1941 Lincoln Zephyr

The sleek and curvaceous Lincoln Zephyr was introduced in 1936 and named after the radically streamlined Burlington Zephyr high-speed express train, itself named after Zephyrus, the mythical Greek God of the west wind. An employee at Briggs Body Corporation named John Tjaarda created the initial shape with pre-production stylistic refinements, especially at the front, were completed by Eugene T. 'Bob' Gregorie, who worked closely with Lincoln president Edsel Ford, himself a noted designer.

The underpinnings of the Lincoln Zephyr were equally impressive as its exterior, built using advanced unitized construction principles and powered by the company's proprietary 292 cubic-inch V-12 engine, a multi-cylinder derivative of Ford's proven 'Flathead' V-8 engine. Four body styles were initially offered including a two-door coupe, a two- and four-door sedan, and a four-door Town Limousine. A Convertible Sedan joined the list in 1937.

The Lincoln Zephyr rested on a 122-inch wheelbase platform with an overall length of 202.5 inches, and a height of 69 inches. It was much shorter than the company's coach-built model, The Model K Twelve, which used either a 136- or 145-inch wheelbase platform. The L-head twelve-cylinder engine in the Zephyr had a 75-degree angle and displaced 267.3 cubic inches. It too was smaller than the 414 cubic-inch 67-degree L-head unit powering the Model K. Both models employed a three-speed sliding gear transmission with floor shift controls. The Zephyr had a single dry plate, centrifugal clutch while the Model K had a double dry disc clutch. Zephyrs were priced in the low-$1,000 range while the Model K pricing began at $4,200.

Lincoln produced nearly 15,000 examples of the Zephyr in its inaugural year, doubling to 30,000 units the following year. The styling was so well received that only minor updates were implemented, with refinements to the front bumper, grille, side vents, and new sweeping moldings. The interior was given a redesigned dash panel with glove compartments on both sides divided by a central console housing the controls and instruments.

The updates for 1938 were more extensive including a longer, 125-inch wheelbase and new sheet metal styling at the front, and updates to the rear fenders. Teardrop-shaped headlights were carefully integrated into the fenders and the two-piece grille carried thin, horizontal chrome bars. The rear fenders were more elongated than in previous years with styling similar to the front fenders.

The 1939 Lincoln Zephyr gained hydraulic brakes, a voltage regulator, two (instead of four) side hood bars, and a larger grille shape with vertical bars. Lincoln built 19,111 Zephyrs in 1938 and approximately 21,000 in 1939.

The 1940 Lincoln Zephyr had over 20 percent more glass area than in the past highlighted by a one-piece rear window. The designs continued to embrace modern styling trends including the use of sealed-beam headlights and the lack of running boards. The interior had a mahogany metal finish, rearranged instrument panel, and a two-spoke steering wheel. The engine's bore was enlarged to 2-7/8 inches resulting in a displacement size of 292 cubic inches and an output of 120 horsepower.

The 1941 Lincoln Zephyr

Lincoln's model lineup for 1941 included the Zephyr, Continental, and the Custom. The Zephyr and Continental had similar designs and mechanical specifications with the Continental being three inches lower and its hood being seven inches longer. Both received the 75-degree L-head twelve-cylinder engine with hydraulic valve lifters, a Holley downdraft two-barrel carburetor, four main bearings, a 7.2:1 compression ratio, and delivered 120 horsepower at 3,500 RPM. The engine used a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate clutch, and column shift controls. Stopping power was courtesy of Bendix hydraulic, internal expanding brakes at all four wheels. Drivetrain options included a Borg-Warner overdrive and Columbia two-speed rear axle. The wheelbase measured 125 inches and had an overall length of 210 inches.

The Lincoln Custom was 13-inches longer than the other 1941 Lincolns with a wheelbase size of 138 inches and a length of 225.3 inches. Body styles included a seven-passenger sedan and limousine, with the former priced at $2,620 and the latter at $2,750.

The 1941 Lincoln-Zephyr was offered as a three-passenger coupe ($1,430), a five-passenger coupe ($1,465), a sedan ($1,500), a convertible coupe ($1,800), a club coupe ($1,500), and a Town car with coachwork by Brunn. The most popular was the sedan with 14,469 examples built, followed by 3,750 of the club coupe, 972 of the 3-passenger coupe, and 78 of the 5-passenger coupe. 725 examples were convertible coupes and just 5 were Town Cars.

Styling updates for 1941 included front fender-mounted parking lights, additional chromework around the reshaped taillights, a rear deck light, slightly restyled bumpers, a new hubcap design, and a wide grille outline molding. The interior received circular door handles, a clock, and ashtrays. The list of fabric options increased including leather. Also on the options list was a Borg-Warner overdrive transmission.

Lincoln produced 20,094 examples of the Zephyr in 1941, along with 1,250 of the Continental and 650 of the Custom.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

By 1941, the 'big Lincoln' was gone and three cars were available - the Lincoln-Zephyr, the Lincoln Continental or the Lincoln Custom. All were built on the Lincoln-Zephyr chassis and all were powered by the Lincoln-Zephyr V-12 motor.

The new Lincoln-Zephyrs had front fender-mounted parking lamps, molding surrounding the front grille, reshaped taillights and a combination trunk lid and rear deck light. The hub caps were also redesigned for 1941.

New Zephyr bodies were introduced for 1940. The following year, the models were powered by an L-head V-12 engine offering 120 horsepower. Total production for 1941 totaled 21,994 cars, including 1,150 three-window coupes.

This 1941 Lincoln-Zephyr three-window coupe is painted in Darian Blue, one of only four colors available with the new Custom interior option, which featured higher grade upholstery in addition to gold trim in place of chrome on the speedometer and clock bezels, radio speaker grille, horn ring, window lift handles and door controls. This Lincoln-Zephyr has been given a 'rotisserie' restoration since new.

Coupe

The Lincoln Zephyr was introduced in 1936 and given its name and styling after the streamlined Burlington Zephyr express train (which in turn was named after Zephyrus, the god of the West Wind in Greek mythology). The styling was courtesy of Dutch-born designer John Tjaarda who was employed at the Briggs Body Corporation. The streamlined body was lightweight and elegant. Before production began, Bob Gregorie restyled the original front end design.

Lincoln's 1941 lineup consisted of three model groups; the series 15H 1941 Lincoln Zephyr, the Continental Coupe and cabriolet (now bearing appropriate badges), and the 138 inch wheelbase Series 168H Custom sedan and limousine.

The Zephyr had unibody construction and a 292 cubic-inch 12-cylinder engine that produced 120 horsepower. The four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes provided adequate stopping. In 1941 several styling changes were introduced that included minor changes to bumpers, grilles, and headlamp rims. The parking lights now were on top of the front fenders, where they doubled as turn signals and the hood release was moved from the hood ornament to inside the cabin.

There were minor suspension modifications, including longer, wider springs that gave slower ride motions. Convertibles acquired electrically powered top mechanisms, and a new deluxe radio with a foot switch for changing stations became available at extra cost.

Another new option was Borg-Warner overdrive, an alternative to the two-speed Columbia rear axle offering since 1936. Total production in 1941 was 14,469 cars of all body types. Only 972 were 3 passenger coupes. The Zephyr stayed in production until 1942.

Convertible Club Coupe

One of the tacit obligations of any collector or restorer is preservation - keeping automotive treasures of bygone eras in showroom-new condition, not only for their own enjoyment but for future generations as well.

Some collectors take their responsibilities a step further; for example - this 1941 Zephyr convertible. The current owner found the Lincoln in Cleveland, Ohio, and bought it. The purchase was more than an acquisition; it was also a rescue, because that previous owner intended to use the Zephyr as the starting point for a street rod. Instead, the current owner performed a thorough restoration that included an engine rebuild, Plympton Gray paint (an authentic 1941 factory color), a new top, and the custom dashboard gold-plating that had been specified by the car's original owner.

Convertibles were relatively rare in Zephyr production. Of the 20,094 Zephyrs that left the factory during the 1941 model year, just 725 had soft tops. The Zephyr's V12 engine was expanded from 267.3 to 292 cubic-inches in 1940, increasing output from 110 to 120 horsepower. But this was still the car's weak point. Essentially a 12-cylinder version of Ford's famous flathead V8, the bigger engine was prone to a variety of maladies, particularly overheating.

Nevertheless, the flathead V12 persisted even after WWII, propelling not only the Zephyr but the original Continental. The V12, Zephyr, and Continental all went out production at the end of the 1948 model year.

Coupe
Chassis number: H120055

This Lincoln Zephyr was delivered on February 5th of 1941 and came complete with gold-plated hardware, painted wood-grained instrument panel, and shadow-striped broadcloth wool upholstery. By 1951, it was acquired by Harold Girton. By 1976, it sat in a brickyard in Gering, Nebraska, seemingly abandoned. There, it was acquired by Bill Fobair and an extensive, fully documented frame-up restoration began. In 2012, it was acquired by its current caretaker, who added a fresh coat of black paint, new tires, and upholstery.

by Dan Vaughan

Ambulance

This Lincoln began its interesting life as a four-door, 7-passenger limousine. Converted to an ambulance, it saw duty in California during the 1940's and 1950's. Lincoln Zephyrs were available with custom bodies and interiors, making them easily adaptable for specialized tasks. Retired from active duty, this ambulance appeared in several motion pictures. Only 295 limo-bodied Lincoln Zephyrs were built in 1941; this may be the only surviving ambulance.

by AACA Museum

5-Passenger Coupe
Chassis number: H122174

This 1941 Lincoln Zephyr is one of 178 examples to receive five-passenger Coupe coachwork. It is powered by an original, rebuilt 292 cubic-inch engine paired with a three-speed transmission, and upgraded with an 8-volt electric system. It was given a body-on restoration in 2015 and finished with a Volanta Coach Maroon exterior and a properly restored interior finished in Maroon and Gray striped cloth material with matching headliner and door panels. It has a wooden dashboard and window surround trim. The steel wheels with full Lincoln moon wheel covers are wrapped with wide whitewall tires.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Club Coupe
Chassis number: H112808

The Lincoln Zephyr was designed by Lincoln's lead designer John Tjaarda. The streamlined body was lightweight and elegant. It had a unibody construction and a 292 cubic-inch 12-cylinder engine that produced 120 horsepower. The four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes provided adequate stopping. In 1941 the 2-door convertible coupe with seating for six sold for $1800 with a total of 725 examples being produced. The black 1941 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Convertible Club Coupe shown with a black exterior and burgundy leather interior was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction where it was expected to fetch between $65,000-$75,000. It has a tan Haartz cloth top and a Haartz cloth black boot cover. There are fender skirts and a rear-mounted spare. At the conclusion of the auction the vehicle was left unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1936 Lincoln introduced the Zephyr, named and styled after the streamlined Burlington Zephyr express train. The train was an aerodynamic diesel-powered streamliner that brought an end to the steam-engined trains and set many new speed-records. The Zephyr stayed in production until 1942 when it was discontinued to make way for the new Mercury line which was in a similar market segment. Since the Mercury's were derived from a Ford running gear and chassis they were cheaper to produce, Lincoln decided to cancel the Zephyr after only six years of production.

The styling was courteous of the Dutch-Born designer John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Corporation, however, prior to production Ford's stylist Bob Gregorie restyled the front end. Under the hood was a Ford-derived V-12 that produced 110 horsepower, not enough to do justice to the Zephyr name and what it represented, but a modest amount to carry the vehicle where it was tasked to travel.

In 1936 around 15000 Zephyrs were constructed, nearly 80% of all Lincolns sold. Nearly 1500 were given coupe/sedan body-styles which were a two-door sedan configuration built on a chassis that could have accommodated four-doors.

In the year 2005, Lincoln reintroduced the Zephyr. To help create excitement at auto shows, Lincoln purchased a 1936 Zephyr serial number H-5739, to tour with the modern Lincoln Zephyr.

Due to the onset of World War II, Lincoln switched to war-related production. Production resumed in 1946 and continued until 1948.

by Dan Vaughan