1946 Lincoln Continental Coupe, 2-door
Owners: Bernie and Janice Taulborg Collection
Original cost: $4,392.00 ($67,121.00 in 2022) (Average house cost $5,150.00; average annual income, $2,800.00 in 1946)
Number made: 201 convertibles; 265 club coupes (1946 model year)
Engine, etc.: Series 66H; 3-speed manual, optional overdrive; V-12, L-head; 305 cid, 130 hp; 125 in. wheelbase; 4,125 lbs.
Introduced on Sept. 13,1945, the 1946 Lincoln Continental was one of the last virtually hand-built luxury cars of the era. It was originally designed for boulevard cruising, particularly in a convertible on a warm sunny day. They were built to compete with the Bentley’s and Rolls Royces of the day and only 246 coupes were made in 1946.
By 1946, the engine had been upgraded to 305 cu. in. The 130 hp 12-cylinder engine was offered through 1948 in both a coupe and a convertible. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, the automatic having been temporarily discontinued.
The 1946 Lincolns were revised 1942 models which were still perceived as all-new since they were virtually unavailable during World War II. There were only two models available: a convertible and a coupe. The convertible was the most expensive car in the entire Lincoln line with a price of around $4,475 or more, at a time when a Ford convertible could be purchased for $1,500.
Updated styling for 1946 included bumpers that were more massive and a bold horizontal grille. There was limited use of chrome. The nameplate on the sides of the hood also was different. The push-button style door openers introduced in 1942 were kept. Options included white walls, a radio, and overdrive.
The car was a tribute to Edsel B. Ford and his vision of the future and appreciation for fine art and styling in the automotive world. He was a champion of this model but passed away in 1943.
The Continental was a luxurious, beautiful, handcrafted car built for leisurely cruising. Its name was written in chrome on the side of the hood.
A 1946 Lincoln Continental was the pace car at the Indy 500 and was driven by Ford president, Henry Ford II.
Sources: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1946 – 1974. John Gunnell. Rev. 4th ed. Krause Publications, 2002.
World-Wide Auctions, Auburn Automobile Auction Catalogue. August, 2013.
See also: https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11923/lincoln-continental.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Continental#First_generation_.281939.E2.80.9348.29 (History of Lincoln Continental)
https://www.afcea.org/signal-media/price-life-united-states-1946-vs-2006
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1946%20Lincoln/1946%20Lincoln%20and%20Continental%20Brochure/index1.html (Original brochure)
