The new face on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr overshadowed a number of improvements made under the skin. The car’s wheelbase was lengthened by three inches, allowing the engine and transmission to be moved forward and increasing legroom for the front seat. Adoption of a hypoid rear axle contributed to lowering the floor by almost an inch and a half. There were engine improvements as well. Hydraulic valve lifters were adopted, providing quieter operation. Combustion chambers were redesigned, and a Holley-built Chandler Groves carburetor became an alternative to the standard Stromberg unit. There were also internal changes made to the transmission. Among numerous changes to the electrical system was the relocation of the battery to the engine compartment, as Ford had done the previous year.

Two new body styles were available, both open, the three-passenger convertible coupe and the five-passenger convertible sedan, both of which were constructed on a modified frame with an added cruciform section and featured manually operated spring-assisted convertible tops. The convertible sedan was unusual in retaining the sedan’s smooth tail contour, whereas most four-door convertibles had a bustle at the rear. In this recession year, when Lincoln-Zephyr sales overall fell by one third, the convertible sedan sold only 461 copies in its inaugural season.

The rare survivor offered here was acquired by renowned collector and longtime Ford Motor Company Director Michael Dingman from Thomas Brunner of Rio Verde, Arizona. Restored some years ago, it retains excellent black paint and buttoned brown leather upholstery, with only light stretching to the driver’s position. The tan canvas top features matching piping, the floors are covered with brown carpet, and a radio is fitted in the dashboard. Under the hood, the engine compartment is clean and well detailed, while the undercarriage is finished in proper matte black and correctly detailed. The wheels have full chrome caps and trim rings and are shod in proper BFGoodrich Silvertown tires. The odometer records only about 100 miles, the mileage since restoration, and thanks to its professional maintenance both during and after its ownership by Mr. Dingman, the car remains in exceptional and virtually showroom-new condition.

An outstanding example of an extremely rare Art Deco beauty, this convertible sedan is ready to stand in another important collection, following in the tradition of the great caretakers who have known and loved it over the years.