Vehicle Description
1938 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe
By the mid '30s, the luxury car market was changing, and the grand
Lincoln K/KB series was falling behind the times. Edsel Ford could
see that in order to survive, Lincoln needed a more modern and
affordable model that appealed to a broader range of pocketbooks,
and on November 2, 1935, the Lincoln-Zephyr was formally
introduced. Note the hyphen in the name, indicating that this new
model was presented as a sort of companion brand to the classic
coach built Lincoln. The Zephyr was a Lincoln, it was to be noted,
but it was something more, too. The basis for the new Zephyr was
actually provided by a major Ford vendor, the Briggs Manufacturing
Company of Detroit, supplier of auto bodies and stampings. Under
contract for Briggs, Dutch engineer John Tjaarda, (later known as
John Tjaarda van Sterkenburg), had designed a stunning prototype
auto that was eventually shown in the Ford exhibit at the 1933
Chicago World's Fair, more properly known as the Century of
Progress International Exposition.
For consignment, a car to bridge the gap between the Ford Deluxe
and the Lincoln Model K in both size and price. This car was
designed with streamlining in mind and was very forward thinking
for its day. This car presents very nicely in its mostly restored
state, with lots of curvaceous chrome, excellent paint, and a
wonderful mostly restored cloth interior. This car is just awaiting
a few finishing touches on the interior and fuel system. The 1938
Lincoln-Zephyr coupe kept sales strongin Lincoln showrooms and is
now here in our Hallowed Halls to ignite your passion for the finer
things of the Art Deco era.
Exterior
Burgundy paint bathes the exterior panels and it'shard to find a
single fault in the finish. Wonderfully formed steel curves abound
on this car, and with a minimal use of brightwork, one can truly
appreciate and breathe in the luxurious lines of the body. Mirror
polished bumpers with their bumperettes, headlight bezels, handles
and mirrors are all excellently restored with no dimpling or
rusting. From its horizontally ribbed V-shape grille to the semi
sunken headlights this car screams streamline. For your history
lesson of the day:Complaints about the '36 and '37 Zephyr's
tendency to overheat were pouring in to Ford. So according to an
interview with Gregoire, he measured the space between the front
frame rails, and decided that the radiator would just fit between
them, if mounted horizontally, (cross-flow), and quickly had it
cobbled up, along with cut-outs on both sides of the front sheet
metal. A quick run in a crude air-tunnel proved its effectiveness,
so "Bob" Gregoire designed the delicately ribbed grille over the
openings. Voil�; the first modern horizontally-oriented grille. So
much so that rumor has itGM Styling Head Harley Earl was quoted as
saying: "Oh my God, how did we miss on that one? That's going to
ruin us". Nicerunning boards with excellent rubber connect the
curvaceous fenders and just above the true teardrop shape of the
passenger compartment of the body, which is amplified by the
rounded doors. Beautiful rear fender skirts continue with the
teardrop design and highlight the rear fender design nicely.
Teardrop style tail lights are mounted into the pointed trailing
edges of the rear fenders and frame a swooping trunk lid with
another flawless bumper below. Period correct and nearly new
Firestone wide white wall rubber wraps 16" steel wheels which are
adorned by simple dog dish style caps with the Lincoln-Zephyr logo
within.
Interior
A swing of either of the 2 doors and we see the bare steel shell
and inner workings of the doors. These doors, as well as the rear
sides are missing their panels, but we do note fully refinished
zebra grain wood applique covered window frames. As we move inside,
a couchlike bench seat within its own stylized tub, is all covered
in tan broadcloth with a slight tuck and roll pattern with a few
buttons sprawls across the front of the cabin. This bench is like
new and has no wear or tears to speak of. The rear of the car is
unfinished with a mix of black painted and natural finish plywood
providing the base for whatever you'd like to install. Stamped
sheet metal, finished in black and all rust free floats this
interior and peering upward we see the underside of the roof in
bare steel, so you can add those items to your to do list. Lest we
forget the highlight of the interior which is an art deco styled
dash. Grayish taupe painted steel, twin gloveboxes, and a centrally
located chrome bezel white face gauges with black type flanks the
factory AM radio on the left, ashtray on the right, and the factory
clock below all with matching more art deco styling. An original
and fully restored large cream rimmed banjo style steering wheel
fronts this beautiful dash.
Drivetrain
A correct and fully rebuilt V12 with 267 cubes in flathead form is
buttoned up under the long streamline hood. A single 2-barrel
carburetor tops this mill, and a rebuilt 3-speed manual
transmission and a 2-speed rear axle with 4.44 gears make up the
drivetrain. All has been well restored and is looking better than
new in its olive green finish.
Undercarriage
Once up in the air we note the advanced feature of a fully unitized
chassis. Although there is still a ladder frame, it is welded to
the body rather than bolted. Here we see nicely painted black for
the flooring, frame, and undersides of the running boards with only
light surface rust where the paint was lightly applied. Transverse
leaf springs provide the ride both front and rear and mechanical 4
wheel drum brakes are seen as well, "the safety of steel from pedal
to wheel", as the Ford slogan went. The fuel tank is not installed,
however, our consignor notes that it has been fully redone. Just a
nicely done job under here.
Stunningly beautiful paint, shiny fully redone chrome, a fancy Art
Deco interior, a streamlined design, and a fully rebuilt drivetrain
add up to one serious collector car. For the collector who doesn't
mind turning a few wrenches and adding a few finishing details this
is the perfect car for you! Show season is right around the corner,
"You're NewRide Is Waiting".
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
