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QUAIL LODGE AUCTION
19 Aug 2016, starting at 11:00 PDT.
1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR COUPE
US$ 125,000 - 175,000
£96,000 - 130,000
Lot 63
1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR COUPE
US$ 125,000 - 175,000
£96,000 - 130,000
£96,000 - 130,000
1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR COUPE
Chassis no. H66822
267.3ci Flathead V-12 Engine
Single 2-Barrel Carburetor
110bhp at 3,900rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission with Columbia Two-Speed Axle
Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Legendary styling by E.T. "Bob" Gregorie
*Rare, unmodified example
*Fresh paintwork
*The most desirable year for a Zephyr coupe
THE LINCOLN ZEPHYR
Introduced in late 1935 as a 1936 model, the new car was an immediate sensation. Catering to the moderately affluent buyer who might also consider a Packard 120, Chrysler Imperial 8, or perhaps a new Cadillac 60, the original Lincoln-Zephyr stood out among competitors with combined aerodynamic efficiency of a futuristically streamlined styling, consisting of an early form of unit body construction that reduced weight while enhancing rigidity. A style leader from the beginning, the original Zephyr featured a tall, prow-like grille for its first two years. A new face appeared on the 1938 Zephyr, featuring a low-mounted, horizontal grille that would have a tremendous influence on automotive designers everywhere—by 1940 many American cars were frankly copying the late '30s Zephyr frontal ensemble.
Inside the stylish design aesthetic continued with a central console erupting from the floor and a large, multi-gauge cluster acting as an orb-like cornice. Within the large, Art Deco scripted roundel was the speedometer as well as gauges for temperature, fuel, oil, and battery. A smaller clock sat below.
Power came from the trusty 110-hp L-head V-12 that had appeared in various iterations since 1935. Funneling the horsepower reward was the rugged Zephyr 3-speed manual transmission (which would become a legend among hot rodders of a later generation) that shift by way of a standard level that bent around central gauge cluster. An optional two speed Columbia axle was available to improve highway performance.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Of the six body styles offered in the 1939 Zephyr lineup, there is little doubt the three-window coupe is among the best looking. Penned by E.T. "Bob" Gregorie, the coupe's long, low figure looked like it just went on for days. Looked at in profile, the car appeared to be moving at 100mph, even when parked.
The car offered here is a rare example that has remained in its stock trim. The handsome and sturdy monocoque body and chassis that was engineered by Briggs Manufacturing Company's John Tjaarda was not just pretty, but also very strong. Many of these elegant coupes found themselves chopped and channeled, but this example nothing of the sort.
Freshly refinished in a complimentary deep red over tan broadcloth, the car shines brilliantly but tastefully. The focal point of the interior surely is the art deco dashboard rising out of the floor, and being a 1939 model year, this Zephyr still features the preferred floor shifter. The engine compartment is nicely detailed and authentic. Overall, one cannot argue that this coupe is a striking example, owed to its masterful 1930s-era design.
A true icon of streamlined 1930s styling, these Zephyr coupes have become more and more coveted over the years. When parked next to other cars from the era, this Lincoln looks so futuristic, that it appears to have been beamed down from another world!
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