Regardless of condition, I still think Lincoln’s post-war Continental possessed a menacing look about itself – parts missing, not negating the intensity of its formidable bearing. This 1948 convertible is one of only 452 produced that year (I have no idea where the seller came up with his 43,939 figure) so regardless of status, these are rare cars. This example is a work in progress and that’s always a cause for concern – you never know exactly what you’re getting. Anyway, this is one to review, it’s located in Salem, New Hampshire, and it’s available, here on craigslist for $4,000. Thanks are due to T.J. for this tip!
Lincoln placed nineteenth in the 1948 production race with a paltry output of just 7,700 copies. Its line-up was thin with the Continental essentially being a continuation of the prewar version. This example is still all in the family with ownership extending back to the seller’s grandfather. The seller adds, “The metal work has been completed but unfortunately the project stalled at this point“. And, as can be seen, the body appears to be basically sound but a lot of reassembly and finishing will be necessary. One concern with a “changing horses in the middle of the stream” project such as this is whether all of the removed parts are included – there’s no reference to that very important aspect.
One part that is missing, sort of, is the engine. The 125 gross HP, 292 CI V12 engine has been rebuilt but it’s not included in the sale, “will be sold separately but can be added to the vehicle” as the seller states. I don’t get that, why would one not include the original engine with the car when it’s available? The seller refers to it as “a mammoth V12 engine that could produce 152 base horsepower” but the power rating is incorrect and I wouldn’t consider a 292 CI displacement to be “mammoth”. The Lincoln V12 is known for its foibles but still, the original engine in rebuilt form? It needs to stay with the car – the question is, what’s it gonna take ($$$)?
Inside, well… it doesn’t appear to be stalled so much as it looks more like the resto party hasn’t commenced. The leather seats are still present and there is evidence of new floors and hinge posts. The transmission cover, or “hump” as it’s known, is missing along with the radio, door panels, etc. The gauges are still present, a positive discovery, as is the top frame and header bow, but there’s a lot of work, and some parts sourcing that will need to occur.
These are special cars, and even in this condition, the price doesn’t surprise me but I’d like to know what the takeaway for that V12 engine is. Knowing that item, a better estimation of overall value can be determined. And if the engine is out of reach, I’d suggest “Put an LS in it” is not an appropriate solution. I’m not a fan of assuming a project and then having to labor your way through to completion. But I’m not an overly competent wrench so maybe I’m not being objective enough in the case of this Lincoln. What do you think, is this project one that is worthy of assumption?
Coyote swap it.
I would suggest that folks interested in this car aren’t the ones who will put up with a seller like this one. You could get to the upside down portion of the rebuild cost real easy on this one.
Ecoboost swap it.
Killer LS Rat Rod – has the vive of a P-51
Let the seller eat it
Engine goes with car or NO SALE!
The costs of bringing this car back to original condition far exceed the restored value. I somewhat sympathize with the seller, in that the most likely way to recover (some of) the money is to sell the engine separately.
This style of car has always appealed to me. I do appreciate a properly-sorted V12, by modern standards these are arguably underpowered.
Cars from this era really just don’t drive very well compared to more modern vehicles.
While I would not consider butchering a nice, complete survivor car, I think this one would be a great basis for a resto-mod. A friend picked up a Graham-Paige in similar condition, and he built it into a gorgeous resto-mod.
If it were local, and came with most(or all) of the missing body/trim parts I would be making an offer. I know where there is a decent 2008 Lincoln Town Car that would make a great complete frame & drivetrain donor.
Just stretch the Town Car frame and driveshaft about 10 inches, and do the body swap.
I did one a few winters ago swapping a modern Escalade drivetrain under a ’53 Chevy pickup. It was a really fun project, and we actually use it alot as a “shop truck”.
Well, actually, not quite true about the engine. Despite their sizes, Depression-era engines (maybe with the possible exception of Duesenberg engines) were woefully inefficient, even by ’70s or ’80s standards. The engineers actually tried bumping the power on those tiny V12s as much as they could, peaking at 130 hp from 306 cid during the short-run ’42 model…only to realize later that the engine tended to kill itself because the cylinder walls were too thin at that displacement. That was why they went back to 1941 specs–292 cid and 120 hp–during ’46 production and stayed with it, save for a few internal changes in ’47 (perhaps to the valve train) that boosted power to 125. I understand that they wanted to design a new V12 for post-WW2 Lincolns; but the 337-cid truck engine Ford developed was more reliable, more powerful, and more readily available.
As for reframing a car like this, IDK…depends on its construction. I’ve seen references stating these cars to be unitized, as the first Zephyrs (on which these Contis were based) were. If that’s the case, you cannot just swap in a frame from another car…at least, not without great difficulty and expense. But, if you have the stamina and the resources, it would be an interesting venture.
You have to wonder how much the seller thinks that he can sell the engine for. How much more is the car worth if the engine is installed and driveable? Personally I’d restomod it
Based on what my Dad paid for the rebuild on his 48 engine 30 years ago ($5,000), probably $12-15,000 wouldn’t be out of the (asking) question. Engine swap for this? Ford 300 6cyl with an AOD behind it. Plenty of engine to move it around and the overdrive of the AOD will still let it cruise the highway.
Especially with a Ford 9″ under the rear and I wouldn’t doubt that 64-66 T-Bird or similar big Ford disc brakes front the front are going to be close to a bolt on. So now you’ve “resto-mod’d” the chassis, haven’t spent a ton of money, and its all reliable off the shelf Ford.
That’ll leave ya a lot move money to get the body and interior finished up real purdy…
Seller shot himself in the foot by writing, “A fully restored Lincoln Continental Convertible for 1948 values run between $31k and $40k for recently sold vehicles during 2023.”
So who’s going to spend $150,000 to properly restore it? Not me!
The pre-war cars had an elegant grille, but this is a chromium abomination. The squared-off windshield juts out like a sore thumb, too. Anyway, Frank Lloyd Wright customized his.
Pre war? This is a 1948 model people. What war is this before? WWII ended in 1945 I think.
I love late 40s cars and this is a classic.
Restomod it with new suspension and drive train. Drop in a Coyote engine and 6 speed trans to make it a real hot rod.
Damn, these were being restomodded not long after they were new. Many are happily moving around with Cadillac and Oldsmobile big V8s, and have been for some time. Missing trim and chrome components are bad enough, but try and find someone today to restore and/or refinish: much $$$$$$$$.
46-48 were continuations of the 42 model.
The postwar Continentals had a bigger front bumper, and weren’t as good looking as the prewar ones.
This would be a costly car to restore, especially with the engine optional at extra cost.
this has 385 series “THUNDER JET, SCJ or 460 ” or GODZILLA with a 6 speed written all over it…seller can keep the V-12 for a coffee table….LS it ? now theres an original thought…NOT
This vehicle is sold
The “Hot Rod Lincoln” of song, had a 1948 Lincoln V12 on the shortened Lincoln chassis, and a 1930 Model A coupe body.
Well, I’m not that familiar with the original-original rendition of that song; but Commander Cody’s cover specifically ID’d the engine as 8-cylinder, not 12.
It does seem that the seller is oblivious of Lincoln’s history and is trying to hide that ignorance with hopes of capitalizing as much as possible. Even the author missed one detail in the history, though not likely with intent: That 7,700 figure of ’48 production included *all* Lincoln models–two were offered that year, the base Lincoln (that was once known as “Zephyr”) and the Continental. Break down those numbers to specific models, and the Continental numbers are much smaller; in fact, through the six years (’40–’48, but subtracting ’43, ’44, and ’45, as no car production occurred during those years…not legally, anyway) this generation of Conti existed, just over 5,000 copies were built in total.
“Lincoln placed nineteenth in the 1948 production race with a paltry output of just 7,700 copies.”
I don’t think I missed a thing, 7,700, as I stated, was what put Lincoln in nineteenth place in ’48.
JO