Background
This page is in the process of being built to show my 1966 Lincoln Continental being restored from the condition it was in when I bought it to hopefully a nice looking car. I bought this car in May 2002. I have always really enjoyed big, old cars and my dream was to get 'a big car, with a huge engine, and suicide doors'. I first saw this car for sale in a local AutoTrader, the ad said "1966 Lincoln Continental. Lincoln car, Lincoln style, Lincoln ride, Chevette price". Not very much info, so I got my friend to call about it, and to make a long story short, later and another for the flatbed tow-truck, the car was in my yard. The price may sound cheap (or expensive if you are like my parents) but the car was in pretty bad shape. It had not been on the road since 1993, it hadn't run in over a year, there was a lot of rust, the interior was filthy, most of the doors didn't open, the brakes didn't work, and almost everything electrical didn't work. But there was/is potential. |
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A little bit about the car
features about the car:
- 1966 Lincoln Continental 4 Door with Suicide doors
- 462 cubic inch V8 with 340HP and 485lb/ft Torque
- Leather interior with 6-way power contour seats in front and bench in rear
- Power windows and power vent windows
- Vacuum powered locks and trunk release
- Power steering and brakes
- A/C, AM radio, Automatic temperature (climate) control
- Disks brakes in front, Drums in rear
- Unit-body design
- Length: 220.9", Width: 79.7", Height: 55.0", Weight: 5265lb
Work done, and work needed to be done
What have I (and my father) done? (in order, since I got the car)
- Completely cleaned the interior; there was a thick layer of dust/dirt covering the seats/doors
- Managed to free up all doors; 3 of 4 wouldn't open
- Broke into the trunk; found lots of mess and indication of animals living within
- Bought new ignition switch; car didn't come with the keys
- Bought new battery cables; bought battery later on, used a spare until then
- Tried to get power options to work; succeeded on driver's side window and passenger's vent window
- Started the engine; fixed the 'now apparent' problem with the choke
- Fixed the fuel pump; took it apart, cleaned fuel filter
- Used a gas jug to supply fuel; tank and gaslines not trusted to not leak
- Bought air filter; old one black with filth, except under the 'remove this sticker before use' sticker
- Bought front brake calipers, pads, rear shoes, lots of brakeline, various springs, hold-down kit, etc.
- Installed brake parts; had trouble bleeding brakes as the pedal had to be pulled back after it was pushed down
- Found leak in master cyclinder; cause of above problem
- Tested brakes (they worked, but had to be pulled back)
- Started car, tried to test driving it; added transmission fluid; tested car in driveway; very impressive
- Bought 2.5% light transmission Limo-Black tint for windows; very dark
- Went through very annoying process of tinting windows (vent windows, front windows, back windows, and rear window); finally got it done
- Started very long process of bodywork; as of now the front driver's side quarter panel is done
- Upgraded the master cylinder to a 1967 dual-resevoir unit
- Bought the following items on eBay: wiring diagram, owners manual, shop manual, and a new fuse box (to replace the rusted one on the car now, and hopefully in the process fix some of the nagging electrical problems)
What else have I done recently?? It has been months since your last update!!
- Well, most of the stuff above was done during the first summer, and since then I have moved back to another province to go to university
- So that means I have only been able to work on the car when I am home on vacation
- The last time I was home there was over 2 feet of snow on the car
- However, I have done some things to the car
- I removed and cleaned the headlight switch
- I replaced the high beam selector on the floor, and finally got the headlights to work!
- I took out the dash (I'm not sure why!)
- I purchased new Uniroyal 235/75/15 tires with 3/4" whitewalls, but I am waiting until spring to install them
- UPDATE!! -
- The bodywork is now finally done!
- The car has been primed AND painted. I chose flat black because it is very appropriate and the car looks great
- The stainless steel exhaust has been created and installed. And I do mean created, it has been completely fabricated by my father. It is 2" all the way back to the 2 1/2" terminator mufflers and polished tips. It looks and sounds great.
- I have fixed a lot of the smaller problems around the car, including some electrical stuff
***Unfortunately, there have been set-backs!!***
- We have noticed the tie-rod ends and center link need to be replaced
- The gas tank needs to be sealed
- The exhaust manifold gaskets need to be replaced, and the right-hand manifold needs to be replaced entirely
- Worst of all: The transmission has decided to quit. Yes, that is right, I need a new transmission. Great fun, huh?
- But, the car is finally in my name, which is a huge hassle I don't have to deal with.
So, there is still lots left to do, and for those who have been keeping track, it has now been 1 year and 4 months since I got the car. It is starting to look like at least a 2 to 2 1/2 year restoration. *Sigh*, I'm not losing hope though, the car looks fantastic.
Please look at the pictures, and sign the guestbook!
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