1940 Lincoln Continental

CONTINENTAL CABRIOLET READY TO BE FINISHED Convertible

V12

standard

Clear

Gasoline

I purchased this car about three plus years ago as shown in the picture showing burgundy finish. It was described as a rust free car with a $5000.00 rebuilt engine (V12) and in good driver shape. The interior (black leather) had been done and looked excellent. The chrome (most every major piece) grills, bumpers were re- chrome plated. It appeared to be a solid car and that is what I wanted since I have owned a few top Continentals in the country. I sent a driver to inspect the car and bring it home. At that time I had about $45,000 in it as a ‘driver’ however anyone that knows me understands that I am a perfectionist to the point of being anal about my show winning restorations from our collection. Upon receiving the car I was not disappointed in the general appearance. Some minor things needed to be done. I had the engine pulled and checked and it certainly appeared to have been rebuilt. The drive line and exhaust we removed to do a complete chassis restoration repairing any flaws in the chassis, rear and suspension and even the gas tank to high Concours standard at a real cost of $15,000. Even the gas tank was opened,cleaned properly,re-sealed and straightened.Then four coats of high fill primer on top of epoxy and finished coat in PSG 9300 Black Urethane. From underneath the car during the process we noticed that there were some holes in the floorboards and brought in an expert welder to correct it rather than leaving it alone. The cast aluminum supports that notoriously are cracked we had removed and replaced with recast ones stronger than original. Over $1000.00 for parts and installation on one totally unnoticed item alone. We stripped parts of the body where there was the slightest indication of former body damage or rust and had most every spot repaired. I then sent the car to a friend who has a restoration shop to paint the car and reassemble it. He called me about two months later to tell me that even though we had done much work he found some more,albeit minor, that needed attention. For instance the rocker panels which were replaced were not done to Pebble Beach standards whereas I would want new ones installed.He soda washed the entire finish to bare metal.At that point in my life I was tired of doing this for the past 30 years and paid him $3500 and had the car returned. I have out of pocket over $65,000 in this car I am busy day and night on a national jobs program that is working its way slowly through Congress and don't have the time or patience to finish it. We have every single part.The chrome looks great,the car is rare and I am willing to take my loss to go onto more important things. All the proceeds, if this car is sold,will go to our family Foundation 501C3 that provides funds for the homeless and troops serving in Afghanistan. There will never be another opportunity like this....Someone will wind up having a magnificent car that is one of the most gorgeous ever... and be really 'under the money'. PS: It was my original intention to duplicate “Rhapsody in Blue” my favorite 1940 Continental that I reluctantly sold years ago to a major shareholder of Ford Motor company. After speaking with noted historian of the Lincoln Continental Owner's Club I decided to look in another direction as he had sent me a paint chip from Frank Lloyd Wright's 1940 Lincoln Continental.A special color "Cherokee Red". I decided that one Rhapsody in Blue was enough and I was convinced to change the tribute to an even rarer car.I was going to do this in Cherokee red a duplicate the Frank Lloyd Wright's original car.That meant throwing out the black leather ( I didn't do that yet as you see from the photos the black leather is fine) and making it tan.Then a tan top with a solid panel in the rear window. That is how FLW would have done it. No rear window for his privacy yet it could simply be unzipped and have total visibility. This car should make its way to the green at Pebble Beach. Even better news;Just moments ago my helper informed me that I even purchased a new wiring harness to make everything like brand new.It covers the front to the rear etc.Cost approximately $1000.00 and will be included without any charge. Also found a set of four Firestone 16 inch wide white walls in excellent condition in addition to the ones on the car that will be given also to the successful purchaser. I have prepared myself to take a huge loss ! PLEEZE: Do no request parts to be sold. If you desire I can have the engine put in to accommodate shipping.It is quite simple.