Phil Knapp

The short-lived TV series "Bronk" of 1975-6 starred Jack Palance. In several episodes Palance drove a 1942 Continental Convertible.

Here are 2 photos or the Raymond Loewy 1941 Continental that I took at the 1982(?) LCOC meet at Scttrsdale, Arizona. He REALLY screwed up a beautiful design!

Here are some photos of my 1941 Zephyr convertible project car that I need to sell. It's a pretty solid car, from South Dakota. I have accumulated a myrad of parts for the restoration, but health and age are ganging up on me and I am unable to finish the project.

It turns out that my projects have exceeded my physical capabilities and I need to divest myself of my most interesting project – my 1941 Lincoln Zephyr convertible coupe. I have had this car since 2006, but it got put on hold when I acquired a 1941 Lincoln Continental convertible. I had aspirations to photograph both cars - side by side - to show their differences. Over the years, I have accumulated a myriad of parts for the Zephyr but reality mandates that I divest myself of the Zephyr. I had a “Webshots” photo album of the Zephyr, but “Webshots” has gone defunct. However, the photos still exist and I can share them with anybody that would be interested in acquiring the car. A partial list of my accumulated parts collection is as follows: · A pair of V-12 engines, both seized but probably salvageable. (1 1941 and 1 1948) · Two Borg Warner overdrive transmissions, plus a 1941 B/W overdrive and two short driveshafts. · One standard transmission. · Complete front and rear axle assembly. · Split front seat for the convertible plus seat cushions from a 1941 Zephyr parts car for springs. · Most of a fresh air heater assembly. · Extra fenders and fender skirts (rusty). · A reconditioned Rolf Burdette/Dee Peecher 1941 Zephyr speedometer (very nice). · Extra pair of front grilles (need plating). · Extra door, trunk, and hood hinge assemblies. · 4 1941 Zephyr 16x5 inch wheels and some hubcaps and beauty rings. · Several pairs of 1941 Texas license plates. · Pair of Bradley replacement front floor pans – not installed. · NOS 1941 Lincoln Zephyr Muffler. I know there’s more stuff but I can’t remember all of it! No parts sold separately. I need to clean house! I have invested about $20k in this stuff – make me a decent offer! Also available: My tandem axle 24 Ft Wells Cargo enclosed trailer. BTW - My e-mail address is kcd@n8fusion.com

"They" seem to have screwed up this thread by putting the oldest post first (at least on my new Windows 7 computer which, to me at least, is nearly impossible to navigate). This is the first time I have ben able to get into this forum for quite some time. My Columbia installation in my1941 Continental has been on hold for several months due to several reasons, not the least of which is storage of three of our 2 son's cars in my barn. Nature abhors a vacuum and now all my work space is occupied! Additionally "Webshots" has deleted ALL of my 6000+ photos in their transition to their new "Smile" application - BUMMER!

The late Rolf Burdette did a cross country trip in his 1941 Lincoln Continental with NO overdrive! I'm not sure when he did that, but I have collected some of Rolf's snapshot photos in a Webshots screen saver photo album at: Webshots Rides offers thousands of the best car wallpapers. Speaking of Nash Metropolitans, I drove one from LA to Phoenix on a VERY HOT Memorial day some 30 years ago. A Buick Riveria sailed past me in the California desert. I passed them in mid-Arizona. They had the hood up and were waiting for a tow. There was nothing I could do for them in my Metropolitan, but I did finish the trip (both ways)! In 1970, my wife and our two small boys drove our 1947 Lincoln Continental (with NO A/C) from Los Angeles to the Eastern LCOC National meet at Mt. Snow, Vermont. We also drove the Lincoln to the LCOC Western National Meet at Yosmete National Park in California the same year. We were the only car to attend both the eastern and western meets that year. I did cheat a bit because the car had a 1957 Lincoln V8 engine with an automatic transmission. The "purists" were not pleased with the car, but we DID make the 7,000 mile trip with NO show-stopper problems. (I still have the car).

Looking GREAT, Tom! Nice work.

I found some photos of the Two-Headed 1936 Zephyr in the Lee Hartung Estate Auction. There is a short write-up by Dave Cole in the current TWOTZ issue (May-June, 2012).

Here's the basic history of what I have learned about my 1941 Continental Cabriolet. It's a mostly original, relatively un-molested car with only 84,000 miles on it. It arrived without either of the two overdrive options that were available in 1941. I am currently installing a Columbia Overdrive axle, but I don't expect to do a lot of touring on these CRAZY Texas highways!

Hi Cecil, I have recently entered the "brave new world" of high speed internet and I just finished watching your videos. GREAT car and a BEAUTIFUL restoration! Congratulations! Well worth the wait I'm sure. Phil Knapp

When Ford switched from 6 to 12 volts in 1956,they used a gizmo they called a "Voltaqge Regulator". I goes in series between the 12 Volt supply from the ignition switch and the guages. They were still using the "Voltage Regulator" in the 60's because all of my 1967 Mustangs have them. Check one of the Mustang parts places (or maybe Bob Drake). I'll betcha they still have them.

WOW!! Now THAT'S a project! You gotta wonder where that "V" windshield and vent windows came from. Certainly not a 1939 Zephyr. The grille looks a bit like parts of a 1941 Ford. It will take DEEP pockets and a LOT of skill to finish this one, but it would certainly be unique! It appears to be sitting on a chassis. Any idea what kind?

If you are an "Originalist", Coker Firestone reproduction 7.00:16 tube type wide whitewalls are the way to go. I haven't driven my '41 LC 6000 miles like Cecil has (Columbia installation is currently on hold), but I put quite a few miles in the '39 Zephyr before selling it. They were OLD tires on that car when I bought it.

My 1939 Zephyr convertible coupe had Firestone 7.00:16 whitewalls on it when I got it. I have no idea how old they were, but they looked great and the car drove very well. When I was able to replace the 15" radials that were on my 1941 Continental when I bought it, I replaced them with Firestone 7.00:16 bias ply tires from Coker and have been very pleased with the ride and appearance. These tires were original equipment for these cars.

I can't find anything that resembles a "dome light" in my 1941 Continantal Cabriolet! Where would they put it? I DO have a trunk light. However, I it will only work if the cars headlights (or parking Lights) are on. Bear in mind that this is a mostly original car which has never been restored, so it's a bit "untidy"!

After I installed the power brake booster in my '41 Lincoln, I couldn't get a pedal. My wife and I tried bleeding several times without success. I finally broke down and bought a Mighty-Vac and found that I couldn't pull a vacuum on the BRAND NEW brake booster. It turned out to be a bad bleeder screw. Go figure! The fact that the brake linings on Tom's 1946 Continental seemed "almost new" indicated that somebody may have installed the new non-asbestos brake linings and didn't understand why the car didn't stop very well. Possibly leading to the sale of the car??

Right on, Tom! The only change I would make is to not necessarily pump the brake pedal between bleedings. I always used to do that but was advised recently that it's not necessary or productive when bleeding brakes. You're absolutely correct in starting with the wheel that is farthest away from the master cylinder. If your '46 Lincoln has had a recent brake job, it might contain the new non-asbestos brake lining material. If this is the case, the new brake linings don't produce enough friction to safely stop the car. That's what happened to my 1941 Continental after I installed new brake linings. My solution was to install a power brake booster from a 1957 Thunderbird. Photos of the installation can be seen in my Webshots Screen saver photo album at: http://rides.webshots.com/album/557478162IZJiRf

Yeah, they're oval on my tired old '41 "mostly original" Continental! This poor old car must have neeed a few shoves in it's lifetime. The bumper is pretty scarred up. Not bent, but scarred. WOW! The bumper looks pretty good in the photo. I guess I'll leave it that way as a "Badge of Honor"!

Well, it yielded today, but not gracefully! You might not want it after all. Apparently, the right side of this axle had been left sitting in a puddle of water for a LONG time. The backing plate is still intact and useable, but the brake shoes are stuck inside the drum. They WILL come out and are more than likely salvageable. Everything can be rebuilt and you probably don't want to use any of the old springs anyway. Let me know what you think.

I have a junk 1948 Lincoln rear axle that I've been unable to pull the drums from - until today. I was able to get one off but the other one still is too tight. I abused my KR Wilson hub puller to get the first one off, but the other one is not responding - yet. I've anointed it with copious amounts of KROIL and it may yield tomorrow! Do you need the complete backing plate including the shoes, brake cylinders, springs, etc. - or just the bare backing plate? I'm sure we can make a deal!

It's been re-listed. ebay item nuimber is now 290668684730. Ends on Feb 15, 201216:37:42 PST. High bid is currently $500. (Reserve not met). "Gene says if the axle doesn't sell this time he'll go back to his original plan and put it in his '46 Ford convertible and that will be that". My response to this idea: "Gene is going to have fun installing this axle into a Ford! The driveshaft is too long for a Ford and the spring shackles are too big for a Ford. Also, Lincolns use a hypoid ring and pinion gear set. Ford ring and pinion set is not hypoid. Not insurmountable differences, but not an easy bolt-in!" Actually, the only parts required to install this in a 1941 Lincoln are on the right side of the axle. That's where the overdrive is. All the rest of the parts are redundant and un-necessary.

AMAZING! I left upstate New York in the early 60's. At that time it seemed to me that there were no un-rusted cars left - at least not on the road. Can you post some photos of what's left of your '48 Continental?

These are the responses I received from the seller's agent: Question 1: Dear ralyjoma94, <O:pCan you please post a photo of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comColumbia</st1:City> serial number tag? It should be on a brass plate at the bottom of the <st1:City w:st="on"><ST1:pColumbia</st1:City> housing. <O:pReply 1: <O:pI didn't see a tag, but that doesn't mean there isn't one... Again, call Gene. If there is a tag, I'll swing by the shop and take a few pictures and send to you. Let me know what Gene says, or tell Gene to call me.<O:p ralyjoma94<O:p Question 2: <O:pDear ralyjoma94,<O:p Do you have any of the controls for this axle? VERY important items! <O:pReply:<O:p The axle was all Gene had me take pictures of, I don't know if there are controls or not. Call him Monday morning.<O:p ralyjoma94<O:p <O:p For answers to any questions, please contact Gene between 9:30a-5:00p (EST) M-F at (734) 744-5045.<O:p (Attached photo is of my "Barn Find" Columbia) Phil Knapp P.S. I don't intend to call "Gene" for answers to these questions. Anybody interested can make the calls. I'm watching this item for information only. I can't handle another Columbia right now! The control problem can be bypassed for a driver in a number of ways - and isn't that what these cars are for anyway? BTW: In the 60's I was driving a 1939 Ford convertible with a Columbia axle. I used my home-made electrical controls with a headlight dimmer switch under the clutch pedal. I could mysteriously shift the Columbia by pushing the clutch ALL the way down. This worked VERY well and produced 6 forward speeds which REALLY faked out my passengers! Take a peek at my '39 Ford at: http://community.webshots.com/album/18281656jhkDSUwrmg

Hi Keith, I'm almost finished with the Columbia axle installation in my1941 Continental. Your overdrive knob is a perfect fit, Thanks! It makes the old original knobs look exactly "old and original"!

It looks to me like it's a hypoid ring & pinion, which would make it a Lincoln unit. As Peecher correctly stated, the 1941 Columbia is about 2 inches wider than the earlier axles. However, a 1940 Lincoln Columbia can easily be converted into a 1941 by using your 1941 axles and left side axle housing. The hard part will be finding a 1941 Lincoln Columbia right axle housing. (That's what I had to do with mine, which was a 1940 "barn find" Columbia). I have requested a photo of the Columbia serial number tag which should identify the year. As usual, no controls are mentioned and are probably not available from this seller. I have a comprensive photo essay of the installation of a Columbia axle in my 1941 Lincoln Continental at: http://rides.webshots.com/album/581877140uEwMjI The Columbia controls for Lincolns are unique and difficult to find these days!