1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

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Goodvibez63
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1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Goodvibez63 »

Hey guys my first post here but I’ve been reading a lot and I appreciate all the knowledge I’ve acquired.

I have some good news and bad news.

Good news is I bought my dream car, it runs and drives the front frame is in good solid condition, rear frame is in ok condition, there is rust. Doors open and close perfect no sagging, and it’s my favorite color combo “A” paint code (black exterior) “85” interior color which is red. I’ve been looking for ever for this. I have a decent budget for this car and I am in no rush. I have a very good body guy, he’s done work for me on other vehicles, he re skinned a whole chevelle ever single panel was replaced and it looked amazing.

Now the bad news.. after putting the car on the lift, floor was pretty rusted which is no problem, I found a complete floor from Alex which is on this board he is a great guy, I am buying a bunch of parts from him. My main concern is the rocker panel area, it’s pretty rusted. I’m in deep with this car and I can’t go back, doors do not sag at all and they open and close perfect lines match up great.

I’m going to post some pictures and tell me if there’s anything I can do to fix this. Any help is so appreciated.

I will post pictures as it progresses. My goal for this car is to put air ride in it, pull the original 430 and transmission and get it rebuilt and put all new mechanisms for the convertible and redo all the suspension and aftermarket disk brakes.

I would appreciate any guidance with the rocker panel area.

The car came with two doors in great condition, two almost perfect front fenders a perfect rear trunk lid and a front bumper in mint condition

It’s missing the rear seat, tail lights and rear grill.

This car lived in New Mexico since 1972 until 2015 and then was moved to Arizona until I bought it recently
I’ll take pictures of the front frame once I get back to the shop
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Last edited by Goodvibez63 on Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
papawayne
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by papawayne »

Welcome to the forum! As old guys like me say, "I've seen worse." If your body guy has seen the rockers, I would value his opinion. Depending on his skill, he can probably fabricate some new ones. He might suggest welding in some temporary cross braces to hold the integrity of the body during surgery. I'm pretty sure you've read, "buy the best one you can", but if you are committed and have plenty of time, go for it. I couldn't tackle a project like this because I wouldn't live to see the end of it. Wayne
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LC67Vert
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by LC67Vert »

Congratulations on buying your dream car! I would be most concerned about the integrity of the underside of the car. As these cars are uni-body construction the body does not ride on a separate frame and if there is too much rust in the wrong places it can affect the structural integrity of the car. This car needs everything so I hope you have a very big budget and lots of time as you will likely need to spend tons of money and time, much more than you originally expected. Whatever you budgeted for time and money double it. Sorry to seem negative but it is too easy to get in over your head with an old Lincoln.
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1967 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Goodvibez63
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Goodvibez63 »

Thank you for the welcome! Yes I know this will take time and be costly but I’m ready for it, I wanted to start something we’re I can build up the exact way I wanted it. I didn’t really want to buy something someone else restored and then I would have to change a bunch of stuff so this is what I found lol.. I honestly thought it would of looked better underneath but oh well, this is my chance to get my fabricator to stiffen the frame
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by defrang »

I talked to Rich Liana, a well known expert restoration specialist, about 5 years ago about this exact subject: rusted and structurally unsound rockers on a 60s Lincoln convertible ( https://www.lianarestorations.com ). I believe he would say this can't be done safely and/or at reasonable cost. Before spending a lot of money, you could call him or John Cashman or John Brewer or Nathan Wilson. The latter 3 people are on this forum. Cashman has a website (https://convertiblelincolns.com). Brewer has an ebay store and Nathan has an excellent youtube channel.
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action
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by action »

May be that could be buffed out!

Action
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Stuart M. Cohen
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Stuart M. Cohen »

Congrats and welcome! Good choice in years (I have a 63 sedan).

Check out my website; I went through the same thing. It can be done, but be prepared to pay. I have more in my restoration than my wife paid for our first house in the early 90s.
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Mike »

Congrats on getting your lincoln! I've always loved the convertibles but I ended up with a sedan which I'm OK with since it saves on the extra cost and headache the convertible is and also usually not as bad rust wise.
It looks like you have your work cut out for you. But at least you know what you're getting into and no-one tried to hide those issues underneath.
1963 Continental
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and a couple Chryslers and Cadillacs
Goodvibez63
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Goodvibez63 »

Thank you all! So my body guy came and checked it out, he said it’s not a problem (for him) and he’s done it before, he said he will build it to be stiffer then factory, for what ever that means I’m happy! He said it’s going to take time for everything, he took about 2 years on my chevelle but he basically built a new chevelle so I’m thinking a year on this but the car will be perfect ready for black paint. Stu I will PM so maybe you can let me know how yours came out.

Also Stu just noticed you’re in Vineland! I have properties in Millville that’s so cool, small world!
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RMAENV
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by RMAENV »

Goodvibez63, where are you located? I am on the PA side of Trenton, NJ
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Goodvibez63
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Goodvibez63 »

Hello Rmaenv I live in southern California
Stuart M. Cohen
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Stuart M. Cohen »

"I have properties in Millville"

Being from Vineland, I can honestly say you have my deepest sympathies! :grin:

Glad your body guy can do the work.
Goodvibez63
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Re: 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible

Post by Goodvibez63 »

Stu - I know I know lol.. I see potential but it will take the right team and time.. a lot of work.
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