Saleofcar.com :Lincoln

Lincoln Continental (1961)
for sale

Price: US $24,750.00

Description:

This is a prime specimen of the first generation 1961 Lincoln Continental four door convertible. This immaculate, rust-free automobile has been a part of a private collection and only recently out of long term storage. The factory exterior color is Ditzler #71055 Summer Rose. The interior color is, I believe, Sultana White with Summer Rose carpets and trim accents. A truly classic 1961 color combination. When unveiling it in 1961, the factory dealer brochure used this color combination to showcase the beauty of this new model. I've added a picture at the very end of the photo array showing that original picture. These cars are just as breathtaking today as they were in the Fall of 1960 .
The suicide four door body has never been subject to any rust of corrosion since new. Immaculate rust-free panels on a Lincoln of this vintage is truly a collectors dream. Doors, hood, trunk panels open and close perfectly and all possess excellent panel gaps. Floors are perfect as is the trunk altogether demonstrating its damage-free, rust-free history. Windshield and door glass is excellent. Chrome bumpers are in very good condition with only a few dings and scratches that come with even the most careful of driving over fifty-five years. Diecast front and rear grilles are excellent, especially the rear chrome and accent paint which appears is if new. Many pieces on the exterior have been rechromed and are in very nice shape. No bondo, no suspension modifications, no irreversible damage as is getting to be more and more common these days with these cars.
Interior is complete. Front seat cover appears to have been redone at some point in the proper pattern while the rear seat is original in good overall condition. Carpets are brand new custom made loop in the proper Summer Rose color and bindings. The carpets include the proper front driver heal pad with the embossed Lincoln emblem. Interior wood paneling is original and in great cosmetic condition. Interior chrome and plastic is all in very good to excellent condition without the normally extensive pitting that is common with these cars. Radio is correct and plays great.
The cars electrical system is in good condition. Power windows and all power window switches work perfectly including the automatic-open/close feature for the rear windows. This feature opens and closes the two rear windows to eliminate window interference by depressing the door handle button or pulling up on the interior handles. Headlights, tail lights, turn signals, horn all operate and are in very good condition.
The car appears to have had a quality paint job several years ago which still appears quite lovely and shows well. Continental emblems and hood ornament are prefect. Stainless peak moldings on the exterior are all very nice including the proper rear driver side quarter panel molding and radio antenna.
All four road wheels and wheel covers are proper Lincoln fourteen-inch as was supplied by the factory. The wheels are rust and corrosion-free and the stainless steel caps in excellent condition with only minor road blemishes. The tires are brand new American Classic radials with the proper width whitewalls. The tires were ordered and installed less than a few weeks ago and have zero miles on them since installation. The tires, manufactured by Coker Tire Inc., are the only proper size 235/75-14 with the correct width whitewall tire currently available in the USA (possible on Earth).
Mechanically, the car runs and drives exceptionally well. We were told that the engine had been entirely gone through prior to reinstalling it into the car about fifteen years ago. While there are no files on this work, the engine and engine compartment are both in excellent condition and the engine starts and runs perfectly quiet. It appears that the exhaust system was replaced at that same time too. We were told that the car had less than 1, 000 miles on it after this work before putting into long term storage. We have flushed the radiator and engine that both proved to be sparkling clean. The system was then refreshed with new 50/50 Prestone antifreeze and purified RO water. I also replaced the upper and lower hoses and all three fan belts as a matter of proper maintenance. The factory carburetor was removed and professionally rebuilt to eliminate any issue with gasoline or varnish. All in all, the car runs and operates well mechanically. The air conditioning system is complete although we have not attempted to recharge it to check out its operation.
The cars brake system was throughly gone through at some point recently with new wheel cylinders, linings, hardware and renewed master cylinder. The car stops well in a straight line without pulling or pulsation.
Last but not least, the convertible top mechanism is complete with all relays and motors and cylinders and related parts. The convertible top material is not present as it appears that they were at that point of restoration when the owner passed away. The top motor operates when you pull the top actuator however, it does not rise. It is possible that it is nothing more than system needing hydraulic oil however, I'm not a lincoln expert or know enough about the system to test it. What I can tell you is that a complete new top in white or black is $590 (Ebay item #280767277577) and a complete new sealed pump system is $1, 380 (Ebay item #141640661434) including all of the hoses, solenoids, cylinders and entirely new pump from Hydo-E-Lectric, the premier supplier of these systems. These new systems are bulletproof and a nice upgrade over fifty year old technology. I mention these prices simply for you to know the worst case scenario with this part of the car.
In closing, is this a $100, 000 car? No, not at this very moment. With some proper attention to detail will it be that sort of classic? Absolutely yes. When buying an investment vehicle, the rule is to buy the very best, rust free and complete car that you can afford and improve upon it from there. This is that car. .
Thanks.

_{update: 2015-10-31}