The 1940 Lincoln Continental is considered one of the iconic American automobile designs from the 1930s. Its spare, well-proportioned form was almost devoid of brightwork and was much admired in Europe as well. Not until the crisp “Kennedy” Lincolns of 1961 would any American design be so well regarded overseas.

As is well known, the original Continental was the dream of Edsel Ford, who had the prototype adapted from a Lincoln-Zephyr. The Continental went into production with very few changes in 1940 and featured the first uses of foam rubber in the seats and aluminum cylinder heads. The year 1941 saw fewer vertical bars in the grille, push-button door handles, an electrically operated power top instead of a hydraulic one, and self-canceling turn signals.

The club coupe offered here, one of only 847 built in this style in 1941, has been one of the most well-known automobiles in the Weaver Collection. Restored some years ago and well maintained since, it was exhibited at the 2006 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance and was also judged as a Senior car by the Classic Car Club of America. It retains its Senior badge today.

The Continental is finished in rich Spode Green with correct chrome and gold-anodized accents and a matching green interior that faces a proper wood-grained dashboard. It shows evidence of good care throughout, with even panel fit margins and minimal wear to the paint in only the normal stress areas. The glass and upholstery are in nice condition. The chassis shows only normal signs of usage over its older restoration, and the 12-cylinder engine is complete with its aluminum heads, double-barrel downdraft Stromberg carburetor, and a correct air cleaner, with a little bit of patina.

Classic 1940s design does not get much better than this elegant Continental.