1961 Lincoln Continental

VIN: 1Y86H419781; Convertible; Presidential Black / Red; 430ci V8 / Automatic; Mileage: N/A; Complete barn find, runs & drives, 430ci 2bbl V8, Turbo-Drive automatic, one of 2,857 built

1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Offered for auction, a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible showing 44,622 miles on the odometer, but the true miles are unknown. Stored for 40 years, this car presents in restorable condition. 1961 was the first year of the fourth generation Lincoln and included the coach, (suicide), rear doors that would become iconic. This car runs on an auxiliary source of gas and drives, but the brakes do not work.

Exterior
Our slab sided behemoth is covered in Presidential Black and includes a white canvas top with missing rear window. While the panels are mostly straight, there is a peppering of surface rust spots throughout, some of it a bit deeper, as well as dings and small dents, and a drilled hole in the hood. The grille is weathered but intact and is flanked by round headlights in an oval bezel, a one year only design. Big chrome bumpers and generously used stainless trim on the shoulder line and rocker panel accentuate the boxy and elegant design. Other metals including the surviving hood ornament, are pitted and the rear window track shows some corrosion.

Interior
What had to be spectacular when new, red leather covers the split bench and rear bench, now weathered and cracked but we're not seeing any major tears. The simple steering wheel is replete with patina and leads to a cleanly designed dashboard with the rounded rectangles Lincolns would be known for and the same utilized in the cross star emblem. A simulated woodgrain mid panel underscores the silver gauges and knobs are thin to maintain elegance. An AM radio tops the center stack over an open floor covered in weathered red carpet.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a dusty 430ci V8, rated at 300 horsepower and fueled with a 2-barrel carburetor and mated to a Turbo-Drive 3-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear axle and 2.89 gears.

Undercarriage
Surface rust heavily coats the underside which is otherwise solid. Power drum brakes were supplied on all four wheels and the dual exhaust, what's left of it, would have stock style mufflers and resonators, however there are missing lengths in the middle. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back.

Drive-Ability
While the car runs on an auxiliary source of fuel and goes into gears, the brakes are not working.

This generation of Lincolns, with the infamous suicide style rear doors, continue to be highly collectible and desirable in the marketplace. Just 2,857 convertibles were produced in 1961 making this a fairly rare opportunity.