Hey, As far as " Horsepower? Who gives a shit?" I'm bettin' the owner! He said he want's a "cruiser"! If I were building it, I'd be on the hunt for a twelve! I don't like "Street Rods", but can sure see how someone would want something that would keep up with modern traffic, stop and handle! Pre war Connies will always find good money "if " done well! Swankey Devils C.C. "Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Compassion!"
39 was the most beautiful (especially Edsel's personal car with it's longer nose), followed by the 40 and 41 production cars, with their delicate bumpers and grilles (Edsel's influence, no doubt), but the coupe versions always looked top heavy. The photoshop above is the right idea, but maybe a little less chop would be more. I love the contour and quarter window, and with most of them seeming to turn up painted in black or some shade of burgundy or silver, doing one in ice blue not unlike the photochop would be a knockout. On a budget? You could find you a late model Panther chassis (think Crown Vic cop car, although Mercury had a version, and so did Lincoln), and drop the Continental body on. And even though it's not PC on here, leaving the stock 4.6 SOHC motor, trans, rearend, and electronics would make for a wonderful driver (they get around 20 MPH all around for mileage) and great road car on the cheap. Always soup it up later with the addition of the four cam 5.4 out of a Navigator.
James D, john walker and Pimpin Paint all have it right. Please don't consign it to the indignity of worn out fad flat black.
ya'll are giving me alot to think about............ as far as I know this car hasn't seen a V12 since the 40's......I'm inclined to leave the flathead in it for now (maybe a 312 later?). I'd like to alter the stance a bit.......satin black wouldn't be permanent..... My wife, who's grandad bought and owned the car until he died, really likes the idea of chopping off the top to make a "vert".....she's been raised a car chick....lucky me .......still raising 3 youngins so money is still an "object" Thanks for the input so far........still thinking Jim S.
Damned cool car! Personally, I like the idea of whacking the top off. A carson-style removable top could be fabricated to give it a lower profile and smoother transition, and IMHO should be easier than chopping, replacing the original top. Whatever you end up doing, PLEASE don't put a Rat motor in it. How about a built 300 six?
Step away from the car put down the torch V-12's and other Continenetal stuff 4 sale here. http://forums.aaca.org/f199/4-lincoln-zephyr-convertibles-sale-261726.html
I had a 48' convertible. As I remember the big problem with the V12 was that the crankshaft would go into vibration due to a lack of diameter and proper journal design. Has that been resolved in the rebuilds?
sold the BBC today.....getting war funds together. Gonna go w/ the flathead for now....tweak the suspension.....work on getting the body looking decent (leave the top alone for NOW).......once I get it back on the road hopefully we'll have a better feel for what we really want (and what we have the stomach to do ) Thanks for all the input......I can't wait to get started Jim S.
After speaking today - looked at this post. I am quite sure rear fender skirts are way different 41 to 42-48 i'll take pictures of mine & post them tomorrow. I'll still check my contacts in Michigan. By the way, my 1948 Conti is a unibody design and seeing the weight differences posted 2900 Lb??? for a 41 and approx 3800 Lb for a 1948 (mine's title weight) I'm kind of confused. Most unibodies i thought were lighter than full frames. Your 1941 also looks more Zepher than a 1942-48 as far as hood-fenders and especially the Grille. I bought mine in 1998 with a running 1957 Caddy & it was really front end heavy but steered great. To many other problems made me pull the engine & it's now slated for a 390 FE & a 3 spd toploader. Initially thought about a 351W & a C6 but a 390 tripower looks better at this time. Movin/on
Ansen can drop your front axle: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253845 . Not listed but he can do it. If you swap out the front suspension the axle, spindles, wishbone, and brakes are desirable hot rod items. Rear brake backing plates as well.
fun talking w/ you last night....I appreciate the insight as you've been through much of the process already. I'm not convinced the weight # are correct for the 41.....mine's a uni body as well......still stewing on what motor to put in ..... Bib O, thanks for the link on the axle Jim S.
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