After the Lincoln Zephyr's successful launch, Edsel and his chief designer began work on a new Zephyr-based model. As legend has it, Edsel was on a tour of Paris in 1939 when he became enamored with the elegant sophistication of European cars. Upon his return to the United States, Edsel commissioned Lincoln design chief E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie to build a car for his personal use - one that would have a 'continental' style and be ready in time for him to drive it to Hobe Sound, Fla., during his 1939 winter vacation. The car created by Ford and Gregorie so impressed the social elite of Hobe Sound that Edsel returned to Michigan with nearly 200 orders in hand and the conviction to produce the car. The Continental is now considered as one of the best looking American cars ever built. In 1951 it was exhibited with just seven other cars in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Production stopped in 1942 as the US and the Lincoln factories concentrated on the second world war. The Continental had a second production run after the war with a slightly different front. Production finally ceased in 1948 and with the Continental production of the V12 engine stopped as well.
Article by Wouter Melissen, last updated before 12 / 01 / 2004
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After the Lincoln Zephyr's successful launch, Edsel and his chief designer began work on a new Zephyr-based model. As legend has it, Edsel was on a tour of Paris in 1939 when he became enamored with the elegant sophistication of European cars. Upon his return to the United States, Edsel commissioned Lincoln design chief E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie to build a car for his personal use - one that would have a 'continental' style and be ready in time for him to drive it to Hobe Sound, Fla., during his 1939 winter vacation. The car created by Ford and Gregorie so impressed the social elite of Hobe Sound that Edsel returned to Michigan with nearly 200 orders in hand and the conviction to produce the car.
