln should be! When this car drives by, everyone looks! Lincoln builds nothing today that would receive this type of reaction. The Lincoln Motor Car Company is not the Lincoln Motor Car Company at all. It is the Lincoln Truck Company. It’s nothing more than a bunch of disguised Ford-based trucks. Pitiful!
Damn nice car. I could see myself cruising the TN backroads in this gem. Fuel milage be darned.
Hopefully, the new owner doesn’t do the “customizing” that so many of the Lincolns have been subject to, since rap artists decided they were “fly” and had them lowered, gutted, and then made the interiors like like a cheap bordello, along with the obligatory LS engine swap. But, that’s also why the average going price for these is $75k.
The suicide doors harken of years past and apparently went out of favor with the motoring crowd.
What is an LS engine swap? Enquiring minds not familiar with the jargon here (such as I) want to know. Spectacular car! But at my age, no convertibles for me, please. (smile) In any case, DON’T TOUCH it’s originality!!!
What is an LS engine swap? Enquiring minds not familiar with the jargon here (such as I) want to know. Spectacular car! But at my age, no convertibles for me, please. (smile) In any case, DON’T TOUCH it’s originality!!!
“LS engine swap” means putting a late model Chevy engine in place of the original engine. (LS is the designation of the engine series)
Hope that helps.
A “LS engine swap” is the process of replacing the current engine of a car with a LS engine created by GM to improve power, dependability, and serviceability. GM first developed the LS or Luxury Sport engine in 1997. The LS name came from the code “LS1” used by Chevrolet to designate the Chevy Corvette’s third generation engine. Before the small block appeared in the Corvette, Chevy used the CL or Custom Luxury engine. Souce: Internet.
To Bunky: THANKS!!!
Very near the end of the Perry Mason series in the mid sixties, the show had just changed from b/w to color, and Perry drove a baby blue convertible, and mid-teens me has wanted one ever since!!
I got a 64 sedan in 74, took it on my honeymoon. Loved it-triple black. That is until a tooth chipped of the flywheel. It got old going under the car to move the teeth to a new location to start it. But what a great car.
When I was in college in the late eighties there were several of these that would frequent an impromptu car show in Jumpers Hole Maryland. One owner showed me how the top worked and let me feel how easy and luxurious it felt to sit in the back with those suicide doors, and I was hooked. It is still in my list of most coveted cars.
And the correct width whitewall instead of a wide whitewall.
“Flying in for a Californian vacation and driving home behind the wheel of this classic must sound mighty tempting to many.” Adam, you were reading my mind in advance, I wonder if he’ll trade for a Morgan Cycle car replica? Sits at 36k and reserve not met.
A buddy has a red one of these, his grill looks a bit newer, he just bought a 59 Caddy convertible, and is thinking of selling his Lincoln convertible, it’s in nice shape. He also has two 1961 Chrysler 300Gs, one super nice, and the other a roller body shell project.
Beautiful car! The updates for 1964 were aimed at addressing complaints that the rear seat was too tight, especially compared to the competition. In addition to the 3″ wheelbase stretch, Ford also reverted to flat side glass. This reduced the tumblehome of the greenhouse, theoretically increasing shoulder and head room, though quoted dimensions didn’t change much. A side benefit to Ford was reduced cost, but many would say appearance suffered a bit.
And, there were complaints about flex in the convertible version, which were fixed in the later version. Same thing happened in the ’53 Studebaker Lowey coupe, too much flex, fixed in the ’54 which was visually almost identical.
I live in southwest Florida today was 75 degrees convertibles everywhere but nothing like this just beautiful.
It SNOWED here to-day… don’t think I’d be out there in a convertible (smile). But at least I don’t have to swelter six months out of the year, the way that you Floridians do.