Modernist Masterpiece: 1961 Lincoln Continental

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

The '61 Lincoln was a triumph of restraint and good taste. The training film, complete with the obnoxious "dings" was genius fun. Great job on this aspirational masterpiece, Ed!

[@forfluf]

The dings were pre recorded as a tone signal that was plugged into the projector to indicate to advance to the next slide. It's a nice touch.

[@danielstickney2400]

I take it you're not old enough to have experienced filmstrips in school.

[@forfluf]

@@danielstickney2400 I'm talking about projector carousels. What point are you trying to make?

[@dallasguy3306]

He captured the essence of all those Chrysler sales-training videos I watch where they compare their cars to Cadillacs and Lincolns. Apparently, only White men bought and sold cars in those days. It's a shame that Imperial never seriously challenged Cadillac. I think they got close to Lincoln one year.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

@@dallasguy3306 Well said! I agree 💯%.

[@sparky6086]

An old lady in my neighborhood in the '90's had a 1961 Lincoln convertible which her late husband bought new. It had the cool "suicide" doors. The power steering pump began to leak, so she had me look at it, but the power steering pump was located directly on the crankshaft, so it was too big of a hassle for me, to deal with at the time. I saw her driving it 6 months later, so she must have gotten a pro to fix it.

[@pipedreamin]

I had a 65, and that pump also drove the windshield wipers, that car was built like a tank.

[@douglasb.1203]

This was fantastic. The Continental is probably the most iconic vehicle ever produced in the USA because of an afternoon in Dallas, November of 63. The car reeks sophistication and somber sobriety at the same time. A most fitting tribute Earl.

[@jasonrodgers9063]

Jay Leno has an EPIC KZbin video (Jay Leno's Garage) about this era's vintage 4-door Lincoln convertible. TRULY a "Rube Goldberg" contraption to operate! Well worth your time, if you wish to search it out.

[@alankiefer5477]

You hit the nail on the head as well. The iconic sophisticated, luxury, dream, convertible.

[@jtoddmusic7090]

Reeks sounds like a a pejorative, to me. Maybe "showcases" would work better to keep your string of words starting with the letter "S".

[@rickberglund2134]

Associating the Lincoln with Kennedy’s assassination is really bad. If anything, the image would be hurt by such a horrible day in history.

[@nunyabizness9955]

I would argue tri five Chevy, Ford Mustang, Cadillac, and Pontiac Firebird, and the pickup truck are more iconic to the USA.

[@ATLcentury334]

I grew up in the 60’s. Most of my uncles, my grandfather and my dad worked for Ford. I was too young to distinguish between car companies. I just knew what I liked. It was usually a Lincoln. My grandfather, who was a Ford plant manager always had a new Lincoln. One of my aunts drove one too. My favorite Matchbox car was the aqua colored Continental. I always was eager to go anywhere with my aunt because I was fascinated with the rear doors, and I loved sitting on the rear center arm rest so I could see everything we passed by. They were beautiful cars that still catch my eye if I see one on the road or on t.v. When the 60’s were winding down, my grandfather suddenly showed up in a different car. He was driving a new Mark III. It was brown with a black vinyl roof. Another beauty. My poor dad always wanted a Lincoln but my mom always said no. Her reasoning was we’d never have a car that cost more than what they paid for the house. When my dad passed away a few years ago, I asked if the funeral director could make my dads dream come true, and find a Lincoln hearse for him. The day of his funeral, he arrived at the church in a Lincoln MKT hearse. I hope he was happy.

[@Jim-fe2xz]

My mother loved her '63 Continental. When new so did my dad and I. But after a few years, electrical switches, leaking vacuum hoses used to control various interior devices, leaky power steering pumps driven directly by the crankshaft, power steering pump mounts turned spongy from the leaking fluid (making it wander all over at freeway speeds), and plenty of other challenges. It was a great car again when new and a style that still turns heads today! My dad & I called it "that stinkin Lincoln" (LOL). I miss my mom and dad a lot and yes even that '63 Continental - a little.

[@tombrown1898]

Ed, great video! I was a car crazy 8-year-old when the 1961 Lincoln dropped. It left the public dumbfounded. The Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 were still new, and John F. Kennedy and his beautiful wife and kids were in the White House. It all announced the New America. If any car ever caught the spirit of an age, it was the 1961 Continental.

[@alankiefer5477]

So, so true

[@davidobissonette8848]

i was 10, & utterly infatuated beyond belief (by the lincoln)

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

That's a great image which even I as a Brit instantly get🙂

[@steveperry1344]

well said.

[@drew6116]

Same age here, same fascination with cars. I eventually had a poster of a '68 T top Vette on my bedroom wall, right next to Jane Fonda in a negligee.

[@Donald_Shaw]

Ed, you knocked the ball out of the park with this video. A '61 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible was always my dream car! Thanks so much for researching and posting this and all the rest of your videos for us to enjoy.

[@61rampy65]

Alas, the closest I will ever come to owning a 61 Lincoln is the 1/25 scale model of a black convertible sitting on a shelf above the tv.

[@alankiefer5477]

My dad was a Lincoln mercury dealer. As a teenager I borrowed a tan continental convertible with my best friend to cruise downtown and impress girls. Our bubble was blown to smithereens when somebody yelled “borrowed daddy’s car?” I think that car is still one of the most beautiful cars ever made. great job,Ed

[@johnsmith1474]

It's not about you.

[@61rampy65]

@@johnsmith1474 Thank you for the absolute stupidest comment ever on YT.

[@Bazz59]

Definitely my favorite American Car , and second only to Rolls Royce ( Convertibles Only )

[@daddythomas1389]

" A body line straiter then my own sexual orientation"..... I laugh for 5 minutes, it was so out of nowhere!! Thanks again for another great video!! Love your research and content!! Always a pleasure to watch you! Keep it up with the humour!

[@SWExplore]

I laughed for 10 minutes at the sexual orientation line. Such a very handsome young man who produces excellent car content. Love the Dutch accent, too. Thanks Ed!!

[@PaulRoehl-fi1iw]

Hilarious !

[@RDSyafriyar]

I once saw a '68 model Continental back in an auto museum in the flesh and instantly that model of the Lincoln Continental became my favourite American classic. Everything about it was stunning. From the restrained and elegant lines, to the coach doors, 4-door convertible option, and that 7 litre V8 engine to complete the recipe of cool land yacht in mind.

[@incog99skd11]

The mid-century modern design of the cockpit was stellar. The '61 Continental epitomised the era in which we were going to the moon!!

[@PedroConejo1939]

Brilliant. I've always admired the 61 Lincoln. Just one thing, it was the Riviera, not the Lesabre that 'broke the internet' in 1963.

[@johnlandacre767]

I think that was just a slip of the tongue for Ed. Nobody’s perfect, as they say.

[@fearsomebeard4290]

Masterpiece is the most appropriate description.

[@smellsuperb1]

One of the best styled vehicles of the early 60's from any car maker 🥰

[@lray1948]

In my opinion the best designed cars of the 60s were this one (61-63 Lincoln), 1963 Corvette Stingray, 63-64 Buick Riviera , 64-66 Mustang, 63 Pontiac Grand Prix, and possibly the 66 Olds Toronado (I go back and forth on this one. Sometimes i think it looks great, other times it is too weird for me)

[@smellsuperb1]

@@lray1948 I would add: '68 Charger/B-body platform '69 Chevelle '67 Eldorado '67-'69 Mercury Cougar '69 Grand Prix

[@cogitotal5121]

67 conti. 73 Fiat 130 Coupe.

[@ChatterboxFM]

I think I remember the crew of Goldfinger being pretty bummed out that they had to destroy the one they used in the film. Even going as far as saying it was prettier than the Aston.. and I agree.

[@douglasb.1203]

Goldfinger. Possibly the BEST of Bond.

[@dukecraig2402]

​@@douglasb.1203 Toss up between Goldfinger and Thunderball. Tough choice to make.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

@@dukecraig2402 No. From Russia, With Love!

[@jasonrodgers9063]

Gotta say, though, (spoiler alert!) the audience's "suspension of disbelief" was pretty hard to maintain when the squashed, cubed, Lincoln was dropped into the bed of a FALCON RANCHERO and it drove away just fine! In reality, it would have PANCAKED the rear springs of the Falcon, would've gone NOWHERE!!

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

@@jasonrodgers9063 I have long wondered if I was the only person who noticed that a 5000 pound car had no effect on a vehicle with a 500 pound capacity.

[@parkependleton6453]

I saw a 1958 Lincoln at a car meet in Massachusetts over thirty years ago and was able to closely examine the interior of the car. You could easily seat four people across on the front bench seat. Strangely, President Kennedy was assassinated in a 1961 Lincoln Continental that had a 1962 front grill. Robert McNamara cancelled Edsel, but had previously touted it as the greatest thing since sliced bread. He gets credit for the revamped 1961 Lincoln Continental as well as the introduction of the classic compact car, the Ford Falcon. He served as US Secretary of State from the start of the Kennedy administration until early 1968, presiding over the Defense Department during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the escalation of US involvement in the Vietnam War under President Johnson.

[@emjayay]

The Kennedy parade Lincoln was a 1961 that was being stretched and redone as a Presidential car through the introduction of the 1962 facelift so they just switched to that grille and bumper. The matching rear grille was eliminated. It was bigger and heavier than a normal version so it got bigger 15" wheels, so it wore 1956 Lincoln wheel covers, the last 15" year.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

SS-100-X originally had a 1961 grille (with added security lights) and 15-inch wheel covers from the Continental Mark II. But to make it look more up to date, the 1962 grille and "sombrero" wheel covers from the 1956/1957 Lincolns were added. (I prefer the original look.) The stock 1961 Lincoln wheel covers were only 14-inch. President Kennedy specifically requested midnight blue paint (instead of customary black) because the limousine would photograph better at night (black is highly reflective at night). Hip room and shoulder room were 4-5 inches greater in the 1958 Lincoln compared to the 1958 Cadillac thanks to unibody design.

[@Mark-yy2py]

He served as SecDef.

[@chonga6442]

Great video, as always. Continental was offered as a two door starting in 1966. My father let me drive his on a two lane country road when I was twelve years old. I could barely see over the hood (I was a bit terrified) and he told me to aim the hood ornament at the edge of the road ahead so as not to drive off of it! It worked.

[@kiefershanks4172]

I kinda wish cars still looked like this. So classy and cool. Great video as always.

[@timothyknight2236]

Couldn't agree more!

[@RCAvhstape]

These are what cars for winners look like. We have the other kind of car today.

[@bighands69]

@@RCAvhstape What we have today is 40 years of no innovation and an obsession with adhering to bureaucratic regulations. Boasting about emissions efficiency or trying to pretend that airbags are a new invention is not innovation.

[@RCAvhstape]

@@bighands69 Right. Neither is removing AM radios or providing "features" the public never asked for and doesn't want to pay for.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

The angry fish faced piles of plastic we have today will not be missed

[@ksparky4962]

The convertible version is on my top 3 must-have list!

[@DiecastDreamCustoms]

I've always considered the Suicide Lincoln one of the most spectacularly understated and stunning cars of all time. I'm preparing to buy a Panther platform (Crown Vic/Marauder/etc.) and I'm going to figure out how to suicide the rear doors as a tribute to it. Fantastic video as always, Ed! Thank you for the education! -Vic

[@davida1878]

That would be very cool

[@jasonchristopher2977]

A person with great taste. I have owned them for 15 years. A 99 Cartier with 253k miles. Left me walking 1 time when the starter hot was corroded and fell apart when I went to start with screwdriver. But was original starter from 99. Also own a 07 designer. Designer was made for only a couple years. I'd get a 03 body change to 11. I do love them all but they really got it right last design. Make sure to extend AC drain so it don't drip in passenger side frame and rot. It's a area most ppl don't know about. They will rust on fenders where stainless trim or not goes on. Ppl complain about air ride and switch to coils. That's because they don't take care of it. I've had same for over a decade. They will crack and leak on bottoms where the bag is folded and sits. Every year 2 times I spray and wipe with 303 and then when dry I slather on a handful of Vaseline. Rubber will crack. If this is done they will not crack and start to leak, air compressor runs and thats when they leak. The ride is NOT the same as bags. With service that takes a few minutes it will last. Seal up the fresh air vent so no leaks. The panther is the last great sedan made. 1st to have a 5 star crash rating. My buddy in USMC family had a taxi etc service in NY city. They wait until they got around 200k and buy them cheap, service and repair if needed and run them until they wrecked so bad or pass the point of fixing leat 500k or some are close to 700k. That's really saying something. What other autos we can say that about that is safe, easy to work on, cheap parts? so much of the parts are used on vans, trucks etc and spread over the crown vic, Mercury and town car and continental. A water pump job on a newer chevy equinox is over a grand. Takes hours cause of what has to come apart, panther remove belt, alternator, 2 bolts out, loosen 2, there's water pump take out a handful and replace. MPG is 22 or better is the exhaust is missing 2 cats or 4 if u can and make air box horn hole 2 times as big so she can breathe. I spray Eastwoods internal frame on inside and rockers, rustoleum on rest and all other places then mix and heat 1 quart of any new or used oil, same with trans fluid, 1 tube of grease, 1 wax ring toilet flange gasket. Spray, brush etc inside crevices, body, frame etc. Last forever for $6 in supplies. Still going strong. service on time. These oils and fluids that say 10, 15 k is BS. All that does is make shops money since they replace driveline cause eppl believe this or GOOD FOR LIFETIME OF VEHICLE. Lmao and ppl go along with it not knowing oils etc break down over time. Hope u find a gem. There out there. Both of mine I have now was from old folks. Both have been serviced by dealer b4 I got. Now with prices they're more than they used to be 3 years ago but still worth every penny. Happy panthering. Oh doors is a gr8 idea. Forgot all about that with all this love for them.

[@DiecastDreamCustoms]

@@jasonchristopher2977 Holy shit! I think you're my new 'go-to-CrownVic' guy! Lol

[@jasonchristopher2977]

@@DiecastDreamCustoms I cannot express in any way from words to interpretive dance how much I LOVE LOVE these cars. I've searched far and wide and have asked all the ppl who built them, owned them since the 90s about every issue, problems etc they have, how to fix etc. The oil rust proofing is from my pap. He worked at Ford in Ohio and retired. His coworker in 60s drove a post ww2 sedan. Asked him How do u keep her so nice in all this snow etc. That's when he gang him this rust killer. He told my father and now I use it and my son uses it. I try to help with what I can. I know these inside and out. Jmod trans for long life, never flush just drain and filter, keep all rubber supple, seal air vent, reroute AC drain line, add another ground wire engine to frame, keep her sealed up and rust away and she'll last forever. I've seen them wrecked and not all but most ppl are fine. When a cops chasing bad guy at 100 mph plus and hits things and still is ok, it's a good car. lmao. I trust it with my family. And family is priceless. I only wish I had gotten them sooner. I used to think Old man's car. Well yes they are but old ppl are wise. Most autos r a joke. 1000$ water pumps, 4k oil leaks etc. Insanity. I've never had a plug issue. That's mostly a 5.4 issue. Some 2v but rarely. Anything u need let me know. I don't know it all but I promise I can find out. Just gr8 bulletproof cars with a wknds worth of work and a few $. Have a good 1.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

That's something I'd follow

[@CounterClaws]

It's such a stunning and very heavy car!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

So true!

[@b4804514]

Ed I don't know how many hours you spent on this video it must have been massive. This was so entertaining and well edited you have real talent to tell a story. Thanks for taking the time as it was exceptional. We need these for history as Ford may not survive the current disruption.

[@beens2640]

In

[@numbersix8919]

Say whaaaa? Are not Ford trucks still #1?

[@emmgeevideo]

@@numbersix8919A perfectly logical thing to say after a video about Lincoln luxury cars.

[@numbersix8919]

@@emmgeevideo Maybe it is, because the F-150 and related models are the most profitable thing going in Detroit! BTW the car I really want after this video is a Continental Mark II.

[@emmgeevideo]

@@numbersix8919 Look up the definition of "non sequitur"

[@AGPreston12]

I loved the Continental, such a clean and attractive design. I think Lincoln is trying to go back to their roots with doing their own thing and having cars that are not too far out there with the styling. Now if only they would bring back cars.

[@mannacler]

Not offering many cars is going to come back to bite Ford if electrification takes over. A low slung sedan has to have greater range between refuelings than a barn-door suv. Carmakers and buyers based outside of the U.S seem to know this.

[@man_on_wheelz]

This is my all-time favorite classic car to date. I have always wanted a 1961 Lincoln Continental 4-door Convertible specifically. Color hardly matters, I could make either color they came in work. So glad to see the history lesson on this car, nice to know it will be remembered as Lincoln's lord and savior. I have a diecast model of a black one at home and I just love looking at it!

[@62Madison]

Great job explaining how the elegant ‘61 Lincoln came to be. Seeing one of these Continentals always reminds me of a Miles Davis’ jazz tune, a Miss van de Rohe building and/or the 1958 French film “Elevator to the Gallows”. The ‘61 Lincoln really did change American car design just as the ‘60 Chevy Corvair made a huge impact on International auto design.

[@matrox]

I was a young kid when these cars were released and America was on the move. So glad I got to experience it as it happened and not just on video.✊😁

[@TheUluxian]

My best friend in high school's dad had 3 of them. A '61, '62 and a '63 convertible. They were so ahead of their time. 6 way power seat, digital speedometer, the suicide doors, and they had a ride smooth as glass. Loved those cars.

[@dnr404]

The '65 is my favourite car ever. hardtop, black paint with white trim :3

[@prestonstephens7719]

1965 pick any any Ford car!!! Can’t go wrong

[@MarinCipollina]

@@prestonstephens7719 Same is true for any 1965 Pontiac.

[@gregfeeler6910]

Excellent!!! This is one of your best videos on American car design and I found it highly entertaining and informative!

[@alankiefer5477]

Totally agree. One of your best. Wasn’t Elwood Engle hired away by Chrysler.

[@migueldenboer5186]

What a coincidence, I was working on my 1962 Lincoln continental model and you drop this video today

[@christopherkraft1327]

I've always loved the early sixties Lincoln Continentals, it's probably because my dad had a 63 Continental. They still have classic good looks!!! Thanks Ed for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@jasonrodgers9063]

The "Cadillac Man vs Lincoln Man" segment was PRICELESS!!! TRULY summed up the "Mad Men" advertising era! What a "BURN!!"

[@jonathancox2004]

Nice work on this, Ed. My uncle had one of these in black. While parked on the street in front of his house the Lincoln was rear-ended by a guy in an Olds 98 moving at some speed. Totaled the 98. The Lincoln was moved forward by about a foot (based on the skid marks). These were heavy cars and absolute tanks. Gloriously overbuilt. Just amazing. Oh, and 8-10 MPG. . . .

[@MayheM_72]

My Mom always wanted a Lincoln Continental. Since she graduated high school in '60, she probably pictured a 1961or later Continental. I do believe it was an ABSOLUTE beauty!

[@Primus54]

Outstanding production and exceptionally creative, Ed. In my teens, my step-father bought my mother a used (1,500 miles!) powder blue ‘64 Continental. While smaller than its late ‘50s predecessors, it was by no means small. I was allowed to take it to prom which was a classy moment.

[@jerroldfrank5869]

Those big back seats must have come in handy on prom night…

[@dennisswaim8210]

One of the most beautiful designs in automotive history. And the convertible even better.

[@richbanducci7756]

Congrats Ed! Another excellent deep dive into an favorite American car.

[@joseferreira9263]

I can't separate all this modernisms from a true beauty car design.. the truly georgeous Facel Vega..

[@jonathanlander3631]

Beautifully done. Love your merger of architecture/demographics/industrial design/car design.

[@thinkabout602]

I was going through withdrawals for this channel - always supper intersting and the Lincoln really hit the spot on design and luxury. 💯+

[@LulaRoberts]

After watching this video. It was well made and informative on the Lincoln Cars. You made me smile as I saw the history of the way the car involved. I am proud to own my 1989 Lincoln Town Car Sigureture Series for at least 15 years.

[@ted356]

Great video! Your comments on the modernist design is right on. The style of this Lincoln is still a classic that holds up 60+ years later.

[@johnnoblitt8312]

Freaking Fantastic! Ed, you have really outdone yourself!

[@mrblond750]

Beautiful car, great video! This generation of Lincoln’s is my absolute favorite. A 63 or 64 is my dream car. ❤️❤️❤️

[@leonb2637]

One styling element that continued from the 1939 to even the present day with Lincoln Continentals is the upright, 'continental' roof with the wide side pillars. That was also used in the T-birds to the 1970's. It is indeed a classic design.

[@kerrymcdonagh1327]

We did Route 66 (in 1999) in a 64 Lincoln Continental. A great car still owned by a friend that handled the old road (all 3 alignments) with a luxury ride. Great video, thank you.

[@daveanderson6248]

Excellent video. I had one of these, a 1963 convertible; it is still easily my favorite since then, and I have owned a LOT of cars. Interestingly, my second favorite was the early Rivieras, so you've definitely pushed my button on car styling. Thank you for a great video! Edit: I should have mentioned I also owned a 1961 Cadillac convertible, also shown in this video several times. I happen to think it was a fitting end to the 50's styling era; a now -perfect blend of the swoopy lines with just-right fins. A beautiful car in it own right, but flashy, not the reserved elegance of the contemporary Lincolns. Another thing that was mentioned but perhaps not emphasized; the 1961 Lincoln was a significantly downsized car, it was15 inches shorter than the outgoing 1960 model and yet still managed to look massive in profile. (They actually were not that large inside; I considered mine to be a four, not six-passenger car.)

[@dr.plutonus1496]

Great video of an iconic car. 👏 As a boy in England in the '70s my uncle gave me a load of National Geographic magazines from the 1960s; I was entranced by the car ads, especially those for Lincoln. I remember the brilliant strapline in one ad was, 'The Lincoln Continental. What does your car say about you?'. What a genius way to evoke desire, aspiration and insecurity in so few words!

[@DK-fv2zj]

Ed, this is your "masterpiece"! You've outdone yourself. Thanks...Dave

[@avenueb]

the simulated 1960s retro auto dealer promo film is one of the most hilarious and creative videos I have seen on KZbin and I have watched nearly all KZbin videos of note. Lol

[@theowlknows]

Excellent video ! Back in the day I could have bought a used 61-63 Continental for $300-500 and came close to it many times. I've always considered it the most beautiful American car of the post-war era. I think I have a pretty good sense of good automotive styling, since my first three cars were a '63 E-type coupe, a '57 Jaguar Mk. VIII saloon and a '57 XK-140 roadster. These were followed by '63 Corvette Split-Window coupe, a '68 Firebird 400, two early Jaguar XJ-6s, two early Jaguar XJ-Rs, an early Jaguar XK-8 coupe and of course an early MGB-GT. I might have forgotten a couple, but clearly I know something about styling, and the '60s Continental was and is one of the absolute best ever.

[@tsunamis82]

I would have stayed with first three Jags. Classics, all of them.

[@theowlknows]

Believe me, I would have if I could have. Those cars I had in my late teens into my mid-twenties, then the marriage/divorce took place and changed life a bit. Thankfully, I still have the XJRs, the XK8 and the MGB-Gt so things are ok.@@tsunamis82

[@richardvickrey4786]

This is your VERY BEST episode ever! Comparing the Cadillac to Art Nouveau, priceless. Comparing the Lincoln to Modernism or the International Style in architecture, genius!

[@randybock82]

I am a big fan of the 61-65L Lincoln, but I am also a big fan of the 58-60.The 61-65 Lincoln will still be up to date styling 100 years from now.

[@jasonhoch7105]

I had to watch this because I own a 1961 continental convertible. It’s been in my family since 1971, and it got passed down to me in my 30s when my grandfather passed. I’ve been driving and working on it since I was 14, and I know it in and out. It is an absolute masterpiece. When I got it, the top didn’t work fully. It is such a complex system, it took me over a year tinkering with it to get it fully automatic again. When I say complicated, I mean it has over 20 relays, several hydraulic solenoids, many many switches, 2 electric motors (minus the back window motors), and 1 hydraulic pump plus the 2 hydraulic rams. All those components must work perfectly together, or the system doesn’t work. All this was at a time when computer control wasn’t a thing, so the system is prone to breaking…often. But seeing the system work is a thing of beauty. It’s fully automatic, and the system also includes provisions to roll down the back windows one inch when opening those doors, along with rolling them back up when the door is shut. The only thing that’s laughable on it is fomoco decided the massive 460ci motor needed a 2-barrel carburetor because it would at least get double digit fuel economy with a 2. Even with a 2bbl carb, it still made 300hp, but with the 3 gear auto, and the car weighing almost 6,000 pounds (the convertibles are heavier), it’s not fast at all. Funnier yet, the tank size is only around 20 US gallons, so it only has a range of about 200 miles total if you drive nicely. A strange thing they did because they had leftovers from the ‘59s is the fact the 1961s came with 14” wheels. 6,000lbs on that much bias ply rubber means it handles badly. Only one company still makes the correct tire size, so most 1961s have been converted to more reasonable 15” wheels allowing much cheaper tires to be had. And as for braking…It’s laughable. Trying to stop 6,000lbs of American unibody steel with 4 drums designed to fit in 14” wheels is just comical. It does have central locking, but I’ve never seen a working example. The locks are actuated by vacuum, and the rubber on those components being over 60 years old has turned to dust long ago. Speaking of vacuum controls: the climate control is nice and complicated as well. Diagrams in the manual rarely match up to actual vehicles, and the “dial-a-climate” controls -being also 63 year old rubber- leak badly if you can even get all the piping in order behind the dash. Another interesting factoid, it has a POWER 6-way adjustable bench seat in the front. And finally: the windshield wipers are hydraulic, and run off pressure developed by the power steering pump. If you have the wipers on and turn the wheel hard like when you’re parallel parking, the wipers will slow to a crawl until you’re done turning. -Regardless of its quirks and overly complex controls, it’s still a beaut, and it is fun to drive. It is definitely a piece of Americana from that era, and nothing’s come close to its unique style since. Great video, and appreciated visiting the history of the 1961 contie again.

[@DSP1968]

A great telling of the 1961 Lincoln story, Ed. And I loved that you features a photo of the Carson Mansion (that green Victorian), considered to be the most photographed house in America. I've been in it a few times.

[@OwenPhillipsMBA]

Got to admit, I adore fines and rocket forward looking styling, but the Lincoln Continental looks stunning. Fab video, fascinating. Loved the Lincoln vs Cadillac man video!

[@61rampy65]

Woo-hoo! I correctly guessed the 61 Lincoln from the teaser that Ed put out recently! In my opinion, it is one of the classiest designs ever! If you ever get a chance to be next to one of these, you'll notice that they are HUGE cars- and this was *downsized* from the 50's cars! Thanks, Ed, you made my day!

[@dorothyd.6506]

I first laid my eyes on a 1961 Lincoln when I was 6 years old. It was the only time I had ever taken notice of any car's aesthetics and I was gobsmacked. It was that deep, rich Briar Brown and I couldn't take my eyes off of it. My grandparent's good friends, the Bensens, had driven down from New York to visit my grandparents in Florida and show off their new car. Everyone who saw it was impressed. But I was captivated. That thin chrome edge that enhanced the car's stunning lines was the chef's kiss. My enthusiasm for their new beauty allowed me the privilege of enjoying two rides during their stay. I had hoped my parents or grandparents would be enticed to purchase such a wonderful vehicle. Regardless of my desire, they were not as moved. Throughout the years, I've enjoyed the design and craftsmanship of many fine automobiles. Thank you for showcasing the '61 Lincoln and prompting, for me, such a wonderful memory ! You never forget your first crush.

[@OLDS98]

Excellent video Ed! Well thought out and well put together. I loved how you broke it down into chapters and explained everything. I liked how you shared footage and images of the impact and changed. Your humor was funny too. Please continue the excellent work on your videos. Thank you so much for the great effort. It shows!

[@markhesse2928]

Terrific presentation of a terrific car! I especially liked the Cadillac Man vs. Lincoln Man slideshow--complete with the beeps to tell you it's time for the next slide!😃

[@mistert7958]

All that was missing was the "focus" first slide...lol

[@robertmills3682]

I love all of your videos but this one is my favorite! I am a Lincoln lover through and through, and what you said about them sticking to traditional comfort is why I like them so much. Although Cadillac has some cool styling, they just don’t drive like a Lincoln.

[@MarinCipollina]

We had Cadillacs growing up, including a 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. That was one of my favorites.

[@lesliereissner4711]

An excellent video! In 2002, the era of retro-futurism, Ford showed a Lincoln Continental concept car that leaned mightily on the 1961 design and looked terrific but, sadly, was never put into production. Today's Lincolns are essentially what Mercury was, that is tarted-up Fords, and with a heavy premium price for the nicer interiors. I had the chance to drive a 1968 sedan (which was bigger than the first iteration in 1961) many years ago and it really did make you feel special, power vent windows and all. At 9 mpg and in dead silence you owned the world!

[@seiph80]

True about Lincoln today. I vividly remember when they launched the last Continental design back in 2017 I believe, as soon as I found out it was front-wheel-drive based, I knew it wasn't going to be a big seller. Sure enough, it was canceled a few years later.

[@bossfan49]

Ed this was one of your best videos. All the information.. historical research, video footage and your own ideas are presented in a very thoughtful and sensible way. Very cohesive from beginning to end. Like your band had been rehearsing and delivered this super-tight performance. Nailed it. Like the '61 Lincoln... smart and dignified.

[@numbersix8919]

I used to ride to school with eleven or so friends in The Bronze Bomb, a weatherbeaten and musty '61 convertible Conti - it is one of my favorite iconic industrial designs. Thank you for this wonderful bird's-eye view of its development. It's just so beautiful.

[@christopherneufeldt4035]

Your presenting style is awesome. Really enjoyed watching this. :) I want the 60s Continental and the newer 2017-2019 version.

[@hughwalker5628]

I still have a sales brochure which my aunt gave me in 1964 for that year's model. By then, they recognised the problem with the '61's headlights - they looked like they'd slipped. I think they fixed it for the second model year. Good move! Always a stunner and, together with the '56 mk II, American styling at its best. Modern but dignified.

[@andoletube]

This is your finest work to date, Ed. I dip my hat to you.

[@michaelp62]

My dad was a real estate agent in Southern California . He needed a car to impress his clients. He first bought a 62 Cadillac. But it was a 2 door model. Mr. Megabucks was comfy in the front seat. But Mrs. Megabucks and the Megabucks children had to be shoved into the back seat through one of the two doors.. So he traded the Caddy in for a 1964 Lincoln Continental with the suicide rear doors. Wow, what a car. It was absolutely beautiful. A light metallic blue modernist sculpture! I wish I had it today. The marque has tragedy associated with it though - November 22, 1963 in Dallas. I'm glad you didn't mention this in your presentation. Also, as others have mentioned Goldfinger's Continental ended up in the crusher. Yikes! What a waste. Thanks for the great video. I'm now a subscriber.

[@danielc3472]

Gorgeous timeless design! Excellent narration Ed! 👍🏼

[@P.Galore]

Between 1990 and 2000 I restored four of these 1960's Continentals - 3 sedans and one convertible. I drove a 1964 Powder Blue sedan for 7 years as my primary daily driver. These are exquisite, incredible high-quality powerful automobiles that drive smaller than they look. I encourage every fan of American 60's cars to consider owning one.

[@davidsauls9542]

I have had a few 1964 Continentals (about 4 inches longer for rear leg room). They had an excellent build quality and had the best suspension of any cars I've had. You put a lot of time on this video and it shows. Like the car, you presented a history in a very elegant way, no fat, no wasted words. Beautiful !!

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The 1964 Lincoln had the new 126-inch wheelbase (three additional inches of wheelbase...plus the front seat does not move as far back as earlier Continentals).

[@JeromyBranch]

Astutely performed analysis. And a timeless, beautiful automobile. The evaluation of the 50s Lincolns is well stated.

[@confusedcoco5947]

Holy shit my guess was right. Hi Ed!

[@MarkWG]

Such a wonderful presentation. I loved this video. The 1961 Lincoln Continental by Elwood Engel is nothing short of pure perfection. Just looking at the car from any angle, be it convertible or the hardtop, it is breathtakingly elegant. If Ford Motor Company had not decided to quickly incorporate this design for a totally new direction for the Lincoln division, I seriuosly doubt we would have the Lincoln nameplate today. In several automobile history books, I have read that William McNamra was very, very seriuos about putting Lincoln on the chopping block. This design changed his mind. It is obvious even 63 years later, that this iconic 1961 Lincoln still continues to influence Lincoln design. It is a Lincoln hallmark of elegance in simplicity. I am so very saddend to hear that the Lincoln division will be building nothing but trucks. For crying out loud, why must they, like all the other American car companies, give us nothing to choose from but more badge-engineered trucks and SUV's (Stupid Ugly Vehicles)???? They all look alike. I have imagined and even sketched modern intrpretations of a new Continental, much like the latest from 2020. I just can't believe that Ford would pull such a blunder, same as Cadillac. We no longer have true, American luxury cars to choose from or to grace our boulevards anylonger. I refuse to believe that everyone in America only dreams of owning a damn truck. Even though I do own a Ford Super Duty Power Stroke, I would still buy a Lincoln Continental or Cadillac Fleetwood if they offered one. Cadillac is making an enormous, expensive mistake by offering that $340,000 horrendously hideous hatch-back-looking, SUV-morphed, "Celestiq" electric nightmare. What a waste of money for a "flagship" flop.

[@nickscapellato8248]

The '61 - '69 Continental is one of my favorite automotive designs of the 20th century. The earlier, shorter wheelbase models have nicer proportions but the final year '69 is also a beautiful boat.

[@jeremymasterson5818]

I had a '69 Continental in my graduating year at high school. The car was only 7 years old and I got it by trading another vehicle I had bought the year earlier for $350.00. Dollars for pounds, the best car purchase I ever made. Although my purpose at the time was to do some needed body repair (it had been damaged purposely in dispute over a backyard parts deal gone wrong) and flip it, I was so impressed with the suicide doored behemoth that I kept it for more than 13 years. Amazingly powerful and fast (as fast as most of my peers' muscle cars). A dream boat (literally) on long highway trips. And the torque and power to tow just about anything (I had a 36' sailboat on a flat deck behind it once and it still wouldn't complain). I once considered making a canvas "tent" for the trunk lid as the trunk was so enormous, it could sleep four comfortably (and I'm over 6 feet tall). A truly awesome car and a great video by Ed.

[@FOWBOWZ]

Damn, this may be your best (or my favorite) video of yours. 63 Continental is my favorite. It's so sexy

[@ce7711]

November 22, 1963. El día en que el Lincoln Continental pasó a la inmortalidad.

[@MrXerxes415]

Unbelievable quality and I’ve never learned so much from one video so easily out standing I would recommend your work to any human alive!

[@mikeakers3453]

The GM car that pioneered Coke bottle styling was the car pictured, the 1963 Buick Riviera, not the 1963 Buick LeSabre as you stated. You are usually so accurate I had to wonder if this was purposeful to see if we were paying attention. My dad had a 1963 Buick Electra 225 which, along with the 1964 Electra, was a creditable copy of the slab-sided Lincoln Continental design (as opposed to merely being influenced by the Continental). Robert McNamara left Ford to become John Kennedy's Secretary of Defense. Ford's gain in losing this anti-car bean counter was our loss as he shepherded us deep into the Viet Nam War.

[@crankychris2]

Mac strongly recommended a nuclear first strike several times during the Oct 1962 missile crisis. I wonder what life would be like today if JFK had listened to him. Unfortunately LBJ did listen to him.

[@mikeakers3453]

@@crankychris2 The Joint Chiefs lobbied JFK to perform a preemptory strike several times. Insane.

[@lenardegreen]

I've been waiting for my favorite auto reviewer to review my favorite American classic!

[@paulbroderick8438]

When autos were works of art.

[@franciscoroman9927]

Liked your video. Thanks you for sharing about the 61 Lincoln Continental. I appreciate it much more now for its “Modern” design. Also liked the history of Ford Co. and the US car industry in general.

[@chuckpeterson3262]

The fake training film is EPIC!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tomland2544]

one of the most beautiful car designs ever built. was 10 yrs old when i came out and fell in love with the look of it, always dreamt of owning one, but never was able to make it come true. still love the looks to this day.

[@ElmerCat]

At time = 15:19 - In my 67 years of observation, these are hilariously spot on! I would also add: Cadillac man is nouveau riche. Lincoln man comes from old money.

[@rwhitebread]

I’m so glad you included the story of the Thunderbird redesign competition, and both designs actually won - the “loser” was actually a big winner for Lincoln style, yet you can see traces of the Thunderbird styling in the Lincoln as well. Well done!

[@devinecars8033]

Hey ed!

[@kentw.england2305]

One of your best stories.

[@GLC2013]

I always considered the 1961 Lincoln to be mousey and drab. Too plain, too non-descript, it may not be bold enough to inspire hate but it's also too boring to inspire passion. That's where they were headed though, and the people bought the ugly things. The guy who does these videos must LOVE 21st century cars, they too are devoid of space-age and rocket motifs, and are as dull as they come. I don't want it you can have it, it's too plain for me!

[@meluckycharms111]

Also, the detour into the explanation of eclecticism vs modernism was awesome. Way more than just a cool cars channel. Super cool

[@17addidas]

Meticulous , informative and entertaining . Well Done Ed !

[@RadekPogoda]

Damn! Now we're talking! Authentic style and restrained elegance.

[@kobra6660]

I like how lincoln made the car look more professional and buisness oriented while gm was going all out with tailfins and chrome

[@moisesmaldonado9875]

Pairing it to the international style buildings of the 60's must be the sleekest reference ever in a cars video. 👏 👏 👏

[@theone_nik]

...straighter than my ouwn sexual orientation... Ed you made my day!

[@jimurrata6785]

With a sharp kink, right by the back door! 😅

[@basilhatte]

I was just a tad when these came out, and it is hard to overstate their revolutionary aesthetic impact on the automotive zeitgeist of the time. Nevermind the '57 Chryco stuff, these cars mos' def truly harralded "Suddenly it's the Sixties" for the entire industry; it was Cultural Eye-wash that was global in its impact. Truly Engle's masterpiece; everything he did after it (esp. his work at Chrysler) was really just "variations on a theme". A Milestone Classic if ever there was. It is amusing to recall how " compact" these seemed at the time; I once encountered a ' 65 in a parking-lot while driving my '86 Fleetwood: I was astonished at how the Lincoln was so much larger in every dimension... another measure of the long-term influence of this design. This was excelant coverage af the topic. all thumbs up, Bravo!

[@wimtillaart8671]

If not the best designed car ever, this lincoln surely deserves a top 3 ranking!

[@rsvp9146]

My grandfather was a 50 year Ford/Lincoln/Mercury master technician. Always had a top of the line car. Mijn andere opa kwam uit Nijmegen. Bedankt hiervoor.

[@nancymcmonarch]

My very first car was a '63 Continental (basically the same design). Bought her in 1987 for $2K cash, and drove her for ten years. GLORIOUS car, particularly on road trips! But when she started breaking down, parts were hard to come by, so I sold her for $3K cash to a fellow who had the money to restore her properly. No regrets; I simply couldn't afford to maintain her in the manner she deserved. 😄 And I was pleasantly surprised when my next car (Guess what? An '89 Town Car) traveled SO many more miles on a gallon of gas, and didn't even need lead additive.

[@Sharion.Inuyatt]

Ed, I recently bought a miniature of a red and white Plymouth Belvedere, as soon as I took it out of the box I remembered your video showing one, but in real scale. It cost R$150 (Brazil money), about 30 US dollars

[@eddstarr2185]

Pictures are wonderful, but nothing compares to the sight of a 1961 Lincoln Continental in traffic. With other cars as backdrop, the proportions of the really stand out. The '61 Lincoln Continental is so simple in detail, yet the width versus the height versus the blade-like fenders versus the flattened hood and trunk - nothing else really comes close! Every car lover deserves to see at least one '61 Lincoln Continental on the street. Truly one of the great automotive designs that heralded the start of a new decade.

[@FriskyOCallahan]

I had the true pleasure of riding in a cream convertible '63 I believe back in 2020. A 60s Lincoln is my dream car and this exceeded my expectations. Thanks so much for discussing this icon.