Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 38 ¤
1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe Chassis no. 16H5729 Engine no. H107711
Sold for US$28,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 38¤
1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe
1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe
Chassis no. 16H5729
Engine no. H107711
Chassis no. 16H5729
Engine no. H107711
292ci 75° L-Head V-12 Engine
Two-Barrel Holley Downdraft Carburetor
120bhp at 3,500rpm
Three-Speed Manual Transmission
Live Axles with Transverse Leaf Springs
Four-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
* Largely original
* The right equipment including rear wheel skirts
* Edsel Ford's and Bob Gregorie's milestone design
* Minimal chrome embellishment, a theme that wouldn't appear again until Bill Mitchell's Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Riviera
THE LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
Lincoln finally abandoned Henry Leland's superbly engineered V-8 in 1933, embracing an all-V-12 line up that year. To meet the market's need for a lower-priced luxury automobile, Lincoln in 1936 introduced the Zephyr with brilliant styling and abundant art deco details. Featuring an all-steel body, it was powered by a new V-12 engine derived from the strong and proven Ford flathead V-8.
Steadily upgraded, including adding hydraulic brakes in 1939, the success of the Zephyr no doubt quickened the inevitable demise of the larger Lincoln K. The K was replaced as Lincoln's showpiece in 1940 by the brilliantly styled Lincoln Continental. It quickly became a legend among American luxury cars.
The first Continental was rushed to completion by Bob Gregorie, head of Ford's Design Department, as a one-off for Edsel Ford. Among the shortcuts taken to complete the prototype in time for Ford's upcoming vacation was the elimination of almost all exterior brightwork. Thus, the elegant, unembellished styling that became a Continental hallmark was at least in part a serendipitous expedient. It was well received amongst Edsel's Florida social circle, and the decision was made to put it into production with very few changes in 1940. The Continental featured the first use of foam rubber in seats along with aluminum cylinder heads. It remained in production built through the 1948 model year, a testament to its desirability, Edsel Ford's taste, and the design and engineering talents of Bob Gregorie's design department.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe came into the Harrah's Collection many years ago, reflected in its "Equipment" number, a very low #341. The 1941 models had fewer vertical bars in the grille, push-button door handles, and self-canceling turn signals.
Finished in deep black with dark red leather upholstery, the example also has rear wheel skirts. The wheels with wide whitewall tires have trim rings and hubcaps. The central dash features an inset radio. One can imagine the big band swing music that must have played through its speakers. The old repaint was badly masked and has chipped. The upholstery is apparently original but dried out and cracked. The steering wheel is cracked and missing its horn button. The glass is delaminating. As drastic as that sounds, this Continental is a largely original and unrestored example. It stands as one of the most important cars in American automobile history.
Few automobiles capture the sophistication of 1940s American design quite like the Continental.
Footnotes
Titled under its engine number.
Additional information
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| ¤ | No Reserve |
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