JFK’s Lincoln Continental for sale

Presidential pedigree

JFK’s Lincoln Continental is set to star at Bonhams’ forthcoming The American Presidential Experience sale, which features some fascinating lots.

So if you like your classics to come with interesting history, this auction on 14 October in New York is worth checking out, with plenty of notable artefacts and documentation going under the hammer, too.

Failing that, if the 2020 US presidential election is all getting a bit much, maybe this is the dose of nostalgia you need.

Under the hammer

This 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible, finished in Ermine White, is expected to achieve $300-500,000 (£230-390,000).

It was loaned by local car dealer Bill Golightly as an official vehicle for the use of President Kennedy and the First Lady when they were in Fort Worth, Texas, on 21-22 November 1963, called ‘Limo One’.

A place in history

That means this Lincoln has a grim significance, too. On the morning of 22 November 1963, JFK and his wife Jackie used this car to attend a breakfast where the President addressed a crowd, before returning to the Continental for the trip to Carswell Air Force Base to board Air Force One.

That flight to Dallas was followed the same day by JFK’s assassination, meaning this Lincoln is the last car the 35th president of the United States completed a journey in. 

Under the bonnet

Limo One has since been restored by Lincoln specialist Baker Restoration of Putnam, Connecticut.

During this time, its 430cu in V8 engine was replaced.

Interior intact

However, although the car was repainted during its restoration, its red-leather-trimmed interior remains in its original condition, just as it was when it transported JFK, Jackie Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally back in November 1963.

Moving on

After its use by President Kennedy, this now classic four-door was returned to aforementioned dealer Golightly.

It has passed through several other hands, and for a time was exhibited at the Museum of American Tragedy.

Caught on film

Of course, a US president can’t travel without the press being nearby, meaning there are photos of this car being used by JFK and his wife on 21 November 1963, and on the following day as they travelled from the Hotel Texas Ballroom in Fort Worth, where JFK gave what would be his final speech, to the air base.

Star attraction

This ’63 Continental is a stylish classic whichever way you look at it, and will surely attract a lot of attention at Bonhams’ 14 October sale in New York.

History repeating?

And could this scene be similar to that at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth on 22 November 1963?

Quite possibly, because here is the Lincoln used by JFK with Air Force One… Well, nearly.

Jet-age tribute

What you see here is a replica of the Kennedy-era Air Force One, which is also being sold at Bonhams’ New York sale later this month. Well, we said there were some other presidential items, and we couldn’t resist sharing a few.

This 46-foot long tribute is the work of Steve Cannaby and his team at Nu-Tek Aircraft Instruments, using a Boeing 707 fuselage retrofitted to replicate SAM 26000, JFK’s Air Force One.

The difference is in the detail

It might not be the real deal, but this full-scale replica certainly looks the part – it is described as being ‘exhibition quality’.

As well as the instrument-packed cockpit, the team recreated crew officers’ work stations and the state room, where Johnson was sworn in as President.

Track record

The team behind this worked from original blueprints and photographs, plus original flight seats converted from the Quayle-Gore Air Force Two. The team also made the Air Force One Flight Simulator for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum in California.

So accurate a replica is this Boeing that it was used as the Nixon Air Force One in the 1995 Oliver Stone film Nixon.

Trendsetter

Raymond Loewy, who also worked for Studebaker, was brought in to design this plane, the interior of which he worked with Jackie Kennedy on, while the external presidential livery it has is still used today – all of this is carefully replicated here.

Also inside is a reproduction of the First Lady’s famous pink dress she wore on Air Force One on the morning of 22 November 1963, while there are a few genuine items from Air Force One here, too.

It is thought that this replica could sell for $200-300,000 (£150-230,000).

Monumental motoring

And there’s another Kennedy car in this sale. This 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V Executive Limousine was JFK’s personal car.

Unsurprisingly, it’s not standard, modified by Hess and Eisenhardt with bulletproof doors, a divider window, passenger air-con controls and a two-way telephone in the back seat.

It has a pre-sale estimate of $200-300,000 (£150-230,000).

JFK’s jacket

We said there were some other presidential artefacts in this sale, so how about this?

Once the property of – you’ve guessed it – JFK, this original US government issue G-1 flight jacket, with a patch carrying the Seal of the President of the United States on it, was a gift to the president’s close friend, David Powers.

It is thought it could sell for $200-300,000 (£150-230,000) later this month.

The full experience

And we couldn’t look at this auction without showing you this. Yes, that is the Oval Office. And, incredibly, this lot is a full-scale facsimile of the Oval Office, measuring 27 by 31 feet, and standing over 13 feet high.

We’re not quite sure what you’d do with it, but it is estimated it will sell for $40-60,000 (£31-46,000).

Bonhams’ The American Presidential Experience sale takes place in New York on 14 October 2020. To see the full lot list, please click here.