For many years, the luxury car segment operated under a three-way split, with Cadillac usually leading the pack. Bringing up the rear (in sales) was the Chrysler Imperial, so that left the middle spot to Lincoln. The Continental was their money maker in the 1960s, which would have included this gorgeous convertible from ‘63. The seller mentions an early restoration which would explain the auto’s remarkable condition. Located with a dealer in Fenton, Missouri, this cruising classic is available here on eBay. The current bid is $60,100 but not enough to break the reserve.
Ford redesigned its Continental in 1961, so the changes for 1963 were evolutionary yet visually minimal. The convertible sold in smaller numbers than the 4-door hardtop, though both body styles had “suicide doors” that opened out from the middle. This beauty is one of 3,138 drop-tops produced that year and it has an air-leveling suspension which was added during the refurbishment. It was built in the early part of the season in September 1962 and rolled off the assembly line in Wixom, Michigan.
We’re told the color of the car is silver/blue, but I see green more than silver in the mix. The seller also mentions that the power-folding top is new and white but it’s clearly black unless the top was changed after the pics were taken. Note how the top retracts a lot like the Ford Skyliners of 1957-59. One positive upgrade to the auto is that it now has disc brakes in the front for improved stopping power. At 64,000 miles, we assume the 430 cubic inch V8 may have been tinkered with when other updates were made. As was the case with many Ford products in the 1950s and 1960s, the hood hinges at the front.
I’d love to take a ride in this beauty for two reasons: 1) the ride must be fantastic, and 2) the interior is gorgeous and must be quite comfortable. I can envision many a dignitary riding around in the back of one of these uber-luxurious vehicles. The 1963 Continental was roomier in the passenger compartment thanks to some mods made by Ford’s engineers. An alternator replaced the generator for the first time in the machines. If these land yachts appeal to you, this might be the coolest-looking one around!
Holy smokes. Hot Rod Lincoln ragtop.
Gorgeous, big 430, 3spd autoloader, and perfect hwy gear ⚙️ Love it.
I’d love to have it in my barn! It’s way out of my price range……. Dang it!!!
I’d want to see the work done on the power top hydraulics, switches and relays. This is a very complex system and is VERY specialized and expensive to repair.
I am recovering from 15 years ownership of 61 convertible with similar engineering. It took Some looking online, but I eventually found a full color schematic that simplified it greatly. There are also electronic upgrades, switches and relays, available in a package specifically for that application (for not a whole lot of money)that replaces original and works flawlessly. After installing modern electronics, less than $1000, problems solved. I agree with complexity, the term Byzantine comes to mind, but there are work arounds.
These have gone into the ionosphere. At one time not so long ago 30k was pushing it for a nice one. This one appears to be very nice, although the interior looks off to me. Quite a few of these passed through my hands years back and I don’t recall any with two tone interior. I had a white over red convertible 63 when they were 400.00 cars. Transmissions were problematic and rebuilding was tough as many parts, pumps and other innards were somewhat nonexistent then. That may have changed. These are wonderful to drive. I prefer the 66 or 67 as a kid we had a 67 sedan that is still with me. Regardless of my opinion this is a beautiful example here and it’s good it didn’t meet the fate of many of the ones that passed through my junkyard long ago.
Those of us Baby Boomers of a certain age see these cars and only one image pops into our heads. The image of a very special navy blue Lincoln convertible custom stretched convertible ordered from Hess & Eisenstadt, Order # SS-100-X. That car carried the President of the United States through the streets of Dallas, TX on 22 November, 1963, when three (3) shots rang out, fired from a an Italian-made sniper’s rifle from the sixth (6th) floor window of the Texas School Book Depository Building, 411 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75202-3301.
I was four (4) years old when it happened, I didn’t understand it then, I don’t understand it now, and I’ll probably never understand it. BTW, JFK’s limo was a 1961 Lincoln, with a 1962 front clip.
I believe the color is Caspian Blue.
I love this car so much!
Those must be custom hubcaps, and what happened to the 63 Grille? A nice car. No trunk pics.
My concern would be the top. It is a nightmare getting them fixed.
This car needed the new front disc brakes! I had a ’62 white on white on blue interior. It was a dog getting it up to speed, but once it got there it flew! Unfortunately, trying to stop it took about a mile. These cars were heavy, especially in convertible form.
Mine didn’t have a/c so an ashtray was where the vent outlets are.
Beautiful cars, luxurious and expensive to fix. Good thing my father was a machinest/mechanic. The top got stuck halfway down one time. He figured it out and it was good to go.
The 63 grille has been swapped out for a 64, along with adding the lower fender and quarter trim; not a bad change, but prefer the original grille.
As far as two tone seats, there was a black and white option, as well as a red and white choice. No blue and white originally, but it looks nice.
The aluminum wheels are made by Isotope Wheels, 20 inchers ( named The Kennedy) specifically designed to look like the original 14 inch 61-63 wheel covers, and are very pricy.
I’m sorry, DJ, I hit the wrong button–I did not mean to report your comment! I’m very sorry, but I don’t have an option to withdraw such a report. I do wish “Barn Finds” would fix these buttons!
I meant to concur with your comment with my own. You noticed the ’64 grille before I did; good catch! That plus the non-OE interior coloring, however good-looking they are, to me compromise the car’s value, meaning a lower reserve than the seller set (unless they deliberately set it too high because somebody is pressuring them to try and sell when they really don’t want to).
I am 72, when I was 13 my Dad purchased a one owner 1961 Contintal hardtop. Unbelievable ride. I got to drive it when I was 16. He also had a 1957 Lincoln Premier. Also a gorgeous car. Great memories.
Those wheels put me off, these cars look so much better with original equipment. It’s a shame that Lincoln sold so much less than Cadillac, original buyers must have loved Cadillac styling a lot more. I think the Continentals of this era were better built.
Personally, I’m tired of the continued overuse of that over-clichéd phrase “suicide doors.” I see it as something regular people use when trying to sound sophisticated on the topic of vintage cars. By this decade, the doors did not live up to their name. The latches were far superior to the kitchen-cabinet latches of old, which wind gusts could easily open. They had to be humanly “helped” to fling open at speed; and with the then-standard power-lock and window-lock systems that made it pretty hard for even a suicidal person to do.
That said, this car’s shell and interior are in pristine condition. That plus the retention of the original engine and transmission help to offset the devaluing mods this car also has–namely, the wagon-wheels (though admittedly this set is much nicer-looking than the unsightly atrocities most modded cars bear today), and the balloon suspension. If the newbie owner thinks the car will give others a run for their money, he’ll be in for a very rude awakening. In its current condition, the best it can do is occasional participation in parades. It’s not even practical for grocery-getting, though actually no ‘vert really is unless the top is kept up (even then, sedans still have more usable trunk space and easier access, though the reverse-hinged trunk is just as cool to see as the clap-doors).
All things considered, I’d say this car as-is is worth 40g’s, maybe 45 to factor in next-generation inflation. If it had proper wheels and springs, which could permit long interstate cruises, it could be worth 60g’s, maybe even 80 (though I think 70 would be more realistic).
Suicide term came from a body being crushed when the vehicle is standing still and being opened for a person to exit as another vehicle was passing.
May I suggest to Barn Finds that they seriously look into making changes in their user buttons, like obscuring the flagging button or at least programming an “Undo” option? I’ve inadvertently flagged too many posters, including just now, and I’m tired of making myself look like a jerk for it. Fix that, please.
https://youtu.be/uU4aIVxcW9w?si=wB3qpzNqprCm5gb5
Found a YouTube video of this car.