Description
Luxury at its finest.
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and outstanding example of a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible. Reportedly only 350 of these hand built 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible models were built with very few still known to exist according to the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club.
One of just 350 cabriolets built in 1940
Older restoration from a renown collection that presents beautifully
V-12 backed with highly desirable overdrive transmission
CCCA Full Classic
This was one of the sweetest rides you could by in 1940. Imagine the looks back in the day, to drive a sporty luxury convertible and these prestigious Lincoln Zephyr models were all of that and more. The Zephyr was Lincoln's response to the depression and one of major significance. It was seen as the first successfully designed streamlined car available in the U. S. and was powered by a water cooled 4784cc (292c. i.) V12 engine on a 125" wheelbase! Vacuum assisted brakes were standard, important for stopping well for such a large car, and a 3 speed gearbox was matched to a Columbia two speed rear axle. Introduced in 1936 and structurally revised for 1940 and heavily face lifted, not for the better, in 1942. It returned after the war as a warmed up continuation but without the Zephyr name.
With just 350 convertibles and 54 coupes produced, the beautifully styled Continental found adoration within the art and automotive worlds, with Frank Lloyd Wright and Rita Hayworth among the cars noteworthy owners. It would become the basis for the Lincoln image for the next nine decades. With a few scattered years of non-production, the Continental was manufactured in 10 generations and for a total of 55 years until its most recent discontinuation in 2020.
The stunning example offered here was assembled at the Long Beach, California plant on 22 May 1940, according to the cars build sheet. Shipped to its original owner on 29 May 1940, the car was nicely appointed with whitewall tires, radio, two-speed rear axle, clock, and the optional stone deflector, this stylish and rare Continental cabriolet must have turned heads in 1940, as it does today. In recent years it has been kept in the same show-ready condition by the collection staff and is in as fine condition as the day it was last restored.
The car is strikingly handsome in an Ivory finish that showcases the cars voluptuous lines, this Continental features a light Tan leather interior that coordinates well with the exterior. Fitted with the legendary Lincoln V-12 and an overdrive transmission, this rare and stylish 1940 Continental Cabriolet makes an ideal choice for further touring, or simply cruising on the great American highway, just as it did for the man who conceived the legendary car from the start, Edsel Ford.
You will be hard pressed to find anyone to dispute that the 1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Convertible is one of the most elegant automobiles ever to roll off the Lincoln assembly line. Originally designed as a custom bodied special for Edsel Ford, Bob Gregorie's 'Mark I' Convertible seems to only look better and better as the years have passed. Powered by the long stroke V12 derived from Ford's flathead V8 and one of the first cars ever to be recognized as something more than just an automobile by both the 'New York's Museum of Modern Art' & the 'Classic Car Club of America', amongst others, and one of the finest examples of automobile as art it remains to this day. An ageless design to be sure and a highly coveted CCCA Classic making these particular 1940 cars extremely collectible and prized amongst Zephyr enthusiasts.
More than almost 80 years later they are one of the few such models still as attractive today as they were to buyers when new. Of all the elegant models produced, the convertible is the rarest with only 350 manufactured in 1940 and with very few known to remain according to the LZOC. The car was built on a 125 inch wheelbase channel section frame with a central X crossmember. Inside bench seats dressed in Maroon leather seat four comfortably and the car boasts a woodgrain instrument panel that houses the standard array of Gold tone gauges in a beautiful period Art Deco theme with its original AM radio! The clock matching the speedometer dresses up the passenger side and the car has a power top and original factory added options of both the AM Radio and Heater and side mirror.
Moving this nearly 4, 000 pound convertible is its original V12 engine mated to its original standard column shift 3 speed manual transmission which featured synchronized second and third gears. This rare Lincoln will still run down the road at freeway speeds with no hesitation, she has no wobbles or creaks. This car is an all steel car. She has obviously been in a private collection in a controlled environment for many years.
This particular example was beautifully and painstakingly restored with no expense spared some years ago prior to being acquired by its long time collector owner in this 'Ivory' color which is stunningly striking along with its white wall tires and Zephyr wheels. The 'Tan' leather interior with wool carpets has also been faithfully reupholstered and is in exceptional condition throughout and the correct factory canvas power Tan top is also in exceptional condition. There can only be very few miles on the car since it's unibody (body welded to the frame) cosmetic and mechanical restoration. This is a rust free car that retains all of its original body panels including floors, rockers, and trunk with very straight panels. That factor is extremely important on a unibody designed car such as this. Completely restored from the ground up mechanically, cosmetically, and correctly. All the chrome has been replated including top bows, seat hardware, etc. Gold tone gauge cluster and the woodgrain were also fully restored. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust-free and the car has has no signs of any accidents - a razor straight body and obviously an always garaged and cherished car since new with no rust! The original spare wheel and tire and factory tools are still located in their rightful storage place in the trunk.
The original V12 292 c. i. engine is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives magnificently - must be driven to be fully appreciated - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money!
This is a rare opportunity to own a beautifully restored 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible, recently acquired from a prominent collection and a car which has obviously always been exquisitely maintained and stored the car under the most ideal conditions, this is definitely a car you can show and enjoy today and which is undisputedly very rare, highly desirable, and a superb collectible and unabused example of one of the outstanding designs of the early forties pre-war art deco period!
This is one very desirable pre-war CCCA full classic for any classic American car enthusiast or collector to add to his collection, a very honest and exquisitely restored, both cosmetically and mechanically, example of a 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V12 Continental Convertible and a sure-fire investment that's sure to appreciate over the years for any classic American car collector or Lincoln Zephyr enthusiast!
