Tall American. This Lincoln Continental is very special, because there are only two of them still driving around.
Driving a real American is quite special. This Lincoln Continental is very special, because owner Huub tells us that there are only two of them still driving around in the Netherlands. This copy is quickly approaching half a million, so it is high time to see how the technology is doing.
Owned for almost 10 years
Is it that roar of the V8? Is it because of the country of origin or the recognizable appearance? Huub Winkeler from Vorden has a thing for American cars and that dates back to his youth. “My father was also crazy about those carts, so you know.” We take care of Huubs Lincoln and, as usual, it starts with an extensive test drive. During those kilometers, judge Joep Schuurman’s list of findings starts to take up quite a few lines on the yellow form.
Yes, this is a real American and was put on the road for the first time in the USA. Just after Christmas 2000 (the year in which we thought all computers would go crazy) the car was registered. Huub: “Almost four years later he came to the Netherlands. The first owner bought it from the car company in Friesland that imported the Continental. He or she was quite loyal to the Lincoln because he drove it until 2011. Huub thoroughly researched the history and discovered that the second owner was another car company. The car was probably traded in there. He was there until the end of December 2013, and then Huub struck.
Great enjoyment
“It was mine for four thousand euros; he had just over one and a half tons on the clock at the time. Shortly afterwards, in February 2014, I had the LPG system installed for more than two thousand euros. Then the great enjoyment could begin,” says Huub with some irony. The enjoyment is great, just like the car itself. The costs remain manageable thanks to LPG and cruising in it is comparable to nothing. Lincoln was once marketed as a luxury brand from Ford. Huub: “Ford is mainstream, a Lincoln is to Ford what Cadillac is to General Motors: you get more, it looks nicer and more exclusive and you pay more.”
Huub took his son to Carrec and you guessed it: he is from the next generation that cherishes American cars. My son also had a Lincoln, a Continental, and a Cadillac. “Cadillac is still one step higher on the ladder than Lincoln, that is the general perception,” Huub explains. “The more dynamic road behavior plays a role in this.”
Huub is still active as a consultant, but is phasing out a bit. Not with driving, because he still enjoys that and quite a lot. “In addition to my regular work, I have a very special side job. I deliver medals and other official military awards to people’s homes throughout the country. Very rewarding work to do and you get everywhere.” Huub usually does this with a van, not with the Lincoln. The American is the so-called daily driver.
The inspection is progressing and Joep’s list is gradually becoming quite long. The judge: “It is certainly a neat car, but if you look at it critically, and we do that, quite a lot of things come to mind. It has certainly not been neglected, but with this age and mileage, things come up and more and more of them are coming.”
Laundry list
Father and son Winkeler are having a great time during the inspection. They don’t fall off their chairs when Joep comes afterwards with what you could safely call a laundry list. Huub: “I’m going to take a moment to see what we can and should do with it. I had already decided to give the Lincoln a little more rest and fewer kilometers. I’m so attached to it that I don’t want to get rid of it. He is too nice and too exclusive for that.”
Owner Lincoln Continental
Name: Huub Winkeler
Year of construction: 1950
Place of residence: Vorden
Occupation: consultant in retail book industry
First car: Simca 1100
Previous car: Lincoln Continental
What would you like to change about your car?: The forward view is not optimal
What’s your longest trip with this car?: Whew, I think the South of France
Signaling
Engine: 4.6-liter V8 petrol engine, LPG
Max. power: 205 kW/279 hp
Drive: front
Number of gears: 4-speed automatic
Brakes front/rear: provided. disks/discs
Suspension: air suspension
Luggage space: 520 liters (minus 110 liter LPG tank)
Weight: 1,849 kg
New price 2000: approximately €60,000
Practical consumption: 12.1 l/100 km (1:8.3)
0-100 km/h: nb
Top speed: 200 km/h
What’s wrong with it?
- The car requires ‘engine service’
- Engine idles messily
- Too much engine vibration noticeable
- Vibrates when braking
- Hums when braking
- Pulls to the right
- The machine bangs, skids and does other strange things
- Air conditioning not working (‘just a week ago’, says Huub)
- The rear left window opens and closes with difficulty, the rear right window does not open at all
- Front shock absorbers quickly reach the limit stop
- Front wiper blades sometimes skip parts of the window
- The engine lacks a lot of power and stutters enormously when driving on gas
- Coolant is leaking
- V-ribbed belt and guide rollers show signs of excessive wear
- Engine leaking oil
- Front control arm and reaction arm rubbers are worn
- Various rubber hoses affected by oil leakage
- Engine mounts are in very poor condition
- The left front track rod is extensively worn
- The rear left brake has been very hot, the rear right disc is extensively rusted
- There are large rust holes behind the rear screens
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
“Doubtful look for this battleship. It’s great that he has already come this far.”