Full Classic Potential: 1947 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet Project
The Lincoln Continental is one of the longest-running and most interrupted nameplates in the history of the automobile. The Continental was produced from 1939 through 1942, then again after the war from 1946 to 1948. Another hiatus ensued in 1949 because its appearance was deemed too dated, but a redesigned version arrived on the scene in 1956 and thereafter it was produced in fits and starts through this 2023 model year. Of course, in its early years, the Continental was a handmade high-luxury vehicle – which is probably what earned it “Full Classic” status with the Classic Car Club of America. After decades of shirking cars built in the post-war period, the CCCA finally became less stringent in 2015, and this 1947 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, here on eBay, now makes the cut. Well, not exactly in its current condition, but definitely once someone spiffs it up. The starting bid is $16,000 and the car is located in Niagra Falls, New York. T.J. found this elegant car for us – thanks T.J.!
The powerplant is a 292 cu. in. L head V12 rated at 125 hp, backed up by a three-speed manual transmission. Lincoln was the only make using a V12 in the immediate post-war period but that exotic claim pales when we consider that Cadillac was outproducing Lincoln by magnitudes and running a 150 hp V8. This car has seen considerable recent mechanical work – a partial list includes many new brake parts, a rebuilt carburetor, a new generator, and a new radiator. The car ran until 2021; since then it has been in storage. The wiper motor still needs attention and the correct air cleaner assembly is missing. The seller notes that a buyer will need to go through the car to make it roadworthy again. The odometer reading of just over 59,000 miles is stated as original.
The interior is decent up front but the rear seats look like a couple of raccoons had a skirmish back there. The canvas top has a tear and is incompletely installed. But all of the chrome trim is present, if not perfect; the tires are new; the car comes with fender skirts; and the hydraulic lifters for the top mechanism have been replaced.
The majestic front end is more elaborate than the aerodynamic shape of the pre-war Continental. The fenders are broad, flaring away from the hood line, and the grille is much stouter than the delicate horizontal lines of the ’42 version. The seller notes that this car was repainted “years ago” and the wheels have been color-keyed to the body. The rear shows off the “continental kit” with the spare nestled against the trunk. Just 738 Continental cabriolets were made in 1947, though it’s worth pointing out that Lincoln did make standard convertibles as well, generally referred to as Zephyrs. The body lines and motor of the two are identical but the Continental sports luxury finishes. The values of 1940s cars have been drifting down. This example failed to find a buyer at $32k, while this wonderful black version sold for only $34k. With acres of sheet metal, chrome, and leather, this one is not going to be cheap to restore. What do you think a buyer ought to pay for this relatively low-mileage Continental?
Comments
I remember seeing these as a kid, and I always thought it looked rather bold in its looks. I hope the person who gets this brings it back to more original… neat car !!
If my grandmother was still living I would buy it for her..put in a Briggs Stratton engine an 22 inch wheels the engine would be a pull cord not electric start.
I guess visibility sucks. I’d have to install some camera’s because of the huge blind spots. However, this car has great potential to make a new owner proud.
Does anyone know what year Lincoln Continental convertible did Joan Crawford and Bette Davis drive in the classic film “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” 1962?
You want Internet Movie Cars Database!
https://www.imcdb.org/
Check there –
Okay Thanks!
Sonny, don’t take the causeway !
Leave the gun…..take the canoli.
Why would someone rebuild the carburetor and then not cover it?
Maybe the air cleaner was left off in order for the photos to show the engine?
By ’47 the then decade old V-12 had been altered enough to make it reliable for the then long haul. It had the sweetest exhaust sound of a stock American car I have ever heard. Those of us who admired these are now over 80 and the prices are dropping so we can afford them now, but no room. These are very big cars, you can’t appreciate it until you see one in person. I had toy one in 1946, as a little kid, and knew it was the neatest car I had ever seen, keep in mind that all I had seen were prewar everyday cars.
As Charlie said, those of us that remember them are passing on. This would take some very deep pockets to restore, and you would be upside down in it before you got a good start. A very beautiful and almost exotic, with the V-12 motor, classic. Hopefully seller will be able to move it.
If it runs, who cares about some pristine show piece. I would love one of these for just that.
A good friend of my parents was a Lincoln aficionado who owned Continentals before and after the last great international misunderstanding. I recall that he traded his last, a ’48 Continental Coupe, for a ’50 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. He was a govt. contractor during WW2 and put high mileage on them. Apparently, he was able to deal with the troublesome V12. He kept buying Lincolns into the mid-1960’s.