APR 8, 2022 FOR SALE
1 of 350: 1940 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
The 1940 Lincoln Continental set a new standard for luxury cars made in the U.S. It would be the last American-built automobile produced with V12 power. In the car’s first year in production (1940), only 404 copies were assembled and 350 of them were cabriolets (convertibles) like the seller’s car. This machine was acquired out of an estate and the seller is short on details other than it was running a couple of years ago. Located in Bethalto, Illinois, this Lincoln is available here on craigslist for $40,000. Our thanks to T.J. for the tip on this rare piece of automobilia.
Some say that the Lincoln Continental created a whole new segment of the American automotive marketplace (“personal luxury”). Such a grand car deserved a superior powerplant, so Ford took the 75-degree V12 from the Lincoln-Zephyr and gave it an increase in the bore that brought its displacement to 292 cubic inches. The engine had dual water pumps, aluminum cylinder heads, and hydraulic valve lifters. The L-head motor had a compression ratio of 7.2:1 and produced 120 horsepower. Automatic transmissions were still years away, so the Continental used a 3-speed manual
This Continental came out of an estate, so the seller has minimal information – at least at hand. But if someone makes an offer, he’ll try to dig that info up (really?). We’re told $40,000 was spent on the car in the past 10 years and it would be good to know what that involved as only the engine compartment looks to have been recently refreshed. The seller thinks the engine is original.
The body and paint may be okay from what we can see, but it’s nowhere near show-worthy. The fender skirts are missing which explains the odd positioning of the rear wheels. The convertible tops look new, but the interior is not. The car may have covered only 40,000 miles before going into exile. These cars can be worth some serious coin but getting this one into Concours condition is going to take a major investment beyond the cost of acquisition. This is not one of those cars that you drive while you fix it up.
Also listed on oldride.com with similar photos as above.
Price: $45,995
Classic Car Deals
Cadillac, MI
231|468|2809
Message Seller
MILEAGE: 40000
YEAR:1940
ENGINE:–
LOCATION:Cadillac, MI
STOCK: 316605
DESCRIPTION
1940 Lincoln Convertible Car looks to be all original with v-12 engine, car was running and driven less than 2 years ago. I don\’t know much about these type cars but will be taking it to Montana if not sold by mid May.