The fourth generation of the Lincoln Continental enjoyed a lengthy run from 1961-69. As a direct competitor to Lincoln, the luxurious Continental was offered in sedan and convertible body styles, both with the famous (or infamous) suicide doors. More than 90% of output for 1964 was in sedan form, like the seller’s car. This land yacht hasn’t run in about 30 years and spent time before and after that in a barn. It can be found in Huntington, New York and is available here on eBay where bidders have brought the ante to $2,775 – so far.
After a prototype was built in 1939, regular production of the Lincoln Continental would begin the following year. From 1940 to today, the Continental has been in ongoing production except for breaks in 1949-55, 1981, and 2003-16. The current model is the 10th generation of the car. Coming off a money-losing stretch between 1958-60, Lincoln consolidated everything under the Continental flag for 1961. Lincoln usually came in second behind Cadillac in sales in the luxury car market, including 1964 when 36,297 Continentals were built. Out of that number, 3,328 were convertibles and 15 were stretch limousines and the rest were sedans.
The seller’s 1964 Continental is said to be dark green in color (kind of looks black) with a black interior. Only exterior photos are provided and to get a peek at the interior, you’ll have to contact the seller. Which is a shame they didn’t upload as this car is said to have the rare bucket seat option which would go a long way in separating this auto from the rest of the pack. The owner has had the big machine is his possession for about five years, but it was stored in a barn before that since 1983. It’s been nearly 30 years since the car last ran and that was off a can of gas.
We’re told the Continental is complete and would make a good restoration candidate. But rust repairs will be an issue with it being visible in the rear quarter panels and doors at a minimum. If there was a title (New York is famous for not having titles for cars of this vintage), it’s not available and the transaction will occur with a Bill of Sale. There is no mention of what the mileage is, and the Lincoln should have a 430 cubic inch V-8 under the hood, good in the days for 320 horses.
If this Lincoln were in stellar condition, it could fetch north of $40,000 according to Hagerty. Fair condition is more like $8,000. I suspect the cost of restoration for this one, especially if the interior has survived on a similar par, will be expensive. These cars are loaded with wiring and chasing electrical issues can be a royal pain. But once you had a very presentable car, if would be a great novelty for use in a car service or get yourself a chauffeur to drive you to Cars & Coffee!
Strike 1, no interior photos; strike 2, no title; st-ee-rike 3, the rust looks pretty bad; strike 4, it hasn’t run for 30 years.
If the engine turns over, and if the frame isn’t rusted, simply getting this car to run/drive/stop would probably cost north of $5000. So if you pay 3K for the car, and 1K transporting it to your house, by the time you’re cruising in this car you’re in it for 9 grand, and the interior and exterior still look like this. And I’d lay odds after all that work, the power windows still wouldn’t work!
Pre 73 cars don’t have titles, a transferable registration or bill of sale
New York doesn’t require a title until 1973. All you need is the old transferable NY registration, or a notarized bill of sale.
Unless someone is buying for the stainless trim and other parts, they are going to be a much poorer sad tomato after about 18 months of frustration.
The biggest thing this grande dame has going for her is that she’s not a convertible.
Other than that she’s like that aging day-stripper that will woo you in, vacuum your life savings, and leave you with shattered dreams of what could have been.
I know of a guy who started worst case (family heirloom) and put over $100k into a sedan quite like this one.
I started with, and still have, a much nicer ’63 sedan that still cost a poop-load of domestically untraceable cash to get on the road.
Good luck, but go in with your eyes open!
Yeah, Stuart…But then again he sent his to Bakers in Ct with an open check book…
Ouch!!
Pre 73 cars don’t have titles, a transferable registration or bill of sale
Having owned a ’62 & 63 sedan, a 63 convertible, and a ’69 sedan I’d be tempted (I know…) if this were closer, at about 1K max.
Thankfully I’m smarter than that, and IF I were to get another it would be properly sorted first.
Enjoyable cars and ALWAYS loved valet parking when our with friends…
Great comments above from guys that seem like the’ve been around the block with these slabsided Lincolns . I agree…Great cars but unless you are doing all the work yourself run away from this one…fast!
Can someone explain to me how the crazy bidding works on Ebay? I just went to take a look, out of curiosity, on the bidding for this car. Am I correct that the same person bid 15(!) times within like the first minute of this car being posted. Why would anyone do that? Sorry, just curious and thought ya’ll might have the answer. Love looking at the great finds on BF!
I was going to say maybe the bidder was repeatedly bidding in order to find the reserve, but it doesn’t appear that the auction has a reserve.
Or, maybe the bidder is inexperienced on ebay, but that doesn’t appear to be the case either, he has 191 feedbacks. You might think shill bidding, but why do it with so many small bids when he’s not the first bidder….It’s clear that the $1500 bid came in first by some 26 minutes. You would think that ebay would ask the next bidder to bid above 1500. It is baffling. Strike 5!
Baffling indeed! Thanks Rex!
If you love these cars and many of us do, join the Owner’s Club first and then buy one from Baker’s in Connecticut. It will be fully operable with all toys working, for a fair number. But not cheap. Drive the car. Tell the story.
You’ll love it, as will all your new friends………
Thanks for this.
Is Baker still in business?? They don’t advertise in Hemmings
anymore and I was told they are gone.I bought a number of Lincoln bits and pieces in years past.I have owned a 55 Capri plus two 4 door sedans from 68 and 69 plus a beautiful 66 coupe.
My daily driver for the last 16 years has been a 97 Town Car/
Wiring, Vacuum, cooling, 3 big reasons it to buy this car, unless your expertise is in these cars, strike 4 would be if it was a convertible, the relays, hard car to not go under on
I owned one in black on black in 1974. I got it from friends to replace my 64 Buick 225 convertible that was stolen just before my wedding. I drove the car on my honeymoon. I loved it ( has was cheap) until a tooth broke off the flywheel. Of course it usually landed there when shut off so I took off the inspection plate and crawled under to turn the flywheel. That got old quick. But A/C, cruise control and a 430/4V made for a great ride. This one probably only good for a custom shop to drop and air ride, LT1, and enjoy.
The second sentence in this writeup says: “As a direct competitor to Lincoln, the luxurious Continental was offered in sedan and convertible body styles…”
What does that mean? This surely wasn’t true by the time that the slab sides hit the scene.
Regardless, I’ve been in love with these unibody tanks (at least the 61-63 version) since the late 1970s when i discovered that my future FIL had a black cherry metallic 61 convertible moldering in his garage. I went through that car from stem to stern and got it mechanically stellar. My FIL was so impressed with the improvement that he had me deliver it to Bakers for a new top and leather. I met Ron and got to look over his boneyard and warehouse of parts. It was Lincoln Heaven!
I now have my own 61 convertible, a late production unit that is identical to the one driven by Jackie O. It’s a very low miles work in progress with a very sad story behind it but i have a bunch of parts cars and am confident that i can pull it all together. If my bank account survives the punishment…
my fav, too bad the shape. I love ’em as limos (I call it the Kennedy Limo) even more. Just love the detailing, straight lines (still B4 the ‘wheel humps’ cars got in mid/late 70s). Still some art deco (the tinny tiny squares all over). Never seen 1 in racer’s red. Have seen white…
Ahhh, we finally have located Flounders brothers car! After the Faber homecoming parade, it sorta went missing…good to see it is still around, albeit just a mere shell of its former glorious self….
If it were not for the FIRST generation of this style of Lincoln there would be NO Lincoln today.Ford reluctantly gave the go ahead and Robert McNamara said if it flopped like the 1960 models it would join Packard and other magnificent failures of days long passed.