1965 Lincoln Continental Convertible

QSV 11427 is the license plate number of this classic 1965 Lincoln continental featured in the hit HBO Series 'Entourage' as part of the opening for every episode. This celebrity 1965 Lincoln Continental was on display at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show to showcase just one example of the rich design heritage that every Lincoln shares today.

The iconic design of this 1965 Lincoln Continental was first introduced in 1961 when Ford designer Elwood Engel lead a team of Ford designers charged with creating a new design direction for Lincoln. The team's bold new concept featured a striking design with understated elegance. Gone were multiple Lincoln models; Lincoln's success would depend upon the quality, luxury, and style of the all-new Continental alone. With a shorter wheelbase and overall length two feet less than that of the 1960 model, the new Continental was immediately regarded as a benchmark of style and refinement. One of the most striking features of the new Continental was not only the new size, but also its trademark rear doors, which were hung from the rear to provide for ease of passenger ingress and egress. This unique arrangement was not only practical but also represented a truly singular design motif.

Commitment to quality was a hallmark of the new Lincoln Continental and was underscored when the 1961 model became the first American-built car backed with a 24,000-mile or 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Every single vehicle was given an extensive dynamometer run-in and a 12-mile road test prior to delivery so that each new Lincoln Continental was thoroughly tested by the time it reached the dealer.

The new Continental won great acclaim from critics, who appreciated its tidier dimensions, clean styling, and obvious attention to detail. It won Car Life's 1961 Engineering Excellence Award and it was awarded a bronze medal by the Industrial Design Institute, which rarely recognized automotive designs. The 1961-1965 Lincoln Continentals are design masterpieces, considered by many to be a pinnacle of modern Lincoln style for its time.