Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Uncle Joe]

I found my restoration in a barn a few years ago. It’s a 1970 Lincoln Continental Coupe. It is not a Mark series, which is the usual one that is seen.

It’s a big car. Its 18’ 9” (5715mm) long, 6’ 7” (2022mm) wide, and has a kerb weight of nearly 2.5 tons. Powering all this along the road is a 460” (7.5 litre) V8 with 365bhp @460rpm and 500lbs. ft. of torque. Needless to say, its an automatic. As is usual with American cars, it has loads of extras, some that were quite advanced for 1970. AM/FM Stereo radio with 4 speakers, Power aerial, Central locking, Automatic Headlamp dimmer, Tilt Steering wheel, Six way Power seat, Automatic ride control (self levelling suspension), Sure Track Brakes (ABS), and no less than 18 sequential taillights!

The first winter was spent making it roadworthy, and then I drove it for a few seasons making sure that it was reliable, and doing some jobs each winter. At the end of summer 2005, I took it off the road in order to do a complete restoration. At present, I’m getting rid of the rust, which turned out to be more than I expected. More precisely, I’m making up a new patch panel for the boot floor, which I will be welding in place soon.

A big problem that I have is getting hold of certain spare parts that are unique to the car, which at present is really slowing up the restoration. According to information received, only 3073 of this car were ever manufactured, which is probably the reason!

[admin]

Thanks for weighing in with a thread about your resto (any more out there?)

do you ever find stuff on the bay for your Continental?

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/ebay.htm?ebaylink=Lincoln+Continental


Rick

[Uncle Joe]

Funny enough, no, not really! I dont watch it all that carefully, but whenever I have seen a 70 on ebay, its either been a Mark III or a 4 door. Though quite a few 4 door parts fit, none of them have ever been suitable!

Then again, I've forgotten what some of them are called in US English! Just this question of spare parts is making the resto interesting, but time consuming.

[admin]

Have you started taking any photos of recent progress?

Rick.

[Uncle Joe]

To be truthful, there hasn't been much progress of late, as I've been sidetracked with the 300!

As soon as I can get hold of some L-56 or equivalent, I will get the boot floor patch panel finished and in place. I am planning to take a series of photos of this work, and will post them when its completed.

[iceman]

Hi everyone.

Throughout 2007 i will be dismantling an old 1983/4 Ford Sierra ghia and rebuilding it using Formula One technology that is around today.
It is going to be a complete rebuild from engine to aero work and although it will still look like a Sierra it will hopeully have a shock and awe effect from all the new internal and external enhancements that i have designed myself.

[Uncle Joe]

iceman, why not start a new thread about your Sierra?

UJ

[admin]

Sounds like an unusual project for sure, and definitely worth its own thread

Rick

[iceman]

[buzzy bee]

I would put it in this section if I was you, so you can outline the work you do on it as it happens.

Cheers

Dave

[iceman]

Ok thanks

[Uncle Joe]

Its time for an update on my project.

The patch panel for the boot floor is now finished, and I've just spent some time removing the petrol tank, as its too close to the welding for comfort.

The big trouble is, with the tank out of the way, it exposed a patch of rust that is absolutely impossible to get at without removing the body from the chassis...

I'm glad I've got another classic to run around in!

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I just love it when that happens, you remove somethig to do a small job and it turns into a major one! Waht a pain!

Cheers

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

To be truthfull, I dont really mind if I have to do a body-off restoration. The only problem is where to store the body during the time it is removed. Otherwise, it will just allow for a better job, and teach me a bit more!

[admin]

Spose it'd be quite a large body to lift, and store wouldn't it!?!??!!!

R