April 2020 • By Tony Thacker

The Lincoln Continental name first appeared in 1939 after Henry Ford’s son Edsel commissioned numero uno in 1938 to be his personal transport. Designed by Eugene ‘Bob’ Gregoire, its styling was described as European or Continental hence the name. Before it was ever scheduled for production apparently 200 of Edsel’s friends placed orders, apparently with signed blank checks. When it did go into production and the 1940 model appeared architect Frank Lloyd Wright said it was “the most beautiful car in the world.” Frank bought two.

Unfortunately, like his namesake the Edsel, the Continental had a checkered sales history and never really captured the public’s attention. That is until the slab-sided ’61 appeared. Designed originally to be a Ford Thunderbird, the ’61 was a departure with clean lines compared to its predecessor, the ’58 model. Yes, it was big with sharp chrome-edged fins that ran from front to rear but it had those ‘barn’ doors and a strong 300 hp 430 ci under the vast hood crowned by the Lincoln ‘gunsight’ insignia.

It was a boat of a car that had to be docked rather than parked but its understated elegance was undeniably cool. Designer Larry Erickson said, “The ’61 Continental burst like a breath of fresh air into the showrooms of America much like its most famous passengers Mr and Mrs John F Kennedy.”

For many years the early-60’s Continentals were mostly ignored. They were big, heavy barges 17 feet 7 inches long. They were complicated with temperamental servos and relays that became increasingly hard to service. Indeed, only a handful of people wanted to work on them. And then, suddenly, in a replay of their original introduction they resurfaced like a come back band with a new manager. They had a second coming.

Once couple who bought into the resurrection was Jeff and Shantal Pont of Southern California. Shantal has always loved the Lincoln and husband Jeff decided to have one built for her at Mick Jenkin’s renowned MicksPaint.com, Pomona, CA. 

The only problem was that the car went to another shop where it was stripped and painted and then ‘lost’ for two years. When it was relocated at least thirty percent of the parts were permanently lost. “It’s only when you start looking for good replacements that you realize how hard it is to find parts for these cars let alone somebody capable of working on them.” Commented Jenkins.

 “The Pont’s concept,” continued Jenkins, “was to have a super cool, stock looking Lincoln that was very refined and muscled up but most of all a real driver and I think we achieved that.” Indeed, this is Shantal’s grocery getter.

If you want to read about the finished car go here.