1963 Lincoln Continental “The Dead Kennedy”
Quick Specs
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430 ci (7.0-liter) Lincoln V8.
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Black leather and crushed velvet.
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This car draws inspiration from the long lines of luxury cars from the 1960’s, and pays homage to the 1966 Chrysler Imperial “Black Beauty” from the TV show The Green Hornet (1966) through its green foglights.
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James Hetfield, lead vocalist & rhythm guitarist of Metallica.
Dead Kennedy Rolls
“The Dead Kennedy” is the first car that James Hetfield extensively modified by himself, after finding the 1963 Lincoln Continental for sale on the side of a road in the San Francisco Bay Area. He made minor modifications to the car—repainting it, giving it new wheels and tires, and widening the grille so that the headlights sat behind it. First decorated with seaweed-green flames on its side and hood, Hetfield eventually repainted the car in a flat black with a metal-flake top.
Collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum, Gift of the Hetfield Family
This Vehicle featured in ‘The Vault’.
1963 Lincoln Continental “The Dead Kennedy” Gallery
Vehicle Imagery may be used for personal, media editorial, or educational purposes. Please credit Petersen Automotive Museum, petersen.org, if used. Photos may not be used for commercial purposes.
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