I know what you’re thinking – why is a General Motors PR guy cruising around downtown Manhattan in a Lincoln? They can lock you up for that sort of thing in Detroit. Pierre Kanter is no traitor though. In fact, the French-born car guy and 15 year GM marketer called up VP of Global Design Ed Welburn for his blessing before making the purchase two years ago. “It was between the ’61 Lincoln and a ‘59 Caddy Coupe de Ville. Welburn loved the Caddy but told me I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to own a Continental.”
Kanter says the black on tan survivor is all original except for the paint. Mesmerized street goers young and old gave the thumbs up as we glided by in the 20 foot land yacht that gets an astonishing 8 MPG whether you are doing 50 or 5 MPH. Hell, the interior is big enough to take the whole neighborhood for a ride. Seriously, it’s cavernous and comfortably seats six people. “Are you looking at me or the car” said the cool European as one pretty admirer walked by. “It’s a mythical car that brings out people’s love for American vehicles” he continued. And unlike most classics, this one lives on the streets of Chelsea and gets driven with the top down all four seasons.
“I have three loves – cars, wine and women”, said Kanter, who started his auto industry career delivering press vehicles to some of the most notable automotive journalists in the business.
Be sure to give Pierre the thumbs up if you see his Lincoln cruising by.
I love this car! And the photos are terrific! Thanks for taking the time. Good luck.
Great pix of a great car. Love the sepia.
Nice post.
[...] 1954 Series 62 Coupe was parked all by its lonesome in a Chelsea area garage. Like many of the American land yachts from the day, this Caddy is positively massive in every way. How massive? Overall vehicle length [...]
my grandmother traded her fifty-seven imperial for the new elwood engel continental the year of its introduction. it was the rage. even for a production piece, i consider it to be on par with the facel vega in terms of sheer presence and style. tres chic. a stunning piece, emblematic of its era. yours is especially pretty.
hey thats my dad in that car. its the best car every. he is in love with cars so he had to have one of his own.
hey thats my dad in that car. its the best car ever. he is in love with cars so he had to have one of his own.
I know this guy and he wouldn’t have it any other way, he has a lot of SWAG!!!
That’s one hot looking frenchman! Can someone get me his number??!! Oh wait, i live with him and his fabulous car ; )
This is interesting. I had a ’62 model back in the 1960′s. I averaged nineteen miles to the gallon and- in the five years I owned the car- spent seventy-five cents on parts. I bought the car from the original owner, who owned the local Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealership. He told me that the car was fitted with some experimental equipment that Ford was testing. I never thought much about it, but then there was that nineteen miles per gallon. Makes me wonder…..Anyway, these were great cars and arguably one of the most beautiful designs to ever hit the asphalt.