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Check out our YouTube Preview of the Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition

The Coach Door Edition of the Black Label Lincoln Continental at the NYC unveiling.

Lincoln, verified itself as the epitome of modern elegance in the early 1960s when it introduced the low-slung Continental. The era of Madison Avenue marketing the latest in cool, showing people what they could aspire too. Men dressed in sharp suits, elegant women’s fashions, jet-age travel, martinis and more were at a new and daring peak as the world was about to change forever. Then there were many large four-door luxury sedans, though only one was long, sleek, with what would be an icon for luxury, with center opening doors, the Lincoln Continental. And that engineering feat (remember those doors weighed as much as some cars do today,) and would not be replicated, until now, suicide doors, and only Lincoln offered them on the Continental.

Why Just 80?

Limited production of 80 will make this a very collectible automotive icon. Eighty will be made for 2019 and also again in 2020, a total of 160 in all. Eighty vehicles each year, each with a special individual door sill plate featuring its identifying number. No doubt this exclusivity will bring this Continental into collector’s garages for those looking for something that few others have.

Exterior Design

While smaller than the 1960’s model it evokes, Lincoln has taken the straight lines and rounded them to produce a modern luxury sedan. While a drop-top version would be the ultimate return to the Eisenhower era, we do feel that the four-door stretch design gives rear passenger comfort a huge step up, and expect market demand for the 6-inch longer version with or without the center opening doors will bring a longer Continental to market for the limousine and black car buyer.

At first glance you may not notice the difference between the Coach Door version and a standard Continental, upon closer inspection, you will see its proportions are more elegant with an added six inches of wheelbase.

The engineering of the rear-hinged doors supported by the rear quarter of the vehicle means an added structure for rigidity. Otherwise, the door is pretty much the same. just opening for a more gracious entrance and exit.

Interior Design

The Coach Edition of the Continental is much the same as that of the Black Label edition of the four-door luxury sedan currently in dealer showrooms. Where this model excels is the rear passenger comfort with the length to the car’s wheelbase allowing for the placement of the larger rear doors. Six inches has provided Continental the best-in-class second-row legroom. Rear seating for two, each in a roomy and sumptuous bucket seat separated by an elegantly crafted rear-seat pass-through console with stowable tray table and tablet holder. The console provides a single phone induction charging bay, two USB outlets, audio and HVAC controls, and though you will not find space crystal champagne flutes like in a Maybach or Rolls. But there is a three-prong 110v outlet inside the console.

 

Driver Experience

The Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door, like the rest of Lincoln’s lineup, is meticulously crafted inside and out, integrating technologies that both assist and entertain. Providing refinements and advanced features like; Perfect Position seats that adjust 30 ways, plus Active Noise Control for a quiet interior. A Revel^® Ultima Audio experience allows drivers to select one of three listening modes, including stereo, audience and on-stage.

Activated by the key fob or a smartphone assigned to the vehicle, this Continental will sense a driver’s approach and lights up with Lincoln’s trademark sequential welcoming embrace. Lincoln’s award-winning Head-Up display contributes to a custom driving experience by letting drivers choose what information is projected onto the windshield display. The feature is so innovative that it is visible even with ambient lighting and when the driver is wearing polarized sunglasses.

 

Continental’s Power Train

Lincoln’s exclusive 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine provides a smooth, powerful drive delivering the power and performance today’s driver expects with an impressive 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Three Drive Modes, including Normal, Sport and Comfort, allow clients to personalize their driving experience.

Lincoln’s Exclusive Black Label

Only Lincoln Black Label authorized dealers will have the opportunity to sell the 2019 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition Continental. Lincoln Black Label not only provides the highest quality of materials in customized designer themes, it also offers a host of membership privileges. These include annual vehicle detailing, anytime carwashes, and access to a selection of restaurants where noted chefs will provide a curated dining experience.

Continental buyers will have their choice of Lincoln Black Label themes, the brand’s most personalized level of luxury, including Chalet and Thoroughbred.

This limited-edition Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door model is available to order now through Lincoln Black Label dealers, with 2019 model year vehicles set to arrive next summer

Words and Images by William West Hopper

No compensation was provided by Lincoln Motor Company for this posting. We attended an industry preview in NYC, where we paid for our transportation,  lodging, and expenses.