Griot's Garage Cover Car: Nick's 1963 Lincoln Continental

When we debuted this 1963 Lincoln Continental at the 2017 SEMA Show, we had a feeling that it would be a hit. 4 years later, it’s still disturbing the peace and doing smoky burnouts.
The 4th generation Lincoln Continentals are famous for their long, slab-sided bodies that epitomize Mid-Century Modern design. The top-of-the-line product from Ford Motor Company was chosen to be JFK’s presidential limousine and was a luxurious symbol of America’s growing prosperity. Complete with a torquey 430ci big block and the notorious suicide rear doors, the Elwood Engel design has stood the test of time and remains a striking automobile from any angle.
Our car was owned for 47 years by the previous owner and when it came to us it was in need of a full restoration. The restoration began innocently in Richard’s home garage with many Griot’s Garage employees getting their hands dirty disassembling and chemically stripping the body. As most gearheads understand, once the car project snowball starts rolling down the hill, it rarely stops before things get crazy. Enter Jared Hancock and his team at J-Rod & Custom of Black Diamond, WA.
Jared and his team worked with us to conceptualize a Pro-Touring interpretation of the Continental that had never been done before. While maintaining all of the design cues that make the Lincoln special, they swapped in a 427ci Ford Performance small block to crank up the power to 535 ponies a substantial bump from the stock 325hp. They fabricated beautiful components to dress up the engine bay such as the completely custom air cleaner and immaculate panels to surround the engine. EVOD Industries milled custom valve covers evoking the style of the MKII Continental’s which give the entire power source a period correct accent that really completes the beautiful engine compartment.
Capitalizing on the uni-body construction of the car, Jared and his team incorporated Ride-Tech coil-overs on all four corners and fabricated a custom 4-Link rear using Art Morrison Enterprises components. To achieve the wheel fitment, the Ford 9” rear end was shortened and the wheel wells were tubbed outwards towards the fenders to create more space for the massive 20”x11” Forgeline CF3C rear wheels. The fronts are 20”x9” and the 4,500lb lead sled can come to a quick stop with high performance, 6 piston Baer Brakes.
The body is straight as an arrow and was resprayed in PPG Black with all of the brightwork re-chromed by Ogden Chrome. The mean-looking front bumper and air dam were fabricated by Jared and in addition to adding a menacing look to the slab, the modifications are functional as they house both transmission and oil coolers. The headlights are Dapper Lighting 575 LEDs and the original instrument cluster has been replaced with a Dakota Digital unit that looks stock. The spacious interior was reupholstered by McFarland Upholstery and the faux wood accents were replaced with carbon fiber fabricated by Common Fibers.
All in all the Lincoln still retains the profile that made it popular in the early 60s but it definitely belongs in the modern hot rod culture as well. The Lincoln is part of our family and its mass appeal has surprised all of us here at Griot’s Garage.
Be sure to check out the video linked in the email to see this beautiful Continental in motion and doing what it does best, disturbing the peace and laying patch….

[@GentlemensAcademy]

My favorite car on earth. I’m going to have one some day soon.

[@GriotsGarage]

It's something special for sure!

[@randybock82]

I hope you do . Awesome machines!

[@hoobie7588]

What I wouldn’t give to ride in one much less , own one!! Congratulations on your excellent taste!!

[@silvertailfins]

I don’t care for the front end lighting alterations, but the workmanship and attention to detail is amazing!

[@OneRuthless72]

This is awesome, I've been looking to buy a 63 hard top continental and go restomod on it and this 100% opens the door to my ideal build

[@GriotsGarage]

Glad we could help provide some inspiration!

[@jonathananaya]

All I’ve ever wanted is a black 63 Lincoln convertible and it will happen.

[@califdad4]

US President's have been riding in Lincoln's since about 1937 and Roosevelt had the Sunshine Special ( called that by the secret service). They later during WWII had Ford build a armoured 43 Lincoln limousine when no cars were basically being built. Next was a 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan limousine ( also had suicide doors) and presidents actually rode in Lincoln's till Reagan got a Cadillac, ( which surprised me because he used to be in Lincoln print adds and owned a 62 or 63 Lincoln Continental. Love your car., Always wanted a 62 but they are out of my price range now days. I have a 67 Imperial Crown Coupe with a 440 engine

[@lincolnaddict]

Great video! Thanks again Nick for coming on Lincoln Addict podcast to talk about your love for Lincolns and this build! Ya'll killed it.

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you! And we know Nick thoroughly enjoyed joining you on the podcast, thanks for the support!

[@bigmamakatethulhu]

This is the best lincoln continental restomod on youtube.

[@braddahg]

So beautiful! As soon as I see the face of the car, I think of Kennedy.

[@lukeya1983]

That Lincoln is gorgeous

[@scroogemcduck2185]

*This is awesome car!* With love & respect from Russia!

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@salah458]

great video ! only downside is it ended real quick, should've been longer

[@gabestuart829]

God, I love these interiors!

[@Ltsgomes]

Love to see the 190E Evo in the background as well. Great stuff

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@riceburner4747]

Im a senior citizen & who would think a Continental can smoke the tires like THAT!! AWESOME!!🙌😁

[@GriotsGarage]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@Grggeorge]

The idiots ruining the car? Yeah how about that let’s just let them trash it then with a fire next

[@tylershenenberger8112]

Dude my dream car right here

[@MyGuyKirby]

Interesting story and that intro music was a bit of a shock. As to the car it was a piece of many American dreams of making it, but time moved forward. Results prove that even ‘old dogs’ can change but parking spaces have shrunken, LOL!

[@GriotsGarage]

So glad you enjoyed the story!

[@AlexEFF.]

Один из самых любимых автомобилей!!! Мечта.

[@ericbassel4805]

This is what they mean by "Luxury Performance"💯

[@mhlittleton6493]

Such a cool car and story! Thanks for sharing!

[@GriotsGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johnanthony5931]

Just awesome!

[@GriotsGarage]

Glad you like it!

[@benking9728]

Dude!!!! That’s so awesome.

[@GriotsGarage]

Thanks, Ben!

[@joeponder9668]

What a unit!!!

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@andrefrombrazil3915]

Show of car !

[@OSRSBeatz]

beautiful car! glad the hard work was worth it

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@chuckselvage3157]

Beautiful car

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@pounderish]

Love these cars. There is one near me that's been sitting outside since the early 80s not moved since and still looks good. Would love to approach the owner but $$$ is the issue.

[@MyCarGuyChris]

Coolest Conti out there! 💪

[@williesworldofwheels]

I need that car in my life

[@TheKenMich]

Amazing! I wish I could do a build similar to that. My coupe wants to be a true hot rod.

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@cars_classic_smg]

Magnificent LincolN

[@hoobie7588]

Your burning rubber at the end really stressed me out!

[@GEORGIE12211]

Guys . ITS absolutely beautiful but there is something sinister that anyone can have crown Vic Lincoln town car 03+ panther.

[@boskosdoghouse]

Forget the car.......dig the stash and hair!!!

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@westonfurman3833]

Solid! 🤠👍💯

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@hemitic1254]

Love it

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you!

[@SpeedandShineTV]

Awesome ride and great video! If you used a G8 to do the whole car you were buffing for some time!

[@GriotsGarage]

Thank you! And don't worry, we pulled out the long throws for these big, flat panels.

[@thyslop1737]

Those slab Lincolns were fine. I think by 65 they lost their way. The 63 the pinnacle. The front end though sucks.

[@Courageous_Lion]

Pretty cool. Now if I could only get my 63 427 R code 2 door sedan moonshine car back together again. I mean there is only 9 know to still exist and mine still has all the moonshine runners mods done to it!

[@GriotsGarage]

That sounds like an awesome vehicle, best of luck getting it back together!

[@SHOCKcustoms]

Needs a barea in it like that aussie one

[@MrYodi2007]

Im getting one from maine for 4800 engine works but will need to be overhauled and not rust under the undercarriage. I wonder how much these guys would charge to fix mine like this with minor tweaks!?

[@msloquet]

Where did u source the LED Yellow lights?

[@RemodelingCharlotte]

Can you share the fabricator for the chin spoiler. Very cool

[@GriotsGarage]

J-Rod & Custom built the chin spoiler

[@in2food]

I’d love to own one. My dad had one new in ‘63. The only thing I’m not a fan of is slamming it. Just my taste.

[@GriotsGarage]

Very cool! They're timeless cars for sure

[@householdemail1305]

I like how you keep coil overs.

[@nateisright]

Lincoln Continental feels like a car built by people that were going to the Moon. Today’s cars feel like they are built by people making phones and tablets.

[@Rockzilla404]

These cars in 1963 were priced higher than a Rolls Royce.

[@troyconner6035]

What What brand and heigth coil overs plz

[@GriotsGarage]

This car is on Ridetech coilovers

[@Grggeorge]

Watching these idiots drive it at the end wow it’s sad after all the work.

[@carsrmybestfriend6894]

Car's that size need a passenger mirror.

[@caduceus33]

While you did a beautiful job on this car, I think the Continental does better as an original rather than as a hot rod doing smoky burnouts.

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Fucked up classic with monkey wheels .. a few months in my shop back to normal

[@georgetaylor1063]

Three easy steps to ruin a beautiful iconic automobile.

[@westlywest1140]

Ugly rims and headlights