#69 of only 355 built in 1941. 57,000 original miles. Almost 100% original, unrestored car. Everything works, including radio, power windows, and overdrive. Beautiful paint, decent interior, great-running V12. Ideal for touring or preservation class competition.
That's factory-applied gloss black lacquer on the bodywork and while it shows the usual signs of age and use, it's in fantastic condition with no additional work needed. Original paint also means no trouble underneath, so you know this isn't a rusty car with b-team bodywork underneath, and those big, heavy doors close with the kind of precision usually reserved for the hatches on submarines. There's evidence that this was a very expensive car everywhere you look, from the beautiful gold anodized and chrome hood ornament, the ornate tips on the stainless side trim, and the delicate Lincoln Custom script on the sides of the cowl. It isn't flashy, but it's imposing, which was surely the intent. The grille and bumpers are excellent, and please not the front bumper's openings ahead of the grille—is it to improve cooling (the car has no heating issues) or simply for style? There are three taillights, two on the outboard sides and one in the center of the trunk lid, which is housed in a winged ornament that looks fantastic. Of note, the outer lights have been modified to act as both brake lights and signal lights, making it much easier for modern drivers to see.
The interior is sumptuous and ornate as you'd expect. The handsome blue and gray striped cloth upholstery is used throughout the car, giving it a much more cohesive look and it's completely original. Yes, there are some splits on the driver's seat but you can see that a conscientious caretaker has made a few repairs that do not affect the condition of the original fabric. The rear bench is also nicely finished with a center armrest, built-in ashtrays in the armrests, and delicate silk shades for the rear and quarter windows. Remarkably, everything works in this car: all the gauges, the clock ticks away and keeps reliable time, and the AM radio pulls in signals loud and clear with the fender-mounted antenna properly extended. It is also worth noting that 1941 was the first use of power windows by Lincoln, and those in this Custom sedan are fully operational, although they occasionally need a little assist (we suspect that a little cleaning and lubrication on the tracks would pay big dividends). Even the trunk is still outfitted with original carpets and a full-sized spare, along with a full tool set and jack.
The 292 cubic inch V12 under the hood should look familiar to Lincoln fans and while these engines often have a bad reputation, this all-original specimen has exactly zero bad habits. With polished aluminum heads, it certainly looks expensive under the hood and while it has been cleaned, detailed, and serviced, the engine has never been out of the car. Nevertheless, it starts almost instantly with just a little choke (which was still manually controlled) and idles smoothly at about 600 RPM once it's warmed up. Standard maintenance items have been replaced over the years, but all the significant parts are as they were when this car was delivered in 1941. And you don't have to worry about overheating, because this one runs nice and cool at about 180 degrees, regardless of the conditions.
The three-speed manual transmission slips easily through the gears, clutch action is light with just a little chatter when going in reverse, and the V12 has enough torque to pull this giant car around without a lot of needless shifting. And thanks to a fully operational Borg-Warner overdrive unit, it cruises easily at 65 MPH in almost eerie silence, the V12 just loafing along and the heavy car's suspension smothering road irregularities. There are tall 4.44 gears in the rear end, which is part of why it feels so lively around town, but the overdrive knocks them down to a much more reasonable 3.10 on the highway. The brakes are reassuringly powerful, the steering is surprisingly light for such a massive machine, and it's sitting on an older set of 7.00-16 Lester wide whites.
This car has already been badged by the Classic Car of America and the Lincoln Zephyr Owner's Club, so the quality is there.
Original cars are special but they aren't for everyone. If you think that original means perfect, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you like to drive, few restored cars can compare to a quality original car like this, making it the ideal choice for an enthusiast who wants to put his hardware on the road. Unusual, spacious, comfortable, loaded with features, and ready to enjoy, few cars could be better all-around hobby vehicles than this Lincoln. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
