1960 Lincoln "breezeway Window" Continental Original Mark V - Consider Trades on 2040-cars

BACKGROUND:  This is a very rare 1960 Lincoln Continental – top of the line for 1960, and last of Lincoln’s Breezeway Rear Window models; very few examples were made, and even fewer survive, and even fewer are still able to drive across the country.  It has around 58K original miles. The first owner owned the car for about 43 years (up to about 2003).  The son of the original owner can still tell you about driving the car to his Senior Prom in the late 60’s.  His Mom literally only drove the car to the fabled garden club and church in PA. I spoke with the original owner when I bought the car – he was 93 years old at the time, and remembered the car very well.  He and his father owned InterState trucking, and they bought the car new in 1960.  It became his wife’s car in 1964, and she drove it very infrequently.

This car has a unique rear windshield that is electric and goes up and down -- the "Breezeway." This was first offered only on Lincolns 1958-1960. As possibly the largest American car made (even exceeding the Cadillacs), this car is probably the best icon symbolizing America's excess of the 50s and 60s.

THERE IS A MIX OF GOOD AND BAD WITH THIS CAR, SO PLEASE READ THE DETAILS BELOW, but the great thing is that the car is licensed, inspected and registered, and can be driven across country.  It has Antique plates (“OIL-RIG”).

 It has the original 430 cubic inch V8, with original 2-barrel carb for maximum economy, but over 330hp. No smog devices; factory dual exhaust; 3 speed automatic transmission; has the optional “Directed-Power” limited-slip differential. The road vent is now recycled back thru the carb, decreasing internal engine pressure as well as decreasing pollution.  It has no effect on engine power.  The engine runs well; the trans shifts smoothly. Even the Cartier clock works. 

The car is equipped with factory air-conditioning, which also is routed to the rear seats.  This was rare for cars in 1960.

Interior - front bench seat is 6-way electric, and while the front has original cloth/leather it shows wear, but is still serviceable; the back seat looks like it was never used.  There are 7 electric windows, including electric vent windows and electric rear windshield.  Most of the window switches were cleaned or replaced; the driver’s side door card was replaced, but original upholstery retained.  The side view mirror is remotely operated (a novelty for the age); there is a spare remote mirror that could be placed on the passenger’s side, however, none of these Lincolns had a passenger side rearview mirror. The original wide white wall spare tire is still in the cavernous trunk and is an original belted biased ply tire (not radial tire)(this is a good touch for antique car shows); however, the car is shod with modern steel radials. The original headlight sensor is mounted on the dash to automatically dim the high-beams when cars are approaching at night (another “high tech” item from the 50s).

Original AM “Town and Country” radio, with a 1960s FM modulator. Has a foot switch to change stations (this “remote” function was a big deal back in 1960.)  Original electric antenna (does not work).  Reception is pitiful, but it’s just like the 60s, huh.

Exterior shows signs of age, and the paint job is pitiful (original owner had MAACO painted around the year 2000?), but it’s still stalwart. The original owner stated that he had the car taken down to bare metal and repainted about 10 years ago ("3 years before I sold the car"). Body is straight; it feels like a tank.  There is rust in the driver’s side floor pan due to snow and salt in PA – but I have a new floor pan that the buyer can install.  All chrome is present and straight. Consider this a "30 foot" car.

I purchased the car in MAR 2008, and intensive work was put into the car to make it driveable across the country.  It floats effortlessly on the highway like a battleship. Did you get the part where I said this is a BIG car?  

 Just a limited and partial list of things done includes: 

- Completely rebuilt new brake system including brake lines, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, shoes.  New front wheel bearings were also installed;

- New exhaust manifolds installed.  These are reinforced castings to prevent the usual cracking problems with these engines; also new exhaust gaskets (the old manifolds are NOT cracked and will accompany the purchase); 

- New valve seals and valve cover gaskets;

- New muffler; the car has factory dual exhaust with a new crossover (equalizer) tube (but the welding was rather amateurish by the local economy muffler shop); 

- New Gabriel air shocks installed to allow for adjustable ride height; Rear springs were re-worked around the year 2000, per the original owner; 

- New Pertronix electronic ignition with 40,000V coil installed to eliminate the points and make it dependable (does not alter originality of car's appearance); complete tune-up with cap/rotor/plugs. 

- All fluids changed: cooling system flushed; transmission underwent a fluid exchange (not just an oil change); engine oil/filter changed several times in the past 2 years, even though mileage has been exceedingly low; limited-slip differential oil was changed to a synthetic oil; all suspension points were greased, as were the U-joints; and of course, the brake fluid was completely changed when the entire system was replaced.

- Driver’s side door panel was rebuilt with new card – retaining the original upholstery, which is in fine shape.

- Much more has been done to make it dependable, while still retaining originality.

- The original Owner's Manual is also included, plus some other original 1960 Lincoln papers and books.

- I have accumulated many spare parts over the years.

I have stopped doing any further work on this car for over two years now, and the car resides in the garage.  Except for occasional start-ups, it’s a garage queen and needs to go to its next home to take the next step -- whether it's for daily use, classic towing vehicle for a boat, hot rodding, low-rider, or full restoration.

MILEAGE:  As you know, CarFax does not research prior to the 1980s, but I have spoken to the original owner as well as his son regarding the mileage.  I attempted to get the official info from past State registrations for this car to verify the mileage, however, PA refuses to give info (they state that none is available).  However, I have info from the second owner’s title that stated the mileage as “Actual Mileage” of about 55,000 miles.  However, do not expect a pristine 55K mile car, as this car is now over 50 years old, and spent a few decades of winters in PA before coming here to sunny Virginia.

PICTURES:  Some of the pics in this ad are from the previous owner’s ad – I’m using them because they are excellent shots of the car, and are taken from a vantage point that my garage does not allow.

FURTHER INFORMATION?

I’ve given more info than most EBay car auctions usually offer, however, I can send a pdf file with detailed pics and much better descriptions upon request, but you’ll have to send your email address – I think EBay email will only accept jpeg files as attachments (??),  You can contact me at 410-349-7576 for more car details or to discuss trades.

TRADES?

1)      We need to downsize and free up room in the garage.  However, I’m still an idiot for motor vehicles.

2)      HOWEVER, NO JUNK!!  I don’t want your 1985 Cavalier or K-Car.

3)       I’ll consider trades up or down ONLY for something smaller – like a Harley, Moto Guzzi or Ducati motorcycle.

4)      We might also be interested in a towable car behind our motorhome “Toad”) – especially a Honda Element or Ford Transit passenger van or even a later model (at least 2006) Chrysler/Dodge minivan with mileage below 80,000 miles and Stow N’Go stowaway rear seats with rear AC. 

5)      Call to discuss – 410-349-7576.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

5)      Before bidding, please get permission from your wife/girlfriend/mother/father/bank, etc..  AS with all EBay auctions, the time to ask questions and inspect the car is BEFORE you win the auction.  Winning the auction is not the signal for you to consider whether you actually want to transact the deal.

6)      Please remit either full payment of the auction price within 10 days (electronic transfer of funds is best – bank check/cashiers check/money orders must clear before completion of the transaction.

7)      You can contact me at 410-349-7576 for more car details or to discuss trades.

 DELIVERY:

1)      The car is located in the Norfolk area of Virginia.  The auction winner is responsible for pickup of the car.

2)      HOWEVER, with 20% non-refundable deposit, I can continue to keep the car in my garage for a while.

3)      I might also be able to deliver the car within a reasonable distance, however, I will only do this upon full payment of the purchase price beforehand.

 DEPOSITS:

1)      20% PayPal deposit is expected within 10 days of purchase, and if I am holding the car for more than 2 weeks.

2)      I’ve been following Ebay for quite a few years, and I've sold quite a few cars over the Internet.  I think most car purchases fall thru due to buyers’ false intentions.  I think I've heard every possible sob story from fully-grown and mature adults, so don't embarrass yourself.  It gets old, kind of like cops get tired of criminals' excuses.  Please don’t be one of those air heads.  GET YOUR WIFE’s/PARENT’s permission, and make sure you have money in the bank.