V12 L Head Engine/Art Deco Interior/Masses Of Chrome/Wonderful Driving Example

1948 Lincoln Continental

Based on the custom Lincoln built for Edsel Ford in 1938, the Lincoln Continental was introduced in 1939 and established a new standard for Ford's luxury brand. Although production ceased immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the first-generation Continental returned in 1946 and remained until 1948. Since then it has been is recognized as a true classic which had Edsel Ford's hand in the beginning of its making.

For consignment a car from an era where status was measured by the inch, and net worth was shown off by the amount of chrome that could be attached to a car. This car has both the length and the chrome, so its original owner was probably an important person, and had the scratch to back it up.

Exterior
An older respray of Lincoln Maroon covers the straight steel panels, pontoon fenders, and bathes the car everywhere other than the abundant chrome. Areas of cracking and crazing of the paint are seen, as well as some bubbling, and chipping of said paint mostly near the gaps. Worth the price of admission, the massive 3-tiered waterfall wrap around bumpers are reminiscent of an old musical movie set, that would have numerous dancers performing on many levels. The grill performance is behind this massive bumper and is on 2 levels. The lower level is a wide egg crate design that wraps the bottom of the grille just above the bumper and houses big round parking lights. Above this is a smaller wrap around V style egg crate grille, that emulates the front of the hood line and has a near perfect cloisonn badge in the center. Flanking on either side are the single round headlights imbedded in the front of the pontoon fenders that have propeller like wings protruding from either side which house turn signals and parking lighting. A massive bubbled hood with an art deco chromed sculptural hood ornament announces the arrival of this car, although with the aforementioned grille I cannot imagine you would have missed it! Ultra wide dual doors allow unlimited access to the luxurious passenger compartment and gaps on these doors are well minded. Bringing up the rear are more pontoon style rear fenders complete with fender skirts. On the back more wrap around 3 tier bumpers, art deco styled taillights, a large hump backed trunk and the iconic Continental rear enclosed spare tire. Wide whites hold up the weight of this car nicely and allow for a low and slow cruise. WOW!

Interior
Edsel Ford knew what he was doing when it came to excess, after all he grew up with it all around him, although his father was very conservative. This excess comes to fruition on the interior of this massive automobile with dual tan burlap pattern broadcloth inserts in the dual bench seats. These are surrounded by deep Oxblood colored leather bolsters, and some chrome edge thrown in just for more bling. The front bench has a few smudges and unfortunately a dual tear on the driver's seat. Power windows are seen on this car, as well as a bakelite push button door latch actuator. Feasting our eyes on the dash, we first see an inverted chevron styled bakelite maroon steering wheel with a round chromed horn ring and Lincoln Twelve badging encircling the center of the wheel written in your grandmothers handwriting. On the dash front, we note a quadrant of horizontal ribbed art deco styled gauges with gold numbering and lettering and pointy black needles. A round large speedometer is just to the right of these gauges and sports the same color and tactile motif. In the center is a massive juke box style cluster of control buttons, speaker grid and a radio on top, all draped in chrome and dripping with more art deco styling. The other side of this menagerie of chrome is a single round clock. Looking above we see a corduroy headliner in tan, and below is a sea of thick pile gold carpet, which is in immaculate condition.

Drivetrain
After getting myself and 3 of my cohorts to help me lift the massive hood (I'm being facetious) I'm met with a V12 in a mere 292ci displacement. This is an L head engine, has a single 2-barrel carburetor atop (Holley 06H carb) and an automatic transmission.

Undercarriage
With the condition of the undercarriage, this writer suspects, but cannot confirm that this car had to have undergone a full restoration at some point in its life, as the undercarriage presents as excellent. Rust free frame, like new exhaust, and floorpans that look showroom, we are all buttoned up under here. Transverse leaf spring suspension is all around as are drum brakes on all 4 corners.

Drive-Ability
I wanted to see how the other half lived in the late 1940's and this car gave me the perfect lesson. It fired right up with a low 12-cylinder rumble, ran smoothly, and shifted like a dream with me hardly noticing it was doing so. Although with all the interior styling and chrome and paying attention where I was on the test area, all the while trying to judge where this mass of steel and chrome was, I may have been a bit distracted. She glides across any bumps and bruises in the road and is able to cruise at highway speeds safely.

Despite its paint faults, this massive collection of steel and chrome, wrapped in art deco styling, and complete with a V12 all be it a mere 292 cubes, is an absolutely wonderful car. If you have a hankering for the lap of luxury, and want a challenge to parallel park, have a look at this Edsel Ford inspired classic which is its last year before it got ruined...1948 ! Que the Andrews sisters for Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy please!! Quiet on the set and bring in the 125 dancers for the bumpers!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.