If you remember our fairly recent coverage from the Vicari Auctions, then you may also recall our brief synopsis of one of Lincoln’s most rare, personal luxury coupes, the V-12 Zephyr. The ’30s and early ’40s-era Zephyr was a marque that introduced several engineering and aerodynamic cornerstones for the Ford Motor Company, and since its brief life as a Lincoln nameplate, the Zephyr has become a hot collectors’ item among the hot rod community.
Formerly a collector out of the St. Louis area, the late George “Dutch” Fuchs had what has to be one of America’s last, V-12 Lincoln collections. Not much is known about Fuchs himself, but the vehicles from his car collection have been leaking-out over the past year.
The “Dutch” estate features a few Ford-Lincoln motoring rarities that have surfaced on eBay and have caught our eye. The first is a ’39 four-door Zephyr that’s not exactly mint, but with an original 12-banger intact, the obscure Lincoln could be a hot item for the Zephyr enthusiast who can appreciate the rich history behind the nameplate.
This ’39 Zephyr is a potential restoration project, but it’s not one that’s recommended for those who don’t have more extensive experience restoring classic cars. Bidding for the early Lincoln starts at $1,200, and it has been made clear that the interior will need some work upon arrival.
Fuchs’ ’41 Continental (above) is similar to the Zephyr in that it’s a bit of a “rust bucket” that will be needing a little tender love and care, but with an opening bid of $1,800, the early “Dutch” estate Continental may prove to be a piece of old Lincoln iron worth saving.
During the time that it was in George Fuchs’ possession, the ’41 Continental’s mill was replaced with a Cadillac motor, but if originality is what you’re after, then the Dutch estate’s ’47 Lincoln (below) with some 43,000 original miles on the clock may be the ride you seek. The car’s flathead V-12 is still intact, and bidding on the eBay auction blocks is starting at $2,800.
Original V-12 Lincolns are all the rage on the rodding scene, and if early Ford Motor Company rods are your cup of tea, then the rare specimens of the Dutch estate should be ones that more than suffice in fulfilling your old-school Ford hot rodding fancy!