Lincoln brochures claimed “Nothing could be finer…” than its lineup for ’47, and this 1947 Lincoln Club Coupe in Astoria, New York would have set you apart from your plebian neighbors, especially when you popped the hood to show off the V12 engine. After sitting for “many years,” this specimen comes for sale here on eBay Classifieds. A nondescript “Oldsmobile V8” engine replaced the Lincoln V12 before this once-regal beauty began its slumber. Thanks to the library at lov2xlr8 for brochure details. The $8950 asking price seems like all the money for a car that sells in the mid to high $20k range when fully sorted, according to Classic.
Aftermarket gauges beneath the bright-trimmed dash suggest someone cared enough about this ride to monitor its vital signs. There’s no evidence that anyone tried to make this a “Hot Rod Lincoln,” though the missing factory engine opens that door for those so inclined. Threads falling from the sky indicate a deceased headliner, the smallest of concerns for anyone eyeballing this post-war classic.
The only engine compartment picture obscures the transplanted Olds V8. Hood hinges boast engineering and counter-springs stout enough to raise a drawbridge. Despite its vintage, this luxury ride shows enough complexity to challenge the weekend builder. I remember some puzzlement with the hydraulic system that powered the windows and other features of my Dad’s ’53 Buick Roadmaster.
Though not as fancy or valuable as the contemporary Continental, the Club Coupe looks far more attractive to my eye. The listing uses the “Zephyr” name, but that disappeared after ’42 according to multiple including Wikipedia.
The imposing front end features redundant turn signals and enough metal to support the Brooklyn Bridge. The end result won’t win any beauty contests, but communicates authority. A mere 10 years later, Lincoln’s handsome Premier had left every trace of pre-war design in the history books. Would you keep this one as-is or build yourself a hot rod Lincoln?
Weird…Gullwing Motors wants all the money. Hmmmm.
Still hoping for the Celebrity Death Match between them and Beverly Hills Car Club.
Maybe it would result in Mutual Assured Destruction.and the hobby would be better for it :)
That would be so amazing!
I’m afraid the GM engine has already knocked this poor Lincoln down to rat rod status. Too bad Jethro didn’t have an old flattie laying around the farm.
Or a Ford 427 w/ drivetrain..!
I think this was listed recently for high teens. Someone probably informed them that its not a zephyr or all that rare. Nice car to restomod
That rat’s nest of underhood wiring is a major turnoff, not to mention the lack of the V12.
Right. “Here’s a picture of part of the firewall.” Sketch Level 9 Engaged.
If I were (a) in the same continent and (b) going down the restomod route, I’d transplant a BMW 7/8 series V-12 into it, but with a manual gearbox.
Not too many Lincoln coupes around, I would roto-rooter the engine compartment, and install a nicely built early 50s Lincoln Yblock, and make it a legitimate “Hot Rod Lincoln”
That front end looks like the Cheshire Cat grinning just big and fugly IMO of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Just Not my cup of tea
Throw away the rocket and with all that room under the hood put a Ford racing Godzilla in there. You could truly have a hot rod Lincoln. They are still finding the potential out of that engine. Would be like no other!
Can I get some additional pics of interior and body?
A good wash, pancho seat covers and a Triton v10 with a 6 speed.
I don’t think enough has been said about the condition of this car. Maybe there’s something under all that dirt but it looks solid, not even any patina. Like another poster said it could just get a new wash, seat covers and a modern engine and you could call it a day. I checked out the Lincoln 2023 colors and this would look awesome in Burgundy Velvet paint with the Ebony Roast seat covers. Although I would go with an Ecoboost V6. It’s a Lincoln after all, not a deuce coupe.
without the V12, the value is in the toilet…
Nice looking body, but oh that face. The club coupe was always a good looking body style.
Didn’t George Hurst get started by transplanting Cadillac motors into Lincoln’s like this. I believe the first one he did still exists.
Doesn’t anyone realize the song “Hot rod Lincoln” was about a Ford Model A with a Lincoln engine. Well anyway, Hot Rod is the only way to go with this machine. It doesn’t really matter what engine is put in it since it’s never going to be stock again anyway. For transmission I sure like the “Tremec” 5 or 6 speed manuals. Definitely have to install all new wiring so might as well go all the way 12 volt and modern lighting. Change out that horse and buggy suspension all the way around with 4 wheel disc brakes. A project like this requires money and lots of it if you really want to make an eye catcher.
God Bless America
Any powertrain/tranny combo better be stout because that car is uber heavy. Not to mention very old and hardened everything, ratty wiring, complete interior redo
But yes in proper paint and power would make a nice road car as long as it was straight roads. It bet it corners like battleship with 10 turns lock to lock non power ateering.
You just described every car built in the 40s. Better stick with a prius lol
Actually, the Olds Rocket transplant would be considered a “period” modification, something common for the 1950’s. Maybe it should be preserved with this modification as original for that era.
You are so right. I remember reading about Bill Frick Motors. He specialized in swaps in that era and probably coined the word “Fordillac”
The original V12 in these cars was junk, barely lasting 50,000 miles, if that much. It was a stretched Ford flathead V8 design, with tiny pistons and valves and just like the Ford, serious overheating issues as they got older. In it’s largest size it was only a 305 Cu In. The common thing to do back then was when the V12 laid down, install a OHV V8 like a Cadillac or Oldsmobile to the stock drivetrain via a bolt on adapter.
All the 46-48 cars were the same body as the 1942 model which was still called the Zephyr. Lincoln for whatever reason dropped the name when production on the 46 models started back in 45 after the war, but the public still called them a Zephyr. The Club coupe was second lowest production, only the convertibles were produced in smaller numbers.
With that little history out of the way, I’ll say that I’m the proud owner of a 47 Club Coupe that has been resto-modded. When I got it someone had put in a Chevy V8 and transmission. I drove it for a while like that as I rebuilt the systems, new wiring, all new brakes and tubing, etc. When the Chevy laid down, I installed a late model FORD Windsor 5.0 {302} with an AOD transmission. While I was in there, I converted it to power steering and power brakes, added AC and upgraded the cooling system. There looks like a lot of room in the engine bay, but let me tell you, there’s not. They are long and narrow, any engine wider than a small block would require major surgery on the inner fenders. I now have a car that will cruise effortlessly at Interstate speeds, is easy to maneuver in parking lots, and rides like a new car. Other than a set of polished Torque Thrust wheels and larger tires and shaving the bumper guards off the bumpers, it looks stock outside and inside. You won’t park beside yourself at shows and cruise in’s, I’ve only seen a couple of others in the wild.