The story goes that Edsel's well to do friends were so enamored by this one off luxury car that they asked when it would be released. Edsel immediately sent a telegram to Detroit saying that the car should go into production. Since Ford already had an updated Lincoln Zephyr project underway utilizing a number of aspects of Edsel's one off convertible, ramping up for production was soon underway. Because the body design was more reflective of many European cars that what was coming out of Detroit at the time, the decision was made to dub the car the Lincoln Continental.
Introduced in 1939 as a 1940 model, the first generation Continental came in a two door coupe or a two door convertible sitting on a 125 inch wheelbase. The car was powered by a 292 cubic inch V12 engine. The first two model years were basically the same car but in 1942 the Continental received a fairly major make-over, giving it an all new look.
Two major things happened over the next two years that would greatly affect the Continental. First, the United States was drawn into World War II and much of Detroit's manufacturing abilities was turned toward the war effort. Then, in 1943, Edsel passed away and this brought about a major corporate re-structuring. One effect of that was that Continental designer Bob Gregorie was no longer part of the Ford team. That led to famed designer Raymond Loewy penning the first post-war model in 1946. Still technically a first generation car, it saw another make-over.
The first generation ran through the 1948 model year and following that the Continental name was retired until 1956. This second generation Continental ran for only two model years and it's design and luxury reflected the times. A third generation appeared in 1958 with another major visual re-make. It ran through 1960 and each year introduced a new model, starting with the Mark III through the Mark V.
A fourth generation hit the pavement in 1961 and ran through 1969. Starting in 1961 two specially made versions of the Continental were acquired by the Secret Service to serve as Presidential cars. Following the assassination of John Kennedy the cars were re-built to be armored and to have a permanent fixed roof.
The fifth generation came out in 1970 and stretched through the decade until the end of the 1979 model year. New generations periodically followed until the present 10th generation.
Our feature car is a 1947 convertible, one of only 738 built. A first generation masterpiece, all Continentals of that era are considered full classics by the Classic Car Club of America, the highest distinction bestowed by that organization.
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