Why do Auto Buffs Love the 1961 Lincoln Continental?

Suicide doors

Loved it as a Dinky Toy, or maybe a Corgi.

Along with the Corvair and the1963 Pontiac, it ushered in 1960s US car design, which was more restrained than the cars that came before them. The 1960 Lincoln (see link) is gaudy in comparison.

Even though it is a huge car, it is smaller and more compact than the 1958-60 Lincolns. This car was designed in 1958-59, during the Eisenhower recession, when buyers were rejecting big 50s cars and starting to buy smaller, more timeless cars like VWs. GM redesigned their full sized cars in 1961 as well, and they weighed less and were smaller and cleaner looking than their 1960 predecessors.

Also, because of JFK’s assassination, the 1960s Continentals are linked to The Kennedy Era, especially for Baby Boomers.

I prefer a 1955 Lincoln Continental

I love the ‘61 Conti.

The '61-'63's were compact for a luxury car (shorter than a Mercury). The styling was simple, clean, no fins, little chrome. The suicide doors. The 4-door convertible with the disappearing top. They were different from anything else at the time.

Jackie Kennedy drove a '61. They were considered the tasteful alternative to Cadillacs and Imperials.

There were no 2-door models. If you wanted a luxury compact 2-door, there was the Continental's sister car, the Thunderbird.

[quote]I prefer a 1955 Lincoln Continental

You mean the 1956-57 Continental.

There was no 1955 Lincoln Continental.

1955 - they had the Capri only, right?

R7 Capri and Premiere

So they were called suicide doors because if, IF they opened at speed, it would be dangerous to reach out and close them.

Did many open at speed?

R9 didn’t they have some sort of latch to hold the door in place?

Compared with their late 50s models, the design was clean and functional.

They kept the same basic body and chassis for a long time afterward and and refined the basic design further.

Convertibles in good condition are worth a lot.

I’d go for the ragtop before the sedan.

R9 - I've read that the Chicago Outfit used cars with suicide doors for executions. A drive out in the country and a little shove.

Its reminds me of the car in which JFK was assassinated, albeit on a smaller scale.

Watch this:

It reminds you of that car because it is that car: a Lincoln Continental...on a longer wheelbase.

I don't think I've ever liked it, regardless of the generation. The final one was a major disappointment because they based it on a stretched Fusion platform; they cheaped out on it. Very frustrating thing that US carmakers do - build things to a cost and INSIST that it's as good as the foreign competition.

IMHO the nicest ones were the 1961 to 1963 versions.

In 1964 they kept the same basic styling but they lengthened the car a bit, squared off the roofline and tragically got rid of the curved side glass and made the side windows of flat glass. They also gave the car a new dash that looked like it belonged in a Mercury.

In '65 they gave it a cheap looking grill.

In 1966 they gave it a whole new restyled body. It was now a bigger car but it was a very attractive update. A coupe was added.

In 1968 they got rid of the convertible.

By 1970 this series was gone, replaced by a big fat barge. No more suicide doors, no convertible.

So IMHO the only really nice Continentals were the '61 to '63 and the '66 & '67s.

R17 that ideo is glaring with errors.

McNamara was defense secretary for both JFK and LBJ. His dates are a bit all over the place.