Same Owner Since ’84: 1963 Lincoln Continental

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Elwood Engel’s fantastic Lincoln Continental (’61-’69) makes a regular appearance here on Barn Finds but many that I have reviewed aren’t in the best of condition. And that’s unfortunate as this version of the Continental is about as iconic an example of mid-century American motoring as you’ll ever find – and it’s not just because a four-door hardtop was part of the lineup. Said to be “an original” and owned by the current owner since 1984, this stately drop-top is located in Port St. Lucie, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $25,000 with seventeen bids tendered so far.

Three years in, this Engel generation of the Continental was still selling well (in spite of Engel beatin’ feet for Chrysler in November of ’61) with a production output of 31K units. Two body styles were offered, both with four doors but one being a sedan and the other, such as our subject car, a convertible. Supposedly, this generation of the Continental was the first domestic four-door convertible offered since the conclusion of World War II. A ’63 Continental convertible is pretty rare with only a shade over 3K rolling off of the Wixom, Michigan assembly line.

The seller tells us, “The good part of this is the car is pretty much untouched. It was a car worthy enough to go to a car show and then to my garage and that’s where it has sat. There are no missing trim pieces etc, so no need to search for anything. There had been some body work done to it before I owned it and after almost 40 years the work is bubbling up and you can see from the picture where the work was done“.  Obviously, this Lincoln shows well but eBay pictures are usually not up to the task of finely illustrating problems unless there has been an attempt to zero in and focus on the malady. Regardless, based on all of the listing’s images, this luxury cruiser looks sound except for the moldy convertible top (a bleach and water solution will straighten that out), and some paint fade or peel on the trunk lid. It also sounds as if the convertible top does not operate properly – one of those meaning-to-get-around-to-it things. The listing rambles a bit but the seller suggests the car’s going to need some work as a result of its lengthy siesta.

Inside, we find a red upholstery environment that has had the seating areas swapped from leather to vinyl – it looks fine, it’s just not correct. Built without A/C, an aftermarket unit was added but employs the factory vent network – no word on operability. Also, the power windows are stuck in the down position – apparently, the power seat and door locks are out of service too.

Under the hood is a 320-gross HP, 430 CI V8 engine that’s a non-runner. The seller states, “The car has not been started for about 13 years, the battery is dated 2009. I have not attempted to start it, it will need to have all the things done to it that a car sitting that long will need. However, when it was last running, it ran very well” – got the ole “ran when parked” line. It seems odd to me that at least an attempt wouldn’t be made, first trying to see if the engine will turn over by hand. So, there may be nothing wrong with the engine other than some bad gas, or it could be more extensive than that.

This Continental is doing alright in the bid department, especially considering all of the unknowns it has. This is a no-reserve auction, so someone is going to end up with one of Lincoln’s biggest hits. And I know that it always does my heart well to see such a fine old convertible steed get a second chance, wouldn’t you agree?

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Comments

  1. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    If that top isn’t working properly, time to call Jay Leno’s “guy” for Lincoln tops. Great video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXc4zYMdnbE

    Like 10
    • CadmanlsMember

      These are great highway cars, just float on down the road. At nearly 4 tons the 430 get the job done but takes its time. Sounds as though there are some electrical gremlins, sure hope it wasn’t rodents, that could get ugly. These are big cars and look amazing with the top down, big slab sides . The real wood veneer trim, was the standard for luxury at the time.

      Like 8
      • Jim ODonnellAuthor

        Actually, this one weighed about 5,300 lbs. so that would put it at 2.6 tons.

        JO

        Like 9
      • CadmanlsMember

        Sorry meant to punch the 3 add a full tank of fuel and 6 passengers to that land yacht. Your pushing 3 tons of car. By the way those seats easily carry 3 adults each.

        Like 4
    • Bruce Turk

      I just watched the video, it was fantastic. Thanks for the link.

      Like 3
    • Robert L Roberge

      …and kiss a lot of $ byebye ’cause Randy doesn’t give his talents away.

      Like 0
    • Margaret A. Soucie

      There is a fellow in Lunenburg, Massachusetts that is SO GOOD with tops. He has done 3 for me and they were so well done. His only problem ? He is thinking of retiring. God he is good.

      Like 0
  2. Jim in FL

    There’s a place called LincolnLand in Clearwater FL that works on these, particularly the electric tops and windows. I stopped by there once with my 78 Town Car and they showed me around. They could get the top and windows working, although I’m sure it would be pricey.

    This is near me, and I would be tempted to check it out, but I know it’s going to end up well above my price range. These are lovely in person and it will likely get a full restoration. I’m a little jealous!

    Like 5
    • Shane in Mi

      I have a 66 Lincoln and have dealt with the fine folks at Lincoln Land for Parts during my restoration. Chris Dunn is the nicest guy and whenever I’m in town I stop by to visit and check out what cars he has in the shop.

      Like 2
  3. TheOldRanger

    I’ve always liked the style of this Lincoln Continental… classic

    Like 3
  4. charlieMember

    There was one other mass produced 4 door convertible after WW II, Kaiser/Frasier made a Frasier (the upscale version) in the late 40’s. I have been to hundreds of car shows over the last 60 years, from Concours to Cars and Coffee in the local shopping mall parking lot (without the coffee), and have never seen one in person, but they were made and sold.

    Like 4
    • Joe Novak

      Kaiser/Frazer made 130 , 4 door convertibles in 1951 and gave them to dealers as a marketing experiment. I don’t think they were ever sold to the public.

      I had two uncles who were dealers and they had one of them which I now have. It is is need of a total restoration, but I don’t know if I will ever get to it.

      Like 0
    • Joe Novak

      Kaiser made 130 4 door ragtops in 1951. They didn’t sell any of them but gave them to dealers for marketing feedback.
      I have one of them and it needs a full restoration.
      I also have a 1966 continental convertible that I drive in the summer only.

      Like 0
  5. Enzio Di Lapi

    11 MPG on the highway, not for me thanks.

    Like 1
  6. chrlsful

    if driving a ‘battleship’, this would be the one. Might even look for the limo (I call the “Kennedy-mo-bile” as he used 1). Love the lill details and heratiage (1st gen, 2nd and this, the 3rd). Just super! (even in white ! a vert to boot? WoW)

    Like 0
  7. Poseidon

    I used to fix the tops on these cars all of the time, because the dealer mechanics were clueless.

    Like 1
  8. MikeH

    These cars are beautiful, especially when compared to the wretched excesses of the late 50s. One of the worst offenders of that era was Lincoln. The pendulum radically swung in the other direction for ‘61.

    Like 1
  9. Craig

    Howdy folks!
    I’ve been searching for one of these beauties for 10+ years now! I own a tour business on an island and I think that giving folks a chance to ride in this would be wonderful! I’ve owned a1972 Buick Riviera and folks couldn’t believe it so I certainly would like a chance to own this one!
    Cheers
    Craig MacCormack
    617-359-9298
    toursmv.com

    Like 0
  10. Angel_Cadillac_Diva Angel Cadillac DivaMember

    Why do people buy a beautiful collector car, especially one that’s rare, and let it sit for 40 years??? Granted, it sat in a garage, protected, somewhat, but taking it out one a week, once every 2 weeks would have helped this car a lot.
    A 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible was my first car at age 17. (1970)
    Looked just like this car only with blue leather interior.
    The top got stuck once halfway putting it down. Fortunately it was at home and my father was a mechanic. He fixed it in about 15 minutes. Another time the power windows got stuck closing.. I’m not sure what the problem was but they started working again by themselves.
    This cars are notorious for electrical failing in their old age.
    This particular car needs a lot! It’s savable, though. Get rid of the vinyl interior and replace it with the original leather. The a/c may be aftermarket, but they were smart enough to use original vent outlets. Mine didn’t have a/c. There was an ashtray where the a/c vents are.
    In the winter I used to put the top down, the heater blasting and a long scarf around my neck, trailing to the back seat as I drove to school.

    Like 6
  11. John Oliveri

    Yeah, Jay Leno has that guy to fix this car, cause all the little problems mentioned are all relays, and they gotta be correct, especially when you open a rear door, the window has to drop a few inches to clear, very complicated vehicle, and this needs paint and a correct interior, electronics, A/C work probably, I’d be very cautious, not a cheap car to repair, I surrendered big money to a 75 MKIV, nowhere near as deep as this is, also, what’s bubbly under the paint, Bondo?

    Like 0
    • Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

      Very true, John. Lincolns weren’t for poor people, then or now!

      Like 0
  12. Verlin J Boes

    Does the top work I mean does it go up and down?

    Like 0
  13. Mountainwoodie

    As a college student and serial car owner I had a stunning ‘3 4 door in that luminescent blue with blue leather interior.This was about ’74 or so. Took a few of my pals on a road trip from Louisiana to Colorado and back. Nary a problem except for the epileptic hitch hiker we picked up somewhere near Oklahoma and who proceeded to soil my leather back seats.You can imagine how intolerant college student might have been. The hitchhikers were last seen in the rear view mirror standing by the side of the road.
    Also there used to be a guy in Northern California north of SF who had a HUGE college of Engle Lincolns scattered around his property and under his porch. I remember we had a long conversation about the convertible top relays and what a nightmare they were. Funny the things we remember about cars but cant remember where we put our damn keys :)

    Like 1

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