Suicide-Door Barn Find: 1966 Lincoln Continental Is All-Original and 99% Rust-Free

Lincoln’s most iconic nameplate, the Continental, has been discontinued for four years as of 2024. And while it has been revived four times, it may never return—at least not as a sedan. But if you’re eager to own a Continental, the nameplate has been in production for a whopping 48 years, and the market is loaded with cool classics.

If you’re not into restoring oldtimers, there are plenty of pristine-condition examples to choose from. Just be prepared to pay big bucks if you want a pre-1970 version. But if you’re willing to invest in a restoration, many Continentals can be had for the price of a second-hand modern crossover. This 1966 example, for instance, is looking for a new home at $17,500 or best offer.

This fourth-generation Continental spent more time in storage than on the road. More specifically, the four-door convertible was parked in 1986 after only 20 years of use. Assuming it was uncovered in 2024, it sat for exactly 38 years. While the seller describes it as a barn find, the Lincoln was actually locked in an ammunition armory all this time.

But the important thing is the Continental took nearly four decades of storage like a champ and emerged in fantastic condition. Sure, the paint is weathered, there’s a dent in one of the rear doors, and the soft top shows some damage, but most barn-kept classics return to the light with a lot more damage. Moreover, this four-door is rust-free except for a small area on the bottom rear end.

The interior is pretty much in similar condition. It’s complete and still looks the part, save for some heavy wear on the front seats. But it needs a good scrubbing to shine again. The odometer shows 88,371 miles (142,219 km), which isn’t a lot for a vehicle that’s 58 years old as of 2024.

The drop-top still relies on its factory 462-cubic-inch (7.6-liter) MEL V8. This mill was brand-new in 1966 when Lincoln enlarged the previous 430-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) unit. The powerplant was rated at 340 horsepower, enough to get the 5,200-pound (2,359-kg) Lincoln to cruising speeds. But does it still run after 38 years without a sip of gasoline? Well, now that it has a new battery, fuel tank, spark plugs, wires, and fuel lines, the Continental runs and drives.

Granted, it may not be road-worthy just yet, but it doesn’t need a complete restoration to become a drivable survivor. But such a refresh would definitely turn it into a Concours-ready classic.

This 1966 four-door is part of the fourth-generation Continental produced from 1961 to 1969. A significant redesign, this Continental soldiered on for eight years without radical changes. However, 1966 saw the introduction of an all-new body that was five inches (127 mm) longer than the previous model year. The fourth-gen Continental was also the first Lincoln with suicide doors since 1951 and the only iteration of the nameplate to have this design until 2019.

Is this 1966 four-door drop-top worth restoring, or should it soldier on as a survivor? Is it worth the $17,500 (or best offer) sticker? Let me know in the comments.