Whenever I see a 1941 Lincoln Continental, the first thing that comes to my mind is the unfortunate toll booth incident involving Sonny in “The Godfather”. The story goes that the producers just drilled holes in Sonny’s Continental to simulate machine gun fire results, but even so neither Sonny nor the Lincoln fared well in the end. Fortunately, the 1941 Lincoln Continental that is being offered for sale here on Facebook Marketplace doesn’t have any bullet marks, but it is going to take quite a bit of work to get it looking like Sonny’s car did before he arrived at the toll booth. The car is located in Thousand Oaks, California with an asking price of $8,000.
Ford Motor Company introduced the Lincoln Continental to consumers as a 1940 model, so the car seen here is very early in the Continental run. The first-generation Continentals were produced from 1940 through 1948, with the trademark externally mounted spare tire on the back, which later became known as the “Continental Spare Tire” no matter what brand of car it was seen on. The seller of this vehicle describes his Continental as a “blank canvas for you to create”, implying that the next owner can finish the car in any way that they would like. Bob Ross would have been proud.
The seller says that the vehicle is all stock and in good shape for someone to finish. The car retains the wheel skirts and all of the hubcaps are present. Overall the body really does look to be in pretty nice shape and the doors are said to open and close properly, plus all of the glass is intact. The seller says that the dashboard is all done, but I don’t understand what he means by that as there are no gauges. The upholstery is said to be in good condition, but the car is in need of a new headliner, carpet, and door panels. The grille, bumper, and tail lights are said to have already been re-chromed.
This is what kind of threw me for a loop. The seller writes that the car currently has no motor and no transmission, but follows that statement by informing potential buyers that he also has a stock motor and transmission for extra if the buyer wants to buy them. There is no mention of whether or not the engine and transmission are original to this car or not, no word on price or even their condition. So instead of a package deal, you’re going to have to buy the engine and transmission in addition to the car, unless you happen to have a Lincoln V-12 lying around your garage.
But back to the good news, the seller says that the car has no rot and does include a couple of pictures from underneath. Judging from the photos, it doesn’t look too bad under there, and if the car has been in California for a long time that’s definitely a plus. What are your thoughts on this 1941 Lincoln Continental? How would you finish up this “blank canvas”?
You’re paying for a rolling chassis only with this one. Yes she’s desirable but with all the drivetrain and even dash gouges gutted out, who knows what you’re getting. And a V12 and tranny for an extra charge doesn’t sound right to me either. Buyer beware although it’s cool as Hell.
Wow, reminds of that Richard Pryor movie….but in this case, “No, the engine is not included”. What nerve, pull the entire drive train….not working no doubt, and sell it separately.
I JUST saw a concours example of this car today at a Tampa car show. It had the original V-12. What a magnificent car.
Went to a county fair in Southeastern Michigan, and they had the car that supposedly had been in the movie. It was 1974 or so, I thought it was kinda cool, I asked my Father who would have been 33 years old in 1941, if he had driven in one, he actually had. He had a 1940 Ford Coupe at the time and said there was no way he could have afforded it. They truly are a beautiful vehicle, I hope someone brings it back to glory.
OK, I’ll be the first to say it;
$8000? Make them an offer they can’t refuse.
Drop it. Chop it. LS6 swap it. Wide wide 20 inch wheels. Black over Black. That combo would blow people away.
The seller clearly has a problem with the truth. Beware!
Leave it stock but paint it the deepest black you can get. Wide whitewalls and the V12 if you can get it at a good price otherwise LS swap. Plush carpet and soft leather seats and do a faux wood dashboard. Drive it in style
Looking again at this cool ass 41 Lincoln. If she’s a rust and rot free rolling chassis, it’s not a bad price at $8000. Like an open canvas to do what you want with the drivetrain, suspension and brakes. The rest besides 12v wiring, is just cosmetic. Body work paint and interior and appropriate updated rims and wheels. Kokers would be my choice.
I could see adding a lot of love to this ride. After choosing to drop a motor & tranny of my choice in it, could see that ride looking good going down the road.
You guys and your LS swap…LOL I heard that 95% of vehicles with an LS are still on the road….the other 5% made it all the way to destination.
Put the V12 in it…because it’s a V12…
Funny..your the one who said LS, not me. I’m one to keep it all Ford, so you figure it out.
Leave the gun
Take the cannolis
Cheers
GPC
Having owned over 150 cars & trucks of all different variations, I’d find an early
Cadillac & a modern automatic over-drive. Leave the body stock. New interior in original pattern with quality substitution for leather. Rebuild stock suspension with up-to-date brakes. This would keep the cost reasonable for the average individual.
What’s wrong with a 460?
Even car enthusiasts and rebuilders in the 50s and 60s didn’t care much for the original V12 in this yr 41 Lincoln and chose to replace it with Caddy V8s instead. So whoever buys this chassis should do whatever they want to do replacing its drivetrain.
The V12 is fine if you don’t lug it.