1947 Lincoln Continental Coupe 584 Miles Burgundy 292 cubic inch V12 3-speed m

1947 Lincoln Continental Coupe -- Description

This 1947 Lincoln Continental coupe is a proven CCCA tour car and has been in the same owner’s hands since the early 1980s. He discovered it as a half-finished restoration project and pulled it home on a trailer. Over the next five years, the Continental was lovingly restored, including paint, chrome, interior, and a rebuilt driveline, all intended to make it a first-rate tour vehicle. Refinished in a color that’s fairly close to the original Lincoln Maroon, it has a... handsome yet sporting look that remains immensely appealing. And for a paint job that is closing in on its 30th birthday, it remains in remarkable condition with a bright shine that highlights the Continental’s graceful shape. Yes, there are signs of use and age, which are inevitable, but you’ll find few things to complain about whether showing or touring in this big Lincoln. Panel fit is quite good, including the spring-loaded doors (although they’re a little sticky due to brand new weather seals that should relax in time) and long hood that sits neatly atop the curving front fenders. All the chrome trim was restored at the same time, so while it shows some very minor signs of age, it remains in excellent condition. This is not a perfect car, but it remains extremely handsome in every way. The wonderfully well restored interior has to be fresher than the rest of the car; it’s just too nice to be 30 years old. The tan cloth and leather seats look correct and the theme is echoed in the door panels. Plush tan carpets feel suitably luxurious and the body-colored dashboard provides some welcome contrast. Gauges are just beautiful, with ornate faces and gold numerals, and they all seem to be operational except the temperature gauge, which has obviously been superseded by the modern dials mounted under the center stack. Neither the radio nor the clock is working, which is typical of cars of this vintage, but the power windows and power seat are fully operational. A toggle switch was installed under the dash for the auxiliary electric fuel pump, which the engine seems not to need under normal conditions. The back seat is surprisingly spacious and includes a drop-down armrest. The trunk is also surprisingly large, although with the opening up high, it’s a little tough to load and unload—such is the price of style, I suppose. The 292 cubic inch V12 engine was the only powerplant Lincoln built following the war, but it was a good one. The stories you’ve heard about them being prone to overheating and other maladies are due to neglected and poorly maintained examples being the rule rather than the exception, but when done right, it’s a wonderful machine. Thanks to a comprehensive rebuild when the car was restored and 30 years of light driving and careful sorting, this one runs superbly. It starts easily with just a bit of choke and idles with a smooth V12 burble that’s difficult to quantify but immensely appealing. Ford Green engine enamel looks right on the block and heads, which flank an aluminum intake manifold with the generator on top, much like the V8 Fords. The wiring harness is new and you’ll note a very unusual adjustable voltage regulator on the firewall, a device we’ve ever seen before. The only transmission available was a 3-speed manual with synchromesh and a column-mounted shifter, and it makes the Continental easy to manage. The overdrive combines with 4.44 gears in the rear end to make the Continental feel lively around town and confident on the highway. The suspension and the long wheelbase absorb bumps with ease although Ford continued to insist on a solid front axle with a transverse leaf spring—they made it work rather well. Brakes are confident and it rolls on 7.00-15 wide whitewall tires that make it look extremely impressive. This car includes a full album of the restoration, some receipts, and a set of spare hubcaps should you wish to drive it without the skirts in place. Ever since this car arrived, visitors have stopped to admire the big, red coupe more than almost any other car in our showroom. Add the spectacular interior and well-sorted driveline, and you have a car that’s ready for vintage touring and as a CCCA Full Classic, it’s eligible for all the big events. First class elegance at a coach price, this Continental represents a lot of car for the money. Call today!