Not unlike Packard with its One-Ten and One-Twenty series and Cadillac with the LaSalle, Lincoln introduced a lower-priced line to help it endure the tough times following the stock market crash in 1929. Debuting in November 1935 (as a 1936 model), the streamlined Zephyr shared its name with the newfangled diesel trains on the Burlington Railroad. Helped by Edsel Ford and a young designer, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Company is credited with the advanced design. A new 110 hp V-12 derived from Ford’s flathead V-8 resides underhood.

Despite the car’s svelte good looks, the bold Art Deco styling was not for everyone. Ford Motor Company executives were never happy with sales. Yet, of 18,994 Lincolns sold in 1936, 17,715 were Zephyrs, arguably keeping Lincoln alive. In 1939, 21,000 were built, including 2,500 three-window coupes, like this example, the first to include hydraulic brakes. Production of the Zephyr continued through 1948, though the Zephyr name was dropped in 1947.

This Zephyr three-window coupe is offered from the collection of Paul Teutul Jr., noted fabricator and designer for the American Chopper television series and later his own design firm, Paul Jr. Designs. It is finished in stunning black with a tan leather interior and equipped with a factory radio. Most important, it features its original Lincoln V-12 engine and the Columbia two-speed rear-end ideal for more relaxed highway cruising. It has been recently freshened, including its mechanical and electrical systems. Underhood, the car has been comprehensively detailed.

Teutul, an avid collector of Lincoln-Zephyrs, describes this car as “simply stunning,” stating, “Anyone would be proud to own this Zephyr. It is one of the best examples I have ever owned. The car is just fantastic.”