A luxurious, pillarless sedan with suicide doors and a droptop. For my tastes, the execution of a convertible design just didn’t get much cooler than this, at least not during the sixties decade. The fourth-generation Lincoln Continental got another mid-cycle redesign in ’66, including a refreshed body and an extra 5 inches front to back, primarily to increase leg room in the rear seats. This 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible is just out of a hibernation that lasted nearly four decades, and while it does need a restoration, this one seems like a good overall solid example to work with. The ragtop is in Wahoo, Nebraska, and can be found here on eBay, with a buy-it-now price of $17,500.
The seller calls his Continental a barn find, and shares that the car was placed inside an ammunition armory back in 1986. The conditions there must have been favorable, as it’s said to still be all-original and remaining 99.9% rust-free, with the lower quarters and one small spot on the passenger side front fender being the only areas outside mentioned as containing corrosion. A dent described as large can be seen on one of the rear doors, but I’m guessing a skilled body man could have this worked out in an afternoon.
Weighing in at over 5,000 pounds, one would speculate that a powerful engine would be required to move this heavy sedan around ably. No problem there, as Lincoln utilized a 462 cubic-inch V8 with a Carter 4-barrel on top, rated at 340 horsepower. After such a long period of sitting, the owner gave some attention to the fuel system by installing a new gas tank, line, and filter, plus added new spark plugs, wires, and a replacement battery. It’s now said to be running and driving, with the mileage listed as 80,000.
Most interior components could stand a good refresh, along with some new seat upholstery in both the front and rear. However, the instruments appear original, and not much inside looks like it has been tampered with, so at least the future caretaker won’t be dealing with straightening out too many messes in here made by previous owners. We don’t get to view it, but the seller states the car is dry underneath with no surface rust below either. If you’re finding the initial investment cost a bit steep here, there’s also the option to submit an offer for consideration. What’s a reasonable and fair price to pay for this 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible?
No thanks. I remember seeing one of these in similar condition get restored on one of the TV shows. Parts were difficult to find and expensive. Also all of the power options (windows, seats, the list goes on) were a nightmare and labor intensive which blew the budget. Find one that’s done as they don’t bring huge dollars once restored.
Well, of you don’t consider $50g’s–$80g’s “huge dollars”… That’s the average range nowadays for fully-restored examples. Some that have been goofy-modded with balloons and wagon-wheels command even more.
Just saw one run the Barret-Jackson that went for a cool $100+k. ‘Course it was pimped out and had a Chebby engine in it. The entry price on this one isn’t too crazy, and it runs. So you can enjoy it while you tinker with her.
Some moron put an orange motor in a Lincoln? I won’t say what I think, profanity isn’t allowed here
Would have been poetic justice if that “Chebby” engine had been a 250 cu.inch six.
Starting price is about $5,000.00 too high. But it’s a beautiful car and THIS ONE deserves to be restored. After all , IT IS RUINING ! How many times have we’ve seen classic restorable cars that are really just GONERS for huge bucks ? This one, if done right, might just be doable. 1966 was a great year for a LOT of cars including the Lincoln Continental, especially a convertible. I’d say if you could get the whole thing done for around 35k – you would have a great Cars and Coffee / cruiser. Best of luck ! Nice article.
Re: your statement “IT IS RUINING.” While I think you meant “RUNNING” I suspect RUINING will end up closer to the truth, at least in financial terms.
My heart loves these beasts, especially the ’66-’67, but my brain forces me to agree with the first commenter: buy one finished. GLWTS.
“Buy one finished”
That ok if you’re one of these “look at me” people who purchase a restored vehicle and drive it around and take to car shows like you restored it yourself.
This car is perfect for me. I’m not a FoMoCo type of gal, but I do love Lincolns, especially the verts. This car is drivable (which I’d do) while restoring it. Part of the fun of restoring an old car is looking and hunting for the parts. Saturdays at the salvage yard, getting sunburned.
It’s not really expensive if you do a little at a time over time.
What can I say, I’m a romantic.
And after getting it done, the pride in taking it to car shows is worth more than the “upside down” “underwater” “value” ya’ll are always talking about.
There’s more to life than money.
I used to manage a repair shop a thousand years ago.
A friend of one of our best customers had one of these in similar condition.
Getting it up and running was easy. Dealing the many electrical issues was a nightmare.
The bill came to about 8500 1996 dollars. The owner happily paid it.
Complete resto? At least $100K and worth doing
IMHO
Appropriate to show it in “barn find” condition, then after it was cleaned up. I studied the interior. I ‘think’ it has the following, not all being standard equipment: AM radio/8-track player; automatic temperature control heat/air conditioning; tilt wheel; speed control. So, a well-equipped example. I hope it gets restored.
Those MEL engines are a unique rare breed too. While they share a few parts with the FE, they are harder to get parts for.
Previously owned by Oliver Wendell and Lisa Douglas. Of Hooterville. Owners of the old Haney place. 😂😅😂
Yes, that’s true, along with the Mercury they owned.
Your comment pointed me to (again) reading the Wikipedia article about this classic show. Its humor hits me completely different than it did as a kid. The article points out various aspects of the show’s writing, including surrealism, satire, running jokes, parody, and visual gags, much of which went over my head as a kid. Very, very clever show.
And of course us Barn Finders specifically appreciate Hank Kimball and his Bronco.
🎶 Gr-e-e-n Acres is the place to be… 🎶
Very cool car. Hopefully it gets put back into service.
Holy Shirt! A barn find!
There’s 4 of these converts in our local salvage yard….1 this body style and 3 of the earlier….not much luv for them around here beside the Kennady clan.
Mr. Stephens, Car is not a Sedan, here is the definition of a Sedan (/sɪˈdæn/) is a car with a closed body (i.e., a fixed metal roof).