Curbside Classic Outtake: 1968 Lincoln Continental

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

While I prepare the next full chapter of Lincoln’s (mostly downhill) roller-coaster ride, here’s a couple of shots of a 1968 Continental sedan. To my eye, the degradation of the original’s purity is now under way, although these ’66-’69 models still carry manage to convey a sense of dignity and exclusivity. That would change, all too soon.

Everything was now smoother and slightly rounded off, like a crisp bar of soap after the first couple of uses. The side windows have curved glass again, and the engine is bigger than ever: A 462 cubic inch version of the old MEL engine, then supplanted by the spanking new 460 V8. It all kind of works, sort of; like a middle aged woman wearing yesterday’s fashionable dress, let out here and there a bit. Looking at her is a mixed bag: you sadly remember her when she was young and fresh, and made a huge splash with her bold daring sense of style, yet you know those moments can’t be frozen in time. So you try to appreciate her before she loses even more of her assets, because you know it’s inevitable.

Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Accs Accs on Feb 14, 2010

    Jeez.. what a trunk. How many dead bodies could ya store in there?

  • JeremyLawson JeremyLawson on Dec 20, 2012

    My first car was a 68 Lincoln Continental, and I owned it until it was stolen two years ago. Over the years I've owned 5; 3 - 68s, a 69, and a 65. Out of the 66 - 69 body style the 68 is still my favorite.

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