Vehicle Description
1948 Lincoln Continental
Based on the custom Lincoln built for Edsel Ford in 1938, the
Lincoln Continental was introduced in 1939 and established a new
standard for Ford's luxury brand. Although production ceased
immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the first-generation
Continental returned in 1946 and remained until 1948. Since then it
has been is recognized as a true classic which had Edsel Ford's
hand in the beginning of its making.
For consignment a car from an era where status was measured by the
inch, and net worth was shown off by the amount of chrome that
could be attached to a car. This car has both the length and the
chrome, so its original owner was probably an important person, and
had the scratch to back it up.
Exterior
An older respray of Lincoln Maroon covers the straight steel
panels, pontoon fenders, and bathes the car everywhere other than
the abundant chrome. Areas of cracking and crazing of the paint are
seen, as well as some bubbling, and chipping of said paint mostly
near the gaps. Worth the price of admission, the massive 3-tiered
waterfall wrap around bumpers are reminiscent of an old musical
movie set, that would have numerous dancers performing on many
levels. The grill performance is behind this massive bumper and is
on 2 levels. The lower level is a wide egg crate design that wraps
the bottom of the grille just above the bumper and houses big round
parking lights. Above this is a smaller wrap around V style egg
crate grille, that emulates the front of the hood line and has a
near perfect cloisonne badge in the center. Flanking on either side
are the single round headlights imbedded in the front of the
pontoon fenders that have propeller like wings protruding from
either side which house turn signals and parking lighting. A
massive bubbled hood with an art deco chromed sculptural hood
ornament announces the arrival of this car, although with the
aforementioned grille I cannot imagine you would have missed it!
Ultra wide dual doors allow unlimited access to the luxurious
passenger compartment and gaps on these doors are well minded.
Bringing up the rear are more pontoon style rear fenders complete
with fender skirts. On the back more wrap around 3 tier bumpers,
art deco styled taillights, a large hump backed trunk and the
iconic Continental rear enclosed spare tire. Wide whites hold up
the weight of this car nicely and allow for a low and slow cruise.
WOW!
Interior
Edsel Ford knew what he was doing when it came to excess, after all
he grew up with it all around him, although his father was very
conservative. This excess comes to fruition on the interior of this
massive automobile with dual tan burlap pattern broadcloth inserts
in the dual bench seats. These are surrounded by deep Oxblood
colored leather bolsters, and some chrome edge thrown in just for
more bling. The front bench has a few smudges and unfortunately a
dual tear on the driver's seat. Power windows are seen on this car,
as well as a bakelite push button door latch actuator. Feasting our
eyes on the dash, we first see an inverted chevron styled bakelite
maroon steering wheel with a round chromed horn ring and Lincoln
Twelve badging encircling the center of the wheel written in your
grandmothers handwriting. On the dash front, we note a quadrant of
horizontal ribbed art deco styled gauges with gold numbering and
lettering and pointy black needles. A round large speedometer is
just to the right of these gauges and sports the same color and
tactile motif. In the center is a massive juke box style cluster of
control buttons, speaker grid and a radio on top, all draped in
chrome and dripping with more art deco styling. The other side of
this menagerie of chrome is a single round clock. Looking above we
see a corduroy headliner in tan, and below is a sea of thick pile
gold carpet, which is in immaculate condition.
Drivetrain
After getting myself and 3 of my cohorts to help me lift the
massive hood (I'm being facetious) I'm met with a V12 in a mere
292ci displacement. This is an L head engine, has a single 2-barrel
carburetor atop (Holley 06H carb) and a 3 speed manual
transmission.
Undercarriage
With the condition of the undercarriage, this writer suspects, but
cannot confirm that this car had to have undergone a full
restoration at some point in its life, as the undercarriage
presents as excellent. Rust free frame, like new exhaust, and
floorpans that look showroom, we are all buttoned up under here.
Transverse leaf spring suspension is all around as are drum brakes
on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
I wanted to see how the other half lived in the late 1940's and
this car gave me the perfect lesson. It fired right up with a low
12-cylinder rumble, ran smoothly, and shifted like a dream with me
hardly noticing it was doing so. Although with all the interior
styling and chrome and paying attention where I was on the test
area, all the while trying to judge where this mass of steel and
chrome was, I may have been a bit distracted. She glides across any
bumps and bruises in the road and is able to cruise at highway
speeds safely.
Despite its paint faults, this massive collection of steel and
chrome, wrapped in art deco styling, and complete with a V12 all be
it a mere 292 cubes, is an absolutely wonderful car. If you have a
hankering for the lap of luxury, and want a challenge to parallel
park, have a look at this Edsel Ford inspired classic which is its
last year before it got ruined...1948 ! Que the Andrews sisters for
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy please!! Quiet on the set and bring in the
125 dancers for the bumpers!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.