After the relatively unsuccessful debut of its all-new 1958 model, Lincoln designers went back to the drawing boards to create a new car that would debut in 1961. Focusing on quantity, the line would be pared down to a single model, the Continental, which would be offered only as a four-door sedan and as a four-door convertible—with the latter being the last of its kind to be built by a Detroit automaker when the model was eventually discontinued in 1969.

The new Continental, created under the leadership of Elwood Engel, was smaller than earlier models. The decision to “downsize” the Continental resulted in one of its most distinctive features: suicide-style rear doors, as there was simply not enough room between the wheel wells for four doors and a generous rear passenger seat without hinging the back doors at the rear.

In order to accommodate an ultra-low ride height, the Continental boasted an innovative driveshaft that was lowered as far as possible to reduce the interior tunnel. Other advanced features included extensive factory rustproofing, curved window glass, and a standard one-year 1,000-mile factory warranty, which was the first of its kind offered on an American car. Each Continental underwent exhaustive road testing prior to its delivery to its original owner. It is no wonder that the model was such a lasting success, with styling that would be used through 1969, and it has become one of Lincoln’s design landmarks.

The 1962 model year Continental offered here rolled out of the factory on 27 December finished with a Powder Blue exterior over Continental Blue leather. Presenting in unrestored condition, the Lincoln was purchased by the current owner in 1989 with only 19,000 miles on the odometer. Today, the reading has increased to 26,434 miles at cataloguing and the car is believed to be largely original beyond an exterior respray to the factory color.

An excellent candidate for a refreshening, this Continental sedan remains wonderfully elegant and true to the Lincoln tradition.