The Corgi Lincoln Continental: A Report by Paul A.

Here's a short report on the Corgi Lincoln Continental Stretched Limousine. It is certainly a very large and impressive model.

Some cars were made in different lengths to take different types of bodywork. The American limousine, with a higher seating capacity than a normal sedan, usually had the longest wheelbase. Even so, this was not long enough for some people. Real stretched limousines were therefore produced by taking a standard production car, cutting it in half, adding extra bodywork, and joining everything back together again. Over the years the amount of stretch has grown considerably.

The Corgi 262 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine was released in 1967, and withdrawn in 1969. It was based on a lengthened version of a standard Lincoln Continental, with Lehmann-Peterson bodywork. According to The Great Book of Corgi, by Corgi Chief Designer Marcel Van Cleemput, sales were 516,000, plus an unknown number in 1969 - there was a factory fire and records and stock for that year were lost. Original price 14/11, which I think is about 74 or 75 New Pence (although the model was retired before New Pence came in).

This model was a real monster - 5 7/8 inches (149 mm) long. It had a host of special features. It was the first die-cast model with a light-up television set in the back, powered by a single 1.5 volt AAA battery (U16 in Britain). It was a colour set and was bang up to date, as Britain only got colour television in 1967, although it had been around in America for some time, and this was an American car. 

The miniature TV screen was illuminated by a small bulb, and there were a total of six small colour pictures that could be inserted into the model from beneath. One came already fitted, with another five on a strip which was to be cut up for use. The pictures were: a clown face; Mexican bandit face; F1 racing car; rocketship; Viking longboat; and a boxing match. I should imagine most of these were lost long ago, and survivors would be rare.

This item from Planet Diecast has information on the different types of on/off switch for the TV set, and the small colour pictures that could be inserted.

How many different "TV screens" did exist for the Lincoln Continental? (planetdiecast.com)

Yes, I know this refers to the Cadillac ambulance in its title, but the Executive Limousine is also covered in detail.

Superior ambulance on Cadillac chassis. (planetdiecast.com)

Other features were an opening hood/bonnet with detailed engine; forward opening front doors; rear opening back doors; opening trunk/boot; chrome plated radiator and bumpers; textured roof top; jewelled (multi-faceted) headlights; highly detailed interior; the floor of the model, and the interior of the boot, were even 'carpeted' - sprayed with a flock finish. There were two colours, gold with a black roof, or light blue with a cream roof. It now went without saying that the model also had clear plastic windows.

The photos are mainly from Ebay, with the colour ad showing the features from Pinterest. Most are of the Corgi 262 model, but one is of the Dinky Lincoln Continental, to show what a normal length car looked like, compared to the stretched Corgi version.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Did you have one of these models readers?