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LOT 30

The Property of a British Racing Driver's Club Member 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible Engine no. 8H181841

Sold for US$24,640 inc. premium
Lot 30

1948 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CONVERTIBLE

Quail Motorcar Auction|14 August 2020, 11:00 PDT|Los Angeles

The Property of a British Racing Driver's Club Member
1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Engine no. 8H181841


305ci L-head V-12 engine
Single two-barrel carburetor
130bhp at 3,600rpm
Three-speed manual transmission
I-beam front suspensions with leaf springs and live rear axle with leaf springs
Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes

*Offered from a longer term private ownership
*Iconic early Continental
*Considerable expenditure over last 2 decades
*A CCCA Full Classic™


Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.


The Continental Convertible

The first-generation Lincoln Continental of 1940-1948 brought European-inspired design elegance to the American automobile. The most famous, and certainly most widely emulated, attribute of the original being its rear-mounted, metal-shrouded spare tire. The 1940-41 Continentals shared their pointed prow and curvaceous fender shapes with the streamlined contemporary Lincoln Zephyr, as well as its chassis. The 1942 Continentals featured new, more squared-off fenders, and the redesigned frontal appearance found on all Lincolns of that war-shortened model year. When production resumed in 1946 following WWII, the Continental and other Lincolns generally continued the 1942 styling, but sparkled with new, bolder grillwork that gave them more road presence. The Continental offered here is one of 452 Cabriolets produced for 1948, the final year for the first-generation design and the last Continental until the Mark II was introduced in 1955. Collectors also recognized the 1940-48 Continentals as Classics early on—no early Continental would ever be just another 'used car.'

The Motorcar Offered

Offered from the collection of a prominent and lifelong car collector, the Continental was a model that had long appealed to its owner. Particularly their attractive detail features from button door pushes to slightly Deco age dashboard. So, when an example appeared for sale in the Easton, Maryland area about 20 years ago, where he frequented each summer, it seemed the perfect vacation car to own and it was quickly snapped up. The Lincoln's former owner was Mr. Preston Spring of Easton. Over the course of this ownership it has received considerable expenditure, which has included a repaint to the rich blue tone, a new fawn canvas top, while retaining its original interior. On the mechanical side, it received an overhaul of its engine and conversion of the electrics to a 12-volt system, which has improved its starting and usability.

Today, the car's condition has aged somewhat, and it may best be described as a driver quality rather than a show example. Nevertheless, they are an extremely stylish four-seater touring car, and a CCCA Full Classic™ by definition, which is why these elegant Lincoln Continentals remain one of the world's most coveted automobiles.

Saleroom notices

Please note that this car has an aftermarket Overdrive fitted, and invoices are on file for more than $10,000 of recent work including the 12 Volt conversion. Also, the top does not appear to be functioning at this time. Please note, the title will be in transit.

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