1969 Lincoln Continental

1969 One-Off Lincoln Continental Limousine - Built for Jackie Gleason - Amazing!

1969 One-Off Lincoln Continental Limousine – Built for Jackie Gleason – Prototype by Carron & Co.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a true piece of automotive and Hollywood history: a 1969 custom one-off Lincoln Continental limousine commissioned by legendary actor and comedian Jackie Gleason. Hand-built by Carron & Company of Inkster, Michigan, a firm renowned for creating prototype vehicles for Ford and GM, this limousine blurs the line between a production car and a factory prototype.

Costing a reported $65,000 in 1969 (over half a million in today's dollars), this bespoke Lincoln was the last of the famous suicide-door Continentals. Completed in 1970, it introduced groundbreaking features and styling cues that previewed Lincoln's 1970s design language. Its DSO code of 84 designates “Home Office Reserve,” a classification reserved for special-order, executive-level vehicles. Featured in multiple authoritative books and publications on Lincoln history, this is truly a one-of-one limousine with celebrity provenance, museum history, and extensive documentation.

Highlights:
One-off prototype-style build by Carron & Company
Commissioned new for Jackie Gleason
Final year of the Suicide Door Continentals
Reported $65,000 build cost in 1969 (approximately $500,000 today)
Extensively featured in Lincoln reference books and magazines
Award-winning car: 96 out of 100 points at Lincoln Continental Owners Club National Meet in 2013
Documented, museum-kept, and collector-owned since Gleason's use

Unique Options and Features:
Extended custom body with modified forward-projecting grille
Distinctive rear-mounted spare tire built into bumper pocket
Retained factory suicide doors
Periscope roof system with advanced mirror visibility
Automatic headlight dimmer mounted externally on rear fender
Dual power sunroofs for chauffeur and passenger compartments
Club seating with twin side-facing seats and reclining rear seat
Power divider window between chauffeur and passengers
Integrated TV, power rear liquor cabinet with ice dispenser, decanters and glass holders
Power-folding dining table for rear passengers
Dual air conditioning systems with separate schematics from Ford
Dual radios, dual power antennas, rear 8-track player
Factory-ordered 460ci V8 engine
Custom leather and patterned cloth interior in maroon theme
Cruise control, power locks, tinted glass, and extensive electrical features
Complete fitted luggage set
Full documentation and period literature

Condition
Exterior:
Finished in a rich maroon with show-quality paint, arrow-straight sides, and deep chrome throughout. Features period-correct BFG triple whitewall tires. Completely rust-free, beautifully detailed, and presents like a high-level show car.

Interior:
A true rolling lounge. The chauffeur compartment features custom bucket seats and console trimmed in leather with floral accents. Rear seating is lavish, with plush patterned upholstery, reclining seat, club-style arrangement, power divider, bar, TV, table, and all functional amenities. Carpeting in trunk and cabin is high-grade and exceptionally well-preserved.

Mechanical:
Powered by the original 460ci cubic inch V8, the limo runs and drives like a dream. Both A/C systems function, dual antennas work, all windows, divider, bar cabinet, table, and radios operate. Both sunroofs function with minor assistance. Underhood presentation is show-ready. Odometer shows just 33K believed-original miles.

Celebrity History and Provenance:
Commissioned new for Jackie Gleason, this limousine was chauffeur-driven during his ownership and is believed to have transported numerous celebrity friends. After Gleason, the car was displayed for years at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum in Florida before passing to a prominent Lincoln collector in Baltimore, Maryland. It has since been carefully preserved in private hands.

This limousine has been featured in:
Cars of Lincoln-Mercury (Damman and Wagner)
Lincoln Continental Owners Club publications
National event where it earned a top-tier judging score

Closing Statement:
This is not just a Lincoln. It is an irreplaceable piece of American automotive history. A one-off, factory-style prototype limousine commissioned by a world-famous entertainer, documented, award-winning, and fully functional. Whether you are a serious Lincoln collector, a museum curator, a Hollywood memorabilia enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the best of the best, this is a car you will never see duplicated.

Do not miss your chance to own the only one ever built.

Contact us:
For questions, please call Bob at 480-628-4778 or Bobby at 480-226-4018. We can assist with shipping Connections. International buyers are welcome. The car is located in sunny Scottsdale, AZ.