1965 Lincoln Continental Convertible
There are plenty of iconic luxury cars from the 60's and a good number of them came from Cadillac. In Lincoln's pursuit of greatness they created something so special, it remains one of the most sought after cars from the 60's, bar none. Stylistically, there was nothing quite like the four door convertibles and it was the first four door convertible from a major American manufacturer after World War II and the first Lincoln since 1951 to feature reverse hinged, suicide doors.
For consignment, a mostly unrestored 1965 Lincoln that's been in a heated garage since 1980 and used only on Sunday drives and the occasional parade. The car has a title verified 100,433 actual miles and presents the next owner with some options. Keep as is and enjoy as a Sunday driver or lovingly take on the task of restoring, resto modding, or simply upgrading the car in your vision. The bones are here, and the seats were redone in the early 80's, so the process is underway. As is, it's an American icon.
Exterior
The car came from the factory with Light Ivory Gold but was resprayed at some point in Springtime Yellow, a color close in tone but with a little more pop. This is a large car with square corners and wide, flat horizontal surfaces. The full front wheel well contrasts with the rear wheel that covers the top side of the tire like a skirted car of the era. Correct hubcaps are on 15-inch wheels. The rear profile leans back as if in motion and mirrors the rake of the windshield. The black canvas soft top is in good condition along with its plastic rear window. Some trim and metal work will need restoration including the fender trim and rocker panels where we find a dent or two. The bumpers, however, are in decent condition. Paint defects include: several areas of rust bubbling under the paint and invasive rust on a door sill and at wheel openings.
Interior
Black leather door panels are accompanied by brushed metal components including door pull, ash tray, door actuator, and backing plate. Stitched columns fill the insert and mirror the pattern found on the leather seats. The front bench has a fold down armrest and electrical seat controls on the driver's side seat shell. The rear seats mirror the front and are in great condition. The three spoke steering wheel is rimmed in ivory and gray. In a genius stroke of artful design, the four gauges on the dash are shaped like the Lincoln emblem, backed by a finned panel. Above that, the horizontal speedometer and large turn indicator lights. The column shifter's position is displayed by a column mounted indicator and an interior light casts a yellow glow on the original AM radio and vent controls. An elegant little rectangle analog clock sits to the right and the finned panel stretches the length of the dash masking the presence of air vents behind it. The black low pile carpet is in good condition and the underside of the soft top and supportive braces are also good.
Drivetrain
A 430ci V8 is under the hood which is reverse hinged. It's rated at 320hp and is fed fuel by a 4-barrel carburetor. Visually, the engine bay is driver quality. The transmission is a three-speed automatic Twin Range Multi-Drive by Borg Warner unit and a Ford 9" conventional axle with 3.25 gearing moves this large car down the road with ease. Power disc brakes are up front with power drums in the back. Our consignor states the master cylinder was replaced five years ago.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with typical surface rust and oil residue throughout. There are some areas of invasive rust and evidence of previous patch repairs as well. The dual exhaust comes from the engine to meet a pair of stock style mufflers and then resonators, leading to the tailpipes which end discreetly behind the rear bumper. Lincoln made efforts to both hide and silence exhaust noise. Independent coil suspension is found in the front and leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Everyone loves a good land yacht and one with a top that goes up and down is even better! A few pumps of petrol and a turn of the key and the big 430 cranks to life. We set sail with the quiet engine and simple yet luxurious cabin and made our rounds on the test loop. The car is a smooth cruiser with a cavernous interior and yes, a quiet engine. It's not designed for fast turns and will lean a bit, but it's a land yacht, not a speed boat. Meanwhile, we note some things that will need attention. Here are things that don't work: the passenger front power window, the power wing windows, power locks, the clock, the power top and we the power trunk lid. The passenger rear window works only with a switch on the rear door and the driver's rear window works only from the driver front door. We also noted that the shifter must be pushed up in order to start the car.
These convertible Lincolns with the suicide doors don't come up often for sale and this one provides lots of opportunities for restoration and enjoyment. The coolness factor will never go away but eventually, these cars will. So if this is your dream car as it is for so many, be sure to check in with the mall.
5Y86N433860
5-1965
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
86-Continental Convertible
N-430ci 4bbl 320hp V8
433860-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BDY 74A-Continental Convertible
COLOR G-Light Ivy Gold
TRIM 88-Gold Vinyl
DATE 06D-April 6th
DSO 16-Philadelphia
AXLE 4-Ford 9" 3.25 Conventional
TRANS 4-Twin Range Multidrive Automatic
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