The Continental became Lincoln’s uber-luxurious car just before World War II. Offered as a coupe and cabriolet, they were produced between 1940 and 1942 before taking a break due to the war effort. The car returned in 1946-48 and was largely a carryover. This 1946 Continental comes with an interesting story and a transplanted Mark II engine that differs from its original V12. Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, this running example from the early days of the Baby Boom Era (look it up) is available here on craigslist for $19,500. Thanks again to T.J. for being perhaps our most prolific tips finder!
Continentals built for 1942 (and thus 1946-48) received a distinctive styling update, with large square fenders, making for a boxy automobile that stood out from the crowd. The next full redesign would not come until 1949. Production numbers were not large, with just 265 of the coupes being assembled in 1946 along with 201 cabriolets (aka convertibles).
As the story goes, this Lincoln was purchased new in Florida by a serviceman returning from the war effort. He had saved up enough to get married, buy a house, and take delivery on this grey Continental. He still had all three at the time of his passing in 2018 (thank you for your service). The original owner was never impressed by the performance of the V12 that the Lincoln came with. When the opportunity arose to take possession of a more powerful V8 from a wrecked 1957 Continental came along, he seized upon it.
A professional swap seems to take taken place, and the “new” motor is 368 cubic inches in displacement. That Y-block V8 only had 50 miles on it at the time this transplant took place. Unlike an automatic transmission as most ’57 Lincolns came with; this car was fitted for a manual transmission. A new carburetor has been installed and we’re told the once-fancy car starts and drives as it should. It’s a very smooth car that will really chew up the asphalt.
Except for some rust spots on the floorboard, this Lincoln is said to be corrosion-free. And still wears its original (but tired) paint and interior materials. You could spend a small (or large) fortune restoring this car or just replace the tires and other consumables and make the rounds with it on the weekends. You might be the only ’46 Continental owner to have one with a ’57 V8. But you’ll want to clean it up first as the car hasn’t had a bath in five years (could a coat of wax help?).
Got to hand it to Russ, he’s a professional, saying nothing of the odd styling, but to me, this is by far, the um, ugly is such an ugly word,,shall I say, unusually styled car. The front always reminded me of the guy with the 3 billiard balls in his mouth. Okay, granted, it was right after the war, with folks actually seeing what kooky designs the Europeans had, it was wide open. Naturally, I’m disappointed the V-12 no longer motivates this beast. It wasn’t about performance. The V-12, by nature, had a massive flywheel and torque up the ying yang, and that’s what got this car, and whomever was riding in the back over the hill,m or pass everything in sight. Oh yeah, 90 mph was mighty fast in 1946, and this car would do it. Remember, most rural roads were still gravel. I’m sure the V8 does a great job, but lift the hood with a V12, I all but guarantee, it will be noticed. Driving this will be a challenge, and from a time when biggest meant the safest. Look at that back bumper,,wouldn’t this car look beautiful with a happier color, say marooooon, or blue, even green. It was the best America had to offer, show a little pride for heavens sake. Say what you will about the “kit”, I think it’s integrated design was the best looking. Apparently, after the war, we wanted to boast on what a car the country that just won the war, could produce. This was it and helped foster an entire generation towards big cars. A clear sign of our success.
I hate when a “new” carb is installed instead of rebuilding the original.
I agree. Carburetor rebuilding seems to be a lost art
Interesting cars but a little too frumpy for my tastes.
Never a fan of the original’s styling, and the ‘facelift’ ramps up the fugliness factor.
And, remember these still rode on solid front axles and buggy springs. Even the cheapest poverty pack Chevrolet had IFS. And had for years.
Some points earned for using a Lincoln V8 though.
Wow.. what a great American 🇺🇸story on Mr.Winklemann! This L.C. was not cheap back then. But the styling 🤦! I didn’t know they use hydraulic system for the windows. That must be very interesting to look at to see how it works. Yes you could keep this car the way it is and drive it. Or repainted the same color and Chrome the metal front and back to bring it back to some of its Glory. Maybe would not look so bad then. And probably won’t be cheap because of all that sheet metal it looks like a tank on wheels. Good luck to the next owner.🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Back in the day when V12 Continentals were just used cars, I believe that it was fairly common to swap out their engines as they had fundamental functional & durability problems (google for details) & weren’t that powerful to begin with. The Cadillac OHV V8 was the most popular replacement, I think. I’ve gotten to the point where I am OK with the styling but they ain’t pretty, I agree.
Agreed. The V12’s were problematic and a change to a mid-fifties V-8 was a common improvement. Mine, a ’48, had a mid-fifties Oldsmobile V8 in it. Way more reliable I’m told, and it was for me. The “hydraulic” windows were a PIA but certainly interesting for the times. This “ugly” to some styling was radical in the 40’s and far ahead of a lot of other cars. Wish I still had mine.
Had one, a ’48 Cabriolet, driver quality “restomod” with a 350 SBC and Mustang II front end, probably built in the 90’s. It was massive but quick steering and handled great on the curves. This one has the correct engine- if you are going to get rid of the V-12, the Mark II motor is an excellent choice. Min had a manual top and modern electric windows, which de- complicated things. Sold it 3 years ago for about what they want for this one, probably should have kept it.
SBC in a Continental ?? What mindless twit was responsible for that abortion ?
Someone who knew what they were doing…unlike you.
Someone who wanted reliability and ease of maintenance
Guys that like oil stains on their driveways, that’s for sure.
I like that the original owner didn’t ruin the car with a GM engine. This one would be a labor of love, though. Without that V-12? It’s a hot rod Lincoln, not a museum piece.
I think it looks cool.I like the styling.I’d leave as is patch the floors go thru all the usual to make it safe and reliable and put cherry bombs and dual exhaust on it.Sound awesome rowing thru the gears.Glwts.
The original V12’s were underpowered, overheating pigs that barely lasted 50,000 miles, if that long. Most got replaced with OHV engines, Caddy and Olds mostly though a few got Y blocks. With an adapter plate to bolt them to the Lincoln transmission, it was a simple swap. I have a 47 Zephyr coupe that had been molested with a Chevy engine, now it has a late model 302 FORD and overdrive transmission, it drives like a dream even with its original buggy spring front end.
The Continental was a factory customized Zephyr with the sectioned hood and different roof and rear quarters. It was designed originally by Edsel Ford as a gentleman’s sports car, then grew into more of a luxury car. I prefer the smoother lines of the Zephyr, the Continental is just too boxy and stodgy looking IMHO. When I see a 42-48 Continental, I think of FDR and Churchill possibly stepping out of one with their top hats on.
This car was a most unusually designed vehicle, and almost like a highway accident… you want to look, but not for long.
Looks like WWII war surplus, a sherman tank with a chrome bumper
very familiar with the V12 pretty weak engine but on the other hand smooth as can be. This car is sold as rust free, and yet one on the pictures looks like a completely rotted out floor board, so buyer be ware!
Wonder if the seller still has the V12? Seems like it would make a good (albeit oddball) resto. The 57 engine would probably be valuable to someon restoring a later model.
Hey guys a lot of somewhat negative comments. I am not going there, granted it wasn’t the best Ford product ever produced. However with it’s History and modifications ,I think it would be a very special car. I don’t know what I am thinking ,I had a very significant birthday a couple of days ago. ( 80 ) And now today, I want a Hudson Commodore and a 46 Lincoln Continental. Coincidence, I am not sure!
Ford redesigned their whole line based on Studebaker 1947 design. The story goes that one of the Loewry design team members was hired by Ford after he made a mock up in the kitchen oven of his house, afterall…he was unemployed so the kitchen was his office.
The belt line was lowered as was the overall sleekness
These cars have had a lot of derogatory comments about their styling over the years but they are still with us and will be for a long time. All these comments are made by people standing outside the car but none are made sitting INSIDE the car.
When you first open the door you realize right away that this is no ordinary car because the door is heavy. Slide your butt onto the seat and then, with a heave, you close the door. Sounds like a bank vault closing. You don’t have to slam it either as it closes and latches with ease once you get the door moving. With you inside and the doors an windows closed it is silent. Start the engine and you can’t tell if it’s running because you can’t hear it. The gauges tell you what you need to know. Now you are totally insulated from the outside world which is where you expect your money and the car to take you.
The clutch pedal works easily so even your mother can drive this car and the shifting linkage is flawless and slides right into first gear with no noise. In a few seconds you are gliding down the road in third gear and you will barely hear the tires rolling over the road. People will look as you roll by not because it is beautiful but because they know how much that car costs and few people will ever be able to afford one. You put the window down next to you and you hear the motor pumping the hydraulic fluid from under the back seat (Just like a convertible top does) and your window slides down silently with the push of a button. You can lower all the windows from your position behind the massive steering wheel and hardly move a muscle. If you have any passengers they can lower or raise their individual windows the same way. Now all you can hear is the wind rushing by the open window but if you don’t like the breeze just raise the window and you’re back to the secure silence of the inside of the car. You can turn on the radio and listen to your favorite music even at the lowest volume setting. You can check the clock to see if your on time and press the accelerator peddle more if you’re late You won’t even know you’re going faster if you don’t look at the speedometer. Turn the heater on if you are feeling cold or turn it off if you’re too warm. No problem, just push a button or move a sliding lever and that’s it. (These cars really need AC. Cadillac had that back in 41 so why not Lincoln?)
Anyway this car was really a hand made coach of the highest order and if it didn’t look so great it was at least very well made. Still lot of them around and you really should ride in one before you call it any bad names.
Packard had it in ’41 and I think they were the first to have air conditioned cars( even though expensive at the time).
From the looks of the front end of this car the plow in the winter followed behind it. Put some chains on the rear tires ( CHA CHING CHA CHING) I’m sure some of us remember that sound the chains made. And off to grandma’s for Christmas dinner. Freezing all the way. Heaters what heaters? Warm maybe but not hot .Love this piece of good times history!
In reading all the comments on this car, I realised that most of the comments came from a generation that’s younger and probably what I tend to call the “ muscle car” generation.
For old dudes like me (85) it reminds me of some earlier cars such as the 1935 Auburn and 1935-36 Mercedes cars with lots of sexy curves. I would love to own this car,
I think Sonny Corleone was in a pre-war when he “ate it” at the toll booth.
yup, one of the best, ‘right out da box’. 1st, 2nd and 4th gens were my favs. The 5th up just looked like what the other channel did (‘divisions’ copy ie buick, olds, cheb) but liked it anyway when fox-bodied (’83 – ’90 I think). “Midsized” pep, ‘executive car’, etc.
Still writing in Klingon, i see.
Yes, that comment needs some translation for sure.
Back in the 1960s my family went up to Maine to visit my aunt and uncle on my mother’s side. My cousin and I went for a walk and I found, in the middle of a field a ’46/’48 Lincoln 2 door just like this one, only in black. How long it had been sitting there I don’t know, but I wanted it! But how was I going to get it back to New Jersey? I was only 11 or 12. Needless to say, I didn’t get it, but was a huge beauty.
When I was 13 I got a ’56 Cadillac Fleetwood instead. Of course, my father being the pr*ck that he was wouldn’t let me keep it. Instead of selling it he junked it.
Had I gotten the Lincoln, he probably would have junked that too. Another cousin in NJ had a junk yard and my father felt obligated to keep feeding it, I guess.
Always wondered what happened to that Lincoln….
Butt ugly, and why would it need a new carburettor if the engine only had 50 miles on it?
These comments are unbelievable. These Continentals are beautiful cars in the right colors I love all the chrome. This is a rare and unique car and with great features. The fact that the engine has been replaced is a huge plus.
Many of these comments are no doubt from the tri-five Chevy crowd or muscle car crowd, who attend the local car show at a burger joint with their overpriced and common Falcon with the crying baby doll on the fender, fake drive in food tray and the 25k paint job that they paid for with their parents unmatched inheritance.
Sorry, that I don’t fit your description, but I still say it’s butt ugly.
From the spirit of your post , you probably are, as well.
I’d say you are more than likely correct.
Come on guys. It’s only a car.