Performance Review: Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 - [1962]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lincoln Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1962. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Lincoln Continental has a 7043cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Continental shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2328 kgs (5132 lbs) this makes the Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 in the same weight category as the 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lincoln Continental shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 7043cc 16V V8 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 4100 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 465 lb-ft (630.4 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lincoln Continental you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (153.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lincoln Continental.

The Lincoln Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 128.8 bhp per ton and 199.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1962 Continental competing with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR Ralliart Sportback SST (153.8 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Mercedes SL Class 500SL V8 R107 (153.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lincoln Continental generating around 199.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 440 V8 1st Gen (224.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1999 Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage (224.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 12.8 secs, this made the Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 as fast as the 1950 Aston-Martin DB2 2.6L (12.40 secs) the 1955 Triumph TR3 2.0L Convertible (12.50 secs) the 1962 Bentley S 3 (12.60 secs) the or the 1974 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.2 Sprint Ti (12.80 secs). This Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 is also faster than the 1955 Triumph TR3 2.0L Convertible (12.50 secs) the 1962 Bentley S 3 (12.60 secs) the 1974 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.2 Sprint Ti (12.80 secs) the and the 1953 Austin-Healey 100 BN1 (12.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-2

When talking about the performance of the Lincoln Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.28 secs @ 84.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Ford Focus 2.5 ST-2 (16.20 secs), the 1984 Porsche 944 Turbo (16.20 secs), and the 1999 Honda Accord 2.2 16V Type R (16.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1962 version of the Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 has a maximum speed of 117mph.

Top Speed of the 1962 Continental equals the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1962 Lincoln Continental 7.0L V8 then how about the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (128 mph), the 1971 Dodge Dart Demon Sport Coupe 5.5 V8 340 (128 mph), or the 1966 Buick Riviera 6.6l V8 (128 mph).

Related Links:

1962 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lincoln

Car Comparison