The Lincoln Continental is an iconic machine in its own right, with numerous examples owned and driven by a variety of famous folks over the years. That includes U.S. Presidents, of course, at least a handful of whom have either owned or at least were driven around in a Lincoln Continental at some point in their tenure. In recent times, we’ve seen a few of these presidential Lincoln Continental models pop up for auction, and now, this very interesting VIP/government example joins that prestigious group.
This 1967 Lincoln Continental is up for auction at Bring a Trailer after originally being earmarked by Ford as a marketing vehicle for use in motorcades and parades. It began doing precisely that via presidential motorcades in New York back in 1967, and it was also used in the motorcade of Pope Paul VI during his 1968 visit to Colombia, as well as the 1969 and 1973 Nixon presidential inaugural parades in Washington, D.C. After that, the Lincoln was used as a VIP transport for members of the U.S. government, military, astronauts, and celebrities – including Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans – all before landing in the Petersen Automotive Museum for a while.
Today, the Pitcairn Blue Lincoln Continental looks a bit different after it was modified with 1968-style front and rear styling elements, but is still equipped with things like flag holders, flashing red lights, and an articulating spotlight. There’s also a bubble top hardtop in place, though the car comes with a power-operated soft top as well. Power comes from a recently-serviced Ford 462 cubic-inch V8, which was originally rated to produce 340 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a C6 three-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to this rather historic Lincoln Continental, we’ve come across a few other notable examples in recent years, too. That includes a 1969 executive limousine built by the coachbuilding company Lehmann-Peterson, as well as a 1964 Continental owned by former President Lyndon B. Johnson himself.
Comments
This is a real luxury car and not the nonsense Lincoln produces today.
Love it, my Dad let me drive his ’63 to High School. It was a big hit with the girls, it was Light Pink, with a Champagne Rose Cloth Patterned interior. It was great, thanks Pop.
The front grille is 1968 not 1967
Yea it says that in the article.
“Today, the Pitcairn Blue Lincoln Continental looks a bit different after it was modified with 1968-style front and rear styling elements…”
Reading the article before commenting; you should try it.