Stored Since 1988: 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Until recently, this 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible had called this barn home since 1988. Its previous owner was an enthusiast who planned its restoration. However, with his passing, the seller is selling it to settle his estate. The restoration stalled before it started, although there are a few new parts to get the ball rolling. The Continental is listed here on eBay in Germantown, New York. The seller set the auction to open at $9,900 but has received no bids as the end draws near.
Ford performed a major revision of the Lincoln marque as the 1960s dawned. It reduced its model range to a single vehicle, the Continental, to reduce overheads in a division that was losing money. The Fourth Generation Continental was significantly smaller than its predecessors, while the styling was more restrained and conservative. Our feature car emerged from the factory in 1966 as the Continental underwent a second facelift following its 1961 release. The first owner ordered the Convertible in Royal Maroon with a contrasting white top. The seller confirms the car received repairs and a repaint before the deceased owner parked it in 1988. The paint shows age, and its overall condition suggests a repeat performance will be on the agenda. There is rust for the buyer to tackle, including in the trunk recess and a few spots on the exterior. None of those issues seem severe, and patches will consign most to memories. The underside carries heavy surface corrosion but no evidence of significant penetrating rust. The owner purchased a new top and other items for the planned restoration, which are documented and included in the sale. The trim is complete, and while some pieces require restoration, most should respond positively to polish.
Tilting this Continental’s hood forward reveals the 462ci V8 that produced 340hp and 485 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The Lincoln represented the pinnacle of Ford’s luxury empire when this car rolled off the line, so a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes were standard fare. Performance was impressive for a vehicle tipping the scales at 5,679 lbs, although most owners focused on how effortlessly their Continental cruised on the open road or coped with urban traffic rather than how rapidly it could devour the ¼-mile. The impression is that this classic hasn’t fired a shot since 1988, and the seller hasn’t attempted a revival. However, they confirm that the engine turns freely, meaning a fuel system clean and basic maintenance could see the V8 roar back to life with little effort.
The Continental was the height of luxury in 1966, a feeling accentuated by leather trim, power windows, power locks, power front seats, a radio, and deep-pile carpet. This interior is unmolested and contains no visible aftermarket additions or changes. It is surprisingly good if you look beyond its dirty state. The upholstered surfaces are free from rips and tears, and the same is true of the carpet. I can’t spot any issues with the dash or pad, and there is no evidence of wheel cracks. The first thing it needs is a deep clean, and the seats would benefit from intense conditioning. I believe that with those tasks completed, the interior might present acceptably for a driver-grade classic. The leather will have wrinkles and creases, but that is an accepted part of aging with that material.
I am slightly surprised that this 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible has received no bids since hitting the market. Values have climbed marginally during the past year, and the lack of significant rust makes it a promising restoration project. The lack of action could be to the right person’s advantage, making it possible that they could become its new owner with a single bid. Is that idea tempting, or doesn’t this gentle giant tick the boxes for you?
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Comments
Like old Cadillacs, these are complicated and expensive to restore. And, parts may be harder to find than for a Cadillac. I recall seeing one rebuilt on one of the TV shows and it was a long and extremely expensive build with parts availability a challenge. Better to find one that’s already completed to weekend driver level or beyond depending on the depth of your pockets.
“these are complicated and expensive to restore”
You pinned the tail on this donkey!
I believe there were 2 shows that did them. Fantomworks did one and I believe after purchasing a car to restore and upgrade for the customer, it wound up being something like $250K total. The other show that I can recall was a shop in Detroit that did one, but upgraded it a good bit. I don’t think either of them were convertibles though. The instance vehicle looks like a good candidate for a nice driver…if you can afford the gas bill. At least the seller cleaned it up before listing it.
That car has lots of rust around the front cowl and along the back deck. I’d steer clear of this unless I need it for parts, but then the price would be too high.
Reminds me of My 78 Town Coupe. Bought for $500 in 85 needing mechanical work, while body and interior were in great condition. Expected to restore to glory, but health issues postponed work indefinitely. Finally reluctantly decided to sell. Never forget watching it drive off. Eventually things improved and wish I had kept it. Current low mileage Town Car Signature Limited is the last gasp of traditional American Luxury sedans and I am happy to have it, but it’s not the OTT excessive American Land YACHT of the 78. LINCOLN, what a Luxury car should be and ONCE was!
There is a long established Continental restoration shop in north eastern Connecticut that would be happy to take your money and restore this piece of “art”
Love me a Lincoln, but this beast if gotten, Is that a word? For half what they’re asking, would be worth it if you could get it running and ignored the rust and deep cleaned the interior. Too bad that new top is black. It should be white.
Forgot to mention, Suicide doors! And it looks like somebody punched a hole in the armrest for a cup holder. Or is that normal wear and tear?
Went to my first drive-in movie with my brother and his friends in a suicide door Lincoln (hardtop). 6 of us piled into that car with plenty of room, had a big cooler of beer and lawn chairs for all of us in the trunk. We got to the drive-in and set up camp and watched the movie in our lounge (chaise) lawn chairs. not a bad first drive-in movie memory. Went to alot of drive-in movies over the years. Lots of memories were made. Drive-in theatres have disappeared, but i still have the memories. Ahh to go back and relive those days.
@ Poncho,
We still have a drive-in in Vegas! They’ve done away with those horrible speakers you hang on the drivers window and sound now comes through your stereo speakers, but its a drive-in. Five screens I believe.
I believe one is still open in Vineland NJ,my old stomping grounds and maybe one here in Glendale AZ.
Three of us went to the 5 screen drive-in in 88’ Twins was playing with Dan Devito and Arnoldsnotburger. I think it was near a DMV if memory serves.
No mention of the top being operational. I would have to assume it doesn’t work. Those tops are a nightmare to repair if you can find anyone with the knowledge to work on it.
Leno did an episode on one. There’s ONE guy in the US who does nothing but fix Lincoln Continental convertible hydraulics.
@RichadinMaine
And I heard he retired.
I had a 1962 Continental convertible and the top stopped working halfway through cycle. My father was a machinist and mechanic and he fixed it in 10 minutes. It shouldn’t be that big a deal if you have half a brain.
Lots of rust. Holes in both front fenders,both rockers are rusted and bubbly. Front panel over grill has rust holes. Panel between top and trunk rusted through as well as water channel around trunk opening. The receipt for the top and seals is dated 2019. I have doubts about the condition of the top and seals. IMO the price is triple of a realistic value.
I had a ’69 Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors. I have also seen the videos about the guy who travels the country working on the little motors that lift up the trunk lid up to store the convertible top. By ’69, the engine size was up to 460 cubic inches with a lot of horsepower and torque that would snap your head back when you floored it. The power door locks are vacuum operated and these cars have miles of vacuum lines in them as there are some other vacuum operated accessories too. So be prepared to replace a lot of them as I am sure they are all dry rotted by now since it’s been sitting since ’88. I sold mine in ’92 so it’s been a minute since I had mine. I often had cranky power window buttons that wouldn’t operate the motors so I would have to pull the console from the driver’s door and clean the contacts so the windows would work. It was a lot of fun to drive and it was a southern car with no rust on it. I had it in college and it was a great party car too as it could hold 6 people comfortably. It floated down the road and had a smooth ride. Elwood Engle designed that suicide door body style in ’61, and then went to Chrysler in ’63. I have a ’65 Imperial LeBaron that he designed now, and you can definitely see some Lincoln design language in that car too. He also designed the bullet birds. The ’61-’63 Thunderbirds are my favorite of that decade. So you could say I am a fan of his work! I hope this car goes to a good home, whether it’s restored or serves as a donor car for a different restoration that has a more solid body on it. Either way, these cars are expensive to own and operate so be prepared for that if you want to tackle this car.
The comments have got a good grip on this flako. Hard pass. Keep looking for one in better condition, or lose tons of money and endure lots of pain.
Wellfleet MA still has a drive in that’s been there forever. Great place.
this joins the black merc from the other day a summer runner.
Beautiful car in design, but with this one whatever isn’t rusty is either bubbling below the surface or already bondoed. Wait for one in better shape, this one’s going to cost three prices to get right.