Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, 1940
Lincoln Continental I
Lincoln Continental I•
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Chassis No.: H69062
Auction: Indy 2021
Auction date: May 22, 2021
Lot No.: F218
$51,700 | Sold
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Red
- Body: Cabriolet
- 1 of 350 produced in 1940
- 292 CI L-head 12-cylinder engine
- Dual carburetors
- Column-mounted 3-speed manual transmission
- Columbia 2-speed rear end
- Solid front axle
- Live rear axle
- 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
- Finished in Black with Red leather interior and Tan folding top
- Gold interior accents including door handles, window cranks, instrument bezels and clock surround
- Fender skirts
- Continental kit
- Bright trim rings and Zephyr-script hubcaps
- Wide Whitewall tires
A year after the prototype was approved by the then company president, Edsel Ford, the Lincoln Continental first became available to the public in 1940. It was a very good year. With few scattered years of non-production, the Continental was manufactured in 10 generations and for a total of 55 years until it was discontinued in 2020. It's a good thing Ford liked the personal vehicle he had commissioned as a vacation vehicle and to entice potential Lincoln owners. About 200 friends at a private gathering where the car was delivered in Florida also liked the car and were among early buyers.
Actor Mickey Rooney and baseball legend Babe Ruth both owned the new Lincoln, and actress Rita Hayworth got a 1941 Lincoln. The milestone 1940 vehicle launched a nine-year collection of Continentals with a glowing distinction. Historians said 54 convertible cabriolets and 350 coupes publicly available were "the world's most perfectly styled automobiles." Architect Frank Lloyd Wright called it the "most beautiful car in the world"—he purchased two. What began as a maquette by designer E.T. Gregorie is now the increasingly rare luxury vehicle based on a 1939 Zephyr.
Equipped with a 292 CI L-head 12-cylinder engine, this 1940 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet features a column-mounted 3-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, dual carburetors, a solid front axle, live rear axle and a Columbia 2-speed rear end. Its refined design and style presence starts with a contrasting and beautiful color scheme. The bold black exterior gives the red interior leather more prominence. The tan folding top adds a classic neutral complement to the main colors. Details shine, and gold interior accents are featured on door handles, window cranks, instrument bezels and clock surround.
Signature Continental fender skirts partially cover wide rear whitewall tires. There are bright trim rings and Zephyr-script hubcaps. The exposed rear-mounted spare is another Continental trademark and adds to the uniquely distinguished car.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/462064/1940-lincoln-continental-cabriolet/
