I have a 41 Zephyr 3W at a local builder (Norm at Vintage Metal in Yucaipa) that's in pretty sad shape. See photos: First, does anyone know the proper wheelbase for this car? Right now the makshift floorpan is pretty much holding the body off the frame and not straight either. The body needs to come off the frame so the frame and body can be ***esed as needed. I plan to make a large wooden dolly to hold the body. Then reposition it correctly and fix the frame. Currently it has a Camero front clip which is in unknown condition. There is a LOT of cancer in the body to cure. Fortunately I have purchased a great deal of the bold/weld-on body parts, see photos, but still much to fabricate and repair. I have a PRIMO hood, decklid, both doors, all fenders, skirts, complete nose and tail pan and dash ready to install. The rot of course is all in the bottom 3 inches in the body. Does that change anyones opinion? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I probably can't afford all the parts to make it a stock Zephyr but maybe in time. Currently the plan is a custom. I bought the car on the advice of a HAMBer from another HAMBer but I suspect (hope) neither knew the extent of the bad condition. Is a floor pan available reasonably for this car? Is a ch***is interchangeable from another car? Is suspension parts interchangeable? Maybe I can find a junker and just swap? I have purchase the majority of parts form Merv Adkins but I really need more affordable parts. Please help if you can. Thanks
Considering the condition of the car, your options are wide open. You certainly don't need to keep anything in the undercarriage original. Don't bother looking for floorpans - build your floor from sheet metal. You can do this with basic tools and a welder. A cheap bead roller would help, though. The Lincolns were semi-unibody cars, so the frame by itself is not that strong. You could keep the original frame (if its not too butchered), add some structure and new front and rear suspensions. Fatman makes a good front end kit. Your best bet might be a completely different ch***is, either fabricated or from a donor vehicle. Maybe consider S10 for a low buck option. The high end option would be something like the scratch built air ride ch***is beuilt by a fellow Hamber for his Zephyr. I would highly recommend searching the Hamb for his thread (it has some great pics) and probably of few other good ones too.
I may be able to supply a frame, I think the earlier ones are similar. I'm near you. PM for info. Dave
Hey, I don't see anything that would make me cut and run from this project, you must have known about rust repair, prior to purchase, no? Before you remove the body from the frame, be sure to brace the snot outa the cowl,A-post, B-post and trunk areas, just as if you were going to chop or section it. A well rotted body, can get big ***ted floppy, once removed from the frame. Plan on building your own floor, and don't be supprised if some, if not all ,of your patch panels are found to be "less than wonderfull"! Great choice of material, for a kustom. S****ey Devils C.c. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
There have been a lot of people suggesting an S10 Ch***is. Does anyone known anyone whose done this on a Z? The idea of having a running car with my Z body on it sounds interesting. Anyone know the wheelbase of the s10?
Maybe show some better pic's of your "Frame" Cus these Lincolns have NO removable frame.. They were UNI~BODY ! So if someone has cut the front of the UNI~BODY off & scabed in a Camaro clip you have more work than what appears. You would be better off BUILDING a new frame, Rather than Butcher even more with some ******** Frame swap.
1941 Lincoln Zephyr coupes are 125 in. wheelbase according to 2001 Encyclopedia of American Cars page 574.
The Zephyr is 125 inch wheelbase and all Zephyrs from 1936 to 1948 were unit-body construction. The body was welded to the frame and the body, from nose to tail is welded together. The cowl, dashboard & hood sides etc., form one piece from front to back. We have a '39 Zephyr Convertible Club Coupe that we are restoring close to original as, reportedly, there are only 16 or so in existence. You can check out the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club web site at www.lzoc.org for additional info, parts, etc.
Desoto and Vic got it right. no frame on these cars, they were unit construction. I've got a 38 3 window in worse condition. I plan to make an entirely new frame out of 2x3 box tubing and start from scratch.
Anybody telling you to use an S10 ch***is for your Zephyr has never put an S10 ch***is under one. you can do any modifaction to your Zephyr ch***is that you would want to do with an aftermarket one anyways. I'm in the process of taking my 37 off it's original frame for mods and then putting it back on like any car/frame combo. Fatman kits are great and easy to use but you're chopping off the whole front of your original frame. Heidts and others make a Mustang II Crossmemeber for early Fords that can easily be fit to your frame. Tim from Tims Hot Rods did this to the Lincoln that sold for 400k. Bags on all fours and a four llink in the rear and you're on your way. The only reason to consider an aftermarket frame would be for 450 hp and up. Besides I imagine you can do many other things with the 5 to 12 grand another done up frame would cost you. Best of luck and remember opinions are like ***holes. Everbody's got one.
First off, How are you getting the body off said frame on your Lincoln ? They are welded together from the factory.. I had worked on a '39 my buddy was doing at his shop, Shortened a 4dr into a Chopped 2dr and there is No Way to seperate then from each other with out Major Surgury & the possibility of ruining the car. I really dont think you could ever mate them back together correctally. As for 5~12 grand for building a frame... I guess that means you dont do anywork yourself ? Like you say, Opinions ARE like ***holes.. Everyones got one .. But some STINK more than others
Damn you're sharp! Yes they are welded together. Yes is does take major surgery to get it off the frame and yes I do do my own work. Thats my whole point. why not fix whats there and use the Frame rather than spend the money on an aftermarkt deal. Sure he could build a 2 x 3 perimeter ch***is but don't take it personally, I think if he had the skills to do so he never would have started this thread. As for 5 to 12k thats what an Art Morrison would set you back. How do I know, been there done that! As for never mating the two back together, that doesn't even deserve a response. I never would have started the project if I couldn't do it the way I wanted it done. So to my man who started this thread all I can say is there are many ways to get your Zephyr where you want it. Yes you will spend big $$$ regardless of which direction you go but never let anyone tell you something can't be done.
I have done this all with my 37: Separated the body from the frame. Added IFS and IRS to the stock frame Scratch built a new floor. I have photos of it all on Webshots. Take a look: http://rides.webshots.com/album/274538179oNPsVf
Not to get off subject here but who did the lettering on your speedo HenryJ. It looks great! P.S. Can I have my rear fenders back?? I actually found a nice pair of 39's to do the job but your car looks great and it's an inspiration for anyone doing a major build.
OK, now I am completely and utterly confused. I think I have received about every response possible, and thank you all for your input. The frame under my car (although I don't yet have pictures) appears to me to be complete. A camero front clip has been scabbed on, how well I do not know. My builder insists the body and frame have previously been separated. He points out the gaps between the door and B pillars and the misalignment seen in trunk area. I don't know **** so I am trusting what I am told. I WILL attempt to get photos this weekend. Obviously I'd rather use the frame and front end if I can. No, I don't know ****. No, I don't have 10-15K for a new frame or a new anything. My hope is that we find a way to close those door gaps or a reason for them being there that we can fix without cutting the body off. I guess I'll know soon enough.
Just one last thought. If you've got a Camero clip on there now then a FatMan Fab Mustang II set up would be perfect for you. If your car has been off the ch***is before then you are miles ahead of the game. The rest of your Zephyr frame will do fine for you if it's straight. Your car is far better than what I started with and it could be a bad *** ride with a little time and care. On a last note, never let someone else tell you you can't do something. People will tell you what you can and cannot do based on their experience. Just plan it out and take your time. Later!
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