T2#053. Lincoln Continental

T2#053	Lincoln Continental
real name	Lincoln Continental Mk.VII
source photo status	from Internet
vk post	https://vk.com/wall-170914_28

A large sedan with the most classic appearance, depicted on the insert No. 53, of noble color against a background of rain-washed greenery and smooth asphalt, in the 90s was the epitome of rich and measured American life, it seemed like a millionaire's car.

While working on this chapter, I have seen many photographs of the Continental, but none of them looks as austere, majestic and elegant as on the insert. I've always admired its thick, cozy rear roof post and flowing waistline. I really wanted to get in the back seat and roll at 60 miles per hour along these lush green fields.

This liner was not uncommon and was usually present in every collection. Nevertheless, this is one of the cutest inserts in the series, largely due to the natural background.

Source code

The image on the insert is a very common, but mirrored, press release photograph of the manufacturer, which has been repeatedly used for advertising purposes.

About the car

Said "Lincoln" — say "Continental". Continental is the most famous brand name, which first appeared back in 1939. Solid full-size Continentals constantly competed for the title of America's most luxurious car with Cadillac Fleetwoods. These cars even had a kind of “presidential race”, because the heads of the United States preferred either Fleetwood or Continental.

Unfortunately, the most famous Continental is the SS-100-X, a presidential car built by Hess and Eisenhardt (now part of Centigon) based on the 4th generation Continental, in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

It is worth admitting that the designers managed to resolve contradictions and combine tradition with modernity, and monumentality with grace. In front of us is one of the most recognizable executive class cars.

However, you should still look for the eighties inside. From many contemporaries, the Continental is distinguished primarily by a fully electronic instrument panel with a fluorescent digital speedometer and a “message center” that provides the following information from the on-board computer: date and time, instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage to an empty tank, distance to arrival, estimated time of arrival, average speed, conversion from miles to kilometers, etc. Today, this is the usual equipment for any small car, but in those days few cars, even of the executive class, could boast such fantastic tools.

In the 80s, Ford Motor Company became one of the pioneers of the new aerodynamic style. Pompous classics now seemed out of place, because the eighties needed something fresh, previously unseen. No more reverse tilts of headlights, unnecessary protrusions and depressions, angles. Look at the Ford lineup: Escort, Sierra, Scorpio, Taurus, Thunderbird... They are distinguished by the bold, uncompromising lines subordinated to air currents.

It is quite logical that in order to attract a progressive audience, Ford really did not want to lose his conservatives. The Lincoln executive brand was perfect for this mission. That is why the seventh-generation Continental looks like a compromise. New trends are already visible in his style, and at the same time: a flowing side line, the original shape of the stern with a stamped spare wheel on the trunk lid, vertical taillights and a massive chrome grille.