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Based on a 1963 Lincoln 4-door sedan, the 1965 Continental Town Brougham show car had a 131-inch wheelbase, 8-inches longer than the production car. Under the long hood was a 320 horsepower, 430 cu. In. V-8, connected to an automatic transmission. Featuring an open chauffeur compartment, the exterior was finished in dark blue. The blue/green metallic-tone leather interior was accented by walnut moldings and large Continental emblems embroidered into the seatbacks. There was a limousine-type division window to separate the driver from passengers, but an intercom kept them in touch.
An exterior styling update to the Lincoln Continental Town Brougham Show Car was done to reflect the current 1965 Lincoln Continental styling. This included the replacement of the front fenders, grille, front bumper, rear tail lamp lenses, and rear bumper. The front fender is turning light, and Continental Star emblems did not reappear on the 1965 car. A double chrome rocker panel molding was added, as was a simulated pull-out roof section over the chauffeur's compartment. Last year's Plaza Blue Pearl color remained the same, although it was renamed Dark Blue Pearl.
The Town Brougham was still not designed to be driven other than for very short distances and at low speeds. It was never considered for production, although Automotive Mileposts has documented a 1965 Lincoln Continental Sedan that appears to have factory-installed S-bars on the roof sides. At the time of documentation, the car still wore its original Arctic White paint, White vinyl roof, and White and Black two-tone leather interior. The S-bar inserts were white to match the vinyl roof color. It is certainly possible the dealer added the S-bars at the delivery time. However, the original owner's grandson said the car was ordered that way and delivered from the factory with the S-bars in place. We've never found anything to indicate a special trim package for the 1965 Continentals. Still, it is certainly possible the additional trim could have been provided to Lincoln dealers in cities where the Town Brougham appeared. This particular car is one of two we have seen with the S-bar; the other one was Arctic White with a Black vinyl roof and Black leather interior. We could not document this car as we were the all-white one.
The Town Brougham still exists today and is a rare example of a Ford show car that survived and was later sold to the public.
Images: Ford; www.chicagoautoshow.com; www.barrett-jackson.com
