Few production designs age as gracefully as the 1961-63 Lincoln Continental. Its clean, restrained lines still stand out as the antithesis of the finned and chromed beasts that preceded it. As the Continental progressed through the decades, it lost its styling edge. But when the Continental concept debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January of 2002, it was clear somebody in Dearborn found what was once lost.
In the two weeks that separated the L.A. show from the Detroit Auto Show, Ford Motor Company announced the results of one of their many restructuring plans. The production Continental was canceled, making the concept a PR nightmare … "Gee, Mr. Ford, you just killed the Continental, what’s this concept about?" For the Detroit show, the newly out-of-the-spotlight concept was shunned and parked in a dark corner of the Lincoln display.
Lincoln is still struggling to find its way in terms of design. The MKR that debuted in Detroit this past January, while attractive, looks far more contrived than the 2002 Continental. With the success of Ford’s current Mustang, how much better off would Lincoln have been had they taken the historically inspired path with this Continental? With the average Lincoln Mercury dealer selling fewer than half a dozen cars per month, the company probably wouldn’t be worse off.
The 2002 Continental is stored at a facility near Ford’s World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Source: Internet
Would a Mustang-based Lincoln look like this? Click Here to read the complete article.
Source: Autoblog
Sold for $56,100 at 2010 RM Auctions.
The Lincoln Continental Concept was a powerful executive car that had an understated appearance. There were center-opening power-operated doors that operated independently. They had pillarless aperture on each side stretching nearly six feel with both doors open. The articulating hinges allowed the doors to be opened 90 degrees and a right frame that added structural rigidity along the A-pillar, rear roof pillar, sill and roof rails.
Under the hood was a 6.0-liter V12 engine that delivered 414 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. There were four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and a six-speed automatic transmission. The wheelbase measured 136.6-inches.
Each door panel and in the headliner featured indirect fiber optic lighting. Headlamps also utilize fiber optic technology, using a single light generator ducted by fiber to each of the four round headlamps. This requires less power than conventional halogen bulbs but produces two-and-a-half times the illumination. The instrument panel makes use of Organic Light Emitting Diode technology, which uses a light-emitting polymer film.
The deck lid is hydraulically-power operated and opens on a parallelogram linkage that keeps it horizontal at all times. When open, it provides easy access to three sliding storage draws fitted into the luggage compartment. A large luggage tray slides out by remote control to accept fitted Zero Halliburton luggage and golf club cases.
In 2010, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $50,000 - $70,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $56,100 inclusive of buyer's premium.
Source: Internet
