Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's 1966 Lincoln Continental

In 1966 the Lincoln Continental was in its Fourth Generation and redesigned off a '61 Thunderbird proposal by Fords Design Vice President, Elwood Engel. The '66 had a 462 cu in 7.6L MEL V8 engine, and road on a stretched version of a 1961 Thunderbird chassis. Dr. King's 1966 Lincoln Continental sported a four door with an Oxford White exterior and black vinyl top. Originally made for Cornelia Crenshaw, the car was given to Dr. King when he was in Memphis.

Almost lost to the world, the Lincoln was discovered by Bill Cales Jr in the back lot of a Memphis Auto Body Shop. Needing a full restoration, the engine was rebuilt by Van Senus Auto Parts, while the body was restored by Rich Fortner and Jason Anderson of Al's Auto Body Experts II. The car was finished in 2008 and found its home at the National Civil Rights Museum for their 40th Anniversary.

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.

"only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
(taken from "Ive Been to the Mountaintop" speech on April 3rd, 1968 in Memphis, TN.)