Post-war Lincolns (’46-’48) make regular appearances here on BF and they are instantly recognizable for their distinctive styling. Actually, that vintage of the famed Continental, such as our 1947 subject car, is little changed from the pre-war (’40-’42) iteration. A common component linking these Continentals was its V12 engine – a powerplant not universally praised and often replaced. With that thought in mind, let’s examine this Staunton, Virginia resident and see, what, if anything has changed mechanically. Interested parties will find it here on eBay where it’s available, for a current bid of $3,950 with the reserve not yet met.
The first thing that caught my attention was this car’s un-Continental-like hue. It presents well enough it’s just that bright metallic blue doesn’t line up with any of the ’47 Lincoln paint swatches that I could find and the seller admits that it’s a repaint. Admittedly, the exterior images aren’t very revealing but what can be seen, things such as the prominent grille and stainless trim seem to be in nice shape, though the bumpers look like they have been painted silver. My guess is that the wheel covers and trim rings are original to this car – perhaps someone more knowledgeable on all things Lincoln can comment.
As the last or one of the last, American manufacturers to feature a V12 engine, this Lincoln originally housed a 125-gross HP 292 CI twelve-cylinder motor. As stated at the outset, I have encountered numerous, former V12-powered Continentals that have ditched the twelve for a V8. And often it seems that Oldsmobile is given the re-motoring task. In this case, however, we have a Buick “Wildcat “nailhead engine holding court. Which Buick engine it is, is hard to say as Buick bestowed many of their 1960s V8s with the Wildcat moniker but my guess is that it’s either a 401 or a 425 CI powerplant. The seller does state that it, “has roughly 100k on the motor purse (sic) like a kitten” so it may be a bit more than just broken in. A three-speed manual transmission still handles all things gear-related.
The interior is claimed to have been redone and it shows quite well. It looks like a lot of black vinyl and was probably an expensive undertaking. While the original deco-influenced engine gauges are still in place and in possession of clarity, a trio of replacements have been attached below the dash. There is also a light indicator panel of some sort attached below the speedometer and, unless my eyes are deceiving me, there is what looks like an after-market A/C control head and vent box also in place. The listing makes no mention of air conditioning but there is what appears to be a condenser attached in front of the radiator.
OK, so this Continental is hardly original, and with the common engine swaps that occur, it’s not a surprising discovery. But still, this top-drawer Lincoln is a rare and valuable car as it is one of only 831 assembled in ’47. Yes, I do like it, but no, I wouldn’t want to own it. But how about you, interested?
Nice car. I like the change to another color other than black or white. The blue looks good on the car. As always, l like the engine upgrade. The extra power should move this heavy beast down the road in style.
Since we don’t know the circumstances of the engine swap it’s a bit heavy to fault the GM engine in the Ford product. When I built my Olds powered Studebaker I had the engine and transmission in my second floor dorm with nothing to put them into since I wrecked the Chevy it was built to go in. The Studebaker popped up at a price I could afford ($34) and the rest was history.
Sonny Corleone regrets not have his armored. Nice find. The local Lincoln dealer in Fishers, Indiana has a black one on display in the showroom.
Probably a late 50’s nailhead, notice the canister style oil filter? Definitely has AC, a good investment if it works. Brake light wire is also unplugged at the master cylinder. With the outrageous prices to get chrome reworked, no wonder the bumpers are painted. I did the same thing on my 47 Zephyr street rod.
I see the A/C compressor just to the left of the P.S. pump. It looks like a lot of retrofitting went into to this car. The Buick nailhead is certainly a different choice for a V-8 conversion. I think most were Y blocks or (GASP) small block Chevys. Ya gotta wonder how they hooked it up to the Lincoln trans. Maybe they made it fit with a little bit help from an adapter kit and had it running like a song?
Or, they put in half a mortgage in a total conversion of the drivetrain and don’t want to publicly admit it. That I suspect is the case with every engine sap–err, swap–involving Lincolns.
But, it is understandable why the Zephyr V12 is usually changed out by many who don’t care about OE. It was based on the Ford V8 of the time, which historians state (and even Ford advocates would begrudgingly concede) was not the most durable of engines despite its public appeal. Although slightly more efficient than the K V12, it was not an efficient mill (which is par for the course regarding 1930s-era engines, save for Duesenbergs), nor could it really be made to be. Starting at 267 cid and 110 HP, it was increased to 292 cid and 120 HP, then again to 306/130, the last of which went beyond the block’s tolerance. The engineers then went back to the 292/120 specs in ’46, making a few internal changes (likely in valving) in ’47 to increase the power to 125 thru the same size. They wanted to carry on the V12 rep after ’48; but the newer, larger renditions of Flathead V8s just were more powerful and more reliable. Even Cadillac learned similar lessons later on, but that’s another story for another listing (namely, a first-gen, FWD Eldo).
rito put56oldsin39ford -worksfine.
A resto-mod Lincoln? No thanks. If you want A/C, seatbelts, stereo music, and V8 power, then just buy a 1975 Buick. A purist would have to do alot of work to un-do all the mods to this very rare Lincoln.
Yeah, I agree there. But, to be fair, at least the modder used something other than the typical, over-clichéd Chevrolet series of engine. I found it interesting they used a Buick engine instead. Still, that Nailhead would be more appropriate in a ’79 Electra than a ’47 Continental. If anything, at least use a first-gen Lincoln Y-block.
Said it before, and I’ll say it again. Put a Ford in your Ford.
Or, don’t take the Lincoln out of your Lincoln.
Right on … no dinkin with the Lincoln
It’s sad to see these model’s not worth much and not to desirable. I have a primered 47 Coupe and all I can see doing with it is chop top and upgrade motor
And nothing wrong with that Denny!!!
I’m not really a fan of huge cars but because of my name I usually give an older manual trans Lincoln a look over, that said I recently commented to my son that I find myself not giving anything repowered to GM the time of day.
One of my favs, esp the Kennedym0bile (4th gen) and the shortie (3rd gen), only poor model wuz the 1 between those 2 (even the dwn szed fox I like). If not oem use the ford i8 or 6.
How about a Jaguar V12 swap? A late 6,0 liter or a bespoke made 7,0 – 8,0 liter mill?
These are really big cars. I knew as an 8 year old, in 1949, that they were unusual, and fine, and as a 12 year old, there was one in town that had the sweetest exhaust sound of anything on the road. I wanted one then, and, I guess, with the prices dropping, could afford one now!
Recall going to see a ’41 Lincoln powered by a 354 Hemi in Southern Cal in the mid-to-late 1970s. Seemed like a pretty reasonable choice for a transplant back then.
A Buick nailhead, I am IN and I do not car what car it is in Cut it up and put it back. Than is Hot Rodding
I like it. I can just imagine taking my wife and 3 grandson’s for a nice fall color cruise. Please excuse the ignorance, does this have power windows ? I assume the window crank is for the vent window. How do you open the doors?
I see 2 buttons for power windows, but I don’t know if they were electric or hydraulic. There is flush buttons you push to open the doors on the inside and outside. Kind of a weird design feature I’ve only seen on this era of Lincolns.
Not so, my 2017 Lincoln Continental has push buttons inside. It’s funny when people ask “How do I get out of here” and you tell them to push the little thumb button
These year Lincolns had some fugly front grills IMO. Rather have a Ford or Lincoln engine in a Lincoln, but using a Buick nail head is interesting, and I’m sure the trans is Buick as well. Someone definitely got creative with this one.
I hope it’s not a Buick trans. I had a ’53, ’55, ’56 and a ’57, had to replace every trans.
“Distinctive styling” Let’s admit it. This thing is plain FUGLY.
Looks to be in good shape for the shape it’s in.
I was surprised that Ford and Lincoln didn’t use or build L8s or straight 8s for its larger luxury cars like this Lincoln. Ford was definitely ahead of others producing V8s, but its V12s were problems and why they were swapped out for better designs. It would have been sweet if they could have found a 1960s 430 MEL engine and drivetrain to drop in this 47 Lincoln.
Depending on when the conversion was done (Buick stopped building nailheads in ’67), the probable reason for this swap choice would be that the nailhead was famously much narrower than other V-8’s of the period, due to the vertical valve placement; which is also why it was so popular in hotrods of the time. For my money, I’d choose a 4.9L I-6 or maybe a 400M (lighter & narrower than a 460), if under-hood space was adequate.
Didn’t Ford have a truck engine that was a V 10?