When this car was new in 1959, it was one of the most luxurious, most powerful, most optioned, most lushly trimmed, “ultimate dreamboat” American cars you could buy–and it had that magic name: “Continental”. It was also the longest standard car on the road, and more expensive than most Cadillacs!
And now, 66 years later, it sits by the side of a main road near Doylestown, Pennsylvania; a curious, enigmatic sight to the many motorists who drive by it each day. Most of these incredible Lincolns were unceremoniously fed into the squoosher half a century ago, but this elegant black coupe has somehow beaten the odds, and has survived well into the twenty-first century–a little worse for wear but surprisingly intact!
And it’s for sale! Yes, you can actually own this mid-century modern descendant of the great Lincolns of the classic era, if you’re so inclined. Let’s take a closer look:
A little patina here. Those lower bumper sections were susceptible to damage. When people used the factory bumper jacks, the cars were so heavy that the metal bumpers creased under the load!
The reverse-angled, power operated rear window makes the rear deck extremely long! To see it in person is quite awe-inspiring. The bumper and trunk edge trim form a graceful ellipse, fortified with terrifying diagonal bumper points. The six taillights are mounted in oblong, chromed pods–very “retro-future”.
There’s some wear on the seat upholstery, but maybe it could be spruced up?
A very luxurious place to be–that’s tufted Bridge of Weir white leather with contrasting black fabric. Could we do some stitching and innocuous patching of that front seat back?
Door panel: Trim quality was of a high order.
Not happy with the condition of the dash. I would want to replace it with another unit from a parts car that’s in better condition. Would that be an easy or hard job?
This is what it looked like when new. You can see that everything on these cars is so finely made. The pale gold over yellow gold gauge cluster looks truly rich and special!
Engine bay shot. This car has factory A/C, which the seller claims blows cold. This was a unique and very elaborate air conditioning system which was extensively described on CC in an earlier post. It has the unfortunate effect of making the engine compartment quite crowded.
Here’s the inside of that cavernous trunk.
Data plate (gold, of course!)
So our subject car is showing its age, but I wouldn’t turn it down because I actually love these cars! I would buy it, work on a few cosmetic and mechanical details, and then tool around in it because it is just so cool!!!
But now let’s take a detailed look at these extraordinary Continentals when they were showroom fresh and new:
While luxury competitors Cadillac and Imperial were offering far-out, incredibly finned spaceships, these Lincolns and Continentals have a certain upright “dignity” while looking very modern at the same time. Driving a black Continental coupe like this is sort of like the equivalent of wearing a shiny top hat and tails!
Yes, older classy people in the ’50s still wore clothes like that!
The factory photos for the 1958-60 models were truly fabulous! Here we have a Continental 4-door hardtop in Glacier White over Linden Green.
So many beautiful color choices in 1959: solids and two-tone combinations. What color would you like for your new Lincoln?
Lincoln tried to position these latter-day Continentals as direct descendants of the very exclusive Continental Mark IIs of 1956-57. And in fact, if you see a Mark II and one of these 1958-60 models in person, there is a certain “family resemblance”. Especially in coupe form (and especially in black), a person at that time who didn’t know much about cars might easily believe that this new Continental is in fact on the same level as the previous Mark IIs. I remember reading in one of Popular Mechanics’ “Owners’ Reports” that a buyer purchased a 1958 Continental Mark III for $8,000 out the door, thinking he had made a great deal since the Mark II retailed at $9,966! He then discovered that these later Continentals were simply high-trim and slightly re-styled Lincoln models. If he had known that, he later admitted, “I wouldn’t have bought it.”
Original styling mock-up. I’m all for chrome, but I’m glad those front fender louvers were ultimately dropped!
You may be wondering what these monster Lincolns are like to drive. I actually got to drive a ’60 around the block once, but that was a long time ago. Contemporary magazine drive reports came to the general consensus that the Lincoln feels smaller and easier to handle than you’d expect, despite its gargantuan outside dimensions. Acceleration was quite brisk, with Road & Track managing to bang out 0-30 in 3 seconds. At high turnpike speeds, the Lincoln remained “rock steady”. I’m sure the 430 cubic inch/375 horsepower V-8 just loafs along much of the time, running like a silent turbine.
The 1958-60 Lincolns get a fair amount of criticism for their avant-garde styling, particularly the front end design with its diagonal quad headlights. Of the three model years, I like the ’58 the best (the purest, original form); the ’59 a little less so, with ’60 being my least favorite. (That’s progress!) I actually love ’em all, it’s just a matter of degree. I will also state that there is a very big difference between seeing a picture of a car, and actually standing next to one and seeing everything visually interact in three dimensions. And based on that live experience (which is what really matters) I think these Lincolns (like other cars of the ’50s) are quite amazing to behold, and possess a charisma that many later car models seem to lack.
Also the 58-60 generation (though highly sculptured) is free of imitative styling affectations, like the rather silly spare tire “hump” on the Mark II (which I don’t think the car needs). Later Lincolns piled on the cheese-y “broughamtastic” stuff like the plastic fake wood (which fooled nobody); imitation “Rolls-Royce” grilles, and other pseudo-luxury tack-ons. I give credit to the 1961 Lincoln Continentals for being a “pure form” without fakery, using real wood veneer on the dash, and maintaining a level of craftsmanship that was close to what had come before.
Ford product planners apparently thought that the way to beat Cadillac was to exceed Cadillac in every way: build a kind of ultra-deluxe “super-car”–make it the longest, lowest luxury car ever; install the biggest, most powerful V-8 in America; give it unitized body construction for extra solidity; trim the interior to the highest standards; and finally, emblazon it with the glorious name, Continental–but price it “just above the fine-car field” so it remains within reach. Yes, it was over-ambitious–and there were some faults in the execution. But as Niccolo Machiavelli once said, “Make no small plans, for they have no power to stir men’s souls.”
I think one of the biggest changes in auto styling is the change from the 60 to 61 Lincoln. It’s like a hard line between the 50’s and 60’s. The TV show FantomWorks did an episode on one of these cars and getting parts was challenging. I can never decide if I hate these cars, or love them.
Someone should save this.
Not me.
If I did, I’d only touch up some details and drive it looking like this.
The front bumper damage I’d probably fix. That pattern is from a tow truck sling.
Towing it from the front is highly suspect, although this transmission might have had a “rear pump” so it could be push started. So it might be OK.
It is so refreshing to read a positive review of these wonderful creations. I’m with you, Stephen, in that I love 58-60 Lincolns and Continentals. My late best friend, Jim, had a very nice 58 Mark III four-door hardtop in Black with Black and White leather, and it was glorious. I wish I had bought it from him. 58 is my favorite as well. It is the most audacious, although the rear treatment on the 59 really gives it a run for its money. The dash lens on the 58-59 always cracks at the 55mph, there is an assembly issue that places stress at that spot. Reproduction lenses are finally available. The padded dash covers tend to deform much like a flat tire. But the rest of the interiors are quite rugged.
Jim had quite the stable of fine cars. A 61 Continental in Summer Rose with Rose Beige cloth and leather, a 61 Imperial LeBaron in Black with Black and Gray cloth and leather, and the 58 Continental Mark III.
The ugliest car ever built, by anyone, anywhere.
And good ‘ole Virgil Exner copied some of its weirder elements.
For starters, there’s those front fender ‘coves’ which I would imagine is what inspired Exner to put them on the even worse 1960 Plymouth.
And the canted headlights, a short-lived fad that found their way onto the one-year-only 1959 Buick. I always felt the GM car was the best application from the Big 3, with the 1961 Mopars (especially the last Desoto) being on par with the Lincoln.
With all that said, I’m still rather fond of the ‘breezeway’ rear window that would come back with mid-sixties Mercurys. Yeah, the styling was awkward, but as fads go, I thought that one would at least be useful in keeping a non-A/C car cool on hot summer days.
I still carry a small torch for these. I was full-on in love with them when I was maybe age 13, but am older and a little wiser, especially about the complexity of something like this.
Also, as much as I love big two-door cars, I never found these “coupes” as attractive as the 4 door hardtops. I recall reading somewhere that the convertibles actually outsold the 2 door hardtops. Anyway, I hope someone rescues this one and gives it the love it deserves.
A melancholy visit to the times when LINCOLN tried to OUT-CADILACK Cadillac. And testament to *LINCOLN, what a Luxury CAR should be * as later stated in advertising. Make no mistake, This BARGE was Large and in charge on the highway. Unfortunately this generation of Lincolns failed to achieve its goal. 58 was a perilous Time for the auto industry for various reasons, especially a deep recession. Changes in Ford top level management might have axed Lincoln. The next downsized Lincoln Continental reportedly saved Lincoln from obscurity. IMO their only redeeming feature. A firm believer in OTT excessive chromed luxury and Too much is NEVER enough, these Lincolns hit the MARK 👌. I definitely hope someone gives a full resurrection as befitting a LEGEND!
Going back, it’s amazing variety of colors available. Today colors are few and basically drab. Like most current SUVS and crossovers, masquerading as Luxury vehicles. It can be Tarrifying! 😲
The Beech 50 Twin Bonanza posed with the Lincoln in the last photo is the perfect match. The Cessnas in the background are for the others; the plane of that Lincoln’s owner would be the big Beech twin. It is like the Lincoln – overbuilt, rugged, high quality, expensive and definitely not mass market. Same type owner – business operator, board member, high level professional, country club. Both the Lincoln and the Beech made a statement upon arrival at the parking lot or FBO ramp.
Great catch on the plane, I didn’t even notice the background on that shot!
The front doors look too short They should be a lot longer. Without that touch, it gives the impression that the rear doors have simply been omitted, and kinda ruins the styling for me, which otherwise I can stomach as am example of late 2950s excess. Except they cheapness out on the doors.
Great pictures!
Excellent work up, Stephen. You’re right, unless you experience one in person, there’s no way to appreciate how stunning they are, especially the convertible.
Neat interior, and the exterior is fascinatingly fugly!
I also endorse the positive review of these. You have to take it in context, look at the ’59 Cadillac and Imperial or a ’58 Buick. I think they were too advanced in some areas, particularly the lack of chrome and also the linear lines. Stack the headlights vertically and compare to a ’65 Cadillac.
I recall they were banned from demolition derbies because the combination of mass and stout unibody made for an unfair advantage.
I purchased this kit completely built on the auction website and took it apart and refinished it. I love to look at it. You’ll see both of these cars on the old Perry Mason show.
An architect friend of Dad’s bought a new ’58 Continental Mk III in White, it was a truly gigantic and stunningly different car. Matched well with his gorgeous new modern glass & stone MCM house that had a floor to cathederal ceiling stone wall complete with waterfall and tropical plants in the front foyer… magnificent! The ’58 was a fitting companion to the house, even more radical than the tamed down a bit ’59/60 versions, and utterly way-out there, far more so than an Imperial or Cadillac…it was “Unique in all the World” to borrow a phrase from a later sibling.
Your description reminded me of a picture I saw years ago. At the time it was said that cars were becoming object d’art so we need to bring the living space into the garage to admire the car. Notice what car they used.
It’s been for sale seemingly forever on Craigslist at almost $14K.
Optimistically highly priced for its condition and what it is:
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/d/doylestown-1959-lincoln-continental/7836737228.html
I have a question related to these: When did Ford’s “Continental Division” cease to exist? I know it was created to sell the ’56-57 Continental Mark II, with the Continental Division broken out from Lincoln to be an even more upscale car; thus the Mark II was not a Lincoln. But when was the Continental Division actually axed? From what I understand, it was actually a bit after the Mark II was discontinued, and the ’58 Continental Mark III had no Lincoln ID on it. The ’59 Mark IV here clearly shows “Lincoln” on the placard, yet the promo sheet with the blue Mark IV still lists it as a product of “Continental Division – Ford Motor Company”. So when did Continental as a separate marque officially end?
The spare tire in the Mark II is actually where the hump on the trunk lid suggests. Very inconvenient for loading and removing luggage.
around the time that Ford went public, i.e., a traded stock on the NYSE. 1956 or 1957 at the latest.
As Rick said in the first of the responses here, what a contrast between this and the 61 Continentals. This ’59 is interesting and probably historically noteworthy, but I can’t say I really like it. Too garish for my tastes, although at least part of that was likely intentional. Still, even just at a car show it would be a treat to see a rare one like this.
I’ve never really liked these but they certainly are impossible to ignore .
Depending on the overall condition maybe $12K isn’t too much, cold AC is a rare thing on older classics .
I too would polish them wax the paint, re chrome the bent bumpers and re trim the seats then drive it as is .
-Nate
Pleasantly surprised that someone retrofitted a new brake booster and dual master cylinder. Having experienced total brake failure in an old single circuit brake system years ago, that upgrade would be the first improvement I’d make to a pre-1967 vehicle for peace of mind in today’s traffic conditions. Evidently someone else thinks like I do.
The part from the “rear window”, back is longer (I think) than a lot a small cars are now a days.
Used to see these in daily use as a kid. I remember a white or cream one at a home where I delivered the newspaper, plus others on the road. Then as now, an acquired taste. For Lincoln, it was a stylistic dead end.
No where as cool of a car as the 56s….but still interesting. MEL is a unique engine, almost an FE lol. Like Ford did with the Lincoln yblocks.