Neil Young goes for a test ride in his new 1959 Lincoln electric hybrid, almost crashes.
From time to time we get questions about the status of Neil Young's Linc-Volt project, the transformation, nay, transmogrification of the rock icon's gas guzzling '59 Lincoln Continental into a sweet serial-electric hybrid by John Goodwin. There have been a few teasers and the odd announcement made but now, thanks to shoe-leather reporting by The Wichita Eagle, we are happy to disclose to you that the Linc Volt lives! Though not completed, Young and Goodwin were able to take it for a successful 12 mile spin under, what sounds like, electric power. Young described the car as quiet and powerful, though apparently as there is no accelerator pedal or power steering yet, and Goodwin was applying the juice via a knob located somewhere in the back seat, the short trip almost ended in disaster. As they approached an entrance ramp, the knob was twisted the wrong way and they found themselves hurtling toward the backside of another vehicle. Fortunately, Neil still has good reflexes and he reached over with his foot from the passenger side to stomp down hard on the brake. Disaster averted.
No completion date was mentioned in the article or accompanying video but hopefully it will be finished soon. The pair are planning on making a road trip to Washington, DC and across California as part of a promotional tour. The trip should generate lots of press as well as footage for a documentary being filmed about the project. It will also give Goodwin the chance to actually listen to Neil Young's music, which he admits, he still hasn't heard. It will also give the oddball pair an opportunity to discuss future plans to extend the scope of their venture.
[Source: The Wichita Eagle]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dewi 7:16AM (6/03/2008)
it's not a 59 Lincoln it's a '59 Continental.
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Randy 9:03AM (6/03/2008)
Maybe I'm a little off but wasn't Town Car and possibly Continental the names of packages in that era? I know Town Car was only a package for a while!
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Chris 1:50PM (6/03/2008)
In 1959, Continental was a separate make, and was briefly even a separate division in Ford Motor Company until 1958. Lincoln had two models in 1959: the Capri and the Premiere. The Continental was a separate make, and in 1959 it was simply the Continental Mark IV. Not Lincoln Contintental. The two names were not used together until 1961.
The Town Car and Formal Sedan in 1959 were specially modified Continentals with padded roofs with thick "C" pillars to be used as limousines. One had a division window, one did not. Less than 100 were made in 1959 and 1960.
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Derek 11:50AM (6/03/2008)
Dewi, isn't that splitting hairs a bit? Continental is a model made by Lincoln.
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Domenick Yoney 1:34PM (6/03/2008)
@Dewi:
The Continental division was dissolved after '57. Here's the wiki on Lincoln Continentals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Continental
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Dustin 12:19AM (6/04/2008)
Doesn't anyone think it's grossly irresponsible for him to be hurling that large hunk of metal around public streets without actual driving controls, or even someone sitting in the driver's seat?
Boooo... -1 for Neil Young. Take it to a track next time.
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Keith_Indy 11:19AM (6/09/2008)
Irresponsible, probably. Out of character for hot rodders, not at all.
Look at any of the current "reality" shows about building rods or choppers, and you'll see nearly complete vehicles being taken on the road.
There's been a few times where I took vehicles out to test something and had an unrelated "issue" show up. Just a week ago I was testing the new shifter I put in my 61 Falcon, only to have the bolt holding the shifter loosen. Made shifting into reverse impossible until I knudged it back into place.
Also had a slight scare with my Bronco after putting a new steering column in. Forgot to bolt the column to the steering shaft. So, the steering was gone after about 70 feet. Luckily that was only in the back yard. And all I had to do was brake. So I stopped way short of running into the propane tank.
So lessons, sh!t happens when you're working on stuff. And always recheck all your bolts before driving around.
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Roger 7:23PM (6/12/2008)
Potentiometer and brake interupt transducer. Power steering pump off the drive shaft or electric ? Vacuum brakes off vacuum pump on drive shaft ? Using longer front brake shoes of industrial metal lining stops better or Brake on drive shaft with charging ? What is the Horse power of the Electric Motor 3 phase and Gear Ratio? Hydrualic overdrive ? Lots of ??? Have fun !!! Roger
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Roger 4:36PM (6/12/2008)
Visit me at Myspace.com/FilouBravo I have no friends !
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Roger 5:19PM (6/12/2008)
Potentiometer transducer interupt on brake pedal with deceleration transducer for charging ? Industial metal brake lining on front shoe and back shoe full lenght of Shoe on both linings? Vacuum pump and can for brakes and wipers off drive line ? Hydraulic pump for steering and or brakes off drive line ? Additional charging systems for lighting and recharge off drive lines ? Two speed hydraulic overdrive governed for Highway speed with additional charging systems off overdrive rear drive shaft? sorry you got me thinking ? Roger I do that some times?
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Roger 8:20PM (6/12/2008)
With a hydrualic overdrive unit,the rear drive shaft Alternator would always charge on coast !
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Roger 12:08AM (6/13/2008)
Thermodynamics
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Roger 11:42PM (6/16/2008)
Please delete all my messages ! Roger
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Roger 4:03AM (6/21/2008)
Were is Matt Barger My Drummer at ?
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