The first Lincoln Continental was developed and designed by chief stylist Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie for Edsel Motors. With hardly any trim overall, this model included an externally-mounted covered spare tire – the Continental series’ trademark.

The Continental name was revived in 1955 with the Continental Mark II. This version was a unique design with the highest quality control ever seen in the auto industry. It was nothing but class all around – with very limited availability, it appeared even more exclusive than the original. The 1956 Continental was one of the most expensive cars in the world, with a cost of $10K, rivaling Rolls-Royce models.

In 1961, Continental was completely redesigned by Elwood Engel. It was two feet shorter than its predecessor. The new Continental’s most recognized trademark, back doors with rear hinges – or “suicide doors,” which were a purely practical decision. According to Wikipedia: The new Continental rode a wheelbase of 123″, and the rear hinged doors were hinged from the rear to ease ingress and egress. When the Lincoln engineers were examining the seating buck that styling had made up, the engineers kept hitting the front hinged door of the buck with their feet. The rear hinged doors solved the problem. 1961 was another benchmark for this model, as it was the first car built in America to be sold with a 24,000 miles/2-year bumper to bumper warranty.

The 1970 Continental continued the long, slab-sided design but axed the suicide doors. Standard luxury features gradually became optional over the decade, with the 460 cubic-inch engine becoming an option in 1977, replaced by the 400 cubic-inch small-block as standard. From 1975 to 1980, a Continental Town Coupe was available alongside the four-door Continental Town Car and Continental Mark V.

After two more decades and sales that dipped after 1999, the 2002 Continental was introduced as the final to bare this name. Lincoln’s discontinuation was due mostly to the growing shift in the consumer marketplace away from large front-wheel drive luxury vehicles. But the Lincoln Continental will always be an American trademark of automotive engineering and gorgeous design.