If you’re a frequent flyer here at AutoSaga, you might remember January’s story about Chandler’s rarer-than-hen’s-teeth-Woodill. It might not surprise you to learn then that he has once more struck gold. Automotive gold, that is. He may not have been exploring rivers with a pan searching for nuggets, but he was exploring the untamed paradise of Facebook Marketplace looking for gems on four wheels.

Now I usually edit the interview responses I get for clarity and general ease of reading. Then I get subjects like Chandler who pour love and passion for their automobiles through their words. So rather than paraphrase our conversation and risk butchering his storytelling prowess, I’ve instead opted to solely fix its grammar and spelling mistakes and leave the sentence structure as Chandler’s mouth said it.

Q: Alright so how’d you find the Lincoln?

A: I came across this car by total accident. A friend shared a FB marketplace ad for a 1965 Imperial Convertible in Lilac – a really rare color. I had to go look because the car struck me. Upon my arrival and 20-foot inspection of the lilac convertible, I quickly realized it was far more a project than I was willing to take on. The last thing I needed was another project. After some casual conversation with the sellers, I discovered they were the nephews of the late owners and were charged with selling the collector cars for the estate. While the Imperial was less than ideal, they mentioned that there were a pair of low-milage survivor Continentals in the nearby garage. My ears perked up right away! As they opened the old wooden door, I audibly gasped as a 1966 and 1967 Continental appeared. At a glance, they were twins, both silver with black vinyl tops. After I gathered myself, I began to scour the cars and was drawn to the ’67 like a moth to flame. It had an ultra-rare red cloth and vinyl-trimmed interior. 

Q: And what condition was it in?

A: The car was as if it were driven in there and just left to collect dust. It was visibly a very, very nicely preserved example and had not had any work done to it. It was clearly a low-mileage survivor that had just been sitting around.

Q: Got any of the backstory of the car?

A: Unfortunately the nephews did not know much about the cars. They knew no more than a typical Googler could know. This wasn’t a problem for me though because I could do my own sleuthing to reveal what backstory the car may have. It still wore a 1997 Pennsylvania state inspection sticker on the windshield. I knew at least that it had lived in PA. Upon further inspection of the rich red sea of the interior, I noticed the nameplate on the dashboard. Continental owners could have their names engraved on a plate on the dash. A sort of badge of honor for the lucky driver.

The name on my dash was Alberta H. Pew. A stately and old-fashioned lady’s name nonetheless. It was my own keyboard marathon that would reveal who Pew was. Alberta H. Pew was none other than the wife of Joseph N. Pew Jr – Vice President of, and son of the founder of Sun Oil Company aka Sunco. The Pews were residents of PA. The Marti Report I ran on the car revealed that it was sold to Pew on 07/11/1967 from Main Lincoln Mercury in Wynnewood, PA. 

Q: What appealed to you about it?

A: The striking color combination drew me in right off the bat. The silver with black top and the red interior combination are rare as can be, with the Marti Report stating that 61 examples were so trimmed. The next and most substantial attraction for me was the car’s stunning originality. Let’s face it, there isn’t any shortage of suicide door Lincolns out there, anyone can type it in and have their pick of the litter around the country.

What is not commonplace or easy to find are low mileage, unmolested survivor examples such as mine. In that cold dark garage in Carmichael, I peered over the beautiful red steering wheel to see what the odometer revealed. It read 16,379 miles. Upon thorough inspection of the car, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the true and accurate mileage. Red oxide primer is seen on the chassis, factory inspection stamps and labels are seen throughout, and the build sheet was found under the rear seat. I live for high-quality survivors. Again, anyone and their cousin can buy and restore a Continental, but not many can find one that is truly a time capsule and in such a sleek and sexy color combo.

Q: What are your plans for it?

A: I’ve had my eye out for a car I can enter into preservation classes at Concours events. This car fits the bill to a T. I am in the middle of getting it back on the road. All of the normal things like brakes, belts, hoses, and tires are in progress. Further plans include replacing the problematic nylon timing gear with an all-metal gear and then diving into the power windows, seat, and radio. After all those systems are operational, I plan to hit the road. There’s no other road king like a Continental! I anticipate it will do quite well on the Concours circuit. I better get moving as I’ve entered it in the Hillsborough Concours this June!

Q: Are there any questions I haven’t asked you that you want people to know about?

A: Not particularly, but one special thing to note. When I lifted the center armrest, a pair of red Italian cashmere-lined driving gloves were revealed, in equally good condition as the rest of the red interior. I couldn’t help but feel the pride that Alberta must’ve felt when driving her beautiful Lincoln and living that “Continental Lifestyle.”