Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 102 ¤
1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Coupe Chassis no. H115439 Engine no. H115439
Sold for US$123,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 102¤
1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Coupe
1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Coupe
Chassis no. H115439
Engine no. H115439
Chassis no. H115439
Engine no. H115439
292ci 75° L-Head V-12
Holley Two-Barrel Downdraft Carburetor
120bhp at 3,500rpm
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Transverse Leaf Springs
Four-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
* Dramatic, voluptuous John Tjaarda designed coupe coachwork
* Lincoln Zephyr 120hp V-12 power
* Well-preserved older cosmetic restoration
* A rare surviving stock Zephyr coupe after many were hot rodded or customized
THE LINCOLN ZEPHYR COUPE
The Lincoln Zephyr V-12 was introduced in 1939. It was a dramatic departure from the Model K V-12s that were falling into disfavor, a thoroughly modern, streamlined, dramatically styled car the put the past firmly behind it. It was everything that the elegant but stodgy Model K was not.
Powered by a derivative of Ford's successful flathead V-8 with four more cylinders and a 75° vee angle that was a compromise between the 90° vee angle of the flathead and the 67° vee of the Model K the Zephyr's 267 cubic inch V-12 was smoother and more powerful than the flathead, a clear advantage for the Zephyr. It was, importantly, 1/3 as expensive as the Model K. After 1939 the Model K was phased out after only 133 were built that year and the Zephyr became Lincoln's only model. In 1940 the Zephyr engine was enlarged to 292 cubic inches with a horsepower increase from 110hp to 120hp.
Styling had evolved, too, with the Zephyr becoming increasingly modern. The grille, an upswept pair of chrome elements with vertical chrome bars fully expressed the preference of Bob Gregorie and Edsel Ford for a speedboat visage effected by a new stylist, John Tjaarda, a curling chrome-plated bow wave that has never failed to intrigue buyers.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1941 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe was donated to the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah's Collection) in the early 90's by Donald Reniers. Its '41 Coupe style is revered for its dramatic design. It is presented in Volanta Coach Maroon with an interior upholstered and trimmed in grey cloth with beige leatherette panels.
Its body design is voluptuous with a sharp peaked hood above the bow wave grille, ovoid side windows, blind rear quarters and a long rear deck that balances the hood. Teardrop shaped skirted rear wheels complete the look, which has no bad angles. Over the years the 1940-42 Lincoln Zephyr coupes have been recognized as design milestones. Every hot rodder or customizer wanted one with the result that sharp, original, unmolested survivors are rare. This one has body color wheels, hubcaps, trim rings, 7.00-16 whitewall tires, rear wheel skirts, turn signals and a covered storage compartment behind the seat that would more commonly be seen on a traveling salesman's low-priced business coupe. The buyer of this Zephyr may have been a very successful traveling salesman.
It has been restored and still has good older paint, chrome and upholstery. The gauges are crisp and clear although at the time of cataloging the knobs on the inside window winder handles were missing and the left side grille is fit with gaps to the bodywork. Painted woodgrain around the windows and across the dashboard are quite good. The engine compartment and chassis appear to be original and orderly.
This is a significant, beautiful Zephyr that has been lovingly restored and refinished, needing only a new, caring home to continue its preservation at the National Automobile Museum.
Additional information
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