1966 Lincoln Continental Coupe (LHD)

Announced in 1961, Lincoln's new Continental boasted a clean, classy look that set the tone for big American cars for years to come. Devoid of the superfluous ornamentation and chrome excesses of the Fifties, the new Continental had flat side panels with a low greenhouse to emphasise the long, lean look of the car. The Continental boasted unitary construction and the massive integral chassis was certainly rigid enough to cope with the major styling gimmick - rear-hinged back doors. Indelibly linked to the death of President Kennedy, the Continentals found favour with heads of state, business leaders and wealthy Americans - a few even made their way to Australia through local Ford dealerships. For 1966, Lincoln extended the Continental by four inches (thereby edging out the Cadillac as the longest car available), with revised styling including tail lights, bumpers and curved side glass while inside the instrument panel was also redesigned. The Continental had a long list of standard equipment, including automatic transmission, power seats, power steering, power front disc brakes, power windows, full carpeting and a windscreen washer. Optional equipment included air conditioning, speed control, AM/FM push button radio, moveable steering wheel and an automatic headlamp dimmer. The 1966 Continental was powered by huge 462-cid V8 with a Carter four-barrel carburettor, developing a 340 hp at 4600 rpm, enough to propel its not inconsiderable bulk along at decent speeds. The introduction of a two-door hardtop for 1966, which accounted for 15,766 sales that year alone, helped boost Lincoln sales by 45%. Today, the Sixties Continentals are becoming increasingly collectible and recognised as a design icon, the first American car to break away from the flash and fins of the Fifties.