2018 North Star Calendar
Lincoln - Nothing Can be Finer
The North Star Region Car of the Year 1964 Lincoln Continental Sedan Owned by Bob Johnson, Tyler, Minnesota The Fourth Generation Lincoln Continental A Thoroughbred is Born
For the 1961 model year, the Lincoln range was consolidated into one model. Following the $60 million in losses to develop the 1958–1960 cars, all models were replaced by a new Lincoln Continental. Making its first ap- pearance since 1948, it was available as a four-door sedan and as a four- door convertible. Originally slated to be a version of the 1961 Ford Thunderbird model line, the 1961 Continental was modified by Ford design vice president El- wood Engel. Though still looking expansive, the slab-sided Continental was the smallest Lincoln since before World War II, a full 14.8 in shorter overall than its 1960 predecessor, with an 8 in shorter wheelbase. The design was anchored in a "form follows function" simplicity, with a complete absence of ornamentation. Sightlines across the hood, rear deck, and fenders all seemed to vanish to infinity. The overall effect evoked a sense of dignity, great mass, and authority, in motion or parked. Nevertheless, the car was so much smaller advertising executives at Ford photographed a woman parallel parking a sedan for magazine adver- tisements. Though more agile, at 4,927 pounds, the new sedan was only 85 pounds lighter than the lightest 1960 Lincoln 4-door sedan (2 pounds less than a two-door); at 5,215 pounds, the convertible outweighed its 1960 predecessor by 39 pounds. As a result, the new Lincoln was still heav- ier than any equivalent from Cadillac or Imperial. This solid construction led to a rather enviable reputation as "Corporate management was deter- mined to make it the finest mass-produced domestic automobile of its time and did so." The most recognized feature of the design of the Continental was the return of rear-hinged doors, last seen in the 1951 Lincolns, to improve ac- cess to the rear seat. A "Door Ajar" warning light on the dash was pro- vided as a safety feature. Sedans featured a thin "B" pillar with both body styles utilizing hardtop-style doors sans integral window frames as well as curved side glass. Sedans were called a "pillared hardtop," the design would be added into a number of Ford Motor Company vehicles during the 1960s and 1970s. Another popular feature was the all-new convertible, where the trunk lid would open electrically in a single piece, hinged at the back of the vehi- cle, then the fabric top would fold down and disappear beneath the trunk lid. The mechanism was originally used on the Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner hardtop convertible of the late 1950s. Opening the trunk on convertibles for storage required that the lid be opened electrically, without deploying or retracting the folding convertible top. Another feature was the popular "Tilt-Away" steering column, borrowed from the Thunderbird that was modified to both adjust for vertical and length adjustment. The 1961 model was the first car manufactured in the United States to be sold with a 24,000 mi or 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. It was also the first postwar four-door convertible from a major U.S. manufacturer. California Walnut veneer was used on the doors and instrument panel. Cen- tral locking system was vacuum operated. For the Kennedy White House, the Secret Service purchased a convertible parade limousine custom built by Hess & Eisenhardt of Cincinnati, Ohio, from a 1961 Lincoln 4-door convertible. Code named the SS-100-X, it was this car that Kennedy was riding in at the time he was assassinated in 1963. Regarded as Elwood Engel's magnum opus, the 1961 Continental re- ceived some design support from a full-size clay model done by staffers Howard Payne and John Orfe in 1958. It was a sales success, with 25,160 sold during its first year. This so-called "slab-side" design ran from 1961 to 1969 with few changes from year to year. As a result, Lincoln dealers began to find that many people who bought 1961 and post-1961 models were keeping their cars longer, forcing a new design. Ford produced sev- eral concept cars which recalled this design. In 2007, Lincoln's Navigator and MKX SUV lines adopted chrome grilles in the style of these Continen- tals. In 1962, a simpler front grille design with floating rectangles and a thin center bar was adopted. Sales climbed over 20 percent in 1962, to 31,061. For 1963, in response to customer requests, Lincoln made several changes to the Continental. To improve rear-seat legroom, the design of the front seat was updated. Also, the design of the rear decklid was modi- fied to increase luggage space. To improve the electrical charging system of the car, Lincoln replaced the generator with an alternator, as would many manufacturers during this time. 31,233 Continentals were sold. For 1964, Lincoln gave the Continental a minor redesign, featuring several updates to further improve interior room. The wheelbase was ex- tended three inches, both to improve rear-seat room and to improve the ride. The roofline of sedan versions saw several changes, becoming squared off with the formerly curved side glass now being flat. The rear-mounted gas tank filler door was moved to the driver's side of the car. The front grille was modified slightly from the 1963 model; it now featured a series of five vertical chrome accents that interrupted the square "egg-crate" pattern and were distributed evenly between the dual headlights. The ex- terior "Continental" script was changed and the rear grille replaced by a simple horizontally elongated Continental star on the rear deck lid. 36,297 were sold that year. A concept show car was built, called the Continental Town Brougham, which had a 131-inch wheelbase, overall length at 221.3, and had a retractable glass partition between the front and rear compart- ments, with an exposed area over the front compartment, in typical 1930s style town car/brougham appearance. This generation of Continental is favored by collectors and has ap- peared in many motion pictures, such as Goldfinger, The Matrix, Last Ac- tion Hero, Kalifornia, Spider-Man 2, Hit and Run, Animal House and the In- spector Gadget films. It has also appeared in the television series Pushing Daisies, in the opening sequence of the television series Entourage, and as the vehicle of choice for Michael Chiklis's character Vincent Savino in the series Vegas. In the CBS television situation comedy Green Acres (1965– 1971), in which the cars were furnished by Ford Motor Company, lead char- acter Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) is shown driving a 1965 Conti- nental convertible and then in later episodes owns a 1967 model. Perry Ma- son also drove a fourth generation Continental convertible in many epi- Images courtesy of John Walcek, Placentia, CA and David sodes; here too the cars were furnished by Ford Motor Company. Gustafson, Burnsville, MN January 2018
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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National Bloody Mary National Fruitcake Toss National Whipped Day National Buffet Day Day National Trivia Day Cream Day National Cuddle Up Day 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
National Step in the National Bobblehead National Static Electric- National Bittersweet Puddle and Splash Your National Curried National Rubber Ducky Day National Argyle Day ity Day Chocolate Day Friends Day Chicken Day Day
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
National Dress Up Your National Without a National Bootlegger’s National Winnie The National Disc Jockey National Strawberry Ice National Popcorn Day Pet Day Cream Day Scalpel Day Day Pooh Day Day
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Squirrel Appreciation National Blonde National Peanut Butter National Irish Coffee National Chocolate Day Brownie Day National Pie Day Day Day National Spouses Day Cake Day 28 29 30 31
National Bubble Wrap National Backward Day National Kazoo Day Appreciation Day National Croissant Day
February 2018
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National Baked Alaska National Groundhog National Day the Music Day Day Died Day
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
National Thank a Mail National Shower with a National Lame Duck National Send a Card to National Kite Flying National Kite Flying Carrier Day Friend Day Day a Friend Day Day Day National Umbrella Day
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
National Don’t Cry National Clean Out Your National Do A Grouch a National Random Acts Over Spilled Milk Day Computer Day Fat Tuesday Valentine’s Day Singles Awareness Day Favor Day of Kindness Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
National Drink Wine National Love Your Pet National Dog Biscuit National Skip the Straw Day Presidents Day Day National Sticky Bun Day National Margarita Day Day Day 25 26 27 28
National Chocolate National Tell a Fairy National Polar Bear National Tooth Fairy Covered Nut Day Tale Day Day Day
March 2018
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National Dadgum That’s National Dress in Blue National I Want You to Good Day Day be Happy Day 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
National Multiple National Oreo Cookie National Proofreading National Get Over it National Pack Your Marching Music Day Personality Day Day National Be Heard Day Day Day Lunch Day 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
National Napping Day – National Worship of Day after Return of Day- National K9 Veterans National Learn About National Everything You National Everything You Tools Day light Saving Day Day Butterflies Day Think Is Wrong Day Do Is Right Day St. Patrick’s Day 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
National Common Cour- National Awkward Mo- National Let’s Laugh tesy Day National Chocolate ments Day Day National Ravioli Day Olga’s 8th birthday National Goof Off Day National Puppy Day Covered Raisin Day 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
National Medal of National Little Red National Mom and Pop National I Am in National Bunsen Burner Honor Day National Nougat Day National Joe Day Wagon Day Business Owners Day Control Day Day
April 2018
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National Find a National Hug a News- National Go For Broke National Sorry Charlie National No Housework April Fools’ Day National Ferret Day Rainbow Day person Day Day Day Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
National Cherish an National Farm Animals National Grilled Cheese National Blame Some- National Reach as High National All is Ours Day Antique Day Day National Pet Day Sandwich Day one Else Day as You Can Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
National Take a Wild National Wear Your Paja- National Poem in Your National Animal National Hanging Out National Pineapple National Chocolate Guess Day mas to Work Day Pocket Day Crackers Day Day Upside Down Cake Day Covered Cashews Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
National Pigs in a National Hug a National Richter Scale National Arbor Bob National Kiss of Hope National Jelly Bean Day National Picnic Day Blanket Day Plumber Day Day Johnson Day Day 29 30
National Pet Parents National Hairstylist Day Appreciation Day
May 2018
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National Mother Goose National Two Different National Orange Juice Day National Truffle Day Colored Shoes Day Day National Homebrew Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
National Crepe Suzette National Roast Leg of National Have A Coke National Lost Sock National Clean Up Your National Twilight Zone Day Lamb Day Day Memorial Day Room Day Day National Limerick Day 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
National Frog Jumping National Dance Like a National Nylon Stocking National Love a Tree National No Dirty National Devil’s Food Day Chicken Day Day Day National Pack Rat Day Dishes Day Cake Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
National Be a National Strawberries National Buy a Musical National Lucky Penny National Scavenger National Tap Dance National Blueberry Millionaire Day and Cream Day Instrument Day Day Hunt Day Day Cheesecake Day 27 28 29 30 31
National Grape Popsicle National Hole In My Day Memorial Day National Paperclip Day Bucket Day National Macaroon Day
June 2018
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National Go Barefoot Day National Bubba Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
National Chocolate National Old Maid’s National Moonshine National Drive-In Movie National Best Friends National Donald Duck Macaroon Day Day Day Day National VCR Day Day Day 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
National Ballpoint Pen National Making Life National Kitchen Klutzes National Pop Goes the Nature Photography Day Beautiful Day National Loving Day of America Day Weasel Day Day National Fudge Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
National Stewart’s Root National Go Fishing National Garfield the National Hike with a National Take Your Dog Beer Day Day Cat Day Geek Day National Selfie Day to Work Day National Pink Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
National Chocolate National Paul Bunyan National Meteor Watch National Pralines Day National Leon Day Pudding Day National Sunglasses Day Day National Camera Day Day
July 2018
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National Gingersnap National Eat Your Beans National Graham National Fried Chicken National Strawberry Day National Anisette Day Day Independence Day Cracker Day Day Sundae Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
National Chocolate with National Sugar Cookie National Pina Colada National Cheer Up The National French Fry Collector Car Almonds Day Day Day Lonely Day Eat Your Jello Day Day Appreciation Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
National Give Some- National Get Out of the Wrong Way Corrigan National Sour Candy thing Away Day Dog House Day Day Day National Hotdog Day National Lollipop Day National Junk Food Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
National Rat Catcher’s National Vanilla Ice National Amelia Earhart National Threading the National Talk in an Day Cream Day Day Needle Day National Chili Dog Day Elevator Day National Dance Day 29 30 31
National Chicken Wing National Father-in-Law Day Day National Mutt Day
August 2018
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National Coloring Book National Grab Some National Coast Guard Respect for Parents Day Day Nuts Day Day 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
National Sneak Some National Work Like A National Wiggle Your National Lighthouse Zucchini Into Your National Book Lovers National Presidential Dog Day Toes Day Day Neighbor’s Porch Day Day National Lazy Day Joke Day 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
National Vinyl Record National Filet Mignon National Creamsicle National Lemon National Roller Coaster Black Cat Appreciation National Mail Order Day Day Day Meringue Pie Day Day Day Catalog Day 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
National Tooth Fairy National Ride The Wind National Kiss and Make World Honey Bee Day National Radio Day National Spumoni Day Day Day National Peach Pie Day Up Day 26 27 28 29 30 31
National Just Because National National Toasted National Matchmaker National Dog Day Day Cherry Turnovers Day National Chop Suey Day Marshmallow Day Day
September 2018
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National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day
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National Tailgating National Macadamia National Cheese Pizza National Read A Book National Neither Snow National Ampersand Day Labor Day Nut Day MRD B’Day Day Day Nor Rain Day Day
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
National Teddy Bear National Hug Your National Make Your Bed National Ants on a Log National Kids Take National Cream Filled National Double Day Hound Day Day Day Over The Kitchen Day Donut Day Cheeseburger Day
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Responsible Dog National Cheeseburger National Butterscotch National String Cheese National Pecan Cookie Elephant Appreciation Ownership Day Wife Appreciation Day Day Pudding Day Day Day Day
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
National Checkers/Dogs National Cherries National One-Hit National Shamu the National Corned Beef National Good Neighbor in Politics Day Jubilee Day Wonder Day Whale Day Hash Day Day National Coffee Day
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National Love People Day
October 2018
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National Name Your Car National Rhode Island National Mad Hatter National Hair Day Day National Boyfriend Day National Taco Day Day Day
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
National Bring Your National Inner Beauty National Fluffernutter National Leif Erikson National Cake Teddy Bear to Work/ Day Day Day Decorating Day School Day National Gumbo Day National No Bra Day
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Be Bald and Be Free National I Love Lucy National Seafood Bisque National Brandied Fruit Day Day National Feral Cat Day National Mulligan Day National No Beard Day Day Day
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Swallows Depart from National Mother-in-Law San Juan Capistrano National Greasy Food National Sweetest Day Day Day United Nations Day Day National Mule Day National Black Cat Day
28 29 30 31
National Make A National Speak Up For Halloween Difference Day National Hermit Day Service Day National Knock-Knock Jokes Day
November 2018
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National Cook For National Men Make Your Pets Day Dinner Day National Sandwich Day
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
National Chicken Lady National Love Your Red Color the World Orange National Harvey Wall- National Forget-Me-Not Day Hair Day Saxophone Day Day banger Day National Scrapple Day Day
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies National Clean Out National Take A Hike Veterans Day Day World Kindness Day National Pickle Day Your Refrigerator Day National Fast Food Day Day
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Mickey Mouse Birthday National Play Monopoly Thanksgiving Day National Day of Day National Absurdity Day National Stuffing Day National Jukebox Day National Espresso Day Listening
25 26 27 28 29 30
National Bavarian National French Toast Electronic Greetings National Parfait Day National Cookie Day Cream Pie Day Day Day National Mason Jar Day
December 2018
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Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day
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National Roof Over Your National Sacher Torte Pretend To Be A Time National Mutt Day National Microwave National Pearl Harbor Head Day National Sock Day Day Oven Day Remembrance Day Traveler Day 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Dewey Decimal System National Noodle Ring National Ding-a-Ling National Day Of The National Bouillabaisse Weary Willie Day Day Day Day Horse Day Cat Herders Day
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
National Flashlight National Chocolate- Answer The Telephone National Hard Candy National Sangria Day Day – Day of Winter covered Anything Day Wright Brothers Day Like Buddy The Elf Day Day Solstice Anne & Samantha Day 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
National Pfeffernusse Christmas Eve Christmas National Thank-you National Chocolate Tick Tock Day Day Note Day National Fruitcake Day Candy Day
30 31
New Years Eve National Bicarbonate of National Champagne Soda Day Day