It's a vibe. Honestly, that’s the only way to describe the first time you see a murdered out Lincoln Continental rolling through a city at midnight. It’s not just a car; it’s a statement of absolute privacy. You’ve probably seen them—those late-model 10th-generation Continentals or maybe a classic '63 slab-side—dripping in gloss black paint with windows so dark they look like obsidian. There is zero chrome. None. Every piece of trim, every badge, and even the iconic grille has been neutralized into a deep, bottomless black.
People get this look wrong all the time. They think "murdered out" just means a cheap matte wrap and some spray-painted wheels. It isn't that. Not if you want it to look expensive. When done right, a blacked-out Continental manages to look both like a government transport vehicle and a high-end custom build simultaneously. It’s the ultimate "if you know, you know" car.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Blackout
The 2017–2020 Lincoln Continental was almost designed for this. From the factory, these cars were chrome-heavy. You had the massive mesh grille, the window surrounds, the door handles with that weird (but cool) integrated latch system, and the rear "Lincoln" lettering. To truly achieve the murdered out Lincoln Continental aesthetic, every single one of those elements has to go.
Most high-end shops, like West Coast Customs or smaller boutique detailers in Miami and LA, won't just use vinyl wrap for everything. While a 3M 2080 gloss black wrap works for the window trim, the grille usually requires a professional "chrome delete" using automotive-grade paint or powder coating. If you leave the sensors in the grille silver, the whole look falls apart. You have to be meticulous.
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Then there are the wheels. If you’re running the stock 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, the car looks unfinished. You basically have two choices: powder coat the OEM "multispoke" wheels or go aftermarket. A set of Vossen or HRE wheels in satin black changes the entire profile of the car. It goes from "retired executive" to "John Wick’s weekend driver" in about four hours of shop time.
Lighting and Glass: The Final Percent
You can't have amber reflectors. You just can't. A real murdered out Lincoln Continental uses smoked lens covers or internal housing swaps to darken the headlights and taillights without killing the lumen output. Since we're in 2026, the tech for switchback LEDs has made this easier; you can have a completely blacked-out headlight housing that still shines bright white when the car is actually running.
And the tint? It has to be ceramic. Don't go to a shop that uses cheap dyed film. On a car this big, with this much glass, cheap tint turns purple in two years. You want 5% "limo" tint on the back and maybe 15% or 20% on the fronts to keep it somewhat drivable at night. Some guys even do a 50% ceramic film on the entire windshield to cut down on the interior glare, which makes the cabin feel like a private lounge.
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Why the Continental?
Why not a Cadillac CT6 or a BMW 7-Series? Because the Continental has "the door." The E-Latch system on the 10th-gen Continental is a mechanical work of art. The handle is part of the beltline chrome. When you black that out, the side of the car becomes one continuous, unbroken line of metal. It looks like a solid block of granite moving down the highway.
Also, let’s talk about the Coach Door Edition. Back in 2019 and 2020, Lincoln released a very limited number of Continentals with rear-opening "suicide" doors. If you find one of those and give it the full blackout treatment, you’ve basically won the car scene. It references the 1960s 53A models that JFK and various celebrities made famous, but with the 400-horsepower Twin-Turbo V6 that actually moves.
The Performance Reality
Let’s be real for a second: the Continental isn't a sports car. Even with the 3.0L AWD setup, it’s a heavy beast. Most people who go for the murdered out Lincoln Continental look aren't trying to drag race Teslas. They’re looking for "waft."
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If you're building one, consider the suspension. A slight drop—maybe an inch or so—using lowering springs or an adjustable air ride system makes the "murdered" look ten times more aggressive. It tucks the tires into the fenders and removes that awkward factory wheel gap. But don't go too low. If you ruin the ride quality, you’ve defeated the purpose of owning a Lincoln. You want to feel like you’re floating in a sensory deprivation tank.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Matte vs. Satin vs. Gloss: Don't mix them. If your body is gloss black, don't use matte black for the trim. It looks like you ran out of money. Pick a finish and stick to it.
- The Grille Mesh: The Continental grille is intricate. If you spray it with a rattle can, it’s going to chip the first time a pebble hits it at 60 mph. Get it professionally painted with a high-solid clear coat.
- Interior Clashes: If you have the "Thoroughbred" or "Chalet" interior with bright whites or tans, it can actually look cool as a contrast, but most purists want the "Ebony" interior to match the outside.
- The Badges: Don't just remove them. The indentation for the Lincoln star is part of the trunk lid's stamping. Black it out instead. Removing it leaves a ghost image that looks "off."
Maintenance is a Nightmare
Keeping a murdered out Lincoln Continental clean is a full-time job. Black shows everything. Dust, pollen, water spots—it’s all visible from fifty feet away. If you’re going this route, a ceramic coating is mandatory. It won't stop the car from getting dirty, but it makes the washing process infinitely easier because the water and grime just slide off. Expect to wash this car twice a week if you want it to maintain that "menacing" presence.
Actionable Steps for Your Build
If you’re ready to take a stock Continental and turn it into a blacked-out masterpiece, don't do it all at once unless you have a $10,000 budget ready to go. Start with the "Brightwork."
- Phase One: The Chrome Delete. Take the car to a reputable wrap shop. Have them cover the window surrounds, the door handles, and the horizontal trunk strip in gloss black vinyl. This is the biggest bang for your buck.
- Phase Two: The Wheels. Don't buy cheap replicas. If you can't afford new rims, get your factory 19s or 20s powder-coated "Piano Black." It’s durable and looks OEM+.
- Phase Three: The Tint. Go for a high-performance ceramic film like XPEL Prime XR. It keeps the cabin cool and provides the privacy the look demands.
- Phase Four: The Grille. This is the centerpiece. Find a body shop willing to disassemble the front bumper to do the grille properly. While they're at it, have them tint the fog light housings.
The Continental is a disappearing breed. Since Lincoln shifted almost entirely to SUVs like the Navigator and Aviator, these sedans are becoming rarer on the used market. Transforming one into a murdered out Lincoln Continental preserves that classic American "big sedan" energy while giving it a modern, aggressive edge that keeps it relevant in 2026. It’s about presence. It’s about being seen without being noticed. And honestly, it’s just one of the coolest ways to spend your time on the road.
Before starting any modifications, check your local state laws regarding window tint percentages and smoked tail lights. Many jurisdictions have strict "visible light transmission" (VLT) requirements, and the last thing you want is a "fix-it" ticket after spending thousands on a custom aesthetic. Focus on high-quality materials over the cheapest labor, as poor execution on a black car is impossible to hide. Get a professional paint correction done before applying any film or ceramic coating to ensure the black paint has that deep, mirror-like finish that defines the style.