Before I could get this post completed, this 1947 Lincoln Continental cabriolet disappeared from Facebook Marketplace. Maybe it sold or the seller decided to remove it for one or another reason. So, with that unfortunate turn of events, let’s review what I managed to capture. I have reviewed a few Lincoln Continentals from this generation but this may be the first time that I have spied a two-tone finished example – made more obvious by the application of red and white. This 1947 example is definitely a project but it shows as intact and complete so this cabriolet may well be an excellent restoration candidate. Jim A found the listing for this somewhat ouvert Lincoln, it’s located in Goodrich, Michigan, was available, here on Facebook Marketplace and was available for $9,500; perhaps it will return.
This is a rare car! My research source states that it is one of 738 produced in ’47 while the coupe version only mustered 831 units. But in spite of its rarity, that front end is immediately recognizable! I’m hard-pressed to put my finger on the image that it projects. Some of these Lincolns, when finished in a dark color and found socked away in a dusty garage for what is likely to have been decades, project an almost evil persona, and the front end of this vintage Continental has been known to give me the creeps. And then again, it’s such a memorable look that it can be portrayed in a myriad of non-typical, photographic settings. Regardless, that substantial front clip, and really the entire car for that matter, possesses a classic look!
The two-tone finish is obviously rough but the body seems to be sound – the seller refers to the body as being “solid“. I don’t notice any rot-through but the underside of this big convertible should probably be thoroughly inspected. The trim appears to be all there, though the driver’s side mirror is partially missing but the massive chrome bumpers show as being pretty fair. I must say that I’m positive that I’ve never seen a Lincoln of this generation finished as such where one of the colors is bright red. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Continental without that rear bumper-mounted spare!
The 125 HP, 292 CI V12 engine is still right where it belongs and we’re told that it turns freely. It seems that these V12s don’t get high marks for operational capability but it certainly adds to this car’s allure and makes quite a visual statement – and I suppose bragging rights back in the day. The listing states 58K miles but that recording is not authenticated. Even if it’s a true figure, I imagine the engine is going to need internal work – it looks as if it has been sitting for many moons. A three-speed manual transmission was the only available gearbox in ’47 but there was an overdrive option available – not sure if this Continental is so equipped.
The interior is in need of a complete redo. The dash and its instruments are typical luxury car bits for this era, specifically that large, center-mounted chromed speaker grille (not sure what the duct tape does). Fortunately, it all looks to be redeployable for post-restoration service. The seats and door panels are actually in reasonably fair shape. Note the red finished dash, do you think that’s original? I can’t find a red that was used in ’47 so my thought is that the two-tone exterior came along later and someone went to the trouble to respray the dash.
This is definitely a subject that needs to be saved! Yes, easy to say, tough, and expensive to do but this is truly an automobile, not a car but a classic automobile. A two-tone paint job or not, this is regality on wheels, wouldn’t you agree?
It looks to me that someone used some 1955 Pontiac side trim to customize this Lincoln, likely in the 60’s. The door trim fits well but nothing on the rear fenders is a clue to it not being from the factory. However Jim you are correct, it needs to be restored and I personally feel that leaving it a period custom would be cool. AS for the frontend styling, I would describe it as a cross between a wise old man and a steam train engine.
Looks like someone tried a ’56 Chevy paint scheme on this poor Lincoln. But since you’ll have to take this thing apart down to it’s frame to save it? You can easily change the color.
Exactly my own deduction at first sight! This sort of body treatment simply did not exist from any factory in 1947; the only detail that did exist was the external spare (which BTW was what created the later fad of “Continental Spares”), certainly NOT that contrasting 2-tone color job separated by a clearly-Chevrolet chrome spear. Now, when was that job done is anyone’s guess; it does look pretty old…but certainly not 1947-Lincoln old. Somebody wanted to Chevy-ize this Lincoln; why, well…as Bud-Dry used to say, why ask why? That would admittedly be more appropriate to do on a Caddy, but it is what it is.
Somebody got a helluva deal on FB/marketplace.A local,most likely.I would have bought it without seeing any more.
I had a 47 like this years ago. Mine had hydraulic windows and top. Look under the hood at electric motor near firewall which powers a pump to produce hyd. oil pressure for both systems. Very complex and prone to leaks, but had no rust in doors.
I can’t wait to see this beauty completely restored. Just that V12 alone will look amazing. But it’s going to take a lot of $$$$.
The V12 was prone to overheating. In the forties, My parents caravaned cross country with another young Navy couple who drove one of these. They had to stop regularly to let fat Miss Connie cool down.
I grew up in a family of car dealers, and I’m old enough to remember talk about about these Lincolns. You’re correct about their tendency to overheat, a problem they shared with the Ford and Mercury V8 engines of the era. Also, the consensus back then was that the V12s leaked oil from the moment they were driven off the showroom floor.
I imagine today’s coolant would have really saved quite a few cars in the day!
I’m assuming this great Lincoln was originally green, according to the firewall.
The convertible looks best in white without the skirts. Does the top on this thing even work? No pics of the top up.
I wondered about the top, too–not so much about whether it worked but whether it even existed.
I think it is very cool like it is. Every old custom doesn’t need to be restored to original. Make it drivable and enjoy a piece of history. My opinion. No money in the arguement.
The duct tape is covering the radio hole.
What most people don’t know is the Connie was a factory custom. They were sectioned at the factory and hand assembled. Just like the Zephyr it started out as, the frame is welded to the body to make it a sort of unibody.
I have a 47 Zephyr club coupe. It’s got a 5.0 and AOD transmission, I also added a tilt wheel, power steering and AC. The original power windows were hydraulic as stated, everything was missing on mine so I converted them to electric. Except for the wheels and tires, it looks stock inside and out.