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 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.