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What to look for if buying a 65 Lincoln Cont. Convertible?
I have the oportunity to buy a nice looking, low rust 65 Lincoln Continental Convertible. Here are the problems. Leaks at the front crank seal quite a bit. Leaks from the power steering box and both rear windows do not function but the top goes up and down flawlessly.
Overall body is in very good condition, interior as well. current owner has redone the brake system so it is virtually new.
what else should I look for? any good or bad things I should know about this year lincoln?
I want to thank all that can comment or help me in any way in advance and I hope that if this car does become mine I can come back here again and again over the years to get and give advise for this style car.
once again thanks in advance and I hope to hear from you soon!!!!!
ps - car is in another state and I have not physically seen it but I had it brought into a mechanic and I spoke extensively with him about it after he went through it.
thanks.....
Overall body is in very good condition, interior as well. current owner has redone the brake system so it is virtually new.
what else should I look for? any good or bad things I should know about this year lincoln?
I want to thank all that can comment or help me in any way in advance and I hope that if this car does become mine I can come back here again and again over the years to get and give advise for this style car.
once again thanks in advance and I hope to hear from you soon!!!!!
ps - car is in another state and I have not physically seen it but I had it brought into a mechanic and I spoke extensively with him about it after he went through it.
thanks.....
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not a single person has any info or even an opinion about this?
I was hoping for a better welcome being new to this board!
thanks
My dim recollection of these cars is that this era 60s Continental definitely had some recurring and persistant problems that are well-known....but alas....not to me.
I've also heard that they handle like crap. Even though they're borderline compact compared to the Cadillacs and Lincolns of the era, they were extremely heavy cars. I'd guess around 5200 pounds or more for the convertible. Still, you don't buy a car like this to go through the slalom or drag race, so sloppy handling's probably not a deal breaker.
Did these cars run on 14" rims? If so, forget about ever trying to modernize to radial tires. I don't think they make 14" radials with a high enough load rating for a car that hefty. However, if it's on 15" rims, you might be able to find something.
Anyway, good luck if you do decide to purchase it. Those 4-door Lincoln convertibles are beautiful cars.
Those cars were PIGS! They handled like crap, they were very hard on brakes and front end parts. They crack exhaust manifolds that are a nasty b***h to replace. They are very difficult to work on and they get 9 MPG.
That convertable hydraulic system is VERY complex and the few people who knew how they worked are probably long dead.
They have vacuum door locks and wipers and A/C controls that will cause you constant trouble and are nasty to fix.
All of this being said, they do look good and there are no doubt clubs out there who can offer youy some support.
Every car has it's following it would seem.
I wouldn''t touch that car with a twenty foot pole.
You did ask, remember...and WELCOME!
when it comes time to redue the interior I will do a two tone (non original) white and red to rid the inside of ALL the red it currently has. (this is the only thing I dislike but can live with it because of its shape, condition and price!
I came to this board hoping that someone would know a little something about this car and maybe advise me what to look for in the purchase process. I did not stop here though and with a bunch of research I found several people who are very knowledgeable and who were happy to help me in telling me what to look for.
These cars I have found can have rust problems and as one of you stated, uni-body construction with rust can be a big issue. That is why the one I am buying has very little undercarriage rust. They can also have electrical and mechanical issues too but I have been advised that the mechanical issues are actually pretty easy to handle (something I plan on taking care of) For the electrical issues (and at the moment my new car to be does not have any) there is a guy who travels all over the country (in a large SUV) fixing these issues but he does charge an arm and a leg! If the doors or windows or top ever do give me a problem I will break down and give that guy a call. Everyone with knowledge who I did talk to all recommended this guy as a great person to do the work; they also said he backs his work with a minimum 12 month guarantee!
Anyway, the new car is in transit and it will be here next week. My plans are only to drive it only when it is very nice outside, I have no work and there are two or three girlies to cruise around with. With that being said, I live in Southern California, 3 blocks from the Pacific Ocean and have a bunch of girl friends that cannot wait to go for a cruise!
Here's a pic of my new ride for all of you to enjoy, ridicule or whatever you may....
it shows up next week, I can hardly wait!
The "traveling top fixer" is a true story. I have heard about him before---although I think that any really clever person could do this sort of thing. This isn't rocket science, but rather a question of patience, alignment, adjustment, etc.
Yeah keep us posted. These guys aren't as mean as they sound :surprise:
Maybe YOU will become the resident expert on these cars, for the next guy who buys one.
It sounds like you did your homework and understand what you're getting into. I've heard of the traveling convertible guy too, there seems to be a lot of tech and parts support for these beasts. Pick up a Hemmings.
Enjoy, and keep us posted!
I too grew up (?) in Southern California a few blocks from the ocean so I have no idea what rust even is.
I'll stand my my mechanical opinion of these cars and I truly hope you can avoid much of the troubles these are known for.
I perfer the sedans too but that convertable is one beautiful ride.
Big back seat + lots of girl friends who want a ride = pregnancy! :shades:
They and others have never mentioned there being a problem with cracked exhaust manifolds but as in all vehicles (more so in older ones) it is a possibility, as well as other potential problems, which I understand. I, of course, was looking for info on what to look for; I found it and then found a car that hopefully does not have a bunch of those issues but well see! They also told me (as well as I have experienced) that these cars drive like a dream. There not going to go down a slalom course but I am not buying it for that, they cruise down the freeway at 75-80 and glide. I remember that feeling the first time I rode in one, with the top down and I LOVED it. Pigs? Not for a second. Gas hogs? You bet!
Here's one more!
<img src="http://www.residentialpros.com/00005.jpg
And, you have no way of knowing that at age 23, I managed a 40 bay shop. I've seen it all and I'm old enough to remember those cars. I remember them well and shops hated to work on them. My best friend has owned two of these and he kept me well versed on the many problems he had with them. If floating down the road is your idea of a "dream" you be a very happy person. They do have a nice ride.
I'm glad you have people with the knowledge and patience to work on these. You will need them so be nice to them!
You shouldn't ask people's opinions if you are going to snap back at them. You also shouldn't ask for opinions if you have already decided to buy the car.
I do wish you well. It is, indeed a good looking car. I would leave the interior red. It actually looks good in that car.
Your opinion as well as all others were appreciated but to be honest I asked for advise on what to look for so I did not buy a lemon so to speak.
My point is that your choice of wording in your first post was a bit off the mark. Thanks for the positive comments in this post, they were definitely different than your last!
I probably would have toned down the content of my post had I KNOWN you had made up your mind to buy one.
As long as a person KNOWS what they are getting into and still decides to proceed it's their choice.
My feelings about these cars remains the same. They are very troublesome cars that are difficult to work on.
You seem to be going in with your eyes wide open and it sounds like you have the financial resources to feed and repair this beast.
As they say in the car biz.." There's an a** for every seat"!
Join a Lincoln club and have fun!
thanks!
Shifty the Host
I'll post some pictures of my own when the beast arrives!
There was lots of room in that big Lincoln in the shade, and the four of us started jumping up and down inside the car, with all the doors open.
I want to say that we managed to bend the frame, but I don't know for sure; I was just 5 or something - but I sure know that the owner was REALLY mad at us. :surprise:
no worries about the girlies, you'll get a few of those (after I have!) soon enough....
I don't know how he would have gotten home with that little problem?
(I hope you can understand sarcasm)
I didn't realize there was such a support group for these and that is a GOOD thing!
Maybe you'll have some challenges with it, but I'm jealous. Enjoy the ride!
Have you checked out Classic Lincolns?
Seriously, back when I was in college (in the golden age of automobiles), my dreams of success included a stone house in the suburbs with a pool; a trip to Europe every few years on vacation; and a Lincoln in the garage. Caddys were too flashy, and Mercedes were for old, practical Dentists. Japanese cars? Uh, my girl friend was fond of telling me that her crazy brother's Toyota took the same size tires as a large forklift. Who would want one of them things?
Gimme a real car..... gimme a Lincoln. Convertible, if you got one.
http://www.sff.net/people/mckitterick/Lincoln/LincolnTips.htm
My neighbor has a '64 Slab Side (hard top) that his dad gave him in high school about 30 years ago. He really doesn't have much trouble at all with it except for the window switches.
hit enter and presto! picture is displayed!
I paid an extra fee to have the car expidited because I needed to get it by today and the shipping company blew it. My car is in Texas (inside) for a month because they could not meet the delivery date I paid extra for.
Much later be found a beautiful 1967 Lincoln sedan. Same thing.
Hate to say it but GM built much better cars back in the 60's.
I remember back in 1999, when I had my mechanic replace two power window motors in my '89 Gran Fury, he said that of the domestics, GM had the best power windows, Ford had the worst, and Mopar was somewhere in the middle. So I guess some things never change!
...second rear window motors on convertibles use four (not three) wires and are unique, they can be sent out for rebuild. Installation requires disabling the automatic window feature temperarily so you do not get you arm cut by the window regulator. Window switches are made by Bosche and are rebuidlable, replaceable, and ALL the same, with different pins in the center of the switch depending on location---but housings made of bakelite so be careful removing them.
...all '64-65's have weak amp gauges at this point. If you rev the motor and the gauge pegs in sequence then the gauge and/or alternator/voltage regulator is weak. By-passing the wires to the amp gauge only and carefully wrapping them will ensure your car does not catch on fire when the gauge fails, finding a new one is a very expensive propasition. Having the old one repaired is the way to go.
...Be sure the top cylces OK. The Upper back panel limit switch is problematic, but can be rebuilt through John Cashmann's. (He also does on site service and inspection for an up-front fee plus time)
...They are very fun cars to own an drive, but like any old car require maintenance. And for safety's sake switch the 65-66 master cylinder to a 67 dual type which is available new for a modest price.
DouglasR
pic's to come, hopefully with a few girlies!
I hope this describes the girlies too!