At first glance, this 2017 Lincoln Continental appears to be a refined modern luxury sedan, but beneath its elegant exterior lies one of the most ambitious engineering transformations submitted for the 2025 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle Award.
Built by Jack Parnoutsoukian of Build It Yourself, this project reimagines what a contemporary luxury platform can become when engineering curiosity meets technical discipline.
The defining achievement of this build is the integration of a V10 powertrain into a chassis never designed to support it. Accomplishing this required extensive structural engineering, custom fabrication, and precise systems integration. Nearly every mechanical and electronic subsystem was redesigned or reworked to function cohesively, from drivetrain and cooling to electronics and vehicle dynamics.
What makes this Continental exceptional is not just what was added, but how seamlessly it all works together. Many of the most impressive engineering solutions are hidden from view. Custom mounts, reinforced structures, and carefully routed systems ensure reliability, balance, and serviceability without compromising the vehicle’s luxury DNA. The result is a car that performs at an entirely different level while maintaining the comfort, refinement, and usability expected of a modern Lincoln.
One of the most innovative aspects of the build is how modern technology was leveraged to overcome packaging and integration challenges. Engineering decisions were guided by careful planning, testing, and iteration, proving that high-performance engineering can coexist with OEM-level fit and finish.
This project embodies the spirit of the Best Engineered Vehicle Award: thoughtful problem-solving, technical creativity, and an unwavering commitment to execution beyond surface-level modifications. The Continental stands as a powerful reminder that exceptional engineering is often invisible, but is felt in how a vehicle performs, responds, and endures rather than simply how it looks.