Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd 2017 at Russo and Steeles 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Following his return to the United States from Europe in 1938, Edsel Ford was captivated by an idea of a special convertible coupe that was long, low, and rakish, incorporating many advanced Continental design cues. Ford designer E.T. Bob Gregorie quickly sketched up the outline of a two-door, four-seat body, based on the general theme of the celebrated Lincoln-Zephyr that revitalized Lincoln in 1935. The new car's highlights included a lowered hood line and cowl with extended front fenders, while lengthened and skirted rear fenders matched the bustle-style trunk, and the folding top featured formal, Victoria-style blind quarters.
Edsel's approval was swift and enthusiastic. Work began to complete the car in time for his winter vacation in Florida, but since there was insufficient room for a trunk-mounted spare tire, the car received its signature feature, the rear-mounted Continental spare-tire kit. The prototype was completed in less than six months and it created a sensation among Edsel's friends in Florida. Initially called the Lincoln-Zephyr Continental, the car entered production as a 1940 model. Only 404 were produced that year - 350 cabriolets and 54 coupes - with each mostly hand-built. This early success spurred continued production for 1941, with 1,250 built in all including 850 coupes and 400 cabriolets. Film and business icons clamored for a Continental of their own and some of the era's most renowned designers of the era, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Raymond Loewy, bought Continentals, providing the ultimate form of admiration for the car.
An outstanding offering without reserve, this Continental was completely restored and fitted with a new Chevrolet 350 crate engine. Beautifully presented, this 1941 Lincoln Continental features excellent black over red leather colors. The 1946-vintage overdrive transmission and rear end have been completely rebuilt to complement the new engine and rounding out its custom drivetrain, further updates include a '57 Ford Thunderbird power brake booster, Chevy block-hugger exhaust headers, a Smitty dual exhaust system, 12-volt electrics with a 6-volt reducer to run the original gauges and overdrive unit, plus a modern radio with 6-disc CD player and more.
Recent top-quality work includes the paint finish, power windows, installation of radial tires, and comprehensive restoration of mechanical items including the front end, brakes, king pins, bushings, springs, shocks, and more. As offered, the Continental will run comfortably all day at freeway speeds, with enhancements including a Columbia overdrive rear end. In addition, the trunk is fitted with new interior panels and a new battery was just installed for enhanced reliability. Since restoration, it has won many show awards including Best of Class at the Boston, Massachusetts World of Wheels and the Bay State Endicott Show in Dedham, Massachusetts. A new ignition system was installed using brand new NOS parts. With reliable and modern Chevrolet V-8 power, the Continental is a turn-key classic automobile with outstanding heritage.
