

1947 Lincoln Continental Convertible
Engine: V-12
Displacement: 305 Cubic Inches
Horsepower: 130 BHP
Cost New: $4,746
         The American automotive industry had been ordered by the government to stop production of passenger cars for retail sale in February of 1942. The country was at war and all resources were being focused on military production. Americans were asked to preserve resources for the war effort, including gasoline rationing. The automotive industry shifted from passenger car production to producing all types of military vehicles, from planes to jeeps to tanks. As the war wound down, cars began to roll off the assembly line again in May, 1945. The industry spent the next few years rebuilding and retraining their workforce. This left little time for designing new models. The demand was so high that manufacturers could roll out the same cars they had produced before the war, and were still not able to make enough to keep up. Most of the cars produced from 1946 to 1948 were the same designs as the 1942 models, with minor chrome as accessory upgrades.
         The Lincoln shares nearly all of its major components with the 1942 model. Though there are five years between the manufacture dates, they are virtually identical with the exception of the grill and chrome treatments. The starter and generator were upgraded in 1947 along with a hood ornament.