A 1962 Lincoln Continental does not need a rare engine or limited production badge to draw attention. The slab-sided body, rear-hinged rear doors, and restrained chrome made the 4th-generation Continental 1 of the defining American luxury cars of the 1960s. This example adds 24,000 miles shown, black-over-black presentation, service records since 2015, and an unusual history that includes 29 years in storage and later display at Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum. The selling dealer also says it was previously owned by gospel singer and Elvis Presley collaborator J.D. Sumner.
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What it’s worth right now
The broader market puts a normal 1962 Continental sedan below the prices commanded by the best restored or historically significant cars. Classic.com currently gives the 1962 Continental sedan a Classic.com Market Benchmark of $29,455. Its broader 1961 to 1969 sedan market shows an average sale price of $33,289. Those figures cover cars across a wide range of condition, originality, and history, so they work better as a baseline than a direct appraisal of this example.
Recent sales give the clearest picture. Classic.com records a 35,000-mile 1962 Continental classified as original or highly original selling through Mecum for $42,350 on August 13, 2026. Another 19,000-mile example sold for $53,000 on August 10.
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This car fits above the $29,455 Classic.com benchmark but below the strongest original and award-winning examples. The extensive service work, black presentation, chrome restoration, air conditioning, and 24,000 miles shown all help. The color change from Silver Mink Metallic to black and replacement of the original Medium Silver Blue broadcloth with black leather reduce originality. Fair value lands between $38,000 and $48,000, with $43,000 my most likely result.
Condition and details
The car left the factory in Silver Mink Metallic but was repainted black under prior ownership. Exterior equipment includes quad headlights, rear-hinged rear doors, a power-retractable antenna, chrome trim, and 14-inch steel wheels with polished covers. The front and rear bumpers, bumper corners, headlight bezels, light bezels, and reverse-light bezels were re-chromed in 2017. The auction gallery also documents exterior blemishes.
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Inside, black leather has replaced the factory Medium Silver Blue broadcloth, while walnut trim on the dashboard and doors was replaced in 2016. Equipment includes a power-adjustable front seat, power windows, power door locks, a push-button radio, and air conditioning. The right-rear window switch and associated wiring were repaired in March 2023.
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Mechanical work since 2018 includes a rebuilt water pump, re-cored radiator, rebuilt generator, rebuilt power steering pump, and replacement fuel pump, starter, battery, voltage regulator, air-conditioning hose, and intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. The exhaust system was replaced in April 2024. That documented work matters on a car that spent 29 years in storage because age affects hoses, seals, wiring, cooling components, and accessories regardless of mileage.
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The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Lincoln |
| Model | Continental Sedan |
| Year | 1962 |
| Mileage | 24,000 miles shown |
| Engine | 430ci V8 |
| Power | 300 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Black |
| Factory exterior color | Silver Mink Metallic |
| Interior color | Black leather |
| Factory interior | Medium Silver Blue broadcloth |
| Current bid | $1,962 with 6 days remaining |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
What makes the Continental unique
The design that defined this generation arrived for 1961 and deliberately moved away from the tailfins and heavy ornamentation that had dominated American luxury cars. Lincoln’s own historical material describes the Continental’s styling as elegant and understated, with rear-hinged rear doors designed to make access easier. The car also introduced a 189-point quality inspection program and what Lincoln describes as the industry’s first 2-year or 24,000-mile warranty. Lincoln Media Center
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The mechanical formula was equally straightforward. The 430ci V8 produced 300 horsepower, while the automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, and power door locks reinforced the Continental’s position as Lincoln’s flagship. Lincoln’s period material also shows how much convenience equipment came standard compared with rival luxury models. Lincoln historical material
The result has aged unusually well because there is little decorative excess to tie the car to a specific styling fad. The rear-hinged doors remain instantly recognizable, but the rest of the shape is clean enough that a black 1962 Continental still looks formal rather than theatrical more than 60 years later.
My take
The market data supports a higher number than the Classic.com benchmark alone would suggest. My call is $43,000, with $48,000 reachable if the service documentation, cosmetic presentation, and reported J.D. Sumner ownership resonate with bidders. That figure sits close to J.D. Power’s $42,100 high-retail value and the $42,350 paid for a 35,000-mile 1962 Continental at Mecum in August 2026. It also leaves room below the $53,000 paid for a 19,000-mile example and the $64,000 result achieved by an AACA award-winning sedan.
The color and interior changes stop me from treating this as a preservation-grade car. Silver Mink Metallic and Medium Silver Blue broadcloth were replaced with black paint and black leather, so the appeal is now based more on presentation and usability than factory originality. The service history since 2015 is the stronger argument. If the records support the work described and the reported celebrity ownership is documented, $43,000 is a defensible place for this Continental to land.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog