Lincoln Continental on 2040-cars

This so-called "slab-side" design ran from 1961 to 1969 with few changes from year to year. Lincoln dealers began to find that many people who bought 1961 and post-1961 models were keeping their cars longer. In 1962, a simpler front grille design with floating rectangles and a thin center bar was adopted. Sales climbed over 20% in 1962, to 31,061.^[27]

Due to customer requests, for 1963 the front seat was redesigned to improve rear-seat legroom; the rear deck lid was also raised to provide more trunk space. The floating rectangles in the previous year's grille became a simple matrix of squares. The car's electrical system was updated this model year when Ford replaced the generator with an alternator. For 1963, another 31,233 were sold.^[28]

1965 Lincoln Continental

The wheelbase was stretched 3 in (76 mm) in 1964 to improve the ride^[29] and add rear-seat legroom, while the roofline was squared off at the same time. The dash was also redesigned, doing away with the pod concept. Flat window glass was for additional interior space. The front grille was modified slightly from the 1963 model, it now featured a series of five vertical chrome accents that interrupted the square "eggcrate" pattern and were distributed evenly between the dual headlights. The gas tank access door, which had been concealed at the rear of the car in the rear grille, was now placed on the driver's side rear quarter panel. The exterior "Continental" script was changed and the rear grille replaced by a simple horizontally elongated Continental star on the rear deck lid. 36,297 were sold that year.^[30]

The convex 1962–1964 grille was replaced by a flatter, squared-off one for 1965. The car was given front disc brakes to improve stopping distances. For the first time, parking lamps and front turn signals were integrated into the front quarter panels instead of the bumper. Taillights were fitted with a ribbed chrome grille on each side. With the facelift, sales improved about 10%, to 40,180 units.^[31] An oil pressure gauge was added.^[16] Front seat belts with retractors were now standard.^[32]

1966 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible

A two-door pillarless hardtop version was launched in 1966, the first two-door Lincoln since 1960, and the MEL engine was expanded from 430 cu in (7.0 L) to 462 cu in (7.6 L) cubic inches. The car was given all-new exterior sheet metal and a new interior. Parking lights and front turn signals went back into the front bumper, and taillights set in the rear bumper for the first time.^[33] The length was increased by 4.6 in (117 mm) to 220.9 in (5,611 mm), the width by 1.1 in (28 mm) to 79.7 in (2,024 mm), and the height (on the sedan) by 0.8 in (20 mm) to 55.0 in (1,397 mm) high. Curved side glass returned, however tumblehome was less severe than in earlier models. The convertible saw a few technical changes related to lowering and raising the top. Lincoln engineers separated the hydraulics for the top and rear deck lid (trunk) by adding a second pump and eliminating the hydraulic solenoids. A glass rear window replaced the plastic window used previously. To lure potential Cadillac buyers, 1966 Continental prices were reduced almost US$600 without reducing equipment levels.^[34] It succeeded, helping boost sales to 54,755 that year,^[35] an increase of 36%,^[35] all of it due to the new two-door;^[35] sales of both four-door models slipped slightly.^[35] Product breakdown for the year consisted of 65% sedans, 29% coupes, and just under 6% for the four-door convertible. 1966 was the first year a tape player was available and a new tilt steering wheel.^[36]

The 1967 Continental was almost identical to the 1966. The most obvious external difference is that the 1966 model has the Lincoln logo on each front fender, ahead of the front wheel; this does not appear on the 1967 model. It was also the end for the four-door convertible,^[37] down to just 2,276 units, a drop of 28% over 1966.^[38] In addition to being the last production four-door convertible; at 5,505 pounds (2,497 kg)^[39] the 1967 convertible holds the distinction of being the heaviest Lincoln since the Model K, and was even 55 pounds heavier^[40] than the Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine of that year. Total production was 45,667.^[38] Warning lights on the dash included a cruise control on, trunk open, and an oil pressure light.^[41]

Safety came to the forefront in 1967–68 and resulted in energy-absorbing steering columns, "safety" padded interiors, and lap safety belts for all passengers. 1968 saw shoulder belts for outboard front passengers as well.

1968 brought some exterior changes. The parking lights, taillights, and front turn signals were once again in a wraparound design on the fenders to satisfy Federal standards for side marker lights, but looked very different from those of the 1965 model. The new 460 cu in (7.5 l) Ford 385 engine was to be available initially, but there were so many 462 cu in (7.57 l) Ford MEL engine engines still available, the 460 was phased in later that year.^[42] In April, the new Mark III made its debut, as a 1969 model.^[43] Total sales would be down to just 39,134.^[44]

1969 was the last production year with rear-opening "suicide doors", with few changes from 1968 (including the addition of federally mandated head restraints).^[45] Sales held steady at 38,383 for the Continental, plus another 30,858 for the new Continental Mark III.^[46][46]

^{THIS IS A LOW MILE CAR THE TOP WORKS FINE AND AS ALL THE WINDOWS GOOD RUNNING CAR NICE TO DRIVE}