It's a tragedy of epic proportions. Neil Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV convertible, which he has spent the past few years converting into a multi-fuel turbine electric hybrid, has been severely damaged in a fire. Fresh from a trip to Las Vegas where it was presented to adoring crowds at SEMA, this 19.5-foot-long representative of classic American automotive statuary, dubbed the "LincVolt", was resting comfortably in a warehouse in San Carlos, CA when a fire suddenly erupted. Possibly from the trunk of the behemoth itself.

According to a statement appearing on the LincVolt's website, "We are still investigating the exact cause although it appears to be an operator error that occurred in an untested part of the charging system." Apparently, the Lincoln has its own area code black box-like computer that is being sent to Perrone Robotics in an effort to pinpoint the precise cause of the malfunction.

The structure, which is said to have suffered over $1 million in damages, was also home to much of the singer's music equipment and memorabilia. Due to the extraordinary efforts of firefighters, most of it was saved.

We can only hope that, if the LincVolt is now bound for that final scrapyard in the sky, it will inspire a tune as great as the elegy to Young's 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse, Long May You Run. To see footage of hybridized classic along with Neil's keynote address to SEMA, hit the jump for freshly finished four-part video. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

[Sources: Mercury News, Lincvolt]