Lincoln Continental 460 V8 - Classic Car

Lincoln Continental 460 V8 - Classic Car

For the past few months Best of Show has been expanding our collection of ''60s muscle luxury specializing in Cadillacs and Lincolns from an era where they were the ONLY way to travel if you were a high roller. Sinatra had a 4-door Continental like this one and used it to cruise through Vegas and Hollywood. Today they are great drivers that still carry a ton of cachet and are quickly gaining momentum among collectors as worthwhile investments. If triple black is just too formal for you take a good long look at this 29000 original mile 2-owner Arizona Continental in Turquoise over a white leather interior. It''s tight clean well-sorted and ready to cruise the strip today. If Sinatra''s Continental was triple black I bet Sammy Davis Jr. had one exactly like this. Yes it has been repainted recently. Having lived the first 39 years of its life in Arizona the sun eventually took its toll on the admittedly primitive paint technology Lincoln used in ''69. Today it has a fresh coat of 2-stage urethane that will stand up to anything Mother Nature can throw at it and looks about 10 times better doing it. Glossy deep with just a hint of metallic it''s an eye-catching hue that makes this big car look trim and fit. I''m not seeing any signs of major surgery on any of the original body panels and as an Arizona car you know rust just isn''t a factor. Trim and other bright pieces are excellent and the bumper guards have just returned from the chrome shop where they were refinished like new to match the excellent original bumpers. Those long wide taillights are in excellent condition as are the unique reverse lights above each bumper end and the unique Continental trim along the tops of the fenders is in beautiful shape. The white vinyl top is new and positively sparkles in the sunlight the perfect complement to the turquoise paint. Given the overall condition I have to say that living out west definitely helped preserve this gorgeous car. Mechanically this is a 29000 mile car low enough to be well-preserved but enough exercise to keep it healthy. I know a lot of guys get excited about 40-year-old cars with 250 miles but cars like that often need substantial mechanical reconditioning to put them back into service. Not so with cars with what I call realistically low mileage (as opposed to ''crazy'' low mileage). Cars like this Lincoln have been well maintained driven regularly but not often and are usually someone''s fair weather toy. That means that the mechanicals stay in tip-top condition and highly original throughout. Our own VP of Consignments GK Kerr who is also our resident expert on these cars and who has extensive experience owning and driving 4-door Continentals reports that this turquoise Connie is the tightest quietest most solid one he''s ever driven and I believe him (he''s also honest to a fault so if it didn''t drive perfectly he wouldn''t have said as much). The engine bay is original and clean and shows that it has been maintained since day one. Tip that big hood forward and you''ll find a 460 cubic inch big block Ford V8 nestled between the fenders still radiant in its original Ford Blue paint and Powered by Ford valve covers. The air cleaner decal is still clinging to the lid for all it''s worth and even the emission control decals are still in place. Standard service items have obviously been replaced which means that this car is 100% road worthy and ready to travel cross country. Easy western living means that all the fittings are unblemished there''s no corrosion on the connectors and wires and even the firewall is incredibly clean. Turn the key and it fires up breathing through what appears to be its original dual exhaust system emitting a muscular exhaust note that is completely unobtrusive on the road but doesn''t let you forget that there are 365 horses under the hood. The chassis is like the engine compartment: serviceable and clean but not specifically detailed for show. As I mentioned I''m pretty sure that exhaust system is original and it is still usable and sounds great. The 3-speed transmission clicks through the gears unobtrusively and everything is quiet and smooth. Floors are clean with no signs of tinworm or rust again a credit to the warm western climate in which it was stored. I''m also going to go out on a limb and suggest that the shock absorbers are original too but I bet the brakes have been serviced-they work exceptionally well. Tires are recent 235/75/15 whitewall radials on the original 15-inch steel wheels with cool-looking turbine-style hubcaps which I like a lot more than the plain wheelcovers on our black 4-door Connie. The leather interior is a real treat and white was probably a smart choice out west where a sun-heated black interior would easily defeat the air conditioner in a fair fight. I believe the seats have been restored with new seat covers and the headliner has been replaced but everything else is in excellent original condition. Door panels are decent although the driver''s side is showing some signs of age (but after 41 years who wouldn''t?). The dashboard is excellent and all the gauges and equipment are fully functional. The A/C is ice cold the power antenna goes up and down and this car even has power vent windows. An FM converter has been added under the dash augmenting the factory AM radio. If this were my car I probably wouldn''t change a thing-it''s perfect for driving and enjoying as-is. The icing on this turquoise cake is the original window sticker which lists cool options like a high torque axle individually adjustable seats tilt steering wheel and power door locks. We also have the original build sheet which is an incredibly rare find on a car like this. If previous sales are evidence I think we are seeing the emergence of a new trend. As muscle car values escalate collectors are looking around at other vehicles from their past.

The Lincoln MKT Concept

Lincoln pulls the wraps off a new premium utility concept vehicle - unsurpassed in its balance of spaciousness, comfort and fuel efficiency - that shows customers a new way to tour in style.

The Lincoln MKT concept features a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine with turbocharging and direct injection that produces the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6. EcoBoost - combined with advanced transmissions, electric power steering, weight reductions and aerodynamic improvements - is a key part of Ford Motor Company's vehicle sustainability strategy.

The company is introducing EcoBoost engines that will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America within the next five years. Ford will first introduce EcoBoost in the Lincoln MKS next year. The luxury sedan will feature a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, delivering an estimated 340-horsepower and more than 340 lb.-ft. of torque on regular gas.

Premium Efficiency

The Lincoln MKT concept features an EcoBoost engine that's flex-fuel capable, providing the driver with the flexibility to switch back and forth between premium gasoline and E85 ethanol-gas blend. Burning these high-octane fuels, the MKT concept's V-6 engine delivers 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque - an impressive 118 horsepower per liter.

The concept's engine is mated to a six-speed transmission for greater fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency also is helped by weight-saving, eco-friendly "upcycled" materials from SABIC Innovative Plastics.

Two upcycled plastic materials, Valox iQ and Xenoy iQ, were used in making the Lincoln MKT body panels, energy absorbers, wire bundles andglazing. The resins are made from discarded soft-drink bottles and other polyester waste, keeping them out of landfills, reducing energy consumption and shrinking the vehicle's overall carbon footprint.
Some applications of the resin help the vehicle resist heat and chemicals and also improve overall noise and vibration.

Spacious Elegance

Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the Lincoln MKT concept's spaciousness - right down to the seats that mirror those found in first-class aircraft cabins. Four executive-sized chairs offer comfort and unprecedented leg room. As an added pleasure, second-row heated and cooled thigh supports deploy from under the seats, while footrests deploy rearward from the front seats, allowing passengers to fully recline.

The vehicle's symmetrical interior design divides the cabin thoughtfully, providing all four passengers equal access to the vehicle's appointments.

Through the use of soothing tone-on-colors, eco-friendly materials, ambient lighting and flexible storage, the MKT concept offers customers a unique combination of serenity and connectivity.

Environmentally friendly details include the plush, hand-knotted rug made from banana silk that covers the floor and complements the contrasting Creamy Pearl chromium-free leather seats.

The interior, chrome accents - including a one-piece sculpted door handle featuring a baroque-influenced graphic - mirror the elegant lines on the concept's exterior.

For the center stack, designers invented and patented a solid-state lighting technology that allows them to project onto a contoured surface in 3-D. Until now, all projection was limited to flat surfaces with square or rectangular boundaries like a flat-screen television.

This new technology allowed designers to use non-traditional shapes and spaces for information displays as well as unique storage spaces in the center stack.

The expansive instrument panel and twin-level center console, finished in a reconstituted oak veneer, houses an assortment of technologies, including an instrument cluster inspired by Swarovski crystals. It uses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) strategically positioned so light appears to emanate from the center of three circular dials and radiate to the outer edge of the dials.

The MKT concept's center console, which runs the entire length of the vehicle to create a feeling of continuity between the upper and lower portion of the cabin, contains individual air vents, audio and climate controls, and personal storage.

Lincoln's timeless design on a whole new package

The Lincoln MKT concept features Lincoln's signature double-wing chrome grille, encapsulating LED headlamps that wrap around into the sculptured hood, lending the luxury utility a powerful presence.

Its elegant body side chamfer runs along the shoulder, with dynamic haunches over the rear wheel arches. Inset into each front fender and traveling through the door panels are chrome Lincoln stars with spears that add visual length to the car. Meanwhile, winged, curb-clearing doors give the car a dramatic sense of direction, agility and forward movement.


As an unconventional surprise, designers incorporated a bustle-back design into the concept.
The classic look provides massive storage capacity, crucial for any trip.
From the rear, the concept is instantly recognizable as a Lincoln, thanks to full-width LED taillamps stretching from side to side.

2010 Lincoln MKT

2010 Lincoln MKT

2010 Lincoln MKT side view

2010 Lincoln MKT rear view

2010 Lincoln MKT Interior

The Great Car 2010 Lincoln Mark LT

2010 Lincoln Mark LT

2010 Lincoln Mark LT side view

2010 Lincoln Mark LT Interior

2011 Lincoln Luxury Sports Sedan MKZ Hybrid

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – Lincoln today introduces its first hybrid – the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – a premium midsize car poised to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

“Today’s luxury customers do not want to make sacrifices. Lincoln has found a way to deliver a luxury sports sedan with the comforts they expect, the technology they want and the environmental responsibility society demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development.

Ford’s latest hybrid sports sedan, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ has finally lifted off its covers at the New York Auto Show. Using its second generation of hybrid technology, the company aims to ‘further broaden its aggressive electrification plan.’ From the Department at Ford Motor Company comes the new hybrid version of the Lincoln MKZ. The MKZ hybrid is fitted with the same gasoline-electric system found in the hybrid versions of its corporate twins, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid powertrain combines a 156-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and 106-hp electric motor for a total system output of 191 hp; it’s rated for 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway in the Fusion and Milan variants. Ford cited its hybrid as “the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America” as it returns 41  miles per gallon of average fuel consumption.

In pure electric mode, the MKZ Hybrid can reach 47 mph. While we have yet to match those numbers (the Milan hybrid we tested returned 32 mpg combined), Ford says it expects similar EPA ratings for this MKZ. The company goes on to name the car’s Public Enemy No. 1, the Lexus HS250h, and says that the MKZ will offer the best fuel economy of any luxury sports sedan.

Lincoln's first-ever hybrid model is expected to deliver at least 41mpg (5.7 lt/100km) in the city and reach speeds of up to 47 mph (75 km/h) in pure electric mode.

Lincoln’s take on the Ford hybrid theme, of course, will be much better equipped than either of its less-expensive brethren. It will include swiveling HID headlamps, cushy heated and cooled leather seats, and, of course, a slightly snazzier version of the nifty, configurable EcoGuide instrument cluster. In the Milan and Fusion hybrids, a screen-based botanical garden grows leaves and vines as a reward for fuel-efficient driving; the Lincoln adds pretty flowers!

The loads of standard features in the hybrid include, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Lincoln SYNC, 10-Way Power Passenger Seat, Genuine Wood Trim, Reverse Sensing System, Keyless Entry Keypad, Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler, Personal Safety System, MyKey, Integrated Spotter Mirrors, Acoustic Laminated Windshield and standard Bridge of Weir leather seats.

Other standard goodies include Sync voice-activated controls; sustainable wood trim for the dash, doors, and steering wheel; and reverse and cross-traffic sensors. Pricing has not yet been announced, but we speculate it will cost around $38,000 to start. Sales will begin later this year.

2011 Lincoln Luxury Sports Sedan MKZ Hybrid

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – Lincoln today introduces its first hybrid – the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – a premium midsize car poised to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

“Today’s luxury customers do not want to make sacrifices. Lincoln has found a way to deliver a luxury sports sedan with the comforts they expect, the technology they want and the environmental responsibility society demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development.

Ford’s latest hybrid sports sedan, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ has finally lifted off its covers at the New York Auto Show. Using its second generation of hybrid technology, the company aims to ‘further broaden its aggressive electrification plan.’ From the Department at Ford Motor Company comes the new hybrid version of the Lincoln MKZ. The MKZ hybrid is fitted with the same gasoline-electric system found in the hybrid versions of its corporate twins, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid powertrain combines a 156-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and 106-hp electric motor for a total system output of 191 hp; it’s rated for 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway in the Fusion and Milan variants. Ford cited its hybrid as “the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America” as it returns 41  miles per gallon of average fuel consumption.

In pure electric mode, the MKZ Hybrid can reach 47 mph. While we have yet to match those numbers (the Milan hybrid we tested returned 32 mpg combined), Ford says it expects similar EPA ratings for this MKZ. The company goes on to name the car’s Public Enemy No. 1, the Lexus HS250h, and says that the MKZ will offer the best fuel economy of any luxury sports sedan.

Lincoln's first-ever hybrid model is expected to deliver at least 41mpg (5.7 lt/100km) in the city and reach speeds of up to 47 mph (75 km/h) in pure electric mode.

Lincoln’s take on the Ford hybrid theme, of course, will be much better equipped than either of its less-expensive brethren. It will include swiveling HID headlamps, cushy heated and cooled leather seats, and, of course, a slightly snazzier version of the nifty, configurable EcoGuide instrument cluster. In the Milan and Fusion hybrids, a screen-based botanical garden grows leaves and vines as a reward for fuel-efficient driving; the Lincoln adds pretty flowers!

The loads of standard features in the hybrid include, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Lincoln SYNC, 10-Way Power Passenger Seat, Genuine Wood Trim, Reverse Sensing System, Keyless Entry Keypad, Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler, Personal Safety System, MyKey, Integrated Spotter Mirrors, Acoustic Laminated Windshield and standard Bridge of Weir leather seats.

Other standard goodies include Sync voice-activated controls; sustainable wood trim for the dash, doors, and steering wheel; and reverse and cross-traffic sensors. Pricing has not yet been announced, but we speculate it will cost around $38,000 to start. Sales will begin later this year.

Would you haul a trailer with a Lincoln Zephyr? This one does and did

A couple less common cars at the Temecula rod run, '48 Lincoln 12 Continental, '41 Graham, '64 Mercury Commuter

I've never heard of the Mercury Commuter, it's good to know there are still surprises out there