1963 Lincoln Continental

Description

You have to admit that not many cars can wear 22-inch wire wheels better than this 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible. The "suicide door" Lincolns have become a pop culture phenomenon, which is driving prices ever upwards, but once you're behind the wheel, you'll quickly realize that these are pretty impressive cars even without the towering rolling stock.

Aside from the wheels, this big Continental ragtop seems to be pretty stock, which is definitely a good thing. The white paint was called Ermine White by Lincoln in 1963, and while it isn't this car's original color (that would be code N, Platinum), nobody will say it doesn't look great. These cars are astoundingly expensive to restore, so finding a good one like this is always a smart choice and you can see that it's led a good life because the doors fit well, the slab-sided bodywork is nice and straight, and the whole thing has a high-quality look to it. Many enthusiasts prefer these earlier cars for the purity of the design and the minimalist look, and I'm inclined to agree, as it makes the dramatic strip of bright trim along the tops of the fenders looks sharp. The bumpers are in excellent shape and the ornate grille is nicely finished, while out back the matching tail panel shows crisp detailing.

The blue interior is a great choice to complement the Ermine White paint and it's so nice that it has to have been restored at some point in the not-too-distant past. The seat covers and materials are authentic-looking and the four door panels with their real wood inserts are beautifully finished. Slightly darker carpets make for a pleasing contrast and the woodgrained steering wheel (which is actually original equipment) is in excellent condition. Features include power windows, including the vent windows, factory A/C, and that jewel-like instrument panel with sleek silver-faced gauges. In back there's a huge amount of stretch-out room, as if this were a convertible limousine, and it still carries its original AM/FM radio in the dash, a rather rare find in 1963. Most critical on these cars are the insanely complex top mechanisms, and we're happy to report that the white convertible top stows itself easily under the deck lid in a mechanical ballet that draws a crowd every time you do it. There's plenty of trunk space when the top isn't down and the storage area there is finished with a proper felt lining.

Lincoln's 430 cubic inch V8 is smooth and effortless in the Continental, providing the kind of big torque needed for a land cruiser like this. The engine bay is nicely finished, although not to show standards. The big air cleaner is the dominant part, but underneath you'll find a Ford Blue engine that idles so smoothly you'll have to double-check to be sure it's running. A dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers is maybe a tad too aggressive for a luxury cruiser like this, but there's no denying it has the horsepower to back up the soundtrack. The 3-speed automatic transmission and 9-inch rear end with 3.00 gears inside mean that this is a wonderful road trip vehicle and while it's not detailed underneath, there's also nothing to hide. Those big wire wheels currently carry 255/35/22 Nitto radials, but a set of original steel wheels and more conventional rubber would be easy to procure if that's your thing.

These cars are red hot in the market right now and even with the big wheels, it's easy to see this Continental's appeal. You won't find any nicer than this for less cash. Call today!