1941 Lincoln Continental

Attractive pre-war Continental in great colors. Older repaint in original Sea Mist with what appears to be the original red leather interior. Great-running 292 cubic inch V12. 3-speed manual with working overdrive. A great tour car with a spectacular Art-Deco look!

We don t believe this car has ever been fully apart for a restoration, but it has certainly been loved over the past 83 years. The 1941 Continentals are arguably the most attractive of the late V12 Lincolns, and we can t argue with this car s handsome good looks. It appears to have been treated to a body-on freshening at some point in the past and it s holding up quite well. The paint is called Sea Mist, which is a soft iridescent blue that works very well on the distinctive Continental bodywork. Finish quality is just about right for 1941, not so glossy that it looks modern and nicely preserved, which suggests it has always been treated as an object of value. The unique Continental features like the waterfall grille, teardrop headlights, and push-button doors are all part of the appeal, and, of course, the spare tire out back is where the term continental kit originates. The chrome and stainless trim is in excellent condition with only the most minor signs of age visible on close inspection. Accessories include the fog lights up front as well as twin hinge-mounted mirrors for safety. From any angle, this is a very attractive car.

We believe the red leather interior is original and in fantastic condition. The carpets appear to have been replaced at some point, but they look very correct, complete with matching binding around the perimeter. The simple door panels are in equally good condition and all the original hardware is in place. We re relieved that the 41 models don t have the trouble-prone power windows of their later siblings, and the push-button door releases work properly. The lovely woodgrained dash houses two big, round dials with auxiliary gauges on the left and speedometer on the right. Secondary controls are underneath kind of haphazardly arranged, but you ll figure it out without too much effort. There are also indicators for the turn signals and hi-beam headlights next to the radio. And speaking of the radio, it powers up and makes noise, but we have not been able to tune a station on it, and, of course, the clock is offline. Seat belts have been added for touring safety and there s an accessory heater under the dash. The back seat is spacious enough for full-grown adults, so don t be afraid to take some friends when you go touring. The same goes for the surprisingly deep trunk, which will hold a week s worth of luggage for a great road trip.

The 292 cubic inch flathead V12 is as notorious as well as famous, but after 80+ years, all the demons apparently have been exorcised. It starts easily thanks to an auxiliary electric fuel pump, idles nicely, and runs nice and cool according to the dash gauge. It s much more than just a Ford V8 with four extra cylinders tacked on, and driven correctly, it s a joy on the road. Unlike the earlier K V12, which was all about torque, the Continental prefers some RPM to do its best work, so don t be afraid to hold on to 1st and 2nd gear a little longer. A factory overdrive unit makes it an effortless highway cruiser that should run all day at 65 MPH, and we ve found that 2nd gear + overdrive is great for driving around town. We don t believe the body has ever been off the chassis, so it s a little dirty underneath, but there s no sign of rust or rot, making this car ideal for driving events. The brakes are effective for the period and ride quality is quite good (it is a Lincoln, after all). The exhaust has a wonderful V12 purr and it sits on original wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, plus a recent set of 7.00R16 wide whitewall radials that look vintage but improve the driving experience considerably.

There s a reason why these cars remain popular year after year. They re attractive and well-sorted examples like this are a pleasure to drive. With great colors, a sumptuous leather interior, and that still-impressive V12 under the hood, this car is often the center of attention. And thanks to conscientious ownership, it remains a first-rate tour car that will be welcome at almost any event. A fantastic opportunity to own an entry-level CCCA Full Classic that s ready to tour. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.