1941 Lincoln Continental Derham Coupe

The Continental was considered a sub-series of the Zephyr and shared its 292 cubic-inch, 120 horsepower V-12 with aluminum heads. Standard bodies were built by Briggs for Lincoln and production, while interrupted by World War II, continued after the war and ceased following the 1948 model year. The Continental and Zephyr shared the same 125-inch wheelbase, though styling was similar yet distinct. Priced at $2,926 it cost twice that of a Zephyr. Frank Lloyd Wright said the Continental was 'the most beautiful car he had ever seen.' John Steinbeck said that no other car 'so satisfied my soul.' Time magazine would ultimately put the Continental on its list of 100 best-designed commercial products of all-time.

This car, which left the factory as a stock 1941 Continental coupe, was purchased new in 1941 by industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Loewy hired Derham Body Company in Rosemont, Pennsylvania to build a custom version of the car as he designed it. During the transformation, it became a town car incorporating many unique styling touches, including shortened front fenders, redesigned grille and hood, custom bumpers, removable Plexiglass top, opera windows, gold-plate dashboard accents, and a fin below the trunk. The body was lowered six inches over the frame and the special top helps to create one of the most elegant Lincolns of the prewar era.

Loewy's initials on the cowl sides are surrounded by a circular piece of trim from a Frigidaire refrigerator, also a Loewy design. This is one of two cars built for his two residences in Manhattan and Palm Springs.

Considered the father of industrial design, Loewe immigrated to the United States from his native France in 1919. He became a shop window decorator while also working as a fashion illustrator. He opened his own design firm in 1929 and one of his first successes was the redesign of a copying machine that drove up the sales of the product.

Bob Gregorie's early Lincoln continental design is considered one of the best in automotive history. That Loewy believed he could improve upon it is a testament to his self-confidence.