Car quest

[dhermann1]

I thought some FLers would find this interesting. My girlfriend's dad has a 1946 Lincoln in his garage that we believe has an interesting history. It's a blue 4 door Zephyr. But he tells me that it's really a Zephyr body on a Continental chassis. It was built for "a Ford Family wedding", and they used the Zephyr body so the dudes with the top hats could fit in. The car's engine block (the V-12 big brother of the old Ford V-8) may be cracked. The interior is is remarkably good shape, but it definitely looks like a car that's been a garage for 30 plus years. I decided to do some Googling, and found out that William Clay Ford, brother of Henry Ford II (grandson of founder Henry Ford) married Martha Parke Firestone in 1947, and it was a BIG society wedding. Their son, William Clay Ford Jr is now Chairman and CEO of Ford Otor Co. I emailed the aford corporate website to see if they have any info or interest. Stay tuned!
Update: I just submitted this to History Detectives on PBS (FLers favorite show), so we'll see!
Stay tuned!

 

[Flivver]

What an interesting vehicle! The Ford family often did customized versions of production vehicles for their personal use.

But, I'm confused about the "Zephyr body on a Continental chassis" part. I believe that the '46 Zephyr and Continental shared an*identical* chassis. The only difference was the bodies, with those on the Continental being "chopped and channelled" as well as having unique body designs compared to the Zephyr coupe and convertible.

Does this car have a chopped and channelled Zephyr 4-door body? Or is it the stock "tall" Zephyr body? I guess what I'm asking is how does this car actually differ from a stock '46 Zephyr 4-door.

 

[scotrace]

Wherezapitchers?

 

[Fletch]

William Clay Ford, brother of Henry Ford II (grandson of founder Henry Ford) married Martha Parke Firestone

So I'm guessing "what brand of tires are on this car?" is pretty much a gimme.

d, it'd be totally freaktabulous if you can get it on the HD show! Good luck.

 

[dhermann1]

This is why I brought it up here. I don't know a chassis from Lassie, this is just what the owner told me. I'll try to get pix, but the car is sort of jammed in the garage with stuff piled on it. Since the car was bought by the present owner ten years after it was built, it's not likely it still has Firestones, but I'll check.
He loves that old car, and is debating whether to have it restored. I've told him that if he wants to put $15,000 into it, he'll have a nice $10,000 car. Or if he puts $30,000 into it, he'll have a nice $20,000 car. That's the problem with restoration, unless it's a particularly historic vehicle and a really super restoration.
BTW, Fletch, did you ever make it to the Bastille Day party on Smith St?

 

[Twitch]

And if this guy is simply going to let it rot a while longer till he gets the interest to start the project he should sell it to someone who will work on it.

And unfortunately, unless it truly is some one-off creation, the 1946 Lincoln 4-dr is worth $16,000 in #1 condition and $11,500 in # 2.
#1 Excellent: A close to perfect original or a very well restored vehicle. Generally a body-off restoration, but a well done body-on restoration that has been fully detailed may qualify. The vehicle is stunning to look at and any flaws are trivial and not readily apparent. Everything works as new. All equipment is original, NOS, or excellent quality reproductions.
#2 Very Good: An extremely presentable vehicle showing minimal wear, or a well restored vehicle. Runs and drives smooth and tight. Needs no mechanical or cosmetic work. All areas (chassis not required) have been fully detailed. Beautiful to look at but clearly below a #1 vehicle.

A #1 convertible is worth $34,000

The Continental convertible in #1 condition is $44,000 and the 2 dr sedan is $23,300.

I can tell you for sure that chroming of parts alone will run from $3-5,000. Interior probably $3,000. IF the block isn't crack or could be repaired a rebuild will run about $6-8,000. Paint- A driver's quality job is about $2500-3,000 and a really superb one will be $6-8,000. Other mechanical stuff ????

So unless it's some one of a kind prototype It simply isn't worth the investment unless you're real young and can watch it appreciate for anoother 25 years.

Here's one that sold for a real reasonable price http://www.chooseyouritem.com/classics/files/74000/74051.html

 

[dhermann1]

Twitch: I'd say you're very much on the money. I think the example you show is on the mark, except that it's a coupe, which would probably make it slightly more desirable that a 4 door sedan. He's 82 now, and tho he's still going VERY strong, he's said that it would probably take at least 2 to 3 years to do a proper restoration. So he's not sure if he'd ever get to drive it (tho he roars around the countryside in his old 92 Caddy like there's no tomorow.)
Would you agree with me about cost vs value derived?

 

[Twitch]

These days you'd be investing pretty much equal to or more than the vehicle is worth. I couldn't see someone getting away under $20,000 but more like 30. A full scale body off restroration would be on the order of 50 grand to put it in showroom condition.

This doesn't mean people don't put more money into vehicles in restoring them than they're worth. They do it all the time for nostalgic reasons that conflict with investment sense. The question is would you/ could you do it?

Unless one can do most of the work themselves they are better off finding an example of a car they are interested in in as good as shape as possible with little or nothing needed.

I've seen people put $30,000 into car not worth over 20. It's their money. I wouldn't do it but.....[huh]

 

[Fletch]

This doesn't mean people don't put more money into vehicles in restoring them than they're worth. They do it all the time for nostalgic reasons that conflict with investment sense.

You're leaving out the possibility that someone might just like the car. Nope, they had to have been around then.

 

[Twitch]

People become irrational when it comes to cars. A car that has been in a family for several decades that has no particular collector value sometimes is completely refurbished by later generations at a cost equal to or greater than its market value.

There are a lot of people with big money around these days as evidenced in Jackson Barrett auctions where the average car goes for $75,000 and up. If one of those guys decided he wanted a certain car and couldn't find a nice example he'd have no qualms of having one restored and cost be damned.

 

[Tomasso]

If one of those guys decided he wanted a certain car and couldn't find a nice example he'd have no qualms of having one restored and cost be damned.

Yep, and they invariably take a huge hit when they eventually offer it at auction.