The Massive 1958 Continental Mark III - Jay Leno’s Garage 

It was such a pleasure to see Jay driving my father-in-law’s wonderful car down the road. It was a pleasure selling this gem to him. Jay is such a fine man and a true car enthusiast. My “dad” would be so happy to see his precious car being driven down the road in this video. Thank you Jay, we know you will take great care of it.

Who else feels like they hung out with Grandpa Leno for half an hour like you might have if you were 12 years old and it was his day off....? This was fun. 👍

My Dad was a Lincoln-Mercury Dealer from 1946 until 1963 when he passed. I worked at the dealership every day after school and was allowed to use for my daily driver a used 1952 Lincoln Capri convertible. The 52's,53's and 54's won the Pan American road race. That old Lincoln could fly. On the almost empty highways of the 1950s South Texas I could fly a hundred miles in one hour and got great gas mileage at about .25 cents a gallon. The 58's and 59's and other new Lincolns of the time, were wonderful to drive. I many times was picked to deliver them to their new owners. Those big old boats were fantastic, the best automobiles for long trips in the broiling hot Texas weather.

Jay's correct about the glorious car colors and design styles back in the 50s. In any given era, cars reflect the mood of the country at that specific time. In the mid to late 50s, America was still elated and united from winning WWII. Everyone wanted cars that looked happy and futuristic to the point of giddiness. Fast-forward to the present - most cars on the road are dark, brooding, somber, and joyless because they're the colors of today. When was the last time car companies offered gorgeous, pastel or ice cream colors? How about 2-tone or 3-tone exteriors and/or interiors? Exactly.

I miss Jay showing his own old cars. There is something special about Jay's eclectic collection of automotive history

Honestly...I prefer Jay doing his own cars by himself.

I get why Jay is saying it's ugly but I think it's awesome! I love this old piece of Americana and I'm so glad it was saved. I can't get enough of these chrome covered 50s cars.

Brake fade (28:10) - Around 1973 I was driving my little 1963 Triumph Herald from Manchester to Barrow (North of England). Around 100 miles. And being England the rain bucketed down the whole way. Back then we learned to drive using the gears to slow down, so rarely using the brakes. I was approaching my parent's house and had to brake for a stop sign. And there were no brakes! All drum brakes and the drums were full of water. And I realized I hadn't used the brakes, AT ALL, for the whole journey. I'm stamping madly on the brakes in total panic, and just managed to stop with the front end of the car poking out onto the major road.

When I was in first grade our school principal had one of these. She would park it right in front of the school in a no parking zone to keep other cars away from it. A buddy and I were walking home after school and a rock was laying on the sidewalk. We started playing “kick the can” with the rock. One of my kicks was a little exuberant and the rock went right through her rear window! A teacher saw the whole incident and drug us to the principal’s office. For the next 2 years all I heard about was how expensive it was to replace a Continental rear window! Thank goodness I moved to another school when I was in third grade as I was forever etched in the principals’ mind as a troublemaker. Great episode Jay.

There’s just something wonderful about watching Jay drive around in an old car, arm out the window, casually chatting about a car he loves for a half hour. It really helps keep your mind off of other things, these days.

It seems like no matter what car Jay is showing it becomes my new favorite. This on the other hand is one of my favorites and it pains me to hear him call it ugly. From the 'French style' headlights to the massive and 'chromy' features and especially the roll down back window, I just love this thing. But then I am old.

I love that Jay finds and restores these. He’s keeping pieces of American history alive and well.

"Honey! How are we going to go to the store!?...we have to be at least 4-6 feet apart!" " Oh, don't worry! We'll take the Mark III."

One thing I've noticed, is there is no jarring in the camera. it must be as smooth as a cloud. Hollywood would be proud to film in that Continental. I've also noticed that this was one of your longest drive thus far, I guess you just didn't want to stop enjoying the ride.

The backseat couch is everything! Art-deco-ish and beautiful.

When I was 15 years old in 1964, my Dad's buddy had one of these. It was 'pink'. He bought it used because his wife, 'Trixie', liked the color. The interior was white leather and the car had absolutely every option on the order sheet. He use to let me sit in it while he and Dad drank beer in our kitchen. One day, he threw the keys to me and said, 'Go ahead and drive it Gerry, but only up and down the driveway as you don't have a driver's license.' I was in HEAVEN!!! As a teen, I use to dream that one day I'd take a date out in that car, perhaps to a high school prom. Never happened, but it was a beautiful dream. I'm 74 years old now, and I'd still love to take a date out in a car like that .. but this time, my dear wife. :-). Such a beautiful dream.

This car is so 50s that even the headlights look like cateye sunglasses from that era

Every single one of Jay's cars has an incredible story behind it. And that is amazing.

I love Jay Leno's humour . You can't help but like the guy. Must be a blast if one is ever lucky enough to have have a decent beer with the guy.

Lincoln has always been beautiful to me even the newer mks. I'm so glad you find these and save them Jay its stunning 😍

Jay is a stand up guy. Literally. Still working every day, and only have one real weakness; cars. Or rather 150+ cars. And he share it with us all - for free!!! How the hell can anyone dislike that???????

My dad was a sales manager for a Lincoln-Mercury dealership. In 58 he was given one of these Mark's to drive at the new car showing. Every year thereafter we either had a Lincoln or a Mercury in the driveway. Great car and like you said Jay, that 430 cu in was a bulletproof engine!

Between the creaking hood hinges and ash trays, he had me laughing! This is my favorite car yet! Thanks for the laughs Jay!

Your enthusiasm and humour are infectious

I love it .. He has so many guests and guest cars it's great to just get Jay and one of his own cars every once in a while

"It makes me smile. It's fun to drive." And that's what it's all about at the end of the day!

Great video, Jay! "Do I wanna feed my family for a week, or get a tank of gas?" Love it. Thanks, Jay! Beautiful car.

A car that is in Jay scale. I am always amazed at how well preserved these cars are. Just beautiful

I had one of these in a four-door in the early seventies. All my friends would pile in and we'd drive around San Francisco. They thought it was amazingly cool. We'd keep the windows up to keep all the smoke in.

back to classic cars, my favorite subject

One of my dream cars! I love it. I had a 1958 Crown Imperial, and boy did it drive like a dream. I miss it.

I had a 1965 Mercury with that slanted inward rear window. That was a great invention. I wish they would have continued with this. If you had no A.C., you open the front vents and slid that rear window down, it kept the car reasonable cool even in warm temperatures. And you can keep the side windows up to keep it quiet in the car. In the winter, snow and frost never accumulated on the window so you a clear view all the time in your rear view mirror.

Absolutely love old American ‘battleships’ like this, being a 90’s kid, these just seem so out of this world! They’re fantastic!

Jay- I really enjoyed the Continental! Quick story..... My Grandparents had a 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V. As a young boy, I loved EVERYTHING about that car! One dark night we were driving in Portola Valley, California, and we all heard and felt a slight thud. My Grandfather was a bit confused as to what the sound might have been. He pulled over, and we all got out to check the car over to see what the sound was. We found some blood on the front bumper....zero damage to the car. We walked back down the road, and there we found a very large buck, antlers and all. He looked as if a tank had hit him! Not a scratch to the car! My Grandfather traded the car in in 1969 for a 1970 Dodge Monaco. The dealership gave him $500 trade for it, and it was mint condition. I never got over losing that car, but I was only 14 and couldn't drive yet. He would have given it to me. Your video brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

The showing of the 58 Continental was such a humorous delightful experience. As mentioned by others, watching Jay by himself is actually even more enjoyable than pre covid videos. Than You! :)

I love that. I'm watching this video 4 years after he did it and yet it's the same exact time of year with the pink blossoms on the trees in the background as he drives through SoCal as I watch this in April 2024.

My second grade teacher, Mrs. Seacrist, had a 1958 Mercury with the same rear window treatment. She loved it. I had helped her out to her car after school several times and she showed me how it opened. She liked to drive with it open as she had fresh air without messing up her hair. I haven't thought of her since forever. Thank you for bringing back great memories. Like you, I was born in 1950, in August, so I am now SEVENTY YEARS OLD. Damn, time flies. I still feel young, even with four grandkids.

You can ride in this with a friend and still maintain 6ft social distancing.

I love to watch your videos. You can see that you are a car enthusiast not showing off your cars but someone who wants to share the vehicle plus how it drives. Thank you.

Fabulous monologue about a real example of late fifties automotive expression. What a wonderful unrestored classic.

Are you kidding, Jay? This beast is one of the most beautiful things ever built! ❤️❤️❤️

"It handles like bowling ball on a water bed." Jay has more one liners than Rodney Dangerfield lol

I always like to catch up with you Jay, first time writing. I grew up with my grandparents who were well off and my granfather loved his cars. He had a 57 blue and white convertible Ford Fairlane with a continental kit, I think it was called, granma had a56 Caddy, green. He later got a Lincoln about a 62 or 63 {suicide 4 door} georgeous, and we lived in Studio City {Sherman Oaks} in the hills, I love where you drive around in L.A. and the stories of your growing up and the details about the cars. In these crazy days it really gives me some peace of mind, thanks so much, Bill Cushman

Loved this car! Neighbor had one when I was growing up. Around 1960 Boy's Life Magazine had a photo essay on how they would design these cars featuring Lincoln designers making full size mockups out of clay. They had a design contest you could enter and win a trip to Dearborn to meet the designers. When you entered you got four rubber wheels to start your model plus a large poster of every Lincoln car from the beginning to 1960. I didn't make the cut. . . but I still used those angled lights in my drawings for years later.

Measuring in at 6'5" tall, my grandfather bought a new Continental every two years from the late 50s through the early 80s. I used to sit between him and my grandmother (she brought along the tankard of hot coffee) -- with no seat-belt of course, who needs one of those anyway -- and look on in awe as he piloted those boats down the Mass Pike or up route 128 on the way to Maine. Thanks for the memories, Jay!

Parallel Parking this requires a (oceangoing) tugboat, a crew of longshoreman, a drag anchor and 3" lines...

Love these videos, the stories and comments are great, and so many types of cars! Excellent!

Loved the show. In or around 2004 I worked at a dealer that sold muscle cars, hot rods and so on. The dealer was called Compact Kar Korner (yes that is how the dealer's name was spelled) in Lynnwood, WA. Anyway, a guy came into the dealership wanting to sell a 58 Continental Mark III convertible red, white gut and top just like the car in the brochure that Jay showed. The dealer had no interest in the car, so I talked to the guy because I oved the thing. Walking around the car it "looked" to be a diamond, a very nice car that had at some point had been restored. As I remember he wanted around 12 K for the car but I had absolutely no place to store the thing and already had 6 cars, so I decided to pass on it. Working at that dealer the sales crew had a bunch of opportunities to buy cars they did not want to buy. I even bought a 69 untouched A12 Super Bee one (1) owner car. The owner of the dealer was not a MOPAR fan but he knew that I loved MOPARs and told me about the car. I bought it on-the-spot. I passed on a 69 Rambler Scrambler, a really, really nice 34 Ford hot rod with a hot rod flat head engine which was on consignment, the owner of the dealer was willing to sell the car to me for what the owner was asking which was a very reasonable price although I don't remember what he was asking at the time but I DO remember it cheap for that nice of a car. Could list 3 or 4 other cars that I could have bought but what is the point, I did not buy them.

Way back in 1961, I was 6 years old and a friend of my dad had one of these. I remember siting in the back seat riding in that. It was enormous to say the least. I’ll never forget that thing.

My father had this car in 1965. We moved to the UK that year and he shipped it to the UK. There were many roads we could not go down because the car just would not fit. Whenever my mom went into town and parked it in the town square, we would always come back to the car and find a crowd around it and lots of questions. As kids we loved the fart window LOL.

Just beautiful. I love the look of the straight rear window.

Love these old boats! I used to have a couple monsters back in the day. 76 buick lesabre custom, and a smaller 87 lincoln towncar. Fun cars to float down the road in.

It's brilliant. People who drove a car like this would be so polite on the road because you can't cut in on other drivers or drive too fast around the curves. It's simply too vast. A very chilled chariot. Total Vegas. You really owned the road. Imperious. Well worth preserving. A wonderful example of hedonistic design from the fabulous fifties.

Ever since I saw this monster parked in front of a neighbors how in a lower middle class neighborhood when I was 12 I've love it. The one I saw might have been a 59 and it was white, it looked like a iceberg that was washed up

What an awesome car! Thanks for the ride as always Jay!

Yes, my dad had one. I didn’t see my family for three days while driving to Florida. Very massive. But very comfortable. I believe they found me in the corner of the trunk. With a crackerjack box, looking at a prize with a small Coca-Cola with peanuts ..planters peanuts stuffed down the neck. Then we watched the Daytona 500! And went back to Indiana, and I got lost again in the car..good times…no ..won’t happen again !! Five kids plus mom and dad! Just a day in the park. Good memories.

I love these episodes that feature Jay's own collection. He always has a story that goes along with the car, how he got it, the person or family he bought it from, why he likes it so much, whats unusual about it. There is usually something unique in each acquisition. It's so much more personal than the episodes featuring other peoples cars or corporate effort to build the first or best in some class of car etc.. I know the collection isn't infinite in numbers, but its always welcome to see another one of Jay's cars featured with him talking about it.

Jay, you have got to be the coolest, most down to earth “famous” person out there. Love the channel, man. Keep em coming!!!

Awesome. Thanks for the great videos!

Both my parents worked at Ford in the late '50s and throughout the '60s. Being in management meant they drove Ford products. I grew up in the Lincolns of the era. Keeping the story short, Pop had a '57 & '59 Lincoln (and pretty much every year up to '69 but never new. A year or so old was always a better deal.) They were huge cars, they rode well, were reliable and rarely required any repairs. With each model I was always fascinated by the new 'tech' (LOL) each presented. The breezeway window, in particular, was a blessing for those trips between Cincinnati and Miami with two smoking parents. As were the registers/vents at the rear of the front doors allowing the a/c airflow to be directed as preferred. I can say I never really cared for the styling until the '61 came out...

When he's by himself, it seems like he's talking to you & you alone. Love to meet the guy!

I just smile most all the way through watching one of these "classic" JLG episodes. Just Jay and a car, complete with the cars' story - and as he's said often, it's the stories he's buying and keeping as much as the car itself oftentimes. Extended length episode to go with extended length car! I love it, reminds me of why I subscribed all those years ago. -Ed on the Ridge

Really enjoy Jays videos Im glad h rescues and preserves automotive history

I saw one of these in Finland once. It was the first time I ever saw one live and it was enormous on an European road. It was surreal.

Forget those super cars, Jay. You're in your element here.

It’s so ugly, it endearing:) So thankful Jay has continued to post these during these “dark” times. A grateful diversion!

I always liked the electric rear windows. There were some other Fords of that era that had them. Now you see something similar in pickups, but they slide sideways as opposed to up and down. And you find them in some McLaren convertibles too. Great for ventilation.

Jay: Thanks for preserving this “beast”. My “first” car was a 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon with “3-in-the-tree” and Overdrive, so watching this massive pile of steel move down the road brings back some real memories. I learned to drive that monster in San Francisco, and firmly believe that anyone (including my 98 lb. mom), who could drive that car, in that city, could literally drive anything with wheels! This is a great video, please keep ‘em coming!

Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! This was, and still is, the largest unibody car ever built. There were vibration problems requiring hundreds of pounds of dampeners, but this was overcome for the '59-'60 models. All in all, a fantastic car, and a welcome addition to anyone's garage... if it'll fit. Thanks for sharing!

"It's like a big ugly dog, but it's friendly, it's fun" :D I think it's a super classic beaut.

I traded a 76 Toyota Celica GT for a Beautiful 64 Lincoln 2 door with the 430 MEL V8 in it back in 1991. The Celica GT was low mileage beauty but the Lincoln was just gorgeous and the power and comfort was amazing. And then I filled it up and had to fill it up again in just a couple days and I really hadn't gone anywhere but just around town. Being a young working new Dad it didn't take me long to realize the Lincoln was just too much car with too much thirst for me. I would love to have another Lincoln but not a 430 powered 6000 lb monster.

Thanks for sharing Jay! An amazing car, I wonder how that 430 would do against the Imperial 392. A time of giant engines! But I think that I love the instrument cluster on this car the most!

Please do more of your own cars. So much more interesting when Jay is interested and knows all about the car

This is great, just Jay talking about a cool, rare, old car.

I've watched a bunch of these and Jay's comments and jokes on this one are some of the best of the series.

I have always loved the 1958 and 1959 Lincolns. I believe these were the first unibodies of Ford and they had issues with them due to mass/length of this vehicle.. I do love these designs .

My dad had one of these when I grew up in Copenhagen. He might as well have driven a Space Shuttle through the streets during that time of Morris Marina’s and VW Beetle’s.

11:51 'Giant Beast Sitting at a Tar Pit' --priceless!

Mrs. Leno totally let Jay have the frosted flakes for breakfast that morning. The episode was super funny. 😆

He talks like we're really there with him, it's great.

Son, you're going to drive me to drinkin' If you don't stop driving that Hot Rod Lincoln

A very interesting car the Mark III built in 1958. Thank You Jay for showing it to us, otherwise we would never have seen one. Bless you!!!

Gotta install a cruise ship foghorn. Old enough to remember these behemoths. Lincolns, Caddies, Olds, Buicks, Chryslers. Love them to this day.

Every time someone says that 1990 was 30 years ago makes me feel 180 years old

Thank you Jay. 30 minutes with a wide smile on my face. Made me forget everything for a while

Oh god I absolutely loved the thump of that engine. Oddly reminds of a Harley V twin exaust note.🍷Quite a speedy car too for a sporty two door!! 😎😆 And those diagonal dual head lights, i swear those look like they ought to be from an entire other planet probably. The headlight dimmer for real sounded like future tech for the star trek age devoloped well before its time. I cant think of another car that can do that even today. Lol cracked me up when Jay mentioned Battle ship galore!, so whats it gonna be - One fine Continental for him and one for her with a free garage space thrown in .. like would that be all you two?

One thing I remember about these big boats was cornering at a decent speed. Depending upon whether it was a right or left hand corner you would either be looking up or down at your front seat passenger there was so much vertical movement in the suspension.

Oh man I see old land yachts like this and I'm instantly transported to my childhood taking long road trips with my Mom and Dad during the spring and summer. I miss these kind of cars. There is NOTHING like them for highway travel in North America. YOu could do 6 to 8 hour trips and not feel like you'd been squeezed into a sardine can all day. 😄

Big vehicle owners be like: this is my house Continental Mk3: this is my living room

Hey Jay, what really impressed me when I was a kid was getting into a big luxury car and it had powered Vent windows. Now that is decadent luxury.

Really enjoy watching all of Jay's cars. I'm partial to Lincoln's. My parents bought new Lincoln's every 2-4 yrs sense I was born 1959. I was lucky enough to get Mom's last Lincoln. Plan on keeping it for the rest of my life. 👍 To Jay. Again totally enjoy these car shows. Oh, I've always loved the mark 3...I think it's beautiful!!!

Jay will make a 3 minute video about a HyperCar, and then spend a half hour on a 50s boat. Gotta love ya jay

With all the fancy techno cars out there, they all seem to blend into each other. I never thought I'd see the day where cars like these are the standout exotics.

Funny, hilarious, light-hearted, informative, fun, excellent Jay, well done, please continue 👍👍👍

I’ve got the Lincoln badged version of this being delivered soon, after absolutely loving the ‘68 Continental Coupe I’ve had for nearly a year. Mines a ‘60 shape Premiere Landau in an appropriately glam glacier white with burnt gold roof and interior. Absolutely love how different it is to the ‘68, the culmination of everything great in the 50’s 😄👌 And yes, I’m driving both in England 😂

Personally, I think that is one of the classiest, coolest and most iconic cars ever featured in Jay's garage, and I loved everything about this review! The color, chrome and unique style evoke such nostalgia, it's palpable. And I love the fact that it's all original and in such great shape. God bless Jay for all he does to preserve old cars and share all his knowledge with us. Thanks, Jay!!

I enjoy Jay's narration as much as I enjoy the cars he features.

Mr Leno, I love your videos, fantastic video and I love these types of cars. My dad was always a Buick guy.

Jay, They may look old and outdated now, but when my father bought a new ‘58 Lincoln, I was the proudest kid on the block.

The back end (including the rear window) reminds me of a '63 Mercury Monterey.