"While the 1961 Lincoln Continental features no startling new
design innovations, it does incorporate a host of new refinements,
both in the product itself and in its manufacturing techniques.
Even a glance over the list of seven items will show that this car
is designed and built with almost complete disregard for cost."
From the 1961 Press packet which included Car Life magazine's
expose of their Luxury Car of the Year.
For consignment, a 1961 Lincoln Continental 4 door sedan showing
42,345 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This one presents in
barn find condition and due to its classic 60's styling and iconic
"suicide" doors, remains desirable in any form, including those in
need of restoration.
Exterior
Our slab sided behemoth is covered in Presidential Black and while
there are plenty of issues with the exterior, let's first focus on
the positives. Most of the sheet metal is straight, much of the
trim and metalwork is present and in good shape, and all of the
glass is intact. Those things alone mean there are bones here to
serve as a base for work to be done. No part of the paint is
salvageable; it's cracked and crazed throughout, there are areas of
surface rust and incidences of rust through. Paint that is present
is oxidized, stained, and faded. There's also evidence of filler
and even a bit of lichen. But take one look at those dual
headlights up front and the graceful, ornate rear treatment, and
it's easy to see why people scoop these up in short order.
Interior
This is where the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club, (LCOC), is
going to come in handy as you work to replace interior components
since barn find conditions prevail on the inside. You're going to
need a new driver's door panel while the others might be savable,
dusty remnants of a once glamourous portal to the interior. Both
the front split bench and full bench in the back are torn and worn
with exposed, dry foam padding, cracked leather, and weathered
cloth. Up front, other than showing some age, the steering wheel
and dash are in decent shape while the dash pad shows exposure and
cracks. The once plush carpet is toast and the headliner is also
long gone.
Drivetrain
Rusty and dusty is how we find the 430ci V8 under the hood, once
rated at 300 horsepower and fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor. It's
backed by a Lincoln TurboDrive 3-speed automatic transmission
routing power to the rear axle with 2.89 gears. The car is equipped
with power brakes, power steering, and air conditioning.
Undercarriage
As expected, there is plenty of deep pitted surface rust throughout
the underside but surprisingly not any invasive, structural rust
that we could see. We do however, find significant rust on the door
bottoms. Dual exhaust runs through stock style mufflers and
resonators and power drum brakes are on all four wheels. Suspension
consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
There are no keys for the car.
If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, this presents as the
classic barn find with enough meat on the bone to perhaps be saved.
Regardless of condition, it's still an opulent representative of
America's best in 1961. It just needs to be revitalized from its
rust covered coma.
1Y82H404358
1-1961
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
82-Continental 4 Door Sedan
H-430ci 2bbl V8
404358-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 53A-Continental 4 Door Sedan
COLOR A-Presidential Black
TRIM 26-Black Cloth & Leather
DATE 09M-December 9th
TRANS 4-Dual Range Automatic
AXLE 7-2.89
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