From the driver’s seat, we had excellent vision in all directions. Even shorter drivers will have no difficulty seeing all four fenders. Our Continental was easy to maneuver and park, despite its size and bulk. We immediately noticed another change for 1964: The entire dash has been redesigned, with a larger, easier-to-read speedometer replacing last year’s smallish unit (which we felt was too small). Nice, legible gauges are furnished for oil pressure, battery charge, water temperature, and fuel level, while a warning light comes on when the gas tank gets dangerously low.

Driving position is comfortable. The leather seats are soft and luxurious, yet firm enough to give good leg-, hip-, and back support, even on the longest drives. A comfortable center arm rest’s provided in both front and rear. All controls are easy to reach from the driver’s seat. The new dash incorporates integral air outlets for the car’s heater/air-conditioning system, and the ignition switch’s relocated at the right of the steering wheel. Passengers can direct the flow of air either up, down, or to either side via the adjustable vents.

Our test car was fitted with top-grain leather upholstery, with expanded vinyl door trim panels and wood-grain door inserts. Individually adjustable front seats with a center console can be ordered for an additional $281.40.

Out on the highway or around town, the Continental was an extremely pleasant, well mannered car. It handled around town trips with ease and, despite its size, was easy to maneuver in tight situations. Sharp dips taken at above-average speeds wouldn’t bottom the suspension. Everything from railroad tracks to the roughest dirt roads was absorbed quietly and well by the Continental’s refined suspension. Big, heavy coil springs up front and semi-elliptical leaves at the rear do their job exceptionally well. No matter how rough the road surface, passengers have to look outside to be aware of it.

Out on the highway, the Continental really comes into its own. This car is a luxury cross-country cruiser. Except for an ever-so-slight wind whistle around the windows and top, the car’s dead silent at any speed. Certainly the wind noise wasn’t objectionable — it just let us know we were whistling along. At any speed up to 100 mph, the car seems to be loafing. Even at its top speed of slightly less than 110 mph, it wasn’t turning fast enough to make the engine work hard.

The Continental’s right at home charging around winding mountain roads. For a car of its ponderous size and weight, it handled very well on the twisty stuff. Body lean was never great, while traction and stability were quite good. Even on long downhill grades, the brakes refused to show more than a slight amount of fade.

Lincoln’s twin-range Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic transmission is smooth in operation, with quick, solid, almost inaudible gear changes. It also proved handy for climbing or coming down steep grades. The intermediate range held the car’s progress down on inclines and kept the revs up at a usable level on long upgrades.

Heavier by 700 pounds, convertible took more feet for 60-mph stops than last year’s sedan. Brakes always feel strong, give good stopping power under all conditions, without undue wheel lock-up or swerving. Overheating is never a problem.

America’s only four-door convertible is also the only U.S. car with rear-hinged rear doors. All passengers enjoy spacious seating, with lots of leg room. The door latches use a rubber-cushioned double safety design. Wood-grained door panels are standard equipment, along with nylon yarn pile-cut carpeting.

The convertible top doesn’t billow out much at high speeds, although it makes for more wind noise than sedan over 70 mph. The sedan’s lighter weight gives it an edge in acceleration.

Familiar hood ornament, Continental trade mark, adds to the overall appearance of quality and tastefulness of design.

Newly designed dash, with integrated air outlets and new steering wheel, are 1964 features. The visors and dash are padded, mirror is bonded directly to windshield. Hood is wide, flat for good driving vision, and easy-to-see fenders aid parking.

With a base price of $6919, our convertible ranks as one of the highest-priced cars on the American market. Add $504 for air conditioning, $53.65 for tinted glass, and $6.90 for door-edge guards, plus $205 for transportation, and the total comes to $7686 before tax and license. A luxury price tag indeed.

But, where optional equipment costs extra on lesser cars, it’s standard on Continentals. Full power: brakes, steering, windows, seats, vents, door locks, antenna, deck lid, and top are all standard. Turbo-Drive three-speed automatic transmission, AM radio with rear speaker, four-ply whitewall tires, undercoating, center arm rests, electric washers, and hydraulic wipers are also part of the basic package. New standard items for 1964 include an automatic parking brake release, trip odometer, fuel warning light, and map and reading lights.

The option list is relatively short, but it does include a limited-slip differential, speed control, automatic h e ad light dimmer, and a deck lid release for the sedan. Standard axle ratio is 2.89, but a 3.11 ratio can be ordered for towing or mountain driving. All Continentals have a 24,000-mile /24-month warranty.

We couldn’t find any major complaints with the Continental. Luggage room in the convertible is almost nonexistent with the top down, and the heater/air-conditioner seems more complicated to operate than units on cars in the same price range (although our unit did an excellent job of keeping temperature where we wanted it).

The car’s unit-construction body proved completely tight and rattle-free. Ride, comfort, and luxury are above reproach. Lincoln engineers still insist on testing each and every car before it leaves the factory to make sure all components work properly. We always felt relaxed during and after even the longest trips.

Lincoln Continental owners pay a premium price for their transportation , but our opinion is that they get their money’s worth. It’s a fine automobile in every way.