The SS-100-X presidential limo, custom-built by Hess and Eisenhardt, was possibly the most controversial car since the birth of the automobile. Based on a 1961 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible, it was the car that US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in, back in November 1963.
But the Continental was already the talk of the town before that ill-fated day. Luxury and elegance were the two most important factors for carmakers in the Sixties and you couldn't get any more extravagant than this.
Cadillac was considered the daddy and every carmaker worth its salt was trying to better it. Produced by the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company, the fourth-generation model spanning from 1961 to 1969 was one of the most sought after cars in the US. Body options were initially limited to a four-door saloon or a four-door convertible — the latter's roof taking a leisurely 57 seconds to unfold. But it didn't matter — they flew off showroom floors with 25,160 finding homes in the first year of production. Aimed at the rich and famous, Elvis and Frank Sinatra were often seen driving one.
Powering the big beauty was a choice of three V8s, the biggest being the 462ci (7.6-litre) unit mated to a standard three-speed automatic. A smaller 460ci (7.5-litre) and 430ci (7.0-litre) was also available. We'd probably scoff at the options that were available back then but they were way ahead of their time. An ice cold AC, an electric radio antenna, special interior trim and an automatic headlight dimmer were no laughing matter.
It also got power everything including windows, seats, brakes, steering and door locks. An electric clock, folding centre arm rests, lush carpeting and a seating capacity for six adults in total comfort was another reason people loved it. The Lincoln boasted an understated beauty and was the polar opposite of the types of flamboyant cars being produced at the time. When everyone else was lavishing their models with chrome and large tail fins, the hand-built Continental was dressed much more elegantly. There also wasn't a two-tone paint job, which was common at the time, wearing instead far more carefully selected colours. Bermuda Blue was a popular choice and it added a touch of class, as did the stainless steel trim on the subtle body. It was still a rolling work of art and you couldn't miss one as it rumbled down the road.
Accentuating its beauty was an egg-crate style grille, straight fenders and a long bonnet. However, the best-known feature about it was those suicide doors. People loved them but they weren't intended as a design feature — they were just practical.
The Lincoln four-pointed star never looked so proud on the 1962 model year car. Debuting in 1939 and nine generations later, the Continental was laid to rest in 2002.
