Kip Cyprus & The 1961 Lincoln Continental
This is the 1961 Lincoln Continental. This was Ford’s disastrous entrance to luxury, probably one of the most over-engineered cars they’ve ever done. The ’61 marks the beginning of the Continental line for Lincoln.
It runs on a unibody rather than a frame, and structurally, they didn’t quite have it. Hundreds of these cars were made, with only 700 exported, and the remaining 2,000 stayed in the U.S. Unfortunately, fifty percent of those in the U.S. were crushed by the factory. The tow truck would pick up the car at an odd angle, and as it went down the road, it would wobble, collapse in the center, and bend. Dealers often replaced them with brand new ’62s. For survivors, there was a recall where a supporting beam was added along the bottom.
The ’61 Lincoln Continental has an interesting feature. Similar to the later Mercedes models in the ’80s, touching a button drops the windows when opening the door. A neat touch for 1961.
The convertible top has around thirty solenoids behind the wall of the panel that operates it. Continental owners are advised not to raise or lower the top while on the road due to the complex triggers and switches, which can cause it to get stuck. Owners need to understand the intricacies to fully enjoy these cars.
Some people refer to these cars as “Kennedy cars,” although they were not necessarily linked to Kennedy. While late ’62 is more associated with Kennedy, the ’61 Continental carries the stigma, likely due to historical events.
Overall, the ’61 Lincoln Continental is a beautiful, eye-catching car with fantastic streamlines, despite its engineering challenges. It requires a certain level of understanding to fully appreciate and enjoy its unique features.
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