Vehicle Description
1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
The Lincoln Continental began life as a personal vehicle for Ford
Motor Company President Edsel Ford. In 1938, Ford commissioned a
one-off design he wanted ready for his March 1939 vacation from
company Chief Stylist Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie. Using the
blueprints of the streamlined Lincoln-Zephyr as a starting point,
Gregorie sketched a design for a convertible with a redesigned
body; allegedly, the initial sketch for the design was completed in
an hour. At the time work had begun on the first Continental coupe,
Lincoln had previously cancelled the Lincoln K-series coupes,
sedans, and limousines, and produced the very limited Lincoln
Custom limousine, along with the smaller Lincoln-Zephyr coupes and
sedans, while the all-new Mercury Eight was also introduced in
1939. Ford wanted to revive the popularity of the 1929-1932 Lincoln
Victoria coupe and convertible but with a more modern approach,
reflecting European styling influences for the Continental. By
design, the Edsel Ford prototype was essentially a channeled and
sectioned Lincoln-Zephyr convertible; although the vehicle wore a
conventional windshield profile, the prototype sat nearly 7 inches
lower than a standard Lincoln.
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. Owned by the same person from 1949
until our consignor's purchase in 2010, many of the service
invoices are included from over the years and the owner prior to
our consignor was not afraid to drive this beauty. With a now V8
under the hood replacing the V12, not only are things easier to
work on but by far more reliable. Having its historical paperwork
from the Henry Ford Museum and a copy of its original build card,
this 1 of approximately 400 cabriolets built is sure to get your
heart racing and make you desire to join the elite.
Exterior
An older respray of Lincoln Spode Green 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, scuffs, inclusions and chipping of
said paint mostly near the gaps. Worth the price of admission, the
massive twin kidney bean waterfall grille cascades down to the
wrap-around bumper with its full bar sides and thin bar center all
protected by red highlighted bumper guards. The shiny chrome of the
bumper creates the illusion of a second pair of grilles down low in
the roll pan but it is just that, a reflected illusion creation.
Flanking on either side are the single round headlights embedded in
the front of the pontoon fenders and ovoid chrome signal markers
are above. A massive beaked hood with an art deco chromed
sculptural hood ornament and V12 badging 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 body hugging
pontoon style rear fenders complete with fender skirts and up top
is a long tan canvas convertible roof that presents with a small
tear, light staining and a crack in the glass rear window. On the
back, another wrap-around guarded bumper, art deco style
taillights, a large humpback trunk and the iconic Continental style
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 marbled green pattern leather on the dual
bench seats. These are surrounded by matching green colored tubs
with some chrome edge trim thrown in just for more bling. Cream
bakelite and bronze are seen for the window cranks, as well as a
bakelite push button door latch actuator. Feasting our eyes on the
dash, we first see an inverted chevron styled bakelite tan steering
wheel with a half-round bronze horn ring and Lincoln V12 badging
encircling the center of the wheel written in your grandmother's
handwriting. On the dash front, we note bronze bezeled round art
deco styled gauges with white numbering and lettering and pointy
black needles. A small round clock appears to the driver's right
and down below on the cherry wood painted dash are bakelite knobs
and pulls to complete the motif. In the center is a massive jukebox
style waterfall grille for the speaker and the factory AM radio on
top, all draped in bronze and dripping with more art deco styling.
The other side of this menagerie is the simple glove box in front
of the passenger. Looking below is a sea of thick pile green
carpet, which is in very nice 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 V8 in a mere
239ci displacement where the V12 lived long ago. This is a flathead
engine, has a single 2-barrel carburetor atop and a 3-speed manual
transmission bolted to the back. Putting the cruising power to the
asphalt is a 4.44 geared rear axle. A light patina graces the
entire engine bay, and we note a chrome air cleaner assembly
replacing the original oil bath unit.
Undercarriage
A wonderful sea of patina, factory undercoating and surface rust
vie for space on this long and heavily constructed bottom. The
flooring and frame remain strong and solid, as do the inner rockers
but we do note the appearance of some invasive rust at the base of
the inner front enders. Transverse leaf spring suspension is all
around as are drum brakes on all 4 corners. A like new single
exhaust system with a Cherrybomb muffler snakes its way down from
the engine and through the frame then ending its long journey with
a single black painted tip under the passenger's side of the rear
bumper.
Drive-Ability
I wanted to see how the other half lived in the early 1940's and
this car gave me the perfect lesson. It fired right up with a low
flathead 8-cylinder rumble, ran smoothly, and shifted like a dream
with me hardly noticing it was doing so. Although with all the
interior styling and bronze and paying attention to 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. A few minor frowns crept up during my tenure
behind the wheel, dimly lit brake lights were noted, and the radio,
clock, heater blower, and cigar lighter were inoperable. Such a
shame as I just got a new box of Cubans...
Despite its paint faults, this massive collection of steel and
chrome, wrapped in art deco styling, and complete with a more
reliable V8, albeit a mere 239 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...1941! Que the
Andrews sisters for Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy please!!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collec...for more information please contact the seller.
