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Discover The History The Lincoln Continental

Posted on 2021-04-21

The Lincoln Continental is one of the most iconic luxury sedans ever to hit the U.S. market. These vehicles persevered through World War II and the Ford Motor Company's early concerns about the sedan's sales, lasting all the way to 2020. As Lincoln's flagship luxury vehicle, the Continental offered buyers the chance to ride in ultimate comfort and style. Anyone interested in the Lincoln Continental may want to know more about how the car persisted through challenges and evolved over eight decades.

Review this brief history of the Lincoln Continental to find out more about the vehicle's rich history.

Origins of the Lincoln Continental

Edsel Ford, the son of the founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, set out to build on what his father started by providing high-quality vehicles to drivers across the U.S. As the President of the Lincoln Motor Company, he wanted to make his mark on the automotive industry by crafting a car meeting every standard for design excellence. 

While Edsel's father had built Ford Motor Company's reputation for producing powerful V-8 engines and dependable vehicles, Edsel wanted to set out on his own path, crafting a luxurious car. When Edsel and his wife, Eleanor Ford, visited Europe in 1938, the inspiration for the Lincoln Continental struck. While he traveled, he noticed the elegance and design of European vehicles, inspiring him to create a vehicle emulating European style.

Once he returned to the U.S., he challenged Bob Gregorie, a yacht designer turned automotive designer, to help him produce the Lincoln Continental. Gregorie took him up on the challenge, designing a convertible coupe based on the Lincoln Zephyr's chassis. Edsel reviewed Gregorie's progress daily, sharing his vision for the car that Gregorie then turned into a reality. By October 1938, Gregorie had the drawings for the vehicle completed, and by the beginning of 1939, Lincoln started production of the prototype car. 

This prototype was named the Lincoln Zephyr Continental. The Continental's design was low and sleek to give the sedan a fast look. During the design process, Edsel had Gregorie remove 4 inches from the body to make it lower and added special panels to increase the hood's length by 12 inches. He also went against Gregorie's desire to place the spare tire in the trunk, insisting he mount the tire to the car's rear to improve its speedy appearance. 

After the prototype, Edsel ordered two more Continentals for his sons. These Continentals were 3 inches lower and 8 inches longer than the prototype, giving the vehicle an even sleeker appearance. Once Edsel drove the prototype around and saw it turn heads, he ordered production on the car to begin. 

Generations of the Lincoln Continental

Edsel and Gregorie's work would prove to be a success. Despite some setbacks in the Lincoln Continental's history, it persevered and provided buyers with a luxury car experience for eight decades. Lincoln began production of the vehicle in 1939, kicking off a 10-generation run lasting until 2020. During its time on the market, the vehicle evolved significantly and made its mark on automotive history.

Find out more about each generation of the Lincoln Continental below:

First Generation: 1940 to 1948

After Edsel approved the Lincoln Zephyr Contentinal, production began in 1939, with 25 1940 models produced. Through 1940, Ford produced just over 400 Continentals. Most of these models were cabriolets, a mix between a convertible and a coupe, but Lincoln also offered some coupe models.

Every single one of these models was hand-built, featuring whipcord and leather upholstery and trim pieces with Lincoln Zephyr branding. The car came with a powerful though quiet Model H V-12 engine. The design of the car caused the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright to call it "the most beautiful car ever designed" and purchase two of them.

In 1941, Lincoln dropped Zephyr from the name, shortening it to the Lincoln Continental. The company made the first round of major changes to the car in 1942, giving this model a redesigned grille and squared-up fenders. These design adjustments gave the vehicle a heavier and boxier look to make it fit in with other automotive design trends of the time. Before production temporarily ceased later in 1942 due to the U.S.'s need to repurpose factories for World War II, the car was incredibly popular.

After the wartime hiatus, Lincoln resumed production of the Continental in 1946. Unfortunately, the company found it difficult to continue manufacturing the car due to changing production techniques and buyer tastes. Though the car served as the Indy 500 pace car in 1946, drivers simply weren't interested in a small production luxury car, causing Lincoln to drop the car from its lineup in 1948. 

One of the main reasons why Lincoln couldn't adjust the Continental to new conditions was Edsel's death in 1943. Without his vision for the car, the company couldn't find a way to change the car or market it successfully to an evolving market of car buyers. Throughout the first generation, Lincoln produced a few thousand Continentals. Though enthusiasm faded for the car, many buyers today still prize the car for its elegant design and excellent driving.

Second Generation: 1956 to 1957

Lincoln brought back the Lincoln Continental in 1956 after eight years of it being off the market. They branded this new generation of Continentals as Mark IIs, and they marketed the new Mark II as a premium vehicle, with the company ensuring the car retained much of its European influence. The car was one of the most expensive vehicles from a domestic manufacturer, selling for $10,000.

This high-priced Continental came with several power-equipment features standard to justify the cost. When buyers purchased the Continental, it arrived with full instrumentation, power brakes, power seats, power vent windows and power steering. Buyers could also purchase air conditioning as an optional feature. With all of the sedan's features and high-price, Lincoln wanted the Continental to rival other luxury brands, like Bentley and Rolls-Royce. 

The sedan's design featured a low-slung chassis with a unique interior and body panels. Great care was put into their production as employees sanded and finished these body panels by hand. Like the Mercedes-Benz 300ds and Rolls-Royces, the Mark II only had chrome trim on the bumpers, grille and window trim, and it also had an almost flat trunk lid and flat hood. Lincoln also moved the Continental's spare tire from a separate assemblage to the deck lid stamping. 

During this generation, Lincoln improved the vehicle's performance, adding a Lincoln Y-block V8 engine with an output of 285 horsepower in 1956 and another with 300 horsepower in 1957. The car only came with an automatic transmission. Additionally, Ford improved the vehicle's suspension by adding front wheel shock absorbers, giving drivers greater handling out on the road. 

While the Mark II was an impressive vehicle, it wasn't a financial success for Lincoln. The company produced nearly 3,000 of them, but they lost $1,000 for every car build since they sold the sedan to dealerships for $7,500 even though the vehicle cost $8,500 to produce. Part of the reason why the vehicle was so expensive to make was Lincoln's choice to continue producing all of them by hand. The car's financial losses caused Lincoln to cease production of the Mark II in 1957.

Third Generation: 1958 to 1960

After the financial losses from the second generation, Lincoln decided to adjust their strategy. Instead of marketing the vehicle as a luxury sedan competitor to Bentley and Roll-Royce, they rebranded their third-generation as a Cadillac and Imperial competitor. Ford required Lincoln's Continental Division to drop the price of the Continental down to $6,000 so it could better brand itself. To keep costs lower, Lincoln integrated the Continental with their standard Lincoln model.

This change in production made it so these vehicles would no longer be built by hand, allowing the vehicle to be produced in greater quantities and at faster speeds. Though Lincoln integrated the Continental's production with their standard model, the sedan retained its own look, with a unique grille, trim and roofline. One of the most defining features of the Continental Mark III through V was the reverse-slanted roofing and its retractable rear window, giving the car augmented interior ventilation.

The 1958 version of the Continental was dubbed the Mark III. Lincoln offered this version of the Continental in a two-door convertible or hardtop, a four-door hardtop sedan and a four-door pillared sedan. Buyers could also purchase an FM radio tuner, air conditioning and Auto Lube, a feature designed to help the car lubricate itself.

1959 saw the arrival of the Mark IV. This Continental featured some restyling, as Lincoln reduced how deeply drawn the side sculpting was and removed the front bumpers' Damgars. Ford also adjusted the grille into an egg-crate design, with headlight clusters integrated into them. Additionally, the vehicle came with updated fender badging.

The Mark V in 1960 closed out the final year of the third generation. Ford restyled the Continental, moving the badging to the car's rear fenders and flattening the front bumpers. They also added four new horizontal chrome spears to the front fenders and revised the grille. Ford completely redesigned the Continental's rear bumper and rear grille. They made another big change by giving the rear suspension leaf springs instead of coil springs. Buyers could also purchase cruise control for the vehicle for the first time.

Despite the changes to the Lincoln Continental in this generation, the company lost $60 million during this time period. These losses caused Robert McNamara, Ford's vice president for vehicle operations, to tell Lincoln's management that the Continental should be discontinued.

Fourth Generation: 1961 to 1969

Even though there were some detractors to continuing the Continental's production, the fourth generation began in 1961, with the Lincoln division of Ford seeing it as their last chance to make the car work. If they wanted Ford to keep the car in its lineup, the luxury sedan needed to become profitable.

The company dropped the Mark name from the vehicle, calling it simply a Lincoln Continental. The 1961 Lincoln Continental was 15 inches shorter than the previous Mark V, and it had 8 fewer inches on its wheelbase. To achieve a high standard of quality and outclass other mass-produced domestic automobiles, Ford ensured the car went through an in-depth post-build inspection and had a solid construction.

Performance-wise, the fourth generation ran on the same engine as the Mark V, sticking with the 430 cubic-inch MEL V8. The 1966 models received a 462 cubic-inch engine with 340 horsepower, the largest displacement engine ever installed in a Ford passenger car. Later, in 1969, Ford placed a 460 cubic-inch V8 engine in the Continental. Like Continentals of the past, the car initially came with a three-speed automatic transmission. In 1966, Ford added a C6 automatic transmission to serve the high-horsepower, big-block V8 engines better.

Ford only offered Lincoln Continental's as a four-door body style, with convertible and sedan models offered. The four-door convertible style was especially notable as it was the first four-door vehicle created by an American manufacturer since World War II. These Continentals also came with new rear-hinged doors and a warning light on the dash alerting drivers about open doors.

In 1966, the four-generation Lincoln Continental went through another redesign, and Lincoln offered a two-door pillarless hardtop to consumers. Lincoln also transformed the vehicle's appearance by giving it a fresh new body, with 5 additional inches added to it to provide rear passengers more legroom. The company also raised and widened the car by an inch, and they added curved side glass to the vehicle. 

Near the end of its production in 1968, Lincoln added new safety features to meet federal safety standards. For example, they gave the vehicle's fenders a wraparound design so the front turn signals, parking lights and taillights met standards for side marker lights. The outboard front seats also received torso seatbelts. Notably, the company released the 1969 model as a Mark III, bringing the Mark name back. Overall, the sedan saw increased sales, with them being high enough to justify the vehicle's fourth-generation and keep the Continental going into a fifth generation.

Fifth Generation: 1970 to 1979

Following the fourth generation's success, Ford gave Lincoln the green light to go ahead with a fifth generation of the vehicle. The new Continental model was the longest vehicle ever manufactured by Ford due to new five-miles-per-hour bumpers. This new generation of Lincoln Continentals didn't have their own chassis, sharing one with the Mercury Marquis instead.

Unlike the fourth-generation Continental, the fifth-generation Continental didn't have rear-hinged doors, opting for more standard front-hinged doors. Buyers could select from a two-door hardtop or a four-door pillared hardtop sedan, with Lincoln choosing not to offer a two-door convertible during this generation. All four corners of these Continentals utilized coil springs to improve the vehicle's suspension. From 1970 to 1974, Lincoln gave the car rear drum and front disc brakes. From 1975 on, buyers could purchase upgraded four-wheel disc brakes.

Throughout the fifth generation, the Lincoln Continental offered two engines to buyers. The first engine, a 460 cubic-inch V8 with 365 horsepower, ran from 1970 to 1979. In 1977, Lincoln offered a 400 cubic-inch V8 engine in California, dropping the horsepower to 159. For the following year, Lincoln made the 400 cubic-inch engine standard and discontinued the 460 for 1979 to comply with emissions standards and increase the sedan's fuel economy. 

In 1975, Lincoln made significant revisions to the vehicle's exterior to distinguish it more from the Mercury Grand Marquis. While revising the Continental, Lincoln restyled it so it looked more like the Continental Mark IV. Part of the redesign also included the addition of taillights featuring vertical units and an entirely restyled roofline. The two-door Continental came with a new square opera window and a fully pillared roofline, and the four-door Continental changed to a wide B-pillar. 

Lincoln continued to revise the fifth generation Continental through the 1970s. In 1977, Lincoln gave the vehicle a narrow radiator-style grille, replacing the Mercury-style wide grille. During the following year, Lincoln gave the car a version of the Mercury Grand Marquis's dashboard to save weight and increase parts compatibility between cars. In 1979, one of the few changes was Lincoln's addition of wood trim on the dashboard. From 1977 to 1979, Lincoln released a shape-edged, two-door coupe. 

Sixth Generation: 1980

The sixth generation of the Lincoln Continental was incredibly short-lived, as Lincoln only produced it in 1980. This generation was marked by significant downsizing, as federal fuel standards made large Continentals of the past financially unfeasible for Ford to continue. By cutting down on the vehicle's size, the company reduced the vehicle's curb weight. This downsizing, combined with a new four-speed overdrive transmission, improved the Continental's fuel economy significantly. 

Alongside offering greater fuel economy to buyers, the Continental also came with tons of new technological features. In addition to the four-speed automatic overdrive transmission, the Lincoln Continental had a digital instrument panel, a trip computer and electronic fuel injection featuring computer-controlled engine management. Lincoln gave the Continental a 5.0-liter V8 engine with 129 horsepower. Buyers could also choose to purchase a 351 cubic-inch Windsor V8 with 140 horsepower

The Continental switched to the Ford Panther platform for its chassis, with two-door coupe and four-door sedan body styles available to buyers. Though the sixth-generation Continental featured a rear-wheel-drive powertrain and the same body-on-frame layout of the previous generation, the new platform made the Continental much smaller and a little bit lower, with the curb weight reduced as a result.

Despite all of these changes, the Continental still had the driving feel of a big car. Lincoln kept this feel by changing the vehicle's suspension geometry. They also improved the car's power steering, which made its handling better. On the road, the 1980 Lincoln Continental had a reduced turning diameter and more agile maneuvering when compared to the previous year's offerings.

Lincoln also released the Mark VI in 1980, and the model outlasted the standard Lincoln Continental, staying in production until 1983. The Mark VI differed from standard Continentals by their inclusion of full-width taillamps and exposed headlights. This version of the Mark series was the first one to go through downsizing. These vehicles ran on a 4.9-liter fuel-injected V8, with 129 horsepower and the same four-speed overdrive automatic transmission of the standard Continental.

Seventh Generation: 1982 to 1987

During the sixth generation, Lincoln saw they had a major issue, as the Mark VI and Lincoln Continental were too similar to one another, with both serving as full-size luxury sedans. While Lincoln attempted to solve this issue, they didn't release a Lincoln Contentinal for the 1981 model year, waiting to release a 1982 model instead. 

When the 1982 model released and kicked off the seventh generation, it was the first-ever mid-size Lincoln Continental. This change in size helped to differentiate it from the Mark VI, which was still in production. Instead of building the seventh-generation Continental on the Ford Panther platform, Lincoln switched to the Ford Fox platform to accommodate the shift to a mid-size. Due to the new platform, the sedan was shorter, the wheelbase lost a few inches, and it was lighter.

This model of Lincoln initially started with a couple of different engines — a standard 5.0-liter V8 with 131 horsepower or an optional 3.8-liter V6 with 112 horsepower. In 1983, the company replaced both these engines with a fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8 engine with 130 horsepower and a four-speed Ford AOD overdrive transmission. For a short time during the 1984 and 1985 model years, buyers could also opt for a turbodiesel engine.

Alongside the engine options, Lincoln gave the vehicle self-sealing tires and gas-charged shock absorbers, which were industry firsts. As for the car's design, Lincoln's rear half had a sloping decklid, and the side featured a horizontal brushed-chrome strip. In 1984, Lincoln also updated the sedan's styling by providing it with revised taillamps and new flush-fitting front and rear bumpers. Additionally, the company made the Continental look more aerodynamic by including an angled grille and recessed quad lamps on the front fascia.

1984 also saw the new Mark VII hit the streets, with the model running until 1994 across the standard seventh and eighth Continental generations. Like the standard Continental, the Mark VII downsized to a mid-size segment to separate it from the full-size Lincoln Town Car. Since the standard Lincoln Continental only came in a four-door body style, the Mark VII's two-door body-style was an excellent alternative for some buyers. This vehicle was largely defined by its greatly improved handling when compared to its predecessors.

Eighth Generation: 1988 to 1994

The eighth generation of Lincoln Continentals kicked off in 1988 and lasted until 1994. Due to increased competition from more luxury vehicle competitors, such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln decided to make some major changes to the Continental. Like the previous generation, Lincoln only offered the Continental in a four-door sedan body style, but it was built on a unibody chassis shared with the Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus and was the first Continental sedan sold with front-wheel drive. 

Differing from the seventh generation, the eighth-generation Continental didn't have a V8 engine available for consumers to select. Instead, the 1988 Lincoln Continental had a 3.8-liter V6 engine with 140 horsepower. Lincoln also added variable-assist power steering and an adaptive ride suspension as standard features. Later, Lincoln raised the 1991 Continental's horsepower to 155, and for the 1993 model, they raised the horsepower again to 160. Like Continentals of the past, the eighth generation featured a four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. 

Its more conservative styling defined the overall design of the eighth generation. For example, Lincoln removed the previous generation's sloping trunk lid from the design, resulting in greater trunk space. They also added a long deck, upright C-pillar and a chrome grille. Lincoln redesigned the Continental's dashboard so dual airbags could fit to improve the vehicle's safety. Despite the vehicle's conservative appearance, this inclusion of airbags for both the driver and front passenger was incredibly forward-thinking, as it was the first U.S.-made vehicle to receive them.

In 1989 and 1990, Lincoln outfitted the Continental with some minor revisions, such as new taillights, hood ornaments and grilles. 1993 saw more substantial changes, as the 1994 Continental model received all-new bodyside moldings, rocker moldings and bumpers. Lincoln also adjusted the exterior trim, transferring the Lincoln nameplate to the taillamps and grille, redesigning the decklid trim and revising the taillamps. 

Buyers enjoyed how much interior volume the Continental offered, as well as its lighter build even though it was a few inches longer than the seventh generation's model. Lincoln also offered a couple of upgraded trims, with an electrically heated windshield, keyless entry, CD player, different wheel options and a three-position memory seat available. In 1993, buyers could also select a console featuring a floor shifter, a cup holder and a storage armrest.

Ninth Generation: 1995 to 2002

The ninth generation of Lincoln Continentals ran from 1995 to 2002, seeing major changes to its interior and exterior. Throughout its generation, the vehicle only came in a four-door sedan body style. This vehicle took cues from the Mark VIII's exterior by adding more rounded lines to the body. Though the body was completely restyled for a more rounded appearance, it shared much of the previous generation's underpinnings.

A V8 engine made its way back to the ninth generation after its removal in the eighth generation. This new V8 engine was a 4.6-liter engine, offering 260 horsepower and allowing the car to hit a zero-to-60 miles per hour time of 8.2 seconds. In 1999, Lincoln increased the engine's horsepower to 275. This engine was the only one offered throughout the vehicle's seven-year run. In the first two model years, the vehicle's four wheels all had air ride suspension, and the 1997 model featured traditional front steel coil spring and rear air suspension. 

Lincoln gave their 1998 model a major facelift, restyling the front and rear of the vehicle. This new Continental resembled the 1998 Town Car's exterior. Lincoln also gave the car's dashboard a redesign. In 1999, buyers could purchase a Lincon with advanced features, like an Alpine audio system, a voice-activated cellular telephone and a Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit with global satellite positioning. Additionally, Lincoln offered other packages with upgraded technological features aimed towards those looking for improved driving, security or luxury in their Continental.

Lincoln only made minor changes to Continental between 2000 and 2002, with the most notable additions related to safety. By the end of the ninth generation's run in 2002, the Continental suffered from declining sales and competition from other Lincoln models, such as the Town Car and the LS V8. Due to these issues, Lincoln ended production of the Lincoln Continental, with new models not offered until the fall of 2016 when Lincoln released a 2017 model.

Tenth Generation: 2017 to 2020

After its long hiatus from the market, the Lincoln Continental returned in 2017. This Continental was based on the Ford CD4 platform, and it featured one of the longest wheelbases for a Lincoln sedan since the late 1970s. The vehicle differed from the previous split grille design of past Continentals, as Lincoln gave the vehicle a partially recessed grille and a rectangular design.

For the first time in the Lincoln Continental's history, Lincoln offered the car with all-wheel drive. Though front-wheel drive was still the standard on the base trim, buyers could purchase an optional all-wheel drive or an upgraded trim with it standard. Every trim for the 10th generation came with a six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could control the transmission via buttons located near the navigation touch screen, with a "Sport mode" option for drivers who wanted to receive more handling and control over their Continental.

All of the engine options for the Continental came as V6s. The base 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 engine offered 305 horsepower, but buyers could upgrade to a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 335 horsepower. Drivers who wanted to push their Continental to the limit could select a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 400 horsepower.

This generation of Continentals came with plenty of features, like lane-keeping technology and adaptive cruise control. Drivers could also utilize a 360-degree camera system to see the Continental in a virtual overhead view. Additionally, Buyers could choose a Revel 13- or 19-speaker audio system for premium audio quality.

In 2020, Lincoln announced it was ending production of the Lincoln Continental, stopping with the vehicle's 10th generation. The company attributed this end of production to declining sales in the full-size premium sedan segment and their desire to focus on SUVs. Unfortunately for Continental-enthusiasts, the company hasn't announced plans for a new generation, with the focus on SUVs making it unlikely we'll see a new generation of them for some time, if at all.

FAQs

If you're interested in the Lincoln Continental, you might have a few questions about the sedan. You may be wondering which Lincoln was the most valuable or which one was rarest. Check out some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about the Lincoln Continental:

Where Did the Continental Name Come From?

When Edsel Ford came up with the idea for the Lincoln Continental, he was traveling through Europe and was impressed by the sophistic appearance of the continent's cars. Since the car had European roots, the "Continental" name was apt, calling back to the sedan's source of inspiration.

What Was the Most Valuable Lincoln Continental?

The most expensive Continental Lincoln ever sold was a 2019-limited edition model made for the 80th anniversary of the vehicle. This car sold at the cost of $110,000, giving drivers rear-hinged passenger doors for the first time since 1969. These Continentals also came with the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, Black Label trim and all-wheel drive.

What Was the Rarest Lincoln Continental?

Two of the rarest Lincoln Continentals ever produced were the 1959-1960 Limousine and Town Car models. While the Town Car would eventually have its own model line, at the time, it was still a trim offered for the Continental. At this time, Lincoln only built 214 Town Cars and 83 Limousines. This limited production makes both of these unique models some of the rarest Lincoln Continentals ever sold.

What Is the Best Lincoln Continental?

If you're wondering what the best year is for the Lincoln Continental, you might be tempted to think the 10th generation. While the newest Lincoln Continental models provide drivers with a maximum amount of performance and comfort, it's hard to argue that the 1961 model isn't the best Lincoln Continental model ever produced.

The 1961 Lincoln Continental's iconic look inspired much of the design of other 1960s vehicles and set the tone for sedans of that decade. Its chrome fenders, rear fins and wraparound windshield still look great, and you're sure to turn heads driving it around town if you can get your hands on one.

Should I Buy a Lincoln Continental?

A Lincoln Continental is one of the best options you can choose when you want a luxury experience from your car. Later generations come with tons of bells and whistles, while classic models offer buyers the chance to ride around in style. If you're looking to purchase a classic Lincoln Continental, make sure you go through a reputable seller, such as Volo Auto Museum Sales.

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Find Your Dream Continental at Volo Auto Museum Sales

When you're looking for a classic vehicle or collector Continental, turn to Volo Auto Museum Sales. We offer various classic vehicles to our clients, such as those from Lincoln. Our on-site mechanics inspect all of our vehicles to ensure potential buyers know as much as possible about a car before they make a purchase. We also make it a point to provide a no-hassle sales experience, ensuring your time spent considering purchasing one of our vehicles is stress-free.

Review our selection of classic vehicles today. If you have any questions, please free to contact us.