For Sale: 1961 Lincoln Continental in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Lincoln Continental was first developed in 1939 as Edsel Ford's one-off personal vehicle. The car was an elegant convertible with a long hood covering a big V-12 with long front fenders and a short trunk. The externally-mounted and covered spare tire made its first appearance here before becoming the Continental series' trademark. The design was allegedly sketched out in an hour by Eugene Gregorie working from the blueprints of the Lincoln Zephyr. But when the 1961 Continental was introduced, the automotive trade press was stunned. The car's look was a dramatic departure from the styling of the 1960 Lincoln - in fact, it was a complete break from the fins, fat chrome trim, and dog-legged windshields that were so characteristic of all cars of the prior five years. It did show some hints of fine cars of the past. The Continental Mark II influence could be seen in the mesh grille, the wraparound taillight design, and the rise in beltline just ahead of the rear wheel cutout. More than just a pretty face, the 1961 Continental influenced design for later models like. This includes the 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix, the 1963 Buick Riviera, and the 1964 Chrysler Imperial. The design turned out to be absolutely brilliant, with clean, uncluttered lines, perfect proportions, and no extraneous decoration. That such a masterpiece ever made it past the committees, politics, and egos then battling for position at Ford was tantamount to a miracle. The new design was a little smaller with the overall length dropping to 212.4 inches from 227 and the wheelbase being reduced from 131 to 123 inches. The rear doors were hung from the rear and opened from the front. This "suicide door" style was to become the best-known feature of 1960s Lincolns. The model was available in two options: four-door sedan and four-door convertible. The Lincoln Continental convertible here h was manufactured at the Wixom, Michigan assembly plant - where Lincolns are still made today. It originally sold for $6,713 and weighed over 5,000 pounds. The car was powered by a big 430 cubic inch V-8 and traveled down the highways of 1961 in a stately fashion, transporting its occupants in luxury and quiet. This great example is powered by it's original drivetrain and all the creature comforts work as they should. Finished in the desirable Presidential Black with matching interior and top this fabulous land yacht is ready to take you where ever you want to go in style and comfort.