I want a 69 Camaro..but what about this idea

[Plavidal]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-LINCOLN-CONTINENTAL-CONVERTIBLE-U-MUST-SEE_W0QQitemZ290016002396QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6304QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

See the link above. This is a 66 Lincoln Continental. My step brother has one that I could buy from him. I was thinking to upgrade the suspension and put some nice wheels, not ghetto looking. Then put a big block in the car or even an 03 cobra motor and tranny and a 9 inch rear end, although I don't know who could do that or how much that would be. It would be something different and I love the suicide doors.

Weaver

[ill steez]

well i mean if you want a car to be fast and handle well i dont think thats necessarily the way to go... i think its an awesome car though.

[element180]

I say go for it.They're already great looking cars and hopefully he'll give it to you for cheaper than someone you don't know would

[trapin]

Weaver....I love it. It doesn't get any cooler than suicide doors, and the '66 continental has those classic body lines on it. They sure don't make cars like that anymore. What a great cruiser that would make. And it's not far off to suggest that it couldn't compete as well. If Jeff Schwartz can win the Car Craft Real Street Eliminator in an '82 Fleetwood...then I'd say there's hope for big cars yet.

Dare to be different, my friend.....dare to be different.

[Plavidal]

The only problem would be I would have to find a shop to do the motor/tranny/rear end work and would need someone to do the suspension mods too. I know of an upholstery shop and paint shop.

Any suggestions as I live in Louisiana.

Thanks,

Weaver


Weaver....I love it. It doesn't get any cooler than suicide doors, and the '66 continental has those classic body lines on it. They sure don't make cars like that anymore. What a great cruiser that would make. And it's not far off to suggest that it couldn't compete as well. If Jeff Schwartz can win the Car Craft Real Street Eliminator in an '82 Fleetwood...then I'd say there's hope for big cars yet.

Dare to be different, my friend.....dare to be different.

[Diognes56]

I have always liked those cars. Assuming it would fit, I would go with a '03-'04 Lightning 5.4L rather than the '03-'04 Cobra 4.6L. Those Lincolns aren't anywhere close to being light (Link (http://www.66lincoln.com/)) and the added torque would be welcomed.

David

[Steve Chryssos]

With the current level for "A List" muscle car prices, I'm surprised that these cars haven't appreciated more. Better hurry up before they get expensive.

Despite the fact that you know the seller, be sure to check the car out carefully. You can easily drop $10K on trim replacement and plating for these cars.

Add overdrive, air ride, big brakes and modern rubber and you have the perfect cruiser. Then get a Camaro down the line to park next to it.

[Plavidal]

How much would it cost to drop an 03-04 lightening motor, tranny, brakes, rear end and a modern suspension? My budget would be in the $30 to $40 range at the most.

Weaver


With the current level for "A List" muscle car prices, I'm surprised that these cars haven't appreciated more. Better hurry up before they get expensive.

Despite the fact that you know the seller, be sure to check the car out carefully. You can easily drop $10K on trim replacement and plating for these cars.

Add overdrive, air ride, big brakes and modern rubber and you have the perfect cruiser. Then get a Camaro down the line to park next to it.

[Steve Chryssos]

I HATE "budget" benchracing threads. Someone always chimes in and describes how they can accomplish the same goal for a $1.28. I'll let others quote the numbers. I prefer to discuss project goals and themes. I could just as easily tell you how to drop the entire $30K on just an engine.

Project Goal: This car is a cruiser. I like to call them "couches". It will never handle very well. Idle quality and part throttle engine output is more important than peak horsepower. Decent fuel mileage is important. Style and comfort are important.

There's no such thing as aftermarket suspension parts for your application. Improved suspension geometry would require custom parts. And custom parts are expensive. In t real world, the biggest handling gains will come from good radial tires. Upgrade the ride quality and stance with an AirRide system. Convert to modern 4 wheel power disc brakes. Bigger diameter wheels will help to make room for the big brakes. Maintain a good amount of tire sidewall--minimum 40 or 45 series tires. 265/50-17 would be nice. If you run out of budget (don't we always?) the existing engine has plenty of torque. It will work well in front of an electronic overdrive transmission calibrated to your exact needs and preferences. You can add fuel injection and electronic ignition to the current engine, but the biggest improvement in drivability and fuel mileage will come from overdrive (aside from a good engine tune up).

On a car like that, a high end stereo is more important than brute power or handling. That's just my opinion. I'm not saying that the engine swap is unnecessary--just a lower priority. Here is how I would prioritize the function of that car:
Braking
Wheels/Tires
Overdrive
AirRide
Amenities (i.e. stereo, AC)
Body & Paint
Horsepower

[DarkBuddha]

I've always liked these cars, and have looked at several over the years, and almost bought a couple. I ultimately decided I'd only want a 2 door hardtop, which seems rarer (but cheaper) than the 4 door converts.

Anyway, unless you've got killer cash to do a Jay Leno Toronado thing to it, I say go for a nice driver/cruiser that will haul your family, friends, and 5 dead bodies all at the same time.

BTW, I think this is the first time I saw a set of 22" wheels on a car and didn't think they looked too big.

[ANIMOSITY]

I have always liked those cars. Assuming it would fit, I would go with a '03-'04 Lightning 5.4L rather than the '03-'04 Cobra 4.6L. Those Lincolns aren't anywhere close to being light (Link (http://www.66lincoln.com/)) and the added torque would be welcomed.

David

Only prob I see with the Light motor is height. You would have to put a scoop or cowl hood. With the cobra It would fit under the hood. Trust me I know about the MOD motor height issues

[whytry]

I have always loved that car too. I would bag it through some nice 22" wheels on it with big brakes and drive it

[formula]

I will own a black and red 66 conti vert someday, bagged on blacked out 20s with redwall tires. I say do it, absolutley. They're some of my favorite cars of all time.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

i loved my 1964 lincoln conti.. but i like my camaro MUCH better..

sides.. my Bonnie is on it too..

[MrQuick]

ahhh i love that idea... i had a 62 and its an awesome ride. do it do it

[Plavidal]

How much would an airride suspension cost? Also, I am assuming that a baer system would be at least $2k, not including labor. I have already looked into wheels. I like these below. Not sure if they make whitewalls that big though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/20-inch-Chrome-TIS-wheels-rims-Ford-F150-Envoy-Chevy_W0QQitemZ130012937275QQihZ003QQcategoryZ4396 0QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Weaver


Here is how I would prioritize the function of that car:
Braking
Wheels/Tires
Overdrive
AirRide
Amenities (i.e. stereo, AC)
Body & Paint
Horsepower[/quote]

[formula]

airride would probably be around 4k.

[2lofosho]

i have a 66 continental sedan and let me tell you bro unless you love scouring the internet and junk yards for parts do not buy the car because they dont make crap for replacement parts. as for the trim most of it can be buffed it's alluminum the only real chrome is the bumpers. swapping other big blocks is going to be a challenge because of the hood clearance and a scoop or a cowl would not be attractive on those cars. but there were built well or at least mine was. and also check for body filler everywhere unless you great at doing patch pannels because there is no new replacements for these cars.

[novanutcase]

I say go with Steves suggestion. The car, in my opinion, is too heavy to really wrench any handling or speed advantages. Make it your Guys Night Out car so you can pile all your buddies in it and cruise for hotties! You certainly don't want to speed by some hotties and not be able to get a good look at them and them at you!:twothumbs I would look for another car if you want to carve corners and go fast.

[Boyd]

I absolutely love that body style Lincoln. Steve's idea of a luxo-cruiser is perfect. But I would go with the Camaro. If you are in a position to build this car now and are pretty certain you could buy/build a '69 later, then go ahead and build the Linc. If, however, your cash for a car is a one-time windfall, the Camaro would be the smarter choice. No matter what you do to that Lincoln, a top-notch '69 Camaro will always be worth more dough. Plain and simple. But if you have deep pockets and don't give a damn what the re-sell value will be down the road, that Lincoln will make one killer ride. Check out Troy Trepainer's web-site, he has build-up pics of I believe a '65 he did for a baseball player. Very Cool.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

There's no such thing as aftermarket suspension parts for your application.

wrong there bud..

i had a full suspention setup for my 64 Continental set at 3 inch drop all around.

go here..

www.jamcosuspension.com

they have a full aftermarket setup for around 800 dollars.. thats new shocks and leafs and misc..


hope this helps you out.. if i can help give me a holler.

[Steve Chryssos]

Yum :yum:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[twosaturns]

seen this?
http://www.radrides.com/67lin.html

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

yea but you dont see how he spelled 69 Camaro..

nice lincoln tho.. the wheels are a little too gaudy for my taste.

[Plavidal]

I am scrapping the idea. I don't really want a pimp mobile and it seems that is what the Lincoln would be. I am going to hold out and keep looking for a 69 camaro that is done or almost done pt style. I would spend up to $40k for one, but can't justify any more with my finances right now.

Weaver