The first Lincoln Continental was developed initially as Edsel Ford's one-off personal vehicle, though it's believed he planned all along to put the model into production if it was successful. He commissioned a custom design from the chief stylist, Bob Gregorie, in 1938, ready for his March 1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour by Gregorie working from the Lincoln Zephyr blueprints and making changes, was an elegant convertible with a long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders, and a short trunk with what became the Continental series' trademark, the externally-mounted covered spare tire.
   The car could be considered a channelled and sectioned Zephyr that didn't even have the bulge that in the Zephyr (and in some other cars) replaced the running-board at the bottom of the doors. This decrease in height meant that the height of the hood was much closer to that of the fenders. There was hardly any trim on it at all, making its lines superb. This car is often rated as one of the most beautiful in the world.
   The custom car for the boss was duly produced on time, and Edsel Ford had it delivered to Florida for his spring vacation. Interest from well-off friends was high, and Edsel Ford sent a telegram back that he could sell a thousand of them. Lincoln craftsmen immediately began making production examples, both convertible and sedan. They were extensively hand-built; the two dozen 1939 models and 400 1940-built examples even had hand-hammered body panels, since dies for machine-pressing were not constructed until 1941.
   After the attack on Pearl Harbor Continental production was suspended, to be re-started in 1946 until 1948. Like the other post-war Lincolns, however, the Continental had similar bits of trim added to make it look improved. The 1939-1948 Continental is recognised as a Full Classic by the Classic Car Club of America, one of the last-built cars to be so recognised.
More ...