I've done some research on Lincoln wheels. During mid-1938, Lincolns reverted from the 1936-39 Ford W-I-D-E bolt pattern to the earlier 5 1/2 inch bolt pattern which they continued to use through at least 1957 - posibly later (I lost interest in 1958-1960 Lincolns).
1938-1940 Lincoln wheels were 16x4 inches. 1941 Lincolns **ONLY** were 16x5 inches. 1942-48 Lincolns used a 15x5 inch wheel. This makes 1941 Lincoln wheels the most sought after wheel for converting to radial tires.
Here's an interesting tidbit that I learned from Heinz Schu and Jerry Emery regarding the difference between 1939 and 1940 wheels. 1939 and eariler wheels had the valve stem hole located opposite a hubcap clip. 1940 and later wheels located the valve stem opposite a lug hole. We suspect that this was to place the valve stem on Continentals at the top center of the outside mounted spare. (see attachment). So if the valve stem on your 1940 Continental isn't straight up at the top of the wheel, you have a 1939 spare wheel!
Attachments
Description: 1939 - 1940 Lincoln wheel differences.
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Phil Knapp