Vehicle Description
Luxury at its finest. West Coast Classics are proud to present an
absolutely exceptional and outstanding example of a 1940 Lincoln
Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible. Reportedly only 350 of these
hand built 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible models
were built with very few still known to exist according to the
Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club.This particular car is reportedly the
recipient of multiple concours awards and a finer example it would
indeed prove hard to find. Finished in simply stunning 'Midnight
Blue' paint with a virtually still flawless 'Burgundy' leather
interior. Under previous ownership owners Johnny amp; Sara Snyder
earned the Ford Motor Company Trophy (for 1939-42 Lincoln
Continental's) at the Western National Meet of the Lincoln amp;
Continental Owners Club amp; the 'E.T. Gregorie Trophy' for 'Best
in Show' the following year. This rare car has since been part of a
prominent collection having last made an appearance at the 'Desert
Classic Concours d'Elegance' in Palm Springs, CA in 2009. Since
then it has been kept in the same show-ready condition by the
collection staff and is in as fine condition as the day it was last
restored.This was one of the sweetest rides you could by in 1940.
Imagine the looks back in the day, to drive a sporty luxury
convertible and these prestigious Lincoln Zephyr models were all of
that and more. The Zephyr was Lincoln's response to the depression
and one of major significance. It was seen as the first
successfully designed streamlined car available in the U.S. and was
powered by a water cooled 4784cc (292c.i.) V12 engine on a 125"
wheelbase! Vacuum assisted brakes were standard, important for
stopping well for such a large car, and a 3 speed gearbox was
matched to a Columbia two speed rear axle. Introduced in 1936 and
structurally revised for 1940 and heavily face lifted, not for the
better, in 1942. It returned after the war as a warmed up
continuation but without the Zephyr name.You will be hard pressed
to find anyone to dispute that the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental
Convertible is one of the most elegant automobiles ever to roll off
the Lincoln assembly line. Originally designed as a custom bodied
special for Edsel Ford, Bob Gregorie's 'Mark I' Convertible seems
to only look better and better as the years have passed. Powered by
the long stroke V12 derived from Ford's flathead V8 and one of the
first cars ever to be recognized as something more than just an
automobile by both the 'New York's Museum of Modern Art' amp; the
'Classic Car Club of America', amongst others, and one of the
finest examples of automobile as art it remains to this day. An
ageless design to be sure and a highly coveted CCCA Classic making
these particular 1940 cars extremely collectible and prized amongst
Zephyr enthusiasts.More than almost 80 years later they are one of
the few such models still as attractive today as they were to
buyers when new. Of all the elegant models produced, the
convertible is the rarest with only 350 manufactured in 1940 and
with very few known to remain according to the LZOC. The car was
built on a 125 inch wheelbase channel section frame with a central
X crossmember. Inside bench seats dressed in Maroon leather seat
four comfortably and the car boasts a woodgrain instrument panel
that houses the standard array of Gold tone gauges in a beautiful
period Art Deco theme with its original AM radio! The clock
matching the speedometer dresses up the passenger side and the car
has a power top and original factory added options of both the AM
Radio and Heater and side mirror.Moving this nearly 4,000 pound
convertible is its original V12 engine mated to its original and
very rare column shift 3 speed manual transmission with Columbia
overdrive which featured synchronized second and third gears. This
rare Lincoln will still run down the road at freeway speeds with no
hesitation, she has no wobbles or creaks. This car is an all steel
car. She has obviously been in a private collection in a controlled
environment for many years.This particular example was beautifully
and painstakingly restored with no expense spared some years ago
prior to being acquired by its long time collector owner in it's
'Midnight Blue' color which is stunningly striking along with its
white wall tires and Zephyr wheels. The 'Burgundy/Maroon' leather
interior with wool carpets has also been faithfully reupholstered
and is in absolutely exceptional condition throughout and the
correct factory canvas power Tan top is also in exceptional
condition. There can only be very few miles on the car since it's
unibody (body welded to the frame) cosmetic and mechanical
restoration. This is a rust free car that retains all of its
original body panels including floors, rockers, and trunk with very
straight panels. That factor is extremely important on a unibody
designed car such as this. Completely restored from the ground up
mechanically, cosmetically, and correctly. All the chrome has been
replated to show quality including top bows, seat hardware, etc.
Gold tone gauge cluster and the woodgrain also fully restored. The
floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are
completely solid and rust-free and the car has has no signs of any
accidents - a razor straight body and obviously an always garaged
and cherished car since new with no rust! The original spare wheel
and tire and factory tools are still located in their rightful
storage place in the trunk.The original V12 292 c.i. engine is
extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives
magnificently - must be driven to be fully appreciated - drives
straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or
rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern
day car a run for it's money! This is a rare opportunity to own a
beautifully restored with no restriction to cost 1940 Lincoln
Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible, recently acquired from a
prominent collection and a car which has obviously always been
exquisitely maintained and stored the car under the most ideal
conditions, this is definitely a car you can show today and which
is undisputedly very rare, highly desirable, and a superb
collectible and unabused example of one of the outstanding designs
of the early forties pre-war art deco period!This is one very
desirable pre-war CCCA full classic for any classic American car
enthusiast or collector to add to his collection, a very honest and
exquisitely restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, example
of a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible and a
sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for
any classic American car collector or Lincoln Zephyr enthusiast!
