This 1948 Lincoln Continental is a stunning car, and its exterior presentation suggests it has undergone a cosmetic refresh. However, that doesn’t extend to the interior that retains its beautiful Blue leather trim in exceptional condition. The engine bay houses the iconic V12, and it appears this classic needs nothing beyond a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the Lincoln listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Helotes, Texas. It could be yours for $35,000, although the seller indicates that he might consider appropriate trades.

The 1948 Continental was essentially a slightly reworked version of Lincoln’s pre-war model. The appearance is typical of cars produced when Edsel Ford focused on the company, featuring elegant styling and beautiful chrome trim. The seller doesn’t provide much information regarding this car’s history, making it unclear whether the Regal Blue paint is original. It retains a mirror shine, and the lack of flaws suggests it has undergone at least a cosmetic refresh. However, if the claimed odometer reading of 13,000 original miles is verifiable, this could be a genuine survivor. The panels are straight, the glass is crystal clear, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. Adding to this car’s appeal is its rarity, with only 847 examples of the Club Coupe produced during this model year. Taken at face value, this Continental appears to be a winner.

Lifting the Continental’s hood reveals one of the great engines of the era. Henry Ford purchased Lincoln in 1922 and almost immediately lost interest in the company. To him, it was more about the acquisition than the product it produced. He wanted a prestige marque in his portfolio, and Lincoln fulfilled that need perfectly. However, Edsel Ford saw Lincoln as the perfect tool to express his love for the finer things in life, including his finely-honed knowledge of art. The engine that powered the 1948 Continental perfectly demonstrated the difference in taste and design philosophy possessed by the father and son combination. Henry focused almost exclusively on four-cylinder engines, only adopting a V8 when Ford was losing the sales race to the opposition. Edsel preferred the smoothness and power of larger engines, and the 292ci V12 found in this car perfectly encapsulates those characteristics. It develops 125hp and 220 ft/lbs of torque, which is fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. The car’s Achilles’ Heel was its weight, with a ’48 Continental tipping the scales at 4,300 lbs. However, outright performance was considered acceptable at the time, with this car capable of sitting comfortably at 70 on the open road. The seller has been its custodian for five years, and although they provide no insight into its mechanical health, I see nothing that causes genuine concern.

One of the highlights of this Continental is its interior. The carpet shows some age, but the lack of significant wear means it isn’t begging for replacement. The upholstered surfaces wear what is claimed to be the original Blue leather. If this is accurate, then the condition is particularly noteworthy. The front seat exhibits no signs of anything beyond the typical wrinkles of age, while the back seat looks virtually unused. The door trims are excellent, and the dash is an Art Deco masterpiece. It exudes elegance and luxury, impressions heightened by the sparkling bright trim, power windows, clock, and AM radio.

If this 1948 Lincoln Continental is all that the seller claims, it is a pretty special car. It would be interesting to learn whether he holds evidence verifying the odometer reading. If this proves the case, there must be few of these classics remaining with that sort of mileage on the clock. The asking price isn’t cheap, but it is consistent with market expectations. If you have a vehicle that you think he might consider as a trade, are you tempted to reach out to this seller to learn more?