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- 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by John F. Kennedy - President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in this car on November 22, 1963. The midnight blue, un-armored convertible was rebuilt with a permanent roof, titanium armor plating, and more somber black paint. The limousine returned to the White House and remained in service until 1977. The modified car shows the fundamental ways in which presidential security changed after Kennedy's death.
- November 22, 1963
- Collections - Artifact
1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in this car on November 22, 1963. The midnight blue, un-armored convertible was rebuilt with a permanent roof, titanium armor plating, and more somber black paint. The limousine returned to the White House and remained in service until 1977. The modified car shows the fundamental ways in which presidential security changed after Kennedy's death.
- 1941 Lincoln Continental Convertible, Owned by Edsel B. Ford - Inspired by a 1938 trip to Europe, Edsel Ford collaborated with designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie on a custom car with a sophisticated "continental" look. Reaction was so positive that Lincoln put the car into production. The beautiful 1940-1948 Lincoln Continentals that followed represent one of Edsel Ford's most significant achievements. This 1941 convertible was Mr. Ford's personal car.
- 1941
- Collections - Artifact
1941 Lincoln Continental Convertible, Owned by Edsel B. Ford
Inspired by a 1938 trip to Europe, Edsel Ford collaborated with designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie on a custom car with a sophisticated "continental" look. Reaction was so positive that Lincoln put the car into production. The beautiful 1940-1948 Lincoln Continentals that followed represent one of Edsel Ford's most significant achievements. This 1941 convertible was Mr. Ford's personal car.
- 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet - Inspired by a 1938 trip to Europe, Edsel Ford collaborated with designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie on a custom car based on the Lincoln Zephyr but with a sophisticated "continental" look. Reaction from Mr. Ford's friends was so positive that Lincoln put the car into regular production. The beautiful 1940-1948 Lincoln Continentals that followed represent one of Edsel Ford's most significant achievements.
- 1941
- Collections - Artifact
1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
Inspired by a 1938 trip to Europe, Edsel Ford collaborated with designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie on a custom car based on the Lincoln Zephyr but with a sophisticated "continental" look. Reaction from Mr. Ford's friends was so positive that Lincoln put the car into regular production. The beautiful 1940-1948 Lincoln Continentals that followed represent one of Edsel Ford's most significant achievements.
- 1972 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by Ronald Reagan - President Ronald Reagan was getting into this car when he was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981. The car carried Reagan to the hospital. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and George H.W. Bush also used this car. In 1982 the front sheet metal was updated, but since a 1982 grille no longer fit properly on the 1972 body, a 1979 grille was used.
- 1974-1987
- Collections - Artifact
1972 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine Used by Ronald Reagan
President Ronald Reagan was getting into this car when he was shot by John Hinckley on March 30, 1981. The car carried Reagan to the hospital. Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and George H.W. Bush also used this car. In 1982 the front sheet metal was updated, but since a 1982 grille no longer fit properly on the 1972 body, a 1979 grille was used.
- Advertising Proof, 1994 Lincoln Continental, "Admittedly, It Still Requires a Driver" - Lincoln's venerable Continental closed out its eighth styling generation with the 1994 model year. This era was marked by a pair of dramatic changes. The eighth-generation Continental was the first to feature front-wheel drive, and the first since 1948 built without an optional V-8 engine. This ad focused on the car's many automated features.
- 1994
- Collections - Artifact
Advertising Proof, 1994 Lincoln Continental, "Admittedly, It Still Requires a Driver"
Lincoln's venerable Continental closed out its eighth styling generation with the 1994 model year. This era was marked by a pair of dramatic changes. The eighth-generation Continental was the first to feature front-wheel drive, and the first since 1948 built without an optional V-8 engine. This ad focused on the car's many automated features.
- 1969 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine, September 1968 - Chicago-based coachbuilders Lehmann-Peterson modified this Lincoln Continental limousine for presidential use and delivered it to Washington in October 1968. The extensive bullet-resistant glass panels provided good visibility for the president, while also providing maximum protection. The fold-down rear bumper and folding handrail in the rear deck allowed Secret Service agents to ride on the car.
- September 03, 1968
- Collections - Artifact
1969 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine, September 1968
Chicago-based coachbuilders Lehmann-Peterson modified this Lincoln Continental limousine for presidential use and delivered it to Washington in October 1968. The extensive bullet-resistant glass panels provided good visibility for the president, while also providing maximum protection. The fold-down rear bumper and folding handrail in the rear deck allowed Secret Service agents to ride on the car.
- 1996 Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car - This 1996 concept car exhibits some of the "retro" design ideas popular in the late 1990s. The Lincoln Continental of 1961 inspired its clean, sharp-edged, chrome-outlined profile. The center-opening doors come from the same car. The front end is a re-interpretation of elements from the 1940 Lincoln Continental, while the exhausts exiting from the rear bumpers recall the 1956 Continental Mark II.
- 1996
- Collections - Artifact
1996 Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car
This 1996 concept car exhibits some of the "retro" design ideas popular in the late 1990s. The Lincoln Continental of 1961 inspired its clean, sharp-edged, chrome-outlined profile. The center-opening doors come from the same car. The front end is a re-interpretation of elements from the 1940 Lincoln Continental, while the exhausts exiting from the rear bumpers recall the 1956 Continental Mark II.
- Lincoln Continental Nameplate, 1962 - Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Lincoln Continental Nameplate, 1962
Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- Lincoln Continental Convertible, 1961 - The 1961 Lincoln Continental, with its clean lines and restrained use of chrome, contrasted dramatically with the flashy luxury cars of earlier years. Designer Elwood Engel produced an elegant shape that, with minor annual changes, endured through the 1969 model year. The convertible version was the first four-door convertible from a major American automaker since World War II.
- January 01, 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Lincoln Continental Convertible, 1961
The 1961 Lincoln Continental, with its clean lines and restrained use of chrome, contrasted dramatically with the flashy luxury cars of earlier years. Designer Elwood Engel produced an elegant shape that, with minor annual changes, endured through the 1969 model year. The convertible version was the first four-door convertible from a major American automaker since World War II.
- "'Continental'--The Name Speaks for Itself" Clip from Interview with Bob Gregorie, 1985 - Bob Gregorie began his career in yacht design. After the 1929 crash, Gregorie came to Michigan hoping to find work as an automotive designer. In 1932 Edsel Ford hired him and he became the chief of Ford Motor Company's new design department in 1935. The 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1940 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury were among Gregorie's best-known designs.
- February 04, 1985
- Collections - Artifact
"'Continental'--The Name Speaks for Itself" Clip from Interview with Bob Gregorie, 1985
Bob Gregorie began his career in yacht design. After the 1929 crash, Gregorie came to Michigan hoping to find work as an automotive designer. In 1932 Edsel Ford hired him and he became the chief of Ford Motor Company's new design department in 1935. The 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, the 1940 Lincoln Continental, and the 1949 Mercury were among Gregorie's best-known designs.