Car-obsessed Neil Young's 1959 Lincoln 'LincVolt' Continental is a unique restomod EV
- Neil Young converted his 1959 Lincoln Continental to an EV
- The EV also has a Wankel generator to keep the batteries charged
- Young has used interesting methods to power the Wankel rotary
Published on May 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on May 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Car-obsessed singer Neil Young is the proud owner of a 1959 Lincoln Continental EV restomod.
Young’s Continental is one with a difference, as he decided to have it converted to become a retro electric car.
This stems from his concern for the environment, hence the desire to convert Lincoln into one of the coolest EVs around.
Gone is the gas-guzzling engine under the hood, and instead comes what Young calls a ‘good poster child for the latest in technology’ with a superb EV powertrain.
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The Continental is not a small car by any means, so sliding in a new EV powertrain was made slightly simpler by its size.
Now going by the name of LincVolt, the electric motor can run all day without needing to be plugged into a charger.
But there is also an element of combustion involved, with a single-rotor Wankel engine also serving as a power source.
The Lincoln also has hydrogen technology, making it even more futuristic.
The batteries and electric motor provide the main power source.
While the rotary acts as a generator to keep the batteries charged.
Initially, the singer has had the rotary set to run at 3,000RPM.
But he’s slowly reducing the speed.
Dyno and road tests have helped work out how much electricity is really needed.
While it can run on gasoline and compressed natural gas, Young has allowed the rotary to run on hydrogen.
The hydrogen is produced on the move, under the Lincoln’s hood, using electrolysis mixed with gas or CNG.
Incredibly, the rotary engine can achieve up to 65MPG, allowing the car to run on electric power all day.
Ultimately, Young wants the Wankel engine to run to 100MPG.
Neil Young is in love with the car, describing how quiet it is on the move and how quick the power delivery is as well.
On a recent trip from Kansas to California, the car cruised happily at 80MPH, averaging 50MPG with the Wankel.
Some say that electric cars aren’t as exciting as internal combustion engines.
However, Young’s incredible Lincoln is proof that EVs can look good and be a lot of fun to drive. Maybe the singer and Matthew McConaughey should get together for the brand?
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
