Vehicle Description
Older restoration still in great condition. Proven tour car.
Rebuilt V12 engine. 3-speed manual with overdrive. Power front disc
brakes. Newer wide whitewall radials. A great entry-level Full
Classic that will be welcome at any vintage driving event.If you
wanted twelve cylinders after WWII, there was only one place to
shop: the Lincoln store. Even though the Continental was largely
carryover, the all-new design in 1942 ensured that the post-war
Lincolns looked fresh. With tasteful alterations, including the
more pronounced eggcrate grille, the final Continentals are
arguably the most handsome cars of the immediate post-war period.
This handsome black 1948 Lincoln Continental coupe represents the
end of the line for the V12 Lincolns, yet it remains eminently
affordable today. Thanks to a body-on restoration in the early
2000s, it looks well-tailored in black and definitely attracts
attention wherever it goes. Panel fit is quite good and even though
the styling cleverly hides its size, this is a big car so getting
it to fit together properly can be a challenge. The finish still
has a fantastic deep shine, and although this has been a favorite
tour car for nearly two decades, it still shows remarkably well.
There are a few very minor nicks here and there, but nothing of
note and going down the road the car looks quite impressive indeed.
The Continental coupes are somewhat rarer than the ubiquitous
convertibles, and its all-weather comfort makes it an ideal tour
car. Of note, this car has excellent chrome trim, including a
grille almost entirely devoid of pitting?that's rather unusual when
it comes to these cars. Obviously someone spent good money to have
the brightwork restored properly. This big coupe still looks
well-tailored and crisp, befitting the Lincoln name.The gray
leather interior was restored at the same time and shows quite well
today. There are obviously some comfort marks on the driver's seat,
inevitable when a car is used as intended, but there are no splits
or tears in the hides. The beautifully fitted door panels highlight
the Continental's unique pushbutton door releases and power
windows, both fairly advanced features for 1948. The gauges are
familiar 1940s fare, with a big, round speedometer ahead of the
driver and secondary gauges to the immediate left, plus a big
center stack that houses secondary switches. All the gauges appear
operational and their ornate gold lettering still looks elegant
today. The burgundy plastic steering wheel is in excellent
condition with no major cracks or breaks. The toggle switches under
the center stack control the headlights (the original switch also
seems to work?curious) and the auxiliary electric fuel pump, which
is a useful addition for cold starts and hot days when vapor lock
can become an issue. This car is also equipped with factory
overdrive, which makes the Continental a comfortable cruiser at
modern highway speeds. Even though this is a coupe, the back seat
is spacious enough for adults and with quarter windows, it doesn't
have the same claustrophobic feel as the convertible. And for
touring, there's a rather large trunk out back that's fully
upholstered to match.Lincoln went back to the 292 cubic inch
flathead V12 after the war, and it's a smooth, reliable, and
competent powerplant. They have a reputation for being fussy, but
we think that's unfair?when properly sorted and tuned, they are as
reliable as any other engine of the era. This one has proven itself
over the past two decades and 15,000 or so miles and today it works
like it should. With a little choke, it fires up easily, and once
it's warmed up it idles almost silently. This is a very big car, so
acceleration is modest, but where this V12 shines is on the open
road where it works with the overdrive and 4.44 gears to stay in
its sweet spot and make the Continental feel light on its feet. It
wears correct green engine enamel and still uses the factory oil
bath air cleaner assembly. Other nice details include factory-style
hoses and clamps, a correct generator, and a new wiring harness
with proper cloth-covered wires. Ride quality is quite good despite
the fact that it still uses leaf springs and live axles at both
ends, and for safety, this Continental has been upgraded with a
dual master cylinder, a power booster, and front disc
brakes?reassuring in a car that probably weighs 4200 pounds. As I
mentioned, the body has never been off the frame, so it isn't
detailed for show underneath, but there are no holes in the floor,
no structural issues, and a totally solid frame. A fresh muffler
gives it an appropriate V12 purr and it has been recently outfitted
with a set of 215/75/15 wide whitewall radials that look right and
handle great.Extras include a factory service manual, jack
assembly, and some spare parts.Admired for their styling, the last
of the Continentals make great entry-level Full Classics. They're
welcome at almost any event and when you open the hood to show off
that V12 engine, it will immediately draw a crowd. And with a few
modern upgrades, this is an enjoyable road car that will shine on
CCCA CARavans and other driving events. We remain convinced that
the Continental is the biggest bang for the buck in terms of
high-end luxury in today's collector car world. Call today!Harwood
Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional
inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.