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Stunning resto-mod with modern conveniences and a powerful 460 cubic inch V8, automatic transmission, A/C, cruise, with modern brakes and suspension. Professionally built and finished to show standards and fully sorted.
Visually, this 1948 Lincoln Continental retains all of the original design cues and looks for all the world like a freshly restored stock Lincoln Continental cabriolet. Underneath, however, it has been upgraded using components from a late-model Lincoln Mark V, including a 460 cubic inch engine, automatic transmission, front and rear suspensions, and all the creature comforts to which we have become accustomed today. The result is a car that looks almost completely stock but drives like a modern luxury car with no compromises taken along the way.
Finished in beautiful, rich Grotto Blue, paint and bodywork are exemplary, with restoration-quality workmanship throughout. This car retains 100% original sheetmetal that has not been cut or modified, and in many regards, it appears that the quality is even better than new. The paint is two-stage urethane, but without modern metallics or a hard shine that tends to look inauthentic. The grille and bumpers alone probably cost as much as a new car to restore, and the current owner, who is a Lincoln collector of some note, remarks that he has never seen inner grille areas restored as nicely as they are on this car.
The tan leather interior is beautifully executed, and like the exterior, there are very few signs of the upgrades. Upon closer examination, a few of the upgrades are visible, such as the small eyeball vents for the A/C, a switch panel for the cruise control, and a beautifully integrated tilt steering column topped by the original red plastic steering wheel. While the original AM radio remains in the dash, a Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit has been stashed in the glove box. Also note that the original front seat has been converted to 8-way power assist, and the windows are now electrically operated, not hydraulic, which ensures reliability. Seating surfaces show only very minor use and no wear, and the back seat is completely untouched. A new tan canvas top has been fitted, and it too is now electrically operated.
A Lincoln Mark V gave up its vital organs for the transplant, and the workmanship is extremely impressive. The engine is a powerful 460 cubic inch Ford big block topped by a 4-barrel carburetor and exhaling through a dual exhaust system that sounds appropriate. Finished in Ford corporate blue paint, the engine is an easy fit in the Continental’s engine bay, and clearances for service access are excellent. Look closely and details like the custom made radiator with its arched top tank will give you a good idea of how well crafted this car really is. The only real clue that suggests this car is something other than what it appears to be are the wide whitewall radials on the original wheels, which wear beautifully restored Lincoln hubcaps.
Even purists will be impressed by the level of craftsmanship that went into the construction of this lovely Lincoln. Obviously the builder was careful to respect the original design, and the upgrades are not only as subtle as possible, but completely functional. I can’t imagine how much this car cost to build, but it likely exceeded the cost of a concours-quality restoration, and the result is a beautiful car that can be driven anywhere in modern traffic without worries.
For more information and more than 60 photos of this amazing Lincoln, please visit www.VintageMotorCarsOhio.com 
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STOCK/INV. NUMBER:
132084
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