The Lincoln Continental of the 1940s was a popular luxury automobile. The car debuted in 1940. Production was halted in 1942 after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Production resumed in 1946, and the car was produced until 2020. However, the establishment of a market in the 1940s was very important. The car can be credited with developing the luxury car market.
The car was developed in 1939 as the personal car for Lincoln President Edsel Ford. Ford wanted to revive the popularity of the 1929–1932 Lincoln Victoria coupe and convertible but with a more modern approach, reflecting European styling influences for the 1940s Lincoln Continental. Did you think a car that was so expensive would be so popular?
1940s Lincoln Continental
The 1940s Lincoln Continental, like a lot of automobiles in that decade, had its debut interrupted by World War II. The car debuted in 1940 as an update of the Lincoln Zephyr, but its production was soon disrupted. It is noteworthy that this car was first produced fro the President of the company, Edsel Ford. The car had a hiatus imposed upon it by the start of World War II. Production was halted in 1942, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
The car resumed production in 1946, taking full advantage of the postwar skyrocketing demand for automobiles and wealthier Americans who were looking to spend their excess income. The car was roomy and powerful. It had a 125-inch wheelbase, and a length, width, and height: the length was 218.1 inches, the width was 77.8 inches, and the height was 63.1 inches in 1942. These measurements were all slightly bigger than the car in 1940. The car had a 292 cubic inch 12-valve engine.
In 1942, the car got a bit more square. The fenders literally were square. The grille was revised, and there were push-button door releases. The result was a boxier and less elegant car. Production was soon halted due to World War II. Production was restarted in 1946. To attract buyers, the design was refreshed with updated trim, distinguished by a new grille. For 1947, walnut wood trim was added to the interior.
Edsel Ford died in 1943, and the internal structure of the company was changed. The designer of the 1940s Lincoln Continental left the company. His name was Bob Gregorie. In 1948. 1949 would be the last year for the Lincoln Continental. So, this truly was a car of the 1940s.
The 1940s Lincoln Continental left its mark on America. The car is recognized as a “Full Classic” by the Classic Car Club of America. As of 2015, the 1948 Lincoln Continental was the last car produced and sold by a major U.S. automaker with a V12 engine. The base retail price for the coupe was listed at $2,727 (equivalent to $59,700 in 2025).
The 1940s Lincoln Continental soon came back and was produced until 2022. Production numbers are not available for the automobile in the 1940s; however, sales in the 1950s were about 12,000. It is safe to assume that about 10,000 cars were sold in this country after World War II. Production grew from there as the car came to symbolize the comsuption that marked the society.
Conclusion
There were some dramatic changes in America following World War II. Americans were wealthier and wanted to spend their excess wealth on automobiles. This large and powerful luxury car catered to this demand for this car. In the next decade, the country would have an interstate system that was perfect for taking a cruise in this car or going on vacation (something American families were doing after the Second World War.
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