1948 Lincoln Convertible Coupe
Price: $34,900
VMC Stock ID: 132260
Mileage: 26894
VIN: 8H 108788
Engine: 292 cubic inch V12
Transmission: 3-speed manual with overdrive
Gear Ratio: 4.22
Wheelbase: 125 inches
Wheels: 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
Tires: 7.00-15 BFGoodrich wide whitewall
Exterior Color: Burgundy
Interior Color: Black leather
1948 Lincoln Convertible Coupe
This one has a nice older restoration that's in very good condition
today.
J. J. Best Banc & Co.
With the death of the Zephyr in 1942, all non-Continentals became
simply "Lincolns". Underneath, however, this convertible is the
same as the Continental, but given that I've never seen another one
like this, I'm guessing they're quite a bit more unusual. This one
has a nice older restoration that's in very good condition today.
The front end is familiar to anyone who's seen a post-war
Continental, but I personally really like the sloping rear deck
compared to the bustle-back look of the Continental, and the
quarter windows give it a much more graceful profile, don't you
think? Maroon paint is always the right choice on cars of this
vintage, if not particularly adventurous, but the finish remains
shiny with only a few blemishes that are age-related and not really
damage. The chrome is in good condition, particularly the grille,
which, on these cars, can cost a fortune to restore, and the
two-tier bumpers are straight and clean. And just between you and
me, I much prefer having real door handles on the outside of my car
rather than push-buttons.
The interior is handsome black leather that's in better shape than
the photos would indicate--black is really hard to photograph
properly. There are a few creases, but it is supple and comfortable
with firm underpinnings that make it a great tour candidate.
Matching black carpets are neatly bound and the door panels are
really slick-looking with dramatic curves on the arm rest and a
neat map pocket underneath. All the gauges are functional save for
the clock (and radio, sadly), and the power windows and top work
like they should. It's equipped with a heater/defroster unit and
that "O" knob on the lower half of the dash is for the fully
operational overdrive. Even the steering wheel is in great shape,
although it's not the cool red transparent plastic you find in the
Continentals--I suppose they had to cut back somewhere. The trunk
is much, much larger than the Continental's, again making this a
great choice for touring.
The engine is the same 292 cubic inch V12 that was used throughout
the Lincoln lineup. Fully rebuilt at the time of restoration, it
runs extremely well and exhibits none of the temperamental behavior
that used to give these engines a bad reputation (which was
undeserved, in my opinion). It's no longer detailed for show, but
it wears correct green engine enamel, an oil bath air cleaner, and
a generator up top. It starts easily and idles almost silently, and
even though it's a little smaller than some of its competitors,
it's incomparably smooth. Get it rolling and it whispers along at
highway speeds thanks to the overdrive. The undercarriage is both
over-detailed (painted to match the body) and under-detailed (a bit
grungy from being driven) but everything is in place and it all
works like it should. It's also got a new exhaust system and good
wide whites on the original wheels.
Handsome and unusual, this will become a favorite if you like to
drive.