Lot #

3019

Location

St. Louis, MO 63114

Seller

Dealer

89426

460ci V8

Automatic

Black

Black Leather

9Y82A849361

Current Bid: $11,111 Time Left:
Questions Place Bid

1969 Lehmann-Peterson Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine – Rare, Handcrafted Luxury

Limousines have been part of automotive history since the early 1900s, though they’ve always represented a very small portion of total production. Early examples were typically coach-built in limited numbers, customized for affluent clientele. By the postwar years, Cadillac became the leading limousine builder, while Ford exited the luxury limo market altogether to focus on other vehicle segments.

That gap didn’t go unnoticed. In 1962, two young Chicago entrepreneurs—George Lehmann and Robert Peterson—crossed paths through their shared passion for race cars. Lehmann owned a damaged race car, and Peterson, a skilled mechanic, helped him repair it. Their collaboration soon led to a bold idea: convert a Lincoln Continental into a proper limousine. They started with a new 1963 sedan, extended it by 34 inches for a 160-inch wheelbase, and added luxurious features like opposing rear seats, a partition window, a built-in bar, rear air conditioning, and more.

Lehmann arranged for the prototype to be reviewed by Ford executives in Dearborn. After extensive testing—more than 40,000 miles—the car proved its structural integrity and quality. Ford signed a contract with Lehmann-Peterson, and the prototype was showcased at the 1964 New York International Auto Show. Orders were taken through Lincoln dealers, though the cars remained highly exclusive. Only about 600 were produced between 1964 and 1970.

Famous owners included Jerry Lewis, Jackie Gleason, The Supremes, Spencer Tracy, Senator Robert Kennedy, and even the Pope, who used a specially modified version in 1964. Rock stars like the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley also bought them, and a Lehmann-Peterson limo even appeared in the James Bond film Thunderball. These limousines tripled the price of a standard Lincoln Continental, making them one of the most expensive American-built cars of the time.

Offered here is a near-final-year 1969 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine by Lehmann-Peterson, finished in Raven Black over black leather upholstery. It’s powered by its original 460 cubic inch V8 rated at 325 horsepower, paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission.

Key features include:

Front and rear air conditioning and heating
Power windows, vent windows, locks, and 8-way front seat
Remote mirrors, AM radio with power antenna (inoperable), and a discreetly added FM receiver
Partition divider window
Rear console bar with glassware and bottle storage, armrest ice bin
Brand new Coker American Classic 235/75R15 whitewall radial tires with full wheel covers

Since its acquisition directly from Lehmann-Peterson in Arlington Heights, Illinois in March 2022, this limo has been carefully maintained and restored for reliable use at events and shows. Mechanical work includes:

Complete cylinder head rebuild with new valves, springs, and lifters
Timing set, oil pan gasket, front crank seal, and water pump gasket
Rebuilt carburetor, flushed fuel tank, new fuel pump and sending unit
New fluids, oil changes, transmission service and seals
Radiator flush, new coolant hoses, new cap
Converted A/C system to R134a
Rebuilt power steering pump, new springs, bushings, shocks, and 4-wheel alignment
Fully rebuilt brake system: new master cylinder, hoses, cylinders, pads, rotors, wheel bearings
New ignition system: plugs, wires, cap, rotor, condenser, and coil
New belts, starter, alternator, air filter, and battery
New wiper blades

This limousine runs and drives beautifully and shows just 89,629 miles. Only six Lehmann-Peterson limousines were built in 1970 before the company sold its assets, making the 1969 models the last full-year production run. Fewer than 150 are known to survive today.

A rare and iconic example of American coach-building history, this Lincoln offers timeless presence, unmatched craftsmanship, and a place in automotive royalty.

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