In 1961, the Continental was completely redesigned by Elwood Engel. For the first time, the names Lincoln and Continental would be paired together outside the Mark Series; along with replacing the Continental Mark V, the 1961 Continental replaced the Lincoln Capri and Premiere, consolidating Lincoln into a single product line. Originally intended to be the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, the design was enlarged and slightly altered before being switched to the Lincoln line by Robert McNamara. One of the most striking features of the new Continental was its size. It was 14.8 in (380 mm) shorter than its predecessor. So much smaller was this car, that advertising executives at Ford photographed a woman parallel parking a sedan for a magazine spread. The new Continental's most recognized trademark, front opening rear doors, was a purely practical decision. The new Continental rode on a wheelbase of 123 in, and the doors were hinged from the rear to ease ingress and egress. When the Lincoln engineers were examining the back seats that styling had made up, the engineers kept hitting the rear doors with their feet. Hinging the doors from the rear solved the problem. The suicide doors were to become the best-known feature of 1960s Lincolns. To simplify production (in the beginning, anyway), all cars were to be four-door models, and only two body styles were offered, sedan and convertible. The 1961 model was the first car manufactured in the U.S. to be sold with a 24,000 mi or 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. It was also the first postwar four-door convertible from a major U.S. manufacturer.This particular 2 owner 1965 Lincoln has been refinished in its original colors of Medium Silver Mink Metallic over black interior with a newly replaced white convertible top. The paint is in excellent condition, as well as the front and rear bumpers. The underside is clean and solid with no rot or rust to speak of. This vehicle is equipped with the seldom seen "Continental Kit" which is a very desirable to collectors and enthusiasts. The black interior is in great condition, along with the door panels, dash and carpets.Under the hood boasts the correct 430 CI 320 HP engine attached to an automatic transmission that runs and drives beautifully with all mechanical aspects working as they should. This is an original A/C car but the compressor is currently without a belt. In the trunk the vehicle still retains the original spare tire, jack and tools which come with the sale of the vehicle.This vehicle was purchased out of a collection that the prior owner owned since 1998. The VIN is 5Y86N433415 and is being sold on a clean Kentucky title showing that the previous owner has had the car since 1998. Bid with confidence, you will not be disappointed in this investment grade Lincoln. Please call with any additional questions