The Henry Ford Museum’s Driving America exhibit proudly showcases a recent addition that embodies timeless automotive design: Edsel Ford’s personal 1941 Lincoln Continental convertible. Positioned in the “Design” section, this vehicle, a stone’s throw from Lamy’s Diner, offers visitors a glimpse into one of Detroit’s most aesthetically celebrated creations – the original Lincoln Continental, produced from 1939 to 1948. Its inclusion highlights a pivotal design narrative that resonates even today.
The genesis of the Lincoln Continental traces back to the late 1930s, specifically the fall of 1938, following Edsel Ford’s European sojourn. Captivated by the sleek silhouettes of European sports cars, characterized by their extended hoods, abbreviated trunks, and rear-mounted spare wheels, Ford envisioned bringing a similar aesthetic to American shores. Upon his return, he tasked Lincoln’s chief designer, E.T. “Bob” Gregorie, with crafting a bespoke automobile exuding a “continental” flair. Gregorie, leveraging the Lincoln Zephyr platform, sculpted a masterpiece defined by its unblemished lines, eschewing excessive chrome ornamentation and the then-ubiquitous running boards.
In March 1939, the prototype Lincoln Continental was dispatched to Florida, where Edsel Ford was vacationing. The vehicle became an instant sensation, attracting admiring glances and, as Lincoln legend recounts, generating around 200 inquiries from onlookers eager to purchase this chic new automobile. Recognizing the burgeoning market appeal, Edsel Ford communicated with Dearborn, instructing Gregorie and his team to fast-track the Continental into production.
The production-ready Lincoln Continental was unveiled in October 1939. Although positioned as a high-end prestige vehicle that never achieved mass-market sales figures, the Continental’s impact was profound. Automotive critics lauded its design, and Hollywood luminaries such as Clark Gable, Rita Hayworth, and Mickey Rooney embraced it as their vehicle of choice. The Lincoln Continental served as a “halo car,” radiating an aura of style and sophistication across Lincoln’s entire model range. Following a production pause during World War II, the Continental made a comeback in 1946 before its initial run concluded in 1948. However, its name was too iconic to remain dormant. William Clay Ford, Edsel’s youngest son, resurrected the Continental lineage in 1956 with the Continental Mark II, paving the way for seven subsequent generations that extended until 2002.
The 1941 Lincoln Continental currently exhibited in Driving America holds particular significance as Edsel Ford’s personal vehicle, which he used until his untimely passing in 1943. The Lincoln Continental stands as a crowning achievement in Edsel Ford’s career. While his father, Henry Ford, exerted considerable influence over Ford Motor Company, the acquisition of Lincoln Motor Company in 1922 provided Edsel with a platform to express his inherent design sensibilities. He swiftly transformed Lincoln’s formal Model L into a vehicle of refined elegance, a transformation evident when contrasting the museum’s 1923 Model L with the 1929 iteration. Edsel also played a leading role in shaping the Ford Motor Company’s 1929 Model A, aptly nicknamed the “Baby Lincoln.” Yet, it is the Lincoln Continental that unequivocally represents the pinnacle of Edsel Ford’s design prowess, serving as an enduring testament to his remarkable legacy within the automotive world.
Matt Anderson is Curator of Transportation at The Henry Ford
