This could easily serve as a 1960s post card. The B/W coloring, vintage set of wheels and beautiful suburban back drop harks back to a simpler time. Another great find from our good friend, fellow photographer and purveyor of 35mm film Aaron Stern.

Share This

Hide Sites

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.

Share This

Hide Sites

RE: what’s under the car cover. For those of you who said early 1960s Lincoln Continental hard top sedan, pat yourselves on the back. You didn’t actually think we would pull the cover off of a complete stranger’s vintage automobile did you? That’s how people get killed in this city.

Share This

Hide Sites

From a stunning 1941 concept car to fin-tastic coupes, sedans, wagons and convertibles circa 1960, Chrysler has certainly taken liberal use of the Newport moniker. And, with all the low riders and assorted customs roaming around, it is clear that enthusiasts have too. It wasn’t until ‘61 that Chrysler dedicated a specific model line to the Newport name. Up until that point, the badge designated a 2-door hardtop body configuration. This entry level full size sedan, essentially a de-contented sister vehicle to the upscale New Yorker, was meant to bridge the gap between Chrysler and Dodge when DeSoto went under.

Newport’s stylist, Elwood Engel, also penned the out-of-this-world ‘61 Continental and T-Bird before Chrysler stole him away. Engel, who served as design chief at Chrysler from 1961-1974, knew a thing or two about designing cars that moved off lots quickly and even studied under iconic stylist Harley Earl while at GM’s school of design. With models like Newport, his first start-to-finish product design at Chrysler, it is clear that Engel’s distinguished restraint carried over to his new employer. Gone were the exaggerated tailfins from the Virgil Exner administration and in was a squared off, slab sided aesthetic tastefully adorned by chrome strips that ran along the top and bottom of the flanks.

PT Cruiser and Sebring are awesome and everything but we pray the “new”, post-chapter 11 Chrysler has given design talent the directive (and freedom) to create cars even half as compelling as this Newport was.

Share This

Hide Sites

The Lincoln used in the opening credits of Entourage is cooler than Vinnie, Eric, Turtle and Drama combined. We’re talking about the iconic 4 door convertible that originated suicide doors here folks. Short of loading a prefabricated home onto the back of a tractor trailer, driving one of these Continentals is the closest a person will ever come to taking the living room for a ride . The slab sided good looks and grand dimensions, inside and out, speak to a golden era for American luxury brands. A time when pulling up the curb in a Lincoln or Cadillac meant you had arrived.

Share This

Hide Sites