If there were ever a Mt. Rushmore of great Lincoln designs, the elegant 1940-1941 Lincoln Continental would certainly be on it. These low production classics (only 400 cabriolets and 850 coupes were produced in 1941; even fewer in 1940) were Lincoln’s statement to luxury, refinement, and European styling with its long hood, long fenders and narrow grill. This original Lincoln is from the estate of a Connecticut car collector (who also had Duesenbergs, Packards, and custom coachbuilt Chryslers in his garage) and has been in the family for more than 50 years. The last surviving brother from the family passed away recently, and the seller was given the car to sell. It was last registered in the early 1970’s and has been in storage ever since. It is located in West Hartford, Connecticut and is for sale here on eBay. The Buy It Now price is $19,300 and is generating its share of watchers. Another shout out to our pal, Larry D, for sending this cool Continental our way.
Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen this Lincoln brand new with it’s Paradise Green paint shining, chrome glistening, and that huge, tan cabriolet top with that tiny rear window? Even sitting still, this Lincoln looks like it’s moving forward. Yes, its current condition is a far cry from new, but the seller claims “It is complete; the underside and sheet metal are surprisingly solid. There is surface rust on the trunk floor. All of the rest of this ’41 Lincoln is solid original.”
The interior looks to be the original and is rough in areas, but seems to be complete as well. It would need restoring like the rest of this 81-year-old Continental, but the door panels (with those distinctive push-button releases) and the rear seat appear to be in fairly good condition.
According to the seller, “The original 12-cylinder engine was rebuilt by the owner prior to his death but never assembled or put back in the car. We have mounted the engine and have all the parts with it but have not made any attempt to have it run. It also has a new clutch.” Yes, it is in need of total restoration, but it does look like a solid car that’s all there and shows promise. And putting on my Captain Obvious hat, it would take deep, deep pockets to restore this Paradise Green Lincoln Continental back to its original glory but I hope it happens. Don’t you?
Not presently on my list of top 5 designs but it probably should be. Restored, this car will really be something else.
This car and I are the same age, the car looks better then I do.
The color is what struck me. Never knew Lincoln ‘dared’ use a shade like this on such a stately car. I love it, and would restore it to showroom new in the same shade! A very rare, SOLID, and desirable classic for sure!
I always thought these cars looked pieced together from the designs of three other cars. Very ungainly to my eye. That said I do hope it’s saved.
Design-wise I generally agree. Somehow this holds together better than the hardtops. Perhaps it’s the massive blind rear corners of the top that soften the transition to the trunk.
The trunk: I’d wanna investigate the possibility of a rumble seat (?)
Unfortunately, the biggest fan base for this car are dead.
Or just smell that way.
A shout-out to Edsel Ford for creating the Continental. Some say it was the old man who put him in an early grave.
What a stately ride. These things just ooze class.
I really hope someone is willing to bring it back to its former glory.
Obviously it’s too nice and rare to mod or crush.
A pal of mine in Glasgow used to have one. He’s now part of the aforementioned fan base! (nothing to do with the car)
Glasgow.. Scotland or Montana?
Or Glasgow, Ontario Canada
As I’ve said before these look like they were designed by three different stylists who weren’t on speaking terms. And underneath? Suddenly it’s 1930 (juice brakes excepted). Flat heads and buggy springs, when Buicks had OHV and IFS.
An amazing car deserving of restoration. First one I’ve seen. Daring styling, that shames the “me too” jellybeans sold today. As for the Flathead V12- Chrysler and AMC used flatheads for another 20 years.
But those weren’t problematic v12s like the Lincoln used
I totally agree with Chris in Australia and RKS; never could understand the “draw” to these cars except possibly the rarity. As Chris so succinctly stated, the powertrain and suspension are woefully outdated for the time, comparing it with other luxury and even non-luxury vehicles. The design appears “cobbled together” with the possible exception of the grille. GLWT
I totally agree, the front looks too 1940 Ford to me, and the rest just doesn’t “flow”. That said, it is very solid, and I hope someone who loves these cars can bring it back to life again
Engine rebuilt but never assembled ?
What a beauty. The part about the V12 being rebuilt but not assembled is daunting. It would take someone with experience with these V12s to put it all back and get her timed and running, and sadly most who did have the know how, are now gone. Great find
Someday I will own one of these. I have loved them for decades. But, I will buy one that somebody else spent the money on a nice restoration.
One of the most beautiful cars ever built!!
Beautiful car; would love to see it restored. Would really like to see the rest of the cars in that garage!
Beautiful; want to see it restored! Would love to see the rest of the cars in that garage!
Compared to what else was on the market in 1940 – 41 it was beautiful. It is also enourmous compared to today’s cars (ignoring Escalades and Expeditions). And Corvettes used the transverse leaf spring withing the past 20 years, so as old fashioned as it appears, it still has useful applications. Not so much the transverse front spring and solid axel, but this was a boulevard car, not a sports car. The V12 had issues, many were replaced with Caddy V8’s, if you were to buy this and finish the engine rebuild, look up what was wrong with this engine, and compensate for it in the rebuild, I seem to remember it was oil to the rearmost two cylinders would not be eonugh. But the engine made the sweetest exhaust sound I have ever heard.
But those weren’t problematic v12s like the Lincoln used
Looks like it may be gone and sold. All the best to the next guy who restores her.