1962 Lincoln Continental Convertible
For consignment, a 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible with a title verified 88,627 actual miles, meticulously cared for by the previous owner and wearing the color Lincoln thought of highly enough to include in several photographs of it in that 1962 catalog. And they were right, this car is still special after more than 60 years despite the ever changing landscape of automotive design and tastes. This is a classic car for the ages, and we are always glad to welcome them to our Hallowed Halls.
Exterior
An astounding twenty colors were offered in 1962, and today's car is bathed in Sultana White which covers the big body panels of this luxury ride, a notably square car with right angles instead of curves. Plenty of straight steel grows ever increasingly more beautiful as you view a horizontal ribbed grille, dual headlights and a lower massive chrome bumper adorning the corner edges of the front of the car. The rear quarters of the white car sport scripted Continental chrome badging, polished wheel opening trim, and a polished rocker panel. A fantastic top trim piece runs along the top edge of the fender and continues stem to stern, running through the doors and bumping up slightly to the trunk and rear quarter edge, but it is the overall lack of vents, fins, and trim that make these cars unique. A slightly curved windshield trimmed by a wide polished frame that runs around the entire stretch of glass. 14-inch wheels wear white lined tires and correct hubcaps that are in excellent condition and add to the luxurious intent. The white canvas top and its plastic window are in great shape and since white tops often bear the brunt of usage and age, we're pleased with the presentation of this one. Imperfections include a corner metal trim piece that is pitted, large bubbles on the decklid, and some bubbling down low.
Interior
We begin by opening the doors and the barn style configuration shares a shortened B-pillar and allows easy access to front and back. The door panels are a handsome arrangement of smooth red leather, brushed aluminum hardware and panel, chrome handles, a broad courtesy light, and a carpeted lower. The column tufted split bench seat is also covered in red leather, showing a bit of patina through typical creasing, but fully intact and clean, and the driver's side enjoys robust switchgear on the base for adjustments. In the back, the wide bench is in excellent condition, also split by the same stowable armrest found in the front. The outer rim of the steering wheel is red, and the horn ring and spokes are polished metal, and this pattern is copied on the column shifter which ends with a red handle. Upfront the dash has a unique design with its horizontal speedometer in the center surrounded by two Lincoln logo shaped gauges with more brushed aluminum motif on a red background. The mid panel strip contains the A/C controls and wiper switches and on the lower dash, red rocket-like knobs for lights, locks and other features. The uniquely shaped AM radio fits in a slot made for it, all in a red dashboard that carries over to a deep glove box in front of the passenger. Red loop carpet on the floor is in very good shape and protected front and rear with plush, red carpeted mats, also looking good. The trunk, which is hinged in the rear, is clean and lined with gray cloth panels and the spare is covered in coordinated materials.
Drivetrain
The reverse opening hood reveals our clean powerplant and we note the insulation pads on the hood could use some restoration. But the engine itself is clean and fully presentable. It's a 430ci V8 rated at 300 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. A Lincoln Turbo Drive 3-speed automatic transmission is connected and sends power to the rear wheels with 2.89 gears. This land yacht demands power, and so power brakes are provided as drums on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean underneath with an amazing lack of surface rust and instead looks uniformly black. There's a single drop of transmission fluid on the pan and some grease and road dirt build up way back on the rear differential, but the remainder of the underside is dry. Dual exhaust mirrors each other on their way to stock style mufflers and resonators before dumping downward, out of sight behind the rear bumper. Suspension consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
The car starts right up, and the exhaust system keeps noise to a minimum, this is a luxury car after all! The seats are soft and comfortable and the large, raked windshield allows good forward visibility over the hood which resembles an aircraft carrier. Smooth, flat, and with good power, the Lincoln floats across our test loop with confidence and absorbs road imperfections. We note that the A/C is not working, nor are the wipers, and the car pulls to the left during driving and braking. Beyond these things, all other functions, switches, lights, and systems operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
With twenty color possibilities along with a slew of interior configurations, Sultana White over red leather, may be one of the best. That's subjective of course, but perusing the 1962 sales brochure indicates that Lincoln thought the press and poster car, the star of the show, would be white on red. The cream tones and oxblood interior is just right, and this three dimensional version of the poster car is ready for its next starring role...in your garage!
2Y86H426281
2-1962
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
86-Continental 4 Door Convertible
H-430ci 4bbl V8
426281-Sequential Unit Number
