June 8, 2023 Update – Less than one day following the auction, a new buyer stepped up and made an offer of $18,500 that the seller accepted.  We congratulate both the seller and the buyer on being able to strike a deal.

June 7, 2023 Update – The high bid of only $8,100 did not meet the seller’s reserve price of $19,900, so we’ve moved this vehicle to our “Rides Still Available Page.”  Click the blue button above or below to navigate to this ride’s bid page, where you can either select the green “Buy Now” button or place a realistic counteroffer in the “Bid” box.

GuysWithRides.com is proud to offer Lot 216, a 51K-original mile, Spanish Red Metallic 1963 Lincoln Continental sedan, on behalf of the second owner of the past fifteen years.

This Continental is a California Black Plate survivor-quality, unmodified example.

Bidding opened Wednesday, May 24, 2023, and continues through Wednesday, June 7, at 6:00 PM Eastern.

This is a survivor-quality example featuring a rare exterior color and its original California Black plates and currently resides as part of a private collection near Ventura, California.

The Deets

The late 1950s were not good times for Ford Motor Company. While the failure of the short-lived Edsel division remains well-known, often forgotten is the fact Ford’s Lincoln Division also suffered losses of approximately sixty million dollars during the same period.  In an attempt to change its fortunes, Lincoln launched an all-new, fourth-generation Continental for the 1961 model year.  The sole model for the 1961 Lincoln lineup, buyers had the choice of either a pillared four-door sedan or a four-door convertible.

Despite the new generation Continental being nearly fifteen inches shorter overall, riding on an eight-inch shorter wheelbase, the Lincoln remained heavier than its Cadillac or Imperial contemporaries.  After the sales disaster of the oversized and over-styled 1958-1960 models,  the fourth generation of the Lincoln Continental introduced a new design direction for the brand.  The 1961 Lincoln Continental featured a long and sleek body design, emphasizing its luxury and sophistication. It had a clean and uncluttered appearance, with smooth lines and minimal ornamentation featuring understated chrome accents.

The interior of the 1963 Lincoln Continental was a masterclass in luxury and comfort. It boasted a spacious cabin that could comfortably seat six passengers. The front and rear seats were wide and plush, upholstered in premium materials such as leather or high-quality cloth, depending on the customer’s preference.  Stylists designed the dashboard with a focus on simplicity and functionality. It featured a horizontally-oriented layout with a wide instrument cluster in the center, housing various gauges and controls. The steering wheel was large and elegant, and the driver enjoyed a commanding view of the road ahead.  Noteworthy features included power windows, power-adjustable seats, and an optional air conditioning system. The interior trim options allowed for customization, offering different color combinations to suit individual tastes.

Under the hood, the fourth-generation Lincoln Continental featured Ford’s MEL 430 cubic inch V8 engine topped with a four-barrel carburetor. This engine delivered ample power and torque, making the car a smooth and effortless performer on the road. It was mated to a three-speed Turbo-Drive automatic transmission, ensuring a comfortable and refined driving experience.  Engineers tuned Continental’s suspension system to provide a smooth ride, effortlessly gliding over bumps and imperfections on the road. Power-assisted steering and power brakes were standard, enhancing the car’s maneuverability and stopping power.

For the 1963 model year, the Continental underwent several functional updates. Engineers redesigned the front seatbacks to increase rear-seat legroom while stylists reshaped the trunk lid to provide more luggage space. 1963 was also the first year Lincolns switched from traditional generators to modern alternators for consistent electrical power.

The current caretaker of the past fifteen years grew up loving Continentals as their grandfather once owned a Lincoln dealership.  When the time came for their children to start driving, the current caretaker happened upon this low-mileage 1963 Lincoln Continental sedan. With their children now grown, the Lincoln rarely gets used currently, so the current caretaker wants to find a loving home for their family’s survivor-quality Continental.

To help you make informed bids, we’re providing you with access to Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, that provides an interactive graph of recent comparable sales year-to-date. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  In this particular instance, the average sale price shown in the graph reflects the much higher prices paid for convertible models combined with a recent trend towards resto modding these fine automobiles. We have taken that into account by instituting a reserve price more consistent with survivor-quality sedans.

If you have any questions about this 1963 Lincoln Continental Sedan, please comment below or call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking, and happy bidding!

Exterior Gallery

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Interior Gallery

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Underhood And Undercarriage Gallery

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Tires And Wheels Gallery

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Documentation Gallery

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