Lincoln Zephyr Coupe'1938-1939

The name “zephyr”, derived from the Greek word “zephyrus”, or the god of the west wind.

In fact, the Lincoln Zephyr actually had a lower coefficient of drag than the Chrysler Airflow. Moreover The Lincoln Zephyr succeeded in reigniting sales at Lincoln dealerships. Production of all American cars halted in 1942 as the country entered World War II, with Lincoln producing the last Lincoln Zephyr on February 10.

To make it clear, Lincoln Zephyr was produced since 1936 till 1942 with reborn try in 2005. But i choose ’38-39 model years because it’s outstanding airflow streamlined aerodynamic design and uniquenes.

Zephyr other years line-up (ALL except 38-39 Coupe)

1936 Lincoln Zephyr 2-door Sedan (900-903) 1814 made_ — 1936 Lincoln Zephyr 2-door Sedan (900-903) 1814 made

1936 Lincoln Zephyr 4-door Sedan (900-902) 12272 made

1938 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Coupe (86H-760(B)) 600 made

1938 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Sedan (86H-740) 461 made

1939 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Coupe (96H-76) 640 made

1939 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Sedan (96H-74) 302 made

1939 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Mark I Prototype '1939 — 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Mark I Prototype ‘1939

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Club Coupe (06H-77) 3500 made

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Cabriolet (06H-56) 350 made

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Continental Club Coupe (06H-57) 54 made_

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Coupe (06H-76) 700 made

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe (06H-72A) ~1256 made

1940 Lincoln Zephyr Sedan (06H-73) 15764 made

1941 Lincoln Zephyr Club Coupe (16H-77) 3750 made

1941 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible Coupe (16H-76) 725 made

1941 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe (16H-72A 72B) 1150 made

1941 Lincoln Zephyr Sedan (16H-73) 14469 made

1942 Lincoln Zephyr Sedan (26H-73) 4418 made

Design of Zephyr

The car was conceived by Edsel Ford and designed by Eugene Turenne Gregorie. Gregorie had a design concept based on the 1934 Pioneer Zephyr streamliner train, also referred to as the Burlington Zephyr.

The 1936 Lincoln-Zephyr car was called “the first successfully streamlined car in America” by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Hovewer, E.T.Gregorie’s design was not 100% belonged to him. It was somehow based on Johan “Jan” Tjaarda’s design of “Briggs Dream Car” 1933.

Underhood of Zephyr

The Zephyr’s V-12 engine was unique in its class, with the another americans having a V8 and the Chrysler and Packard straight 8s.The Zephyr was powered by a small 75° V12 engine developed from Ford’s Flathead V8 and unrelated to the larger K-series Lincoln V12 engines. The valve-in-block flathead engine was quite compact, allowing a low hood. But like the V8 Fords of the era, the Zephyr V12 often suffered from hot spots due to exhaust passages through the cylinder block. In addition, the earliest Zephyrs suffered from poor oil pressure, resulting in upgrades to the oil pump.

Suspension was Henry Ford-era transverse springs front and rear, with dead axle front and torque tube rear, already quite outdated when the car was introduced. Brakes were cable-activated for 1936 to 1938; 1939 and onwards were hydraulic. The Zephyr was the first Ford product to have an all-steel roof, except the late 1931 Model AA truck.

Wheelbase: 3,099–3,175 mm)
Length: 5,144–5,334 mm
Width: 1860 mm
Height: 1,753 mm