Vehicle Description
1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet remarkably well documented
history having only 4 owners from new! Survives with all original
body and chassis, never being exposed toinclement weather! Total
history included with acompassionate total restoration in 2007! One
of the most stunning you will ever find! AACA Senior winner, and
multiple LCOC National 1st Place winner, including Best in Class
FOMOCO Trophy! 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet Background:
Developed from 1939 through 1948, the first generation Lincoln
Continental was interrupted in production by World War II, where no
automobiles were produced by any American auto makers between the
years of 1942-1945. With its return to production in 1946, the
Continental was revised with subtle changed to both the style, but
also to the vulnerable V12 engine. The former 292ci V12 engine
received several improvements that included high capacity oil
pumps, cast iron heads, and stronger internals all to improve
cooling capacity and longevity of the engine overall, and provide
extra horsepower. These H-Series Continentals produced from
1946-1948 are considered the most collectible of the 1st generation
for this reason. The entire selection of Lincoln-Zephyr V12 powered
Continentals are recognized by the Classic Car Club of America
(CCCA) as a Full Classic, making them one the last, and youngest,
to ever be considered by the club. 1948 Lincoln Continental
Cabriolet Info: We are excited to offer this 1948 Lincoln
Continental Cabriolet finished in Pace Car Yellow over Brown
Leather interior with new Tan Stayfast canvass convertible and
matching boot cover! Powered by its original 292ci V12
Lincoln-Zephyr power plant producing an estimated 125 horsepower
and 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive, this wonderful
example runs as smooth as it looks! Options include AM radio with
vacuum antenna, 15 steel wheels fitted with Firestone Deluxe
Champion 4-ply wide whitewall tires, fog lamps, continental spare
tire, rear fender skirts, locking glove box & trunk, dash clock,
hydraulic power top & windows, under seat heaters & windscreen
defrost, front & rear bumper guards with wing tips, dual outside
mirrors, and more! The history of this Continental Cabriolet is
exceptional, with a life beginning on a short trip destined for Los
Angeles, California after being ordered by Foothill Motors of
Pasadena. The trip was interrupted by Lee Butler of Butler Lincoln
Motors of Washington D.C. after a special request from Dr. Erwin
Ruth, who requested a 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet as a
Christmas gift for his mistress, Marie Carmen Duff, some 32 years
younger than him. It was diverted from its westward destination and
awarded to Ms. Duff in December 1947. Turns out, she never learned
to drive and the car was garaged most of its early years, driven
only in the summer months with Dr. Ruth behind the wheel through
1959. It was decided to have the car repainted that Fall of 1959,
only to have the painter fail to meet expectations. In frustration,
the doctor would park the Lincoln back in the garage, on blocks,
with the gas tank full, and he engine completely filled with oil.
It would stay in this pickled state until his death in October 1969
at 80 years of age. Ms. Duff, still remaining a companion to Dr.
Ruth, was asked to sell the car to his longtime friend, Thomas
Lerch, when he died. Tom took possession in October 1970 and drove
it for the first time, after extensive engine and brake readiness,
the summer of 1971. Being a military person soon to be stationed in
Kabul, Afghanistan, the car would be parked again through October
1973. Upon return, Mr. Lerch then relocated from Washington D.C. to
Bethesda, MD, then on to North Canton, Ohio. His remarkable care
and meticulous maintenance records are fully documented in his
personal log book! He detailed every single service, complete
engine overhaul, all mileage indications, oil changes, chassis
lubrications, cleaning & waxing dates, and of course all events he
participated in. These included year-to-year Lincoln & Continental
Owners Club National Meeting, and numerous CCCA CARavan tours! This
beautiful example was most recently located in Springfield, IL were
it has been garage kept & maintained by its former owner, Cliff
Greenwalt, since 2004. Mr. Greenwalt followed in perfect order with
a superb, and very complete, total restoration of the body and
mechanicals. Credit for the complete bare metal repaint goes to
Kenny Crow of Wavery, IL, and the engine overhaul compliments to
Dubin Auto Garage, also of Waverly, IL. Less than 1,000 miles are
on the completed car, 965 miles to be exact, finished in 2007. The
exterior paint has been beautifully polished, and the engine bay
has been fully detailed for shows! Whether the top is up or down,
it shows extremely well from all angles! The chassis and
undercarriage are in solid condition and present very well. We
invite prospective buyers to come and view this vehicle in person
or to call with additional questions. This represents a great
opportunity to own a final year, first generation Continental and
one of the last V12 powered cars produced by any American auto
manufacturer! Thanks for looking!