1977 Lincoln Continental A.H.A. Convertible

1977 Lincoln Continental Additional Info:

Up for auction is a very rare 1977 Lincoln A.H.A. convertible, OFFERED AT NO RESERVE!! After the convertible was outlawed by the federal government in 1976 to only 500 cars per year, a handful of coach companies built a few convertibles. From 1977-1979 two companies built a hand full of Lincoln convertibles, Silco and A.H.A.(Andy Hotton and Associates). By comparison pictures of the two companies cars, and the greatly appreciated help of Melvin and Jake Stein, (Melvin being the co-owner of A.H.A along with Andy Hotton in 1977 and Jake being his son.) I have determined it to be an A.H.A. Lincoln. Melvin stated that the car physically appeared to be one of his, but stopped short of saying for 100 percent certain that it was. The Steins said that the car should have had A.H.A. plaques on it, but the car at some time was painted and plaques removed from its original Black Diamond Fire to a dark grey before 1988 when the previous owner purchased it. None the less, this conversion went a whole lot deeper then just cutting the top off. According to the Steins, they would take a heavily optioned Continental Coupe, cut the top off, and use 68 Galaxie convertible top bows remounted behind the back seat. Torque boxes were added to the frame for strength,(The last picture shows one of the torque boxes). The sedan pillar was removed and different rear side window glass was engineered to mate with the front side windows and the top that went up and down electrically. Also the rear side panels were reengineered and opera lights were mounted in them, boasting the Lincoln emblem on the lenses. A different upholstery pattern was also used. All in this conversion cost was around $10,000-$15,000 on top of the cost of your new Lincoln. JAKE STEIN SAID THAT LESS THEN 50 WHERE BUILT IN THE THREE YEAR PERIOD, AND THE 77'S WERE THE RAREST BECAUSE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Also the 1977 would be the most sought after of the three years because of the 460 power plant and Lincoln only styled dash.
According to the previous owner, his fatherpurchased the car in 1988,with 12,200documented mi on it, from the original owner in Louisville, KY at acollector car auction. According to him, the previous owner wasawarded the car in 1977 by Lincoln Motor Division for being the top Lincoln salesman of the year.Unfortunatly, I have reached out to Lincoln, Marti Auto Works, and A.H.A. Lincoln records don't go that far back, A.H.A. didn't keep very good records, and Marti can only tell me how the car was born before itwent to A.H.A. So sadly I am not able to prove it.Theprevious owners brought it to western NE, where it stayed since 1988. After a few years ofowning it, the previous owners parked it in a ratty unsealed garagewith the top down and the cardeteriorated.
This rare Lincoln does need a restoration, BUT DOES RUN AND DRIVE WELL.This is a car you could work on and enjoy driving in the process. There are no puddles at all on the floor in it's designated spot in my building. Theodometer reads 39,012 mi and is documented on the title. Thedoors open and shut, and it ridesand steers like a car with 39K on it. This car is overall very solid with the only rust being in the lower front quarters, and two rustholes about the sizeof a dollar piece, one in the trunk floor and one in the rear passenger floor pan.The top needsreplaced and areavailable.The power top triesto go up and then startsto bind after about 12 inches. Ihave been lubing the joints but still can't get it free. The front top bow that fastens to the windshield is broke. If what the Steinssay is correct, anyfront bow from a 68 Galaxie would work. The powerwindows will go up and down with help except the drivers rear, the motor will run but will not lift the window. The power seats will not work. The car has AM FM Quadrasonic 8 trackthat is not working, could be speakers, have not looked into it. The climate control will adjusttemperature, but will not move from the floor vents.The Auto lights work part of thetime, and the auto dimmers I have never tried. It has a new battery. WITH ALL THIS SAID, THIS WOULD NOT BE A HARDRESTORATION!!
All in all this is a very rarepiece of Lincoln history that would be an excellent addition to anyLincoln aficionado'scollection. Rarely do these cars come up for sale, don't miss youropportunity to own one!