Fantastic survivor, runs and drives like new, cold a/c, affordable luxury.

Description

If there’s one take-away that you should have regarding this 1967 Lincoln Continental coupe, it’s that it runs and drives like a new car. That’s not sales speak, not a hustle, not any kind of smoke-and-mirrors trick, just a plain fact. For a car of this age in this price range to feel as good as this one does going down the road is pretty darned remarkable. Add in the fact that everything works (including the A/C), a timeless color combination, a beautifully preserved original interior, and a clean undercarriage, and you have some A-list luxury welcome just about anywhere, all for the price of a 6-year-old Hyundai. Don’t believe me? Come drive it. You’ll quickly understand.

Ford’s familiar Wimbledon White never looks bad on a car from the ‘60s, and on the upscale Continental, it’s a great choice. Not formal like black but not dated like so many other colors of the period, it still fits in anywhere and looks good doing it. The car is well-traveled, being delivered new in Buffalo and eventually heading out west where it spent most of its life, a fact supported by the dirty but not rusty underside. It has been repainted once, probably decades ago, and if not for a few hidden spots where we can spot original paint on the undercarriage, we’d almost believe it’s factory paint. There’s a nice patina that shows age but not deterioration, it still shines up nicely, and you’ll never be ashamed to be seen in this big white coupe. Panel fit is exemplary, as we don’t believe the car has ever been apart, and these big Lincolns were some of that last truly crafted American automobiles. Lincoln delivered a superior experience (this was an outrageously expensive car when it was new) and that included the doors that close like the hatch of a submarine. You’ll also note the forward-swinging hood tilts easily and the giant trunk lid sits flush and has even gaps. None of that is possible on one of these cars if they’ been wrecked or patched up—unit-body cars just aren’t that forgiving. There’s also a black vinyl top, which we believe to be original, and it shows no signs of bubbling or other problems underneath, no popped seams, and not even any fading. The chrome is also in good order, with a few signs of use and age like a ding or two in the rear bumper and some pitting on the hood ornament, but nothing that needs to be repaired or replaced. This car has led a very easy life and it shows.

The black cloth and vinyl interior appears to be almost entirely original, including the beautifully crafted seat covers featuring the Lincoln cross emblem. There’s an enormous amount of space inside, yet it feels intimate and manageable, as if there’s not 5000 pounds of steel around you. The seats remain comfortable enough for long road trips and aside from some extremely light wrinkling on the outer edges of the driver’s seat, they show virtually no wear—the back seat looks new! The brushed stainless steel instrument panel is highlighted with black and chrome, no fake wood, so it has a clean ‘60s sensibility that will always be in fashion and it appears that only the carpets are replacements. The options list is lengthy: cold A/C, power windows and locks, a tilt steering column, power seat (the motor works but the seat does not move, perhaps an issue with the track—we have not investigated), as well as an ultra-rare power passenger headrest that works properly. There’s a newer AM/FM head unit that fits so neatly in the dash you may not immediately notice it has been replaced, and yes, the ribbon-style speedometer works as it should. There’s also a cavernous trunk with a matching spare tire assembly that’s never been used and the original jack still tucked behind the flap in the quarter panel area.

Lincoln’s giant 462 cubic inch V8 was in its final year in the ’67 Continental, delivering effortless torque to move the massive coupe with ease. We don’t have any rebuild history on the engine, but then again, when something runs this well, you leave it alone. There is no smoke, no evidence of internal trauma, and it isn’t even much of a leaker, leading us to believe that someone did some extensive work not too long ago. There’s also relatively fresh Ford Blue paint on the engine itself, along with the giant air cleaner, so it looks right. You can see evidence of the car’s easy life everywhere you look, including the inner fenders which are wearing original paint but zero rust. New belts and hoses, a rebuilt carburetor, and fresh tune-up parts are surely why this car runs so well. Turn the key and it starts almost like a modern fuel-injected engine, then quickly settles into a smooth 600 RPM idle. No fussing, no waiting for it to come off the choke, just turn the key and enjoy. There’s plenty of power on tap and the car feels lighter than it is thanks to the big engine’s nearly silent grunt, and even with the A/C on full blast, it doesn’t get hot or cranky in traffic. Mechanically, this car is right. 

The C6 3-speed automatic transmission shifts so smoothly you might miss it, but you’ll suddenly find yourself wafting along at 60 or 70 MPH in eerie silence, so you know it’s working right. The suspension has been fortified with recent shocks and bushings, along with some front-end components, so the legendary Continental ride quality remains 100% intact. There are no squeaks or rattles and bumps are a distant thump-thump that you barely hear and never feel. But don’t think this is just some mushy land barge, because it’s still got a tautness to it that we find reassuring. Brakes have also been recently serviced, including a new master cylinder, and they work as well as possible given the mass of the car. A brand new dual exhaust system had to have been expensive, as it features correct mufflers as well as factory-style resonators, a feature most guys skip for budget reasons but which is mandatory for that traditional luxury car silence. It’s also sitting on a set of brand new 235/75/15 whitewall radials with just a few hundred miles on them.

Documentation includes an owner’s manual and a factory service manual.

It’s a crime that these cars aren’t more valuable, but it also means that you can own 1967’s best luxury coupe for a bargain-basement price. This one isn’t rusty, drives beautifully, is loaded with options, and delivers a true luxury car experience that still feels decadent even today. A great opportunity to pick up a great car at a great price.