1967 Lincoln Continental Coupe (LHD)

Description

Announced in 1961, Lincoln's new Continental boasted a clean, classy look that set the tone for big American cars for years to come. Devoid of the superfluous ornamentation and chrome excesses of the 1950s, the new Continental had flat side panels with a low greenhouse to emphasise the long, lean look of the car. The Continental boasted unitary construction and the massive integral chassis was certainly rigid enough to cope with the major styling gimmick - 'suicide' rear doors. Indelibly linked to the death of President Kennedy, the Continentals found favour with heads of state, business leaders and wealthy Americans - a few even made their way to Australia through local Ford dealerships. Having made some big changes to the Continental's styling for 1966, including extending the wheelbase by four inches (thereby edging out the Cadillac as the longest car available) and adding curved side glass, Lincoln made only superficial changes for the 1967 season, with a new grille pattern. The Continental came a long list of standard equipment, including automatic transmission, power seats, power steering, power front disc brakes, power windows, full carpeting and a windscreen washer. Optional equipment included air conditioning, speed control, AM/FM push button radio, moveable steering wheel and an automatic headlamp dimmer. The 1967 Continental was powered by huge 462-cid V8 with a Carter four-barrel carburettor, developing a 340 hp at 4600 rpm, enough to propel its not inconsiderable bulk along at decent speeds, with the Select Shift Turbo Drive automatic transmission fitted as standard. Sold alongside the four-door sedan and convertible variants was a two-door hardtop introduced in 1966 and in 1967 this model accounted for 11,060 sales, or approximately 25% of the total production that year. Today, the 1960s Continentals are becoming increasingly collectible and recognised as a design icon, the first American car to break away from the flash and fins of the 1950s.