The Lincoln-Zephyr, with roots in John Tjaarda's "Sterkenberg" studies of the late 1920s, became the savior of Lincoln at its 1935 introduction. A semi-unitary sedan or coupe, the Zephyr used a small V-12 half the size of the K's engine and, more importantly, sold for a third its price. Lincoln sales promptly rose by a factor of six.

Returning from Europe in 1938, Edsel Ford sketched for designer E.T. Gregorie a concept that he wished to build on a Ford chassis. Gregorie did detailed drawings based on a Zephyr convertible instead, and the result was the Continental. The hood and fenders were extended, and the car sectioned horizontally by four inches. The bustle back with outside "Continental" tire was the finishing touch. The car was built, and Edsel took it to Florida that winter. Legend says that his friends were so taken with the car that many of them placed orders. Thus, the Continental went into production in December 1939, and a coupe version soon followed.

Lincoln factory records show that this lovely cabriolet was assembled on 21 August 1940, and shipped on the 29th to Jacksonville, Florida. A very early example in the model year, it bears body number 09 of 400 produced for the year. Formerly owned by William Stone of Atlanta, Georgia, it has been methodically restored by a former Ford engineer, over a period of some five years. Care was taken not to over-restore the car, and the instrument panel, in particular, retains much of its original finish, carefully conserved. The exterior is painted in Coach Maroon, a 1941 Lincoln color, and the interior is upholstered in matching leather. The convertible top is tan canvas. Other features include a factory radio and Columbia overdrive, another Lincoln accessory.

The engine compartment is carefully detailed, the cylinder heads polished to a high luster. Driven barely 1,000 miles since restoration, the engine whispers at idle, as a well-tuned Lincoln V-12 should, and performs spiritedly. Never shown since restoration, it could embark on a debut tour this season.