West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional mostly all original surviving example of this legendary 1966 Lincoln Continental 4 door Convertible with its highly striking and rare original 'Cranberry Cardinal Red' color paint (Color Code T) with matching and desirable leather seats in 'Red' color trim interior (Trim Code 85) and original factory specifications and desirable factory options including; C6 Dual Range 3 Speed Automatic Transmission, 3.00:1 ratio axle, Heater & Defroster, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power windows, 6-Way Power front seat, Power antenna, Power top, Chrome Curb Guards, Automatic Headlight Dimmer, Electric Clock, Padded Instrument Panel, Speed Control, Remote Mirror, original AM/FM radio, cruise control and it's original 462 c.i. / 340 bhpV8 engine!
This particular example has it's original factory correct and very rare and unusual 'Cardinal Red' color paint with one bare metal professional repaint some years ago and with a very nice all original and matching 'Red' leather color interior with matching carpets and a virtually new white power soft top and with only very minimal wear throughout consistent with this car's low mileage originality such as some very minor tears in the driver seat cushions. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has no signs of any accidents - obviously a mostly garaged example with all power options including the power soft top working as it should with the power top mechanicals and window electrics having been completely overhauled by the renown Lincoln expert, John Cashman.
The car was originally purchased in Seattle, Washington in 1966 by its original owner and was obviously proudly owned until sold by his estate in 1983 to only it's second owner, a Palm Springs desert, southern California gentleman who had owned, garaged and babied the car until 2015 when we purchased the car in Palm Springs and we subsequently sold it to only it's third owner in Texas. We were recently offered this same car again from that same Texan third owner we had sold it to in 2015, who had decided to sell it after driving less than 4,000 miles, and we jumped at the chance and are therefore now proud to be offering the same car for sale again for the second time in it's history, only some three years later!
The car boasts its original owners handbook and build sheet and all its original service records since 1983 and from looking at this thick file of extensive records you will see that at no time was any expense spared on this particular vehicles preventive maintenance. The car was understood to have had an original mileage of 85K from its previous owner in 1983 and from its condition we would certainly concur with this assessment. The top end of the engine was overhauled with hardened valve seats in 1988 and the mileage is now just over 114K. All the power options work as they should including all the power windows, the soft top mechanism, the power antenna, power seat, the AM/FM radio and quite extraordinarily, even the original factory clock!
The car has it's original 462 c.i. V8 engine which is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent! This particular car also drives very well - it must really be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money!
The flagship Lincoln model in 1963 was redesigned from the previous year with a new grille and rear panel and added rear legroom and importantly the cars electrical system was updated when Ford replaced the previous years generator with an alternator. This years model also earned its name in infamy as being the very same model car in which President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, that very year. In 1961, the Continental replaced the Lincoln Capri and Premiere consolidating Lincoln into a single product line. The Lincoln Continental was the only 4 door convertible offered on the American market and the suicide doors that opened to the center and were hinged to the body instead of the center pillar were a natural hallmark of the car for the years to come and interestingly were originally a purely practical decision by the Lincoln engineers as the cars wheelbase was shorter than its predecessors and the doors were hinged from the rear to ease entry to the rear seats. The entire body of the car is welded into a single unit and an unprecedented number of long-life service components such as a fully sealed electrical system were added to the car and the car was thoroughly protected from corrosion by factory applied four coats of baked enamel. The solid construction, they were built so solidly that the car was heavier than any car from the Cadillac or Imperial line, boosted the cars reputation as both the finest and most handsome mass produced domestic automobile of its time.
This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful and rare great daily driving and rust free example of a beautifully preserved 1966 Lincoln Continental Convertible with only very minor imperfections consistent with its age! A super striking example which is perfect car for the Lincoln enthusiast or simply a great daily driving and turn-key ready example of one very fine classic 1960's American classic car for any classic American classic car collector!
