HarleySoftailer

In two weeks, I'm bringing my 1947 Continental back home to Columbus. The car is about 140 miles away. The seller tells me not to drive it back as the engine and brakes can't handle 65 mph. But the same owner has rebuilt the entire engine and done an outstanding job. I've already driven the car for about 20 minutes at 40-55 mph and it was amazing. But he says that two hours of modern highway driving are more than the engine can take. So can I drive the car home or do I have to trailer it? And if I trailer it, what do I have to do to make it road worthy on today's roads? I didn't buy her to be a trailer queen or show car. I bought her to be a tourer / driver. Thanks. Andy.

Well what did you expect Bill? I checked with the my buddy who is the assistant to the assistant director of the National Automotive Detective Service (NADS) and he says that there are only three of these ultra rare cars in the entire solar system! Come on buddy - you gotta do some research!

I've always wondered what that great big shiny square thing right in the middle of my dash was. And now I know... It's the radiator for the other four cylinders!

Rolf - the Cadillac v16's were amazing. I think that the Marmon 16 was a better car, but Cadillac beat them to the punch and Black Friday beat the the v16 and the v12 into hibernation. I just want to figure out where I can get one of these new fangled v16's for my Connie.

Has anybody else seen this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130200051426&rd=1 A 1947 Lincoln Continental v16? Only 8 Connies left in the Country?!?!? I guess those other four spark plugs must be on the bottom of the engine block, because I'm only counting 12 on the top. Was there a option to add four additional cylinders and hide them in the glove box? If so, does anybody know where I can get one? Geesh!

I once had someone come up to me and ask if the woman with me was my girlfriend. I told him no - a girlfriend never came close to being this expense - this is my wife. Does that count?

Thanks Jeff. The one on eBay that has been converted to use a paper filter looks promising. I appreciate the help. Harley.

Phil - what does "not cheap" mean in dollars and cents? Thanks. Harley.

As I begin my search for an original air cleaner for my 1947 Continental, can somebody give me an idea of what something like this might cost? Is $1000 a bargain? Is $300 way too much. Assuming I can find one, what numbers should I be thinking about and at what point am I getting taken? Thanks. Harley.

Tom - thanks very much for the tip in New Philly. I've been using J&J Upholstery for my other projects and they are incredible, but I'm not sure they are the right shop to redo a classic so I may give your guy a ring when the time comes. My plans at this point are to go with a leather/broadcloth combination interior that was "right" for the '47 Continental. The original interior on my car was yellow and I'm not sure that's a combination I want. I'm thinking along the lines of a dove grey broadcloth with darker gray accent leather. The new interior is at least 10 months away so I've got plenty of time to seek advice and change my mind. Now about the Electraglide... I do love that bike indeed. But in about six weeks, my Knucklehead comes back and that's the one I'll be pulling out when it's time for two wheels instead of four. Harley. Columbus, Ohio

Jeff - I fell in love with her the minute I pushed the start button. But when there's snow, ice and salt on the roads here in Columbus, there's nothing to do <span style="font-style: italic">but</span> wrench on 'em. And for me, tracing the history/legacy of these cars is part of the fun of ownership. Every car has a story; a mystery of sorts and I like rebuilding finding all the pieces to that mystery. But come Spring, she'll be on the road and i'll be loving every minute and mile.

Mike - I don't own a single trailer queen and I never will. I just love putting 'em back to new so I can drive 'em the way they were on day 1. But trust me, this Continental will see plenty of miles. I just got off the phone with the chief curator at the Harrah Collection in Reno, NV. They had my car from 1984 until 1991. The curator sent me these pictures of what she looked like when they got her and the rest of their documentation is on the way via snail mail. I'm trying to locate the gentleman who gave them the car. So far, I've identified five owners (including me). If the donor is not the original owner, then I could be the sixth or even seventh owner. I guess my next step will be the Ford/Lincoln archives. I want to know when the car was built and the name of the dealer who first sold her. And yes Jeff - I'm already looking forward to the Columbus meet. Lucille and I will be there for sure.

OK - here comes the first of what I'm sure will be many stupid questions. My understanding of the 1947 Lincoln Continental was that the body was permanently attached to the frame. Therefore, you could not remove the body and do a true "frame off" restoration. Having spent time standing underneath my car, I don't see how the body could be "removed" per se. ??????? Harley.

V12 - mine is a 1947 and yes, I'd like to speak to your friend about the air cleaner he has for sale. Thanks. Harley.

V8 - I can't see the photo but now my curiosity is peaked. Anybody got a picture of this magical, mystical air cleaner? West - I'm in Columbus and I think we've met.

Jeff - do you have any pictures of the over-the-top missing air cleaner. Phil - the overdrive knob is right under the Temp Gauge in the 2nd interior photo. Since the topic of L and K models came up, I thought I might share a few of my favorites...

Thanks Rolf and Jeff. I put the deposit down on my '47 yesterday and she comes home in a few weeks. I appreciate your help.

And here are some engine pics. I don't know that I'll do much to the engine bay at this point. She's pretty clean already.

Here are some interior shots of my new baby. The interior is going to be completely redone next winter. All the metal work and gauges will be restored and new upholstery, carpets and headliner will go in. I'm also going to have the stainless polished and the dash repainted.

Right now I'm finishing up my '56 Ford Fairlane. And I plan to spend this summer enjoying some rides and drives. But come next Fall, when it's time to starting putting the toys away, this one will begin restoration. In the meantime, I can't wait to take her out this summer.

Yes CBoz - much quieter than the Harley. I have enjoyed a number of great cars but this is one of the few that actually caused my heart to race and my pulse to quicken. It was truly love at first site. By the way - how do I get pictures to show up inside my posts? Also - is there a Lincoln Owner's Club in Central Ohio? Harley.

I drove her today for the first time and she was amazing. The engine turned right over and she ran beautifully. With the overdrive engaged, she was almost silent. I'm in love.

Hello - I'm new here and am looking for some good advice. I have always wanted to get myself a nice pre- or immediate post-war car for touring. The two cars I like most are the '41 Cadillac and the '47 Lincoln Continental with the V12 with the Lincoln being my first choice by a wide margin (love that engine). Well anyway - I found my first choice - a 1947 Continental in very good condition and at a reasonable price that's within my budget. The car has been restored and maintained to a very high standard. My question is this... I am looking for a car that I can clock 7,000 - 10,000 miles per year. I am planning a road trip from Chicago to Southern California on Route 66 and would love to do it in this car. I have an outstanding mechanic, upholsterer, chrome man and paint man so upkeep and maintenance will be no problem. But when it comes time to drive, I'll often be by myself so I need a certain degree of reliability. My question is, can that V12 with the overdrive handle highway speeds for hours at a time. Can it do 500-600 miles in a weekend? Or is it going to give me problems no matter how well it's maintained and lovingly serviced. I'm not looking for something to take to Pebble Beach. I want something that I can get in and just go enjoy the open road over a long weekend. Thanks for any and all advice that anyone can offer. Harley.