Some classics leave you pondering what path to follow once the vehicle in question is safely parked in your garage. This 1960 Continental Mark V Convertible is no different. This recent barn find could be a prime restoration candidate. However, its lack of rust may motivate the buyer to follow the preservation path. The seller has listed the Mark V here on eBay in Fowler, Colorado. They set their BIN at $17,000 with the option to make an offer.
When Ford established the Continental marque in 1956, it aimed to produce the world’s best luxury car. Henry Ford II placed his brother, William Clay Ford, in charge of operations, and the Mark II appeared that year. It was an exercise in excellence, but Continental lost a significant sum on every car produced. Had the Ford Motor Company been family-owned, it probably would have endured those losses. However, the 1956 public float meant shareholders expected a return on their investment, so Continental was absorbed into the Lincoln division in 1959. The decision angered William Clay Ford, causing a rift between the brothers that never healed. Many consider the 1960 Mark V the last true Continental, with the company offering five body styles. The Convertible sold 2,044 units, second in popularity to the 4-Door Hardtop. Finished in Polaris White with a matching power top, the seller discovered this Convertible hidden in a dry barn. It had occupied that spot for approximately twenty years, and doesn’t appear to have suffered unduly from the experience. The paint has a reasonable shine, but with no significant panel or paint imperfections, it might present acceptably as a survivor once polished. I admit that rust was a concern, but the underside shots confirm that the Continental is rock-solid. The top isn’t torn, but the fit is a bit loose, and the seller is unsure whether the mechanism operates. One rather funky design feature is the back window. The company fitted every car, including the Convertible, with the retractable “Breezeway” window to improve ventilation. Most of the trim looks pretty respectable for a survivor, and there are no visible issues with the tinted glass.
Every 1960 Continental Mark V buyer received the same drivetrain configuration. The company equipped its latest offering with a 430ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Luxury manufacturers are sometimes hesitant about quoting power and torque figures, but the 1960 Sales Brochure states that the 430 produces 315hp and 465 ft/lbs of torque. It appears that this Mark V saw regular service before its hibernation, and the seller has coaxed it back to life. They include an embedded video in their listing, with the car running and driving. The motor sounds sweet, with no smoke or odd noises. The brakes work, although the pedal sinks to the floor after a while. That suggests a possible leak, and since some perishable components will have inevitably deteriorated, the vehicle will need work before it is genuinely roadworthy. However, the indications are that it would be a realistic short-term goal.
The Continental’s interior is a surprise packet. Trimmed in Blue and Gray leather, it looks far better than I expected. The carpet looks tired, and I doubt that even the deepest clean will bring it back. However, with only a couple of repairable seam separations visible in the limited listing images, cleaning and conditioning the leather might leave it looking acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The dash looks pretty impressive, and the interior features the level of creature comforts you would rightfully expect from a luxury car. The buyer receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a six-way power front seat, and a pushbutton radio. The seller hasn’t tested the A/C, but the remaining features seem to work as they should.
I’m willing to raise my hand and admit that I have never been a fan of the 1960 Continental Mark V. The styling has never captured my heart, although I respect your opinion if it differs from mine. That said, this one could be a promising project. However, I think that if the buyer addressed what appear to be minor mechanical issues and detailed the entire vehicle, it would present acceptably for a survivor of this vintage. Some people are intimidated by the prospect of restoring cars like this, but they shouldn’t be. Although marketed as an expensive luxury car, the Continental’s construction process is no more complicated than most Fords from this era. Therefore, it won’t hold many mysteries compared to its less expensive cousins. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you to pursue this Mark V further?
The seller hasn’t tested the A/C? How hard would it be to turn it on? That’s the test, it works or it doesn’t.
Intriguingly, for the 1960 season, Lincoln lowered the 430 MEL’s compression ratio and replaced the four-barrel carburetor with a two-barrel. I can understand that in 1973-1974 when there were gas shortages Lincoln owners might have taken a sudden interest in fuel consumption but in 1959-1960 there was no supply problem. Ford in 1959 must for some reason have been convinced even Lincoln buyers weren’t unaffected by the recession and would have been grateful for an extra 2-3 mpg. Pleasingly, the economy improved and the MELs soon were back to guzzling gas four barrels at a time. Thoughtfully, Lincoln slightly off-set the MEL’s four-barrel unit so the two primary throats would be centred, thereby optimizing flow to the two banks.