My grandmother had an Oldsmobile in the 60’s with a drum speedometer. The line changed color the faster you drove. We would always bug her to go over 60 (I think) so the line would turn red.
@@rustynailmendlesohn8710 looks like I’m only about 2 years ahead you so we are of the same era. I got a job directly out of high school as a wheel alignment tech. It was really a great job as I learned so much about cars and a lot about people. I always looked forward to working on Lincolns. They had the presence of superiority and the aroma was part of that special package.
These full size Lincoln hardtop coupes of the early 70s get my vote as some of the best looking cars of all time. Absolutely menacing, with enough sculpting to make it unique and distinct. I think the front bumpers added in 73 were probably the best integrated in the industry. Love the speedometers in them- I'll never forget the first time I saw one, and was really caught out how unique it was. While the dash wasn't as sophisticated or classy as the Mark III or outgoing 60s continental dash, it was still handsome- and arguably better than what Cadillac was installing at the same time.
Oh, it absolutely beat the Cadillac dash, especially if you like gauges. The only thing it gave up to Imperial was their idiot light to TELL you to look at your gauges... ;O) I also agree about the exteriors for the first half of the decade. Everything started going downhill in 1975, with the catalytic converters, the taller, more formal roof lines with the Opera windows, and the fixed rear windows on the coupes. In '77 they slapped the Mark grill on the Town Car and Coupe'. In '78 they ruined the dashboard, and of course in 1980 they ruined the whole car...
"Lincoln hardtop coupes of the early 70s get my vote as some of the best looking cars of all time" I agree -- apart from the 1972 Mark IV "front bumpers added in 73 were probably the best integrated..." Really? I thought the new 5mph front bumpers were some of the worst -- massive extra protrusion not integrated with the original design, with huge colored fillers between body and chrome, reminiscent of plates in lips. Chrysler was much better at integrating 5mph bumpers
@@antera77 I actually agree about the '73 Continental front bumpers. They literally use the same bumper as before, but they just moved it a little bit forward in it's location... Most other cars had a totally new design, with a huge new bumper sticking way out from the front end.
My dad bought a 76 Coupe new and it took me years to figure out how the speedo worked. I’ll never forget the new car smell as we drove cross country in it.
I've owned and enjoyed a 1968 Lincoln Continental for 35 years and each time I was out for a cruise, I always enjoyed the speedometer operation. Sadly, I no longer have the car, but still miss this somewhat unique design. Thanks again for another trip down Memory Lane.
As a fan of Lincoln Motor Company, especially 1964-1974, the rolling speedometer was a feature that always amazed me. My aunt had a 1973 black Lincoln Continental. When visiting, we would save our special Dairy Queen visits for ice cream after dark. The car took on a completely different aura at night. With it being black, the exterior lights appeared brighter. I always loved when she turned, using the blinkers, as the cornering light would come on, too, lighting up that part of the road like a flood light. It reminded me of the lights when a commercial jet lands. My aunt Dot would take as many turns as she could because she enjoyed watching me go crazy. Back to the rolling speedometer, at night, along with all the other interior lighting, made this era of Lincoln's so unique. This may sound nick picking, but your hand blocked much of what you were trying to show. If possible, do another, showing how cool this automobile and its unique lighting looks after dark. My apologies for the length of this, but I can ramble when the subject is Lincoln, the automobile. Stay safe and thanks for sharing your treasures of Lincoln and Mercury's.
This one brings back some great memories! My great uncle had a '72 and let my dad drive it when he first got it and I got to sit up front in the middle, I remember us commenting on that neat drum speedometer, looking like mercury rising as the speed went up! The car had climate control and an AM / 8-track stereo among other stuff, great comfortable car to ride in for longer trips, I miss both it and my uncle!
1969 Lincoln. In my opinion one of the most beautiful cars ever built after the demise of the Lincoln convertible. In the mid ‘60’s when I was 5-years-old, upon learning I had $100 in my savings account, I said I have enough to buy a Lincoln Continental! To which my Dad said, well, maybe enough for a tire.
Thanks Adam. I bought that Lincoln book on your recommendation. It is excellent. Love my Lincolns and in this series have a 1970 sedan (best looking of the early ones) and a 1979 Town Car. While I like the early dash I also like the later dash too. Putting the Mark style grille on the Continental was a good move as the sales showed.
I was just fine with the interior "Town Car" fabrics of my 1968 Continental Sedan and the dash was fine for me. When the 1970 came out I was quickly converted to the new interiors and dash. I just thought the years 1968-1970 were some of the best of the luxury cars from both Lincoln and Cadillac of that era. I owned them all and I sure miss a few of them!
I have the 71 brochure and had it framed above my desk as a kid with the big Continental Coupe shown in the fantastic color combo of dark blue with white top and white leather interior. The great instrument panel really seems like the icing on the cake in a car that has an exterior that looks great from all angles.
Once again Adam thanks for taking us out again for a drive in the Lincoln. There's nothing more enjoyable that looking out along that Lincoln hood and seeing the famous Lincoln hood ornament!
Hey Adam, I love these seventies Continentals!! I drove a 1970 Lincoln Continental & I thought that the speedometer was very cool. That car was so air tight & quiet!!! My dad drove the last of the big Lincolns, a 79 Continental Town Car!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
1970 Lincoln full size is my favourite body design. I love this Lincoln grill with echo's of Cord . Body sculpting emphasizing those long sleek lines combine in a beautiful formal look. Instrument Panels of the period, I pretty well love them all. Adam your one of the best, keep them rolling, Awesome!
I had a 1970 Town Car, white w/black top and interior. Great for towing the horses and that huge trunk held all of tack easily. My kids named it "Orca". Our parakeet loved going for rides in it and used the huge ashtray for his perch when he wasn't on top of the steering wheel making sure we were headed in the right direction.
One of the earliest drum speedos I can remember was first used in the 1959-1962 full sized Oldsmobiles. And it changed colors as the speed increased. The "Safety Spectrum" speedometer.
If you take the speedometer apart and look at the drum itself, you’ll see that the white section is painted at an angle… what I mean by that is, if you were able to peel the surface of the drum off and lay it flat on a table so it forms a rectangle, the line separating the white and black half travels from the bottom left to the top right of the rectangle. The speedometer housing then has a lens placed in the viewing window that optically corrects this angled line to a vertical one, so it more convincingly forms an illusion of a white strip extending left to right along the viewing window.
The speedometer was definitely a conversation piece in our '72 Continental that we had when I was a kid. The other frequent comment was, "How can you afford to drive this thing!"
For me, the 1970 is the most luxurious looking large American car both inside and out. The 70 coupe is my favorite. My Dad had a dark blue interior 1971 Continental and it was so rich in look and feel.
My dad had a 1970, and I'm pretty sure the color changed from white to red when you hit a certain speed, which I think was 70mph. I'm surprised he didn't talk about this.
I'm not sure if 1970 still had it, but for a number of years all Fords had a red line at 70 because that was the limit of the factory tires. I DO know that it was gone by '71 because we had Michelin radials from the factory, and I remember hitting 85 going down Donner Pass from Lake Tahoe... during the double nickel!
@@marko7843 The 1969 continental's speedo turned red when the car hit 70mph. I remember my brother had one to compliment his brand new honda CRX .I Ran that thing for miles on 505 trying to hit full red ,120mph. It wouldn't go beyond 118mph but hey in a monster like that whats 2mph. Memory lane, good ole Donner pass, My first "real" street race ,I Just turned 16 and Ran papa's 1969 buick skylark 350 4bbl from the lake all the way to the summit (Boreal Ridge) dropped it down to "passing gear" left my foot on the floor and watched the 280z fade in my rearview mirror... GLORIOUS ...snow tires and all..sweet memory
@@ronjohnson7976 Ahhh yes... I'd kill a good many people just to get those years in Incline Village back - especially the few years we had a place on Lakeshore Drive, on the lake. Oh, I did have my '72 Cutlass Rocket 350 4-bbl up to 130mph on 101 north of Novato... and then a Ford pinto loomed up ahead. Don't wanna' rear end that thing!
77 Lincoln of any model has been near number one on my list of dream cars since I 1st saw a brand new one at age 5. YES I really do remember that image at that young age. Growing up, my friends all dreamed of fancy sports cars like Ferrari, Lambo etc. I wanted the land yacht then and still do now. My daily driver is usually my 97 Cougar XR7. I've recently settled on my 1st luxury car with a 2011 Cadillac SRX largely because the body shape includes a nod to the rear fin era. Great vid ! I enjoy watching you live my dreams ! THANK YOU.
In the late 1980’s I was lucky enough to own a 77 continental. Believe me here in Liverpool UK Everyone got out of my way! Such a luxurious ride. Then I had kids so she had to go.😥😥😥
Great video, thank you. Being from England, I never really liked American motors growing up, but I do now have a much better appreciation of them. I would love to drive one. Oh, cool Casio by the way 🙂
I've always wanted to see that speedometer in action! I had them on my '59, 64-66 Imperials too. I had to repair the drum on my '59 Imperial, which wasn't hard, but removing it was. BTW, you can see how accurate your speedo is with a phone app using gps. My current '69 Marquis is dead on, but it's the traditional needle type.
I had a 77 with the same speedo and fuel gauge issue. The sender was fine, but the float had filled up with gas. I went ahead and put a new fuel tank in since I had to drop it anyway. I've never been in a car that could match the Lincolns ride. I loved cracking the economy vent letting in a tiny bit of V8 rumble. Such quiet cars.
I was in high school from 1984-88 and my townie friends and myself drove big Detroit iron from the 70s. They were well used hand-me-down cars usually previously owned by an uncle or other family member. Total contrast from the preppie kids at school that drove late model BMW 318s or Saab 900s that leaked oil by the barrel even when new. These big Fords, Mercury, and Lincolns were well built and could last a really long time if you took care of them. If only Lincolns were like this now.
Love the rolling drum speedometer. I had a '77 Coupe' for a bout 7 years back then. It was a wonderful car. I didn't wear glasses then so I'm unfamiliar with the trouble wearing bifocals and reading the gauges although I did have to look around the steering wheel. I liked the previous era instrument cluster as well. The ride was superb and the power of the 460 was adequate. Plenty of torque.
Growing up in the 1960's we had some well to do friends that had a Lincoln with the rolling speedometer and I always found it fascinating. I loved being driven to Hebrew School in that car, they were the Shostacks. Dennis always was breaking his arm and he had to learn how to write with his non-dominant hand. Funny the things that we remember.
One of my favorite videos from you so far. Growing up, my parents had a '73 Town Coupe. So many memories watching this video and your others on your Lincoln from that era. Thank you so much for all of your content, you are one of my favorite channels on here!
I loved both the 60s and 70s Lincoln’s. I always wondered something: as a kid who was obsessed with windshield wipers I always wondered why the 60s Continental went the opposite direction. If I remember right, they were really slow, even on higher speeds. I thought it was cool at the time but probably not the most practical. Keep the amazing video coming.
Ah, the rolling drum speedometer. They are quite awesome. Though they will probably not return, I don't see why modern cars don't give the option of displaying your speed in this style. The round dial gauges (which I don't like) are still around and often simulated now by digital displays; I'd like to see this style speedometer as an option for display on new cars.
The videos are fantastic. So many memories. However, I am so grateful I lived back in those times and road in cars like this. There is nothing today that compares to the Ride you get out of these large heavy cars. That is one thing the videos cannot show you. How it feels to Ride in one of these.
It is interesting because the American brands were so innovative. You look back on things like this and the things that came later you think wow... I thank you for mentioning the instrumentation panel that changed after 1977 model year. It got the same one you see in the the Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford LTD from the same era. I used wonder why they looked like each other I understand why. It is interesting at the end they did it again with Grand Marquis and Town Car. Thank you Adam.
I was in high school when this Mercury/Lincoln redo came out, rode a lot in the '70 belonging to a relative. In college I couldn't believe that they started sticking the cheaper-looking Mercury dashboard in this body's last years.
@Eric Ruud For those of us with religious faith I do hope we'll keep President Carter in our thoughts and prayers as he's gone home to die in hospice. I didn't vote for him at the time but he is a good man and did what he thought was best for the nation.
You may also enjoy the speedometer on the 1962 - 1967 Vauxhall Cresta - it was a coloured "worm" that changed colour as the speed increased...pretty neat.
My mom had a 77 town car and I remember the awesome speedometer, her car only had 3 or 4 warning lights, her headlight warning was hi-beams if I remember it right. Miss that car!
I agree with you, Adam, on the dashboard design. I don't know why Lincoln changed it. When they did, they went to a dashboard that was basically shared with some of the Fords of the day, namely, the Thunderbird. Those Lincolns of the early '70s were some of the best riding cars ever built.
As a teenager I got the chance to drive a brand new 1971 Continental. When I turned the steering wheel nothing seemed to happen. I felt zero feedback from the tires and turned the wheel more. Eventually the front end started moving like a battleship in the general direction I wanted to go. After just a few blocks I had to stop and give up the drivers seat and I was happy too. That disconnected feeling from steering wheel to tires wasn't something I was comfortable with.
Yes from my childhood and our 1960 Oldsmobile with rolling drum speedometer was my favorite. Looks like a thermometer. I always assumed a tape was moving across the screen. Really the first older 1969 dash was vastly better. Thanks for the presentation.
Adam, I really like how you look into details of certain automotive features and provide niche videos on these subjects. Would you please consider doing one on the driver's (and front seat passenger's) view over the hood? I'm now 68, but the view over the hood used to be my #3 priority (after the car's overall exterior styling and the interior, especially the dashboard design) in selecting a car to purchase. But, since fuel mileage became a priority, hoods have mostly disappeared from our view as drivers today. I recently drove a friend's Cadillac XTS where there was no hood in the driver's view at all--none. I said to myself (I didn't want to offend my friend for his selection of vehicle) that this is totally unacceptable to see no hood, but only a tall dashboard. I would never consider a car like that if there are still alternatives out there like my daily driver, a 2015 S Class, where I can still see a little more than half the hood and the top half of the hood ornament. To me, 1971-76 and 1977-79 Cadillac De'Villes and Fleetwoods as well as 1971-73 full size Buicks had the best hood views. You saw a higher middle section starting at the A pillar and angling slightly inward toward the front, usually keeping the width of that raised section the same width of the grille, with lower flat sides meeting the tops of the fenders, which were equally low and flat, creating a triangular shape. Even though I have owned 1970-71 Mark IIIs and a '72 Mark VI (the longest hood I've seen and provides a fantastic view) where the top of the fenders stay taller than the hood they share a gap with, I prefer that view of the Cadillacs and Buicks where the fenders stay flatter and lower. Thank you again for making interesting videos.
Adam, you forgot to honk the rim-blow horn! I hated losing that, along with the automatic brake release... Someone below asked what happened to the 5th & 6th warning lights, and I can answer him with 3 quick questions that I have: Was the passenger mirror standard in '72, and the Trunk-ajar light optional? Also, where would the cruise power switch go when they moved the Belts light next to the antenna switch? (Presumably due to some government size-mandate...)
Thanks Adam for this wonderful video on the 1970-77 Lincoln Continental Instrument Panel & The “Rolling Drum” Speedometer. 😎 My Dad bought a new 1969 Lincoln Continental black 4 door sedan when I was 2 years old followed by a new 1972 Red Moondust Metallic Lincoln Continental Town Car with a Beige Lamont Cloth interior, when I was 5 years old. The two things that fascinated me most about the new 1972 Town Car was the amazing “new car smell” but also the “Rolling Drum” Speedometer, which I loved to see in action! As a little guy, I thought is was so unique and totally more futuristic, progressive and fascinating than cars like Cadillacs and Imperials with their old school speedometers. Thanks for taking me back on a thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane! 👍
The Australian Ford LTD P6 Had the same Drum style speedo for the 76-79 model years. I also think those are very beautiful cars too, I wish I could find one and bring it here to the U.S. 🙂
My mom had a 1962 Olds Super 88 SW. The speedometer was similar, except it was green up to about 50, then turned yellow, and then turned red once you hit 70 mph. I can remember yellng at my dad, “make it red! Make it red!” when we were on the turnpike.
The 70 or 71 is definitely on my dream classic car list. I was in high school when everybody was either GM or Ford...passionately. I always wondered why Lincoln didn't distance it self from using the same trim, gear shift, rim blow steering wheel if the car had cruise control from the Ford LTD. Cadillac was more distinctive in that regard in my opinion but I was a Ford guy. Great piece...Thanks.
Hey Adam, thanks for the Lincoln Continental Town Car review. I love these Lincolns, they weren't just big, with the 460, they were powerful and smooth. My parents owned a 1976 4 door Town Car, it was gorgeous, Dark Red Moondust Metallic with matching half vinyl roof including B piller coach lights. The interior was dark red velour. Even the trunk had wall to wall red carpet, including a carpeted spare tire cover. As you pointed out, the dashboard was a work of art that complements the entire car the drum speedometer was very easy to read, the rest of the gauges and Cartier clock that was back lit in Ford's bluish green color was all very cool. And what about that ashtray it was huge, not to mention there were ashtrays on both rear doors, complete with lighters, they had lights in them and covers. I love the exterior design with it's vertical parking and turn indicators at the end of the front fenders. The rear taillights matched the front end look with them placed vertically at the end of the rear fenders. Very Lincolnesk. In my opinion the 70s Town Cars had it all over the 70s Cadillacs. The Cadillacs were just big and boring inside and out. After the 76, they bought a dark blue metallic with light blue leather interior Signature Series Town Car, and I had a 95 black with black leather Signature Town Car. That 95 is still one of my favorite cars. I wish I still had it. Try and find one today, they are rare and very expensive.
Both my mom & dad owned 1976 Lincoln Continentals, my dad had a baby blue Town Car & my mom had a white Town Coupe’. Earlier my dad had a triple dark blue 1972 sedan. My dad was always a Ford Guy & only graduated into the Lincoln’s due to my mother fearing his “little” Falcons & Torinos were not big & safe enough in case of an accident.
Great video. The soft feel material around the pods and used on the lower dash sure beat cadillacs Mattel toy plastic and fake wood they used that year back doors opened almost 75 degs and Lincoln prides itself on no rattles and interior quality. Metal ac vents and u could almost on the door armrests since they bolted ih
Having owned a 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III, I can tell you I vastly prefer the 1970-1977 dashboards for their layout and lower profile. The Mark III dashboard is so high and so intrusive that it blocks the view of the road. Best Lincoln dashboard ever, in my opinion, is seen on the 1961-1963 Continentals.
I couldn't help but notice the beautiful neighborhood you were driving through. Such nice homes.
Packed in like sardines.
@@joshuagibson2520 I live on 3.4 acres and those homes are definitely not packed in like sardines.
@@muziklvr7776 can you shoot or piss off of either of your porches?
@@joshuagibson2520 Yes, I do both.
@@muziklvr7776 awesome. I couldn't imagine not being able to.
My grandmother had an Oldsmobile in the 60’s with a drum speedometer. The line changed color the faster you drove. We would always bug her to go over 60 (I think) so the line would turn red.
I remember that too. A friend's mom had that, and we'd sit in the back seat watching the speedometer change colors.
I had one and I used to call the low fuel light the "Standby to Walk Light!" Great video
Dang Adam, you’re cranking out videos like no one else I’ve seen. Awesome.
Yes he is!!!!
He is single handedly reviving interest in these cars. It is so cool. Really admire that.
@@777jones True
I had 2 1969 lincolns, 1 MARK III and one 1969 Continental 4 dr both great.
I loved that speedo.
The leather interiors of these Lincoln’s smelled and felt of richness like no other cars of the time.
@@rustynailmendlesohn8710 looks like I’m only about 2 years ahead you so we are of the same era. I got a job directly out of high school as a wheel alignment tech. It was really a great job as I learned so much about cars and a lot about people. I always looked forward to working on Lincolns. They had the presence of superiority and the aroma was part of that special package.
@@brianhdueck3372 Nice Brian :). I have to agree with Adam. The rolling drum speedometer was cool to a new 16 year old driver back then. LOL
They still keep that new car smell. My '77 Mark V Cartier has it every time I get in. Magic.
These full size Lincoln hardtop coupes of the early 70s get my vote as some of the best looking cars of all time. Absolutely menacing, with enough sculpting to make it unique and distinct. I think the front bumpers added in 73 were probably the best integrated in the industry. Love the speedometers in them- I'll never forget the first time I saw one, and was really caught out how unique it was. While the dash wasn't as sophisticated or classy as the Mark III or outgoing 60s continental dash, it was still handsome- and arguably better than what Cadillac was installing at the same time.
Oh, it absolutely beat the Cadillac dash, especially if you like gauges. The only thing it gave up to Imperial was their idiot light to TELL you to look at your gauges... ;O)
I also agree about the exteriors for the first half of the decade. Everything started going downhill in 1975, with the catalytic converters, the taller, more formal roof lines with the Opera windows, and the fixed rear windows on the coupes. In '77 they slapped the Mark grill on the Town Car and Coupe'. In '78 they ruined the dashboard, and of course in 1980 they ruined the whole car...
"Lincoln hardtop coupes of the early 70s get my vote as some of the best looking cars of all time"
I agree -- apart from the 1972 Mark IV
"front bumpers added in 73 were probably the best integrated..."
Really? I thought the new 5mph front bumpers were some of the worst -- massive extra protrusion not integrated with the original design, with huge colored fillers between body and chrome, reminiscent of plates in lips. Chrysler was much better at integrating 5mph bumpers
@@antera77 I actually agree about the '73 Continental front bumpers. They literally use the same bumper as before, but they just moved it a little bit forward in it's location... Most other cars had a totally new design, with a huge new bumper sticking way out from the front end.
My dad bought a 76 Coupe new and it took me years to figure out how the speedo worked. I’ll never forget the new car smell as we drove cross country in it.
I’ve always loved that dashboard design. Definitely richer appearing than the ‘71-‘73 Cadillac dashboard.
you are awesome, keep these coming
My Uncle had a 77 Town Car that I loved driving it. It rode like it was on a cloud. I loved the barrel roll speedometer.
Oh man, that Ivy Gold (or whatever Lincoln called it) on that Continental at the beginning of the video... Beautiful car!
61-69 Lincoln one of the best looking cars ever produced from Ford.
I've owned and enjoyed a 1968 Lincoln Continental for 35 years and each time I was out for a cruise, I always enjoyed the speedometer operation. Sadly, I no longer have the car, but still miss this somewhat unique design. Thanks again for another trip down Memory Lane.
I had a 74 Continental four-door. Loved it. One of the prized possessions I was lucky enough to have in my.
My grandma's 58 Buick had a speedo of that style. I remember the darndest of things!
As a fan of Lincoln Motor Company, especially 1964-1974, the rolling speedometer was a feature that always amazed me. My aunt had a 1973 black Lincoln Continental. When visiting, we would save our special Dairy Queen visits for ice cream after dark. The car took on a completely different aura at night. With it being black, the exterior lights appeared brighter. I always loved when she turned, using the blinkers, as the cornering light would come on, too, lighting up that part of the road like a flood light. It reminded me of the lights when a commercial jet lands. My aunt Dot would take as many turns as she could because she enjoyed watching me go crazy. Back to the rolling speedometer, at night, along with all the other interior lighting, made this era of Lincoln's so unique.
This may sound nick picking, but your hand blocked much of what you were trying to show. If possible, do another, showing how cool this automobile and its unique lighting looks after dark.
My apologies for the length of this, but I can ramble when the subject is Lincoln, the automobile.
Stay safe and thanks for sharing your treasures of Lincoln and Mercury's.
I love those turn-signal cornering lights too. I only owned one car with them, and I _definitely_ think they're worth while.
That cornering light is such a cool AND practical idea!!
I always found the drum style speedometer interesting. In fact, I loved these oversized behemoths. My brother had a 1977.
This one brings back some great memories! My great uncle had a '72 and let my dad drive it when he first got it and I got to sit up front in the middle, I remember us commenting on that neat drum speedometer, looking like mercury rising as the speed went up! The car had climate control and an AM / 8-track stereo among other stuff, great comfortable car to ride in for longer trips, I miss both it and my uncle!
1969 Lincoln. In my opinion one of the most beautiful cars ever built after the demise of the Lincoln convertible. In the mid ‘60’s when I was 5-years-old, upon learning I had $100 in my savings account, I said I have enough to buy a Lincoln Continental! To which my Dad said, well, maybe enough for a tire.
Thanks Adam. I bought that Lincoln book on your recommendation. It is excellent. Love my Lincolns and in this series have a 1970 sedan (best looking of the early ones) and a 1979 Town Car. While I like the early dash I also like the later dash too. Putting the Mark style grille on the Continental was a good move as the sales showed.
I'm glad you featured my favorite instrument panel of any car! FYI, the drum speedometer was also used in the '66-'68 Lincolns.
And Tbirds ;)
Used on 64-66 Thunderbirds.
I was just fine with the interior "Town Car" fabrics of my 1968 Continental Sedan and the dash was fine for me. When the 1970 came out I was quickly converted to the new interiors and dash. I just thought the years 1968-1970 were some of the best of the luxury cars from both Lincoln and Cadillac of that era. I owned them all and I sure miss a few of them!
My 66 T-Bird had the rolling drum speedometer. I thought it was such a cool feature! 😊
‘Bud Grissinger’. Quite possibly the most American name I have ever heard!
Fantastic video as always. Thank you.
One of the finest luxury cars ever made
I have the 71 brochure and had it framed above my desk as a kid with the big Continental Coupe shown in the fantastic color combo of dark blue with white top and white leather interior. The great instrument panel really seems like the icing on the cake in a car that has an exterior that looks great from all angles.
My favorite dash ever. Sitting behind it, no mistaking you are in a big, expensive car.
Once again Adam thanks for taking us out again for a drive in the Lincoln. There's nothing more enjoyable that looking out along that Lincoln hood and seeing the famous Lincoln hood ornament!
Hey Adam, I love these seventies Continentals!! I drove a 1970 Lincoln Continental & I thought that the speedometer was very cool. That car was so air tight & quiet!!! My dad drove the last of the big Lincolns, a 79 Continental Town Car!! Thanks for sharing this fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
1970 Lincoln full size is my favourite body design. I love this Lincoln grill with echo's of Cord . Body sculpting emphasizing those long sleek lines combine in a beautiful formal look. Instrument Panels of the period, I pretty well love them all. Adam your one of the best, keep them rolling, Awesome!
That's so cool. Growing up, my dad had a 1974 Continental Town Coupe.
I had a 1970 Town Car, white w/black top and interior. Great for towing the horses and that huge trunk held all of tack easily. My kids named it "Orca". Our parakeet loved going for rides in it and used the huge ashtray for his perch when he wasn't on top of the steering wheel making sure we were headed in the right direction.
I LOVED the Lincoln dash board in my 77 Town Car, not so much the Mercury dash board in my 79 Town Car.
One of the earliest drum speedos I can remember was first used in the 1959-1962 full sized Oldsmobiles. And it changed colors as the speed increased. The "Safety Spectrum" speedometer.
The 59 Buick Invicta I grew up with had a rolling drum speedometer, but the end of the indicator was pointed. I loved the early 70s Continentals.
If you take the speedometer apart and look at the drum itself, you’ll see that the white section is painted at an angle… what I mean by that is, if you were able to peel the surface of the drum off and lay it flat on a table so it forms a rectangle, the line separating the white and black half travels from the bottom left to the top right of the rectangle. The speedometer housing then has a lens placed in the viewing window that optically corrects this angled line to a vertical one, so it more convincingly forms an illusion of a white strip extending left to right along the viewing window.
The speedometer was definitely a conversation piece in our '72 Continental that we had when I was a kid. The other frequent comment was, "How can you afford to drive this thing!"
For me, the 1970 is the most luxurious looking large American car both inside and out. The 70 coupe is my favorite. My Dad had a dark blue interior 1971 Continental and it was so rich in look and feel.
"Gotta love the 460". Best 2023 quote so far.
Thank you for another well-done presentation. The book recommendation was an added plus.
The dash on these were beautiful at night when the headlights were on. The rolling speedometer was also in the 64-65 T-Birds too.
A bonus video 😜 yeeeeees!!!
My dad had a 1970, and I'm pretty sure the color changed from white to red when you hit a certain speed, which I think was 70mph. I'm surprised he didn't talk about this.
I'm not sure if 1970 still had it, but for a number of years all Fords had a red line at 70 because that was the limit of the factory tires. I DO know that it was gone by '71 because we had Michelin radials from the factory, and I remember hitting 85 going down Donner Pass from Lake Tahoe... during the double nickel!
@@marko7843 The 1969 continental's speedo turned red when the car hit 70mph. I remember my brother had one to compliment his brand new honda CRX .I Ran that thing for miles on 505 trying to hit full red ,120mph. It wouldn't go beyond 118mph but hey in a monster like that whats 2mph. Memory lane, good ole Donner pass, My first "real" street race ,I Just turned 16 and Ran papa's 1969 buick skylark 350 4bbl from the lake all the way to the summit (Boreal Ridge) dropped it down to "passing gear" left my foot on the floor and watched the 280z fade in my rearview mirror... GLORIOUS ...snow tires and all..sweet memory
@@ronjohnson7976 Ahhh yes... I'd kill a good many people just to get those years in Incline Village back - especially the few years we had a place on Lakeshore Drive, on the lake.
Oh, I did have my '72 Cutlass Rocket 350 4-bbl up to 130mph on 101 north of Novato... and then a Ford pinto loomed up ahead. Don't wanna' rear end that thing!
The sound of these big engines with automatic gear beats any music any day for me
Oh how I remember the rolling drum speedometer, it was very cool.
77 Lincoln of any model has been near number one on my list of dream cars since I 1st saw a brand new one at age 5. YES I really do remember that image at that young age. Growing up, my friends all dreamed of fancy sports cars like Ferrari, Lambo etc. I wanted the land yacht then and still do now. My daily driver is usually my 97 Cougar XR7. I've recently settled on my 1st luxury car with a 2011 Cadillac SRX largely because the body shape includes a nod to the rear fin era. Great vid ! I enjoy watching you live my dreams ! THANK YOU.
In the late 1980’s I was lucky enough to own a 77 continental. Believe me here in Liverpool UK Everyone got out of my way! Such a luxurious ride. Then I had kids so she had to go.😥😥😥
My '67 Continental had the rolling drum....it would stick, staying up at a stop, then release and bounce a few times to zero.
Great video, thank you. Being from England, I never really liked American motors growing up, but I do now have a much better appreciation of them. I would love to drive one. Oh, cool Casio by the way 🙂
I've always wanted to see that speedometer in action! I had them on my '59, 64-66 Imperials too. I had to repair the drum on my '59 Imperial, which wasn't hard, but removing it was. BTW, you can see how accurate your speedo is with a phone app using gps. My current '69 Marquis is dead on, but it's the traditional needle type.
had a pristine cond 77 town coupe with the"thermoeter speedometer " as i called it .beautiful car- loved the dash
I had a 77 with the same speedo and fuel gauge issue. The sender was fine, but the float had filled up with gas. I went ahead and put a new fuel tank in since I had to drop it anyway. I've never been in a car that could match the Lincolns ride. I loved cracking the economy vent letting in a tiny bit of V8 rumble. Such quiet cars.
I was in high school from 1984-88 and my townie friends and myself drove big Detroit iron from the 70s. They were well used hand-me-down cars usually previously owned by an uncle or other family member. Total contrast from the preppie kids at school that drove late model BMW 318s or Saab 900s that leaked oil by the barrel even when new. These big Fords, Mercury, and Lincolns were well built and could last a really long time if you took care of them. If only Lincolns were like this now.
Had a blast at the DRIVE IN !!!!
My favorite feature of the speedometer is once you hit 70 mph it turns red on the part past 70.
I drove my mother to the church when she got married to my stepfather in a big silver 77 Continental. Definitely remember the speedometer.
I remember those! So cool. You never see unique things like this now. Love it.
Land yachts and big V8’s….gotta love em!!! 👍🏻
Love the rolling drum speedometer. I had a '77 Coupe' for a bout 7 years back then. It was a wonderful car. I didn't wear glasses then so I'm unfamiliar with the trouble wearing bifocals and reading the gauges although I did have to look around the steering wheel. I liked the previous era instrument cluster as well. The ride was superb and the power of the 460 was adequate. Plenty of torque.
Growing up in the 1960's we had some well to do friends that had a Lincoln with the rolling speedometer and I always found it fascinating. I loved being driven to Hebrew School in that car, they were the Shostacks. Dennis always was breaking his arm and he had to learn how to write with his non-dominant hand. Funny the things that we remember.
One of my favorite videos from you so far. Growing up, my parents had a '73 Town Coupe. So many memories watching this video and your others on your Lincoln from that era. Thank you so much for all of your content, you are one of my favorite channels on here!
This dashboard was the best ever designed
My great aunt had a 1970 model when I was a kid and I thought that speedo was the neatest thing.Thanks for the memory jog!
I loved both the 60s and 70s Lincoln’s. I always wondered something: as a kid who was obsessed with windshield wipers I always wondered why the 60s Continental went the opposite direction. If I remember right, they were really slow, even on higher speeds. I thought it was cool at the time but probably not the most practical.
Keep the amazing video coming.
Ah, the rolling drum speedometer. They are quite awesome. Though they will probably not return, I don't see why modern cars don't give the option of displaying your speed in this style. The round dial gauges (which I don't like) are still around and often simulated now by digital displays; I'd like to see this style speedometer as an option for display on new cars.
The videos are fantastic. So many memories.
However, I am so grateful I lived back in those times and road in cars like this.
There is nothing today that compares to the Ride you get out of these large heavy cars.
That is one thing the videos cannot show you. How it feels to Ride in one of these.
I had a 73, fun car. It was huge! I considered the ash tray for cigars it was so big
It is interesting because the American brands were so innovative. You look back on things like this and the things that came later you think wow... I thank you for mentioning the instrumentation panel that changed after 1977 model year. It got the same one you see in the the Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford LTD from the same era. I used wonder why they looked like each other I understand why. It is interesting at the end they did it again with Grand Marquis and Town Car. Thank you Adam.
Love your videos, especially Lincoln-Mercury.
Looks like you held some material back from last year. Or Spring came very early in Michigan this year 😂
I was in high school when this Mercury/Lincoln redo came out, rode a lot in the '70 belonging to a relative. In college I couldn't believe that they started sticking the cheaper-looking Mercury dashboard in this body's last years.
@Eric Ruud For those of us with religious faith I do hope we'll keep President Carter in our thoughts and prayers as he's gone home to die in hospice. I didn't vote for him at the time but he is a good man and did what he thought was best for the nation.
I actually prefer the 78-89 interiors myself, especially the simpler HVAC system. Those earlier HVAC systems are a nightmare to diagnose and fix.
Yep my Stepdad's parents had 2 of them a 76 and a 79 both white with blue interior. The 76 had the rolling drum speedometer.
You may also enjoy the speedometer on the 1962 - 1967 Vauxhall Cresta - it was a coloured "worm" that changed colour as the speed increased...pretty neat.
My mom had a 77 town car and I remember the awesome speedometer, her car only had 3 or 4 warning lights, her headlight warning was hi-beams if I remember it right. Miss that car!
Awesome content Adam. Thank you!
I agree with you, Adam, on the dashboard design. I don't know why Lincoln changed it. When they did, they went to a dashboard that was basically shared with some of the Fords of the day, namely, the Thunderbird. Those Lincolns of the early '70s were some of the best riding cars ever built.
As a teenager I got the chance to drive a brand new 1971 Continental. When I turned the steering wheel nothing seemed to happen. I felt zero feedback from the tires and turned the wheel more. Eventually the front end started moving like a battleship in the general direction I wanted to go. After just a few blocks I had to stop and give up the drivers seat and I was happy too. That disconnected feeling from steering wheel to tires wasn't something I was comfortable with.
Yes from my childhood and our 1960 Oldsmobile with rolling drum speedometer was my favorite. Looks like a thermometer. I always assumed a tape was moving across the screen. Really the first older 1969 dash was vastly better. Thanks for the presentation.
I worked at Ford Wixom Assembly making these beasts for years. Too bad the plant is gone now.
Adam, I love your videos. And your voice is soothing too lol. 😂
Adam, I really like how you look into details of certain automotive features and provide niche videos on these subjects. Would you please consider doing one on the driver's (and front seat passenger's) view over the hood? I'm now 68, but the view over the hood used to be my #3 priority (after the car's overall exterior styling and the interior, especially the dashboard design) in selecting a car to purchase. But, since fuel mileage became a priority, hoods have mostly disappeared from our view as drivers today. I recently drove a friend's Cadillac XTS where there was no hood in the driver's view at all--none. I said to myself (I didn't want to offend my friend for his selection of vehicle) that this is totally unacceptable to see no hood, but only a tall dashboard. I would never consider a car like that if there are still alternatives out there like my daily driver, a 2015 S Class, where I can still see a little more than half the hood and the top half of the hood ornament.
To me, 1971-76 and 1977-79 Cadillac De'Villes and Fleetwoods as well as 1971-73 full size Buicks had the best hood views. You saw a higher middle section starting at the A pillar and angling slightly inward toward the front, usually keeping the width of that raised section the same width of the grille, with lower flat sides meeting the tops of the fenders, which were equally low and flat, creating a triangular shape. Even though I have owned 1970-71 Mark IIIs and a '72 Mark VI (the longest hood I've seen and provides a fantastic view) where the top of the fenders stay taller than the hood they share a gap with, I prefer that view of the Cadillacs and Buicks where the fenders stay flatter and lower. Thank you again for making interesting videos.
Adam, you forgot to honk the rim-blow horn! I hated losing that, along with the automatic brake release...
Someone below asked what happened to the 5th & 6th warning lights, and I can answer him with 3 quick questions that I have: Was the passenger mirror standard in '72, and the Trunk-ajar light optional? Also, where would the cruise power switch go when they moved the Belts light next to the antenna switch? (Presumably due to some government size-mandate...)
Thanks Adam for this wonderful video on the 1970-77 Lincoln Continental Instrument Panel & The “Rolling Drum” Speedometer. 😎 My Dad bought a new 1969 Lincoln Continental black 4 door sedan when I was 2 years old followed by a new 1972 Red Moondust Metallic Lincoln Continental Town Car with a Beige Lamont Cloth interior, when I was 5 years old. The two things that fascinated me most about the new 1972 Town Car was the amazing “new car smell” but also the “Rolling Drum” Speedometer, which I loved to see in action! As a little guy, I thought is was so unique and totally more futuristic, progressive and fascinating than cars like Cadillacs and Imperials with their old school speedometers. Thanks for taking me back on a thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane! 👍
That neighborhood you drove around reminds me of Morning Glory Circle on Bewitched
I love this channel . Superb content
The Australian Ford LTD P6 Had the same Drum style speedo for the 76-79 model years. I also think those are very beautiful cars too, I wish I could find one and bring it here to the U.S. 🙂
I had a 74 Town Coupe. I took it to a truck scale, it weighed 5,700 lbs.
I like the look of the 5 pod Instrument panel of the Mk3, Adam but the Rolling drum Speedo is the winner for me.
I had a ‘61 Electra with a similar speedo
My mom had a 1962 Olds Super 88 SW. The speedometer was similar, except it was green up to about 50, then turned yellow, and then turned red once you hit 70 mph. I can remember yellng at my dad, “make it red! Make it red!” when we were on the turnpike.
Any chance you might upgrade to 4K videos in the near future? That would be awesome for viewing all these gorgeous vehicles!
1080p is plenty for anyone. People are ridiculous.
@@joshuagibson2520 Yep, so were 8-tracks and VCRs 🤣🤣
@@portaltwo nah. Not so much.
The 70 or 71 is definitely on my dream classic car list. I was in high school when everybody was either GM or Ford...passionately. I always wondered why Lincoln didn't distance it self from using the same trim, gear shift, rim blow steering wheel if the car had cruise control from the Ford LTD. Cadillac was more distinctive in that regard in my opinion but I was a Ford guy. Great piece...Thanks.
A friend of mine had a 66 olds 98 drum speedometer 👍👍💯💯
It reminds me of an old thermometer. Super cool 😎
Hey Adam, thanks for the Lincoln Continental Town Car review. I love these Lincolns, they weren't just big, with the 460, they were powerful and smooth. My parents owned a 1976 4 door Town Car, it was gorgeous, Dark Red Moondust Metallic with matching half vinyl roof including B piller coach lights. The interior was dark red velour. Even the trunk had wall to wall red carpet, including a carpeted spare tire cover. As you pointed out, the dashboard was a work of art that complements the entire car the drum speedometer was very easy to read, the rest of the gauges and Cartier clock that was back lit in Ford's bluish green color was all very cool. And what about that ashtray it was huge, not to mention there were ashtrays on both rear doors, complete with lighters, they had lights in them and covers. I love the exterior design with it's vertical parking and turn indicators at the end of the front fenders. The rear taillights matched the front end look with them placed vertically at the end of the rear fenders. Very Lincolnesk. In my opinion the 70s Town Cars had it all over the 70s Cadillacs. The Cadillacs were just big and boring inside and out. After the 76, they bought a dark blue metallic with light blue leather interior Signature Series Town Car, and I had a 95 black with black leather Signature Town Car. That 95 is still one of my favorite cars. I wish I still had it. Try and find one today, they are rare and very expensive.
A Cigar Smoker's Proper Ash Tray ...
I Like It !!
Both my mom & dad owned 1976 Lincoln Continentals, my dad had a baby blue Town Car & my mom had a white Town Coupe’. Earlier my dad had a triple dark blue 1972 sedan. My dad was always a Ford Guy & only graduated into the Lincoln’s due to my mother fearing his “little” Falcons & Torinos were not big & safe enough in case of an accident.
I liked the Mark III gauges you showed.
Great video. The soft feel material around the pods and used on the lower dash sure beat cadillacs Mattel toy plastic and fake wood they used that year back doors opened almost 75 degs and Lincoln prides itself on no rattles and interior quality. Metal ac vents and u could almost on the door armrests since they bolted ih
My dad's 78 town car coupe also had the rolling drum speedometer.
Having owned a 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III, I can tell you I vastly prefer the 1970-1977 dashboards for their layout and lower profile. The Mark III dashboard is so high and so intrusive that it blocks the view of the road. Best Lincoln dashboard ever, in my opinion, is seen on the 1961-1963 Continentals.