Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with classic cars lately, and I finally took the plunge and started a new project: a 1957 Lincoln Continental. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get their hands on one of these beauties?
First things first, I spent weeks just searching for the right one. I looked at tons of online listings, went to a few local auctions, you name it. I wanted one that wasn’t completely rusted out, but also, wasn’t asking for a king’s ransom. Finding that balance? Tough.
Finally, I found one about two hours away. The pictures looked promising, and the seller seemed like a straight shooter. I drove out there with a buddy (always bring a second set of eyes!), and we gave it a good once-over.
It was…rough, to say the least. Some rust spots here and there, the interior was pretty faded, and it clearly hadn’t been started in years. But, the body was mostly straight, and the engine was all there. I made an offer, a bit lower than asking, and after a bit of back-and-forth, we had a deal!
Getting it home was the next adventure. I rented a trailer, and we carefully winched the Continental onto it. Let me tell you, that was a nerve-wracking few hours, driving slow and praying nothing went wrong.
Once it was in my garage, the real work began. I started by giving it a thorough cleaning, inside and out. You wouldn’t believe the amount of dust and grime that came off that thing!
Next, I started assessing the mechanicals. I pulled the spark plugs, checked the fluids (what was left of them), and basically took stock of what I was working with. It was pretty clear that a full engine rebuild was in order.
- Ordered a ton of parts: New gaskets, seals, pistons, rings…the whole nine yards.
- Started disassembling the engine: This was a slow, methodical process. I labeled everything, took pictures, and kept all the bolts organized.
- Sent the engine block out to be cleaned and machined: Found a local shop that specializes in older engines.
The current stage!
I did some works to deal with rust,also changed the oil,It’s now parked and waiting to be done. I’ll keep everyone posted on the progress. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m excited to bring this classic back to life!
