1942 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet and Club Coupe V-12 Duo


For sale is a pair of 1942 Lincoln Continentals. If you know cars, you know they are two of the rarest American cars that anyone can own.  Both of these 1942 Lincolns were purchased from the Estate of Billionaire Michael Dingman.  An interesting fact is that I had the pleasure of placing both of these spectacular historical vehicles into his personal collection. I’ve known Michael Dingman for many years and what a car guy he was. Michael Dingman was the Director of Ford Motor Company for 21 years and was known around the world as one of the most important car collectors of our time.

The Cabriolet came out of a prestigious car collection in San Diego, California. A few years after that the Coupe came out of a different car collection.  I had the 1942 Lincoln Cabriolet listed for sale and was contacted by good friend Michael Dingman to purchase the car.  When he received the car from all the way across the country he called me and had a lengthy talk about how special the car was. He told me that this is one of the most important cars you could ever own and how honored he was to have it in his Private Collection.  Mr. Dingman also mentioned how well he thought it drove.   Years later I located the matching 1942 Lincoln Continental which happen to be a Club Coupe.  I made a direct call to Mr. Dingman and mentioned that I found the Club Coupe that was the same color as the 1942 Cabriolet I got him years earlier.  Mr. Dingman said he had to have it.  When I emailed him the photos of the car his exact email reply was, “Thanks so much for remembering me, as it will go right next to its best friends for 75 years! Thanks for your friendship! Best Mike”. 

Mr. Dingman enjoyed owning both of these cars up until his passing.  I did not physically attend the sale of these two cars in person because I already knew both cars so well. I phoned in to make the purchase.  When I received both cars back to San Diego, California I was blown away by the amazing work Michael had done to both cars.  Every car that he took into his collection became family to him.  He had work done to both of these cars to get them both to Mr. Dingman’s standards.  All the work was done by Bayberry Vintage Autos in Hampton, NH and they did a fabulous job.  If you live in that area I would highly recommend them. 

Today is a very rare opportunity for someone to purchase these two cars as a pair.  Not only will you need the funds to purchase these cars, you must have the passion to own them together. We will be selective as to where they go next.  Due to the significance of the pair we hope that they go to a museum, collection of some sort or an individual/group who is passionate about owning extremely rare cars. If you are interested in purchasing this duo, please give me a call to discuss. ​

1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe
Originally owned by operatic soprano Grace Moore
Restored by Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club Founder John MacAdams
One of ONLY 200 Examples Ever Produced

Body Style: 2dr Club Coupe
Engine: Roush Built V-12
Chassis No: H135028
Body No: 26H57-169
Exterior Color: Maroon
Interior Color: Red Leather Upholstery
Transmission: 3-Speed Manual


History of the 1942 Lincoln Continental Coupe:
If E.T. “Bob” Gregorie gave life to the Lincoln Continental, surely Edsel Ford was its godfather (and the Lincoln-Zephyr its mother). The Zephyr, which had its roots in John Tjaarda’s “Sterkenberg” studies of the late 1920s, became the savior of Lincoln at its 1935 introduction, a time when the big Model Ks were selling barely 2,000 cars a year. A semi-unitary sedan or coupe, the Zephyr used a small V-12, at 267 cu. in., hardly half the size of the K’s engine and, more importantly, sold for a third its price. Lincoln sales promptly rose by a factor of six.

Returning from Europe in 1938, Edsel sketched for Gregorie a concept that he wished to build on a Ford chassis. Gregorie did detailed drawings based on a Zephyr convertible instead, and the result was the Continental. The hood and fenders were extended about a foot, and the car sectioned horizontally by four inches. The bustle back and outside “Continental” tire were the finishing touches. The car was built, and Edsel took it to Florida that winter. Legend says that his friends were so taken with the car that 200 of them placed orders.


About this Coupe:
This 1942 Lincoln Continental club coupe, one of just 200, was purchased from Michael Dingman. Michael Dingman was the Director of Ford Motor Company for 21 years.  He was one of the most important car collectors in the history of time. Michael Dingman purchased the car from novelist Lucette Walters of California and Hawaii in April 2017. The build record in the Benson Ford Research Center shows that it was assembled on 24 December 1941 and shipped to Edgewater, New Jersey, across the Hudson from New York City, on 8 January 1942. Its first owner was renowned operatic soprano and musical theater star Grace Moore. She kept the car for several years. On 26 January 1947, she perished in a plane crash in Denmark, at age 48. Some years after her death, the car was purchased by John D. MacAdams, a founder of the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club.

MacAdams undertook a three-year restoration in the 1960s. It had a couple of owners in the 1970s and ’80s, one of whom was Terry Johnson at the same time he owned the companion cabriolet. Johnson sold it to John Spencer Bradley in 1984; Mr. Bradley lent the car for extended display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in 1997. It remained there until 2006, when it was sold to Ms. Walters.

Still wearing its MacAdams restoration, it has been carefully preserved and regularly serviced. Upon arriving at the Dingman Collection, it was freshened and detailed by Bayberry Vintage Auto, including the installation of a Roush-built V-12. The build record confirms that the current Victoria Coach Maroon is correct for the car, as is the red leather upholstery. The driver’s seat, however, shows some wear from use. The paint has endured very well and exhibits a deep shine. The build record shows that the Borg-Warner overdrive and radio with vacuum-operated power antenna were factory items. The current hot-air heater was a later addition.

One of the most interesting features is an enigma. The glove box door has an emblem for the Liquamatic transmission. This was an option on 1942 Lincolns and Mercurys, somewhat like Chrysler’s Vacamatic Fluid Drive. Units had immediate problems, and all were apparently replaced. This car’s build record, however, does not note the Liquamatic option; in fact it was shipped before the first Liquamatic cars were built. John MacAdams reports that the emblem was on the car when he got it, apparently a memento of what might have been.

Options: Gold-plated dash trim and other fittings. Vacuum operated power windows (work effortlessly). Signal-seeking radio. Vacuum Antenna. Bakelite steering wheel and control knobs. Door pushes (one push opens the doors) Hot-air heater. Clock. Borg-Warner overdrive. Coil and leaf sprung suspension. Four-wheel drum brakes. Side mirrors. Whitewall tires with trim rings. Externally mounted covered spare tire. Art-deco hood ornament (only on the 1942 model). 

 
Owners of this 1942 Lincoln Continental:
Michael Dingman: Director of Ford Motor Company for 21 years (Hampton, New Hampshire)
Lucette Walters: World Renowned Novelist (California and Hawaii)
Petersen Automotive Museum (Displayed from 1997-2006)
John Spencer Bradley
Terry Johnson (Colorado)
John MacAdams: Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club Founder)
Grace Moore: Actress and Operatic Soprano Star


Asking Price: $ Contact for Price
All offers will be considered 
Ready for immediate worldwide delivery


Please contact (+1) 619-777-3659 for more information 
 

1942 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet V-12 
One of ONLY 136 Examples Produced
Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Senior Fist Prize Winner

Body Style: 2dr Cabriolet
Engine: 130hp 292 cu. in. side valve 12-cylinder engine
Chassis No: H132054
Body No: 26H56-49
Exterior Color: Victoria Coach Maroon
Interior Color: Red Leather Upholstery
Transmission: 3-Speed Manual Transmission (3 on the tree)


History of the 1942 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet:
The first Lincoln Continental was rushed to completion by Bob Gregorie, head of Ford’s Design Department, as a one-off for Edsel Ford.  Among the shortcuts taken in order for it to be ready in time for his upcoming vacation was the elimination of almost all exterior brightwork.  Thus, the elegant, unembellished styling that has become one of the Continental’s hallmarks was, at least in part, a serendipitous maneuver. 

The Continental was highly praised by Edsel’s Florida circle and the decision was made to put it into production in 1940.  In fact, its design was so well received the Museum of Modern Art selected the Continental as one of eight automotive works of art.  A tribute to its quality, Edsel Ford’s taste, and talents of Bob Gregorie’s design department, it continued to be built through the 1948 model year. 

By 1941, the big Model K Lincoln was gone; the Lincoln-Zephyr was the Lincoln. A Custom limousine was its flagship and the sylphlike Continental its siren. E.T. “Bob” Gregorie’s yacht-like lines evoked smooth sailing on the seas. But the times, they were a’changin’. General Motors’ new bodies that year were making the fashion statements, and Ford chose to answer.

For 1942, the modernist style dictated a more massive front end, more like Cadillac’s, so the fenders were bulked up and the nose was given a wide horizontal grille with sophisticated thin chrome bars. The nose and fenders aside, the Continental kept its original distinctive features, most importantly the exposed spare tire, to which the model would give its name as other automakers and aftermarket vendors offered accessory imitations.

Many consider the 1942 Continental as the prettiest of the second-generation of cars.  The 1942 is an excellent example of the elegant simplicity that engaged America in the earlier and simpler time.

 
About this Cabriolet:
A highly reliable driver and is a delight to drive with the top up or down. A high watermark example of one of the rarest American cars every made in History. This Lincoln Continental is one of the most sought after authentic classic cars in the world. One of ONLY 136 Examples Produced. CCCA National Senior Fist Prize Winner, medallion 513, for then-owner Mr. Alagna in 1971.

Options: Gold-plated dash trim and other fittings. Vacuum operated power windows (work effortlessly). Power Hydraulic Top (functions perfectly). Signal-seeking radio (is in operating condition). Electric power antenna. Bakelite steering wheel and control knobs. Door pushes (one push opens the doors) Hot-air heater. Clock. Borg-Warner overdrive. Coil and leaf sprung suspension. Four-wheel drum brakes. Side mirrors. Whitewall tires with trim rings. Externally mounted covered spare tire. Art-deco hood ornament (only on the 1942 model). 

Owners of this 1942 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet:
Michael Dingman: Director of Ford Motor Company for 21 years (Hampton, New Hampshire)
Rexford and Julie Ryan: Car Collectors (San Diego, CA)
Terry Johnson and Roger Willbanks (Colorado)
David Clark (Nevada)
Michael Alagna (New York)