The Lincoln Continental, a legendary model that began life as a 1939 Edsel Ford prototype, had proudly entered its fourth generation of production by 1961. Styled by Ford’s Design Vice President Elwood Engel, the 1961 Lincoln Continental was wildly popular, with its sleek, long, and low design. It exuded luxury inside and out, most notably with its rear-hinged back doors. So impressive was the new Continental design that it received a Bronze Medal from the Industrial Design Institute and Car Life magazine’s annual Engineering Excellence Award.

The 1965 midcycle redesign featured a flat grille and a less angular hood design with style lines on either side of the Lincoln hood emblem. The turn signals were integrated into the front fenders, with similar treatment at the back of the car. Kelsey-Hayes front-wheel disc brakes improved braking performance, and retractable front seatbelts became standard. For 1965, the Continental was offered as either a four-door sedan or four-door convertible.

According to this Lincoln Continental Convertible’s factory trim tag, it came finished from the factory in Heather over a “tuxedo-style” black-and-white leather interior. Powered by the 430-cubic-inch four-barrel-carbureted V-8 engine, backed by a three-speed automatic transmission, the Lincoln completed production in September 1964. It left the Wixom, Michigan plant destined for the Denver sales district.

Today this Lincoln presents very much the way it left the factory over 60 years ago. It has been part of the Vehicle Vault Collection and proudly on display since January 2012. The epitome of a luxury car in the mid-1960s, it features General Motors' dash-mounted automatic headlight dimmer—a factory option that Lincoln offered—as well as power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, power seat, power antenna, and power convertible top. It rides on whitewall tires mounted to steel wheels with factory wheel covers.

Only special cars left the Blue Oval’s Wixom plant, with its most notable models over the years including multiple generations of the Continental and Thunderbird, as well as the Ford GTs of the mid-2000s. This Lincoln is one such special car, and as one of just 3,356 built for 1965, this example, finished in a lovely color combination, is sure to draw attention.