Stock #24366
Collector #063
CB's Die Cast Review: December 6, 1999
2000 First Editions #3
1964 Lincoln Continental
Here we go, all over again!
A new crop of cars to review, dissect and admire. As was the case last year, Mattel has
begun the release of next year's cars a couple of months early. The 33rd production year
of Hot Wheels includes 36 new castings under the 2000 First Editions banner.
The first of these to be released is the third car in the series, a 1964 Lincoln Continental.
The 1964 Lincoln Continental is well done. There are some minor annoyances, such
as the lack of door handles and the too-short windshield wipers, but these are greatly
overshadowed by other details such as the sun visors and the outstanding interior.
Even the ubiquitous HW logo is tamped unobtrusively on the rear license plate mount.
An interesting choice to model, and nicely modeled at that.
How ironic that Mattel is currently producing models of now-classic automobiles that were on the
streets, in the showrooms and on designers' tables when Hot Wheels were born. This new
release is based on the car it is named for, a 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible sedan.
The `64 Lincoln was based on the "slab side" styling introduced in the 1961 model year, with a
few comfort modifications. A new trunk design increased capacity, while changes to the
roofline and side glass curvature, and a lengthening of the wheelbase increased the dimensions
of the passenger area and provided for a smoother ride. The convertible weighed nearly
5,400 pounds, and had an MSRP of $6,900. Over 3,300 convertibles were sold.
The model is a good representation of this classic luxury automobile. Details such as the
V-shaped grill and headlights are well done. The model appears to follow the overall
dimensions of the prototype well. The white enamel painted metal body has relief that
properly indicates the small hood, large trunk, square-like doors and gas hatch. The
door handles are not included in the detail, which would identify the "suicide-door"
configuration. The chromed plastic chassis includes the front grill and rear bumper,
and has good underbody detail. The clear plastic windshield includes the side vent glass
and sun visors.
The most impressive component of the car is the highly detailed interior. Formed in red
plastic, it includes door inner side detail, solid floor, floor pedals and a fold-up dashboard
with a correctly designed open steering wheel. The car rides on the appropriate small
chrome lace wheels, which are inset a bit to allow the car to ride close to the ground.
This "lowrider" design appears to have become the standard for late `50s / early `60s models,
including the `59 Impala, `65 Impala, `63 T-Bird and `56 Ford Truck.
