Printable View
I was wondering if any of you old Geezers remember the old Lincoln Zephyrs. I think it's a Lincoln anyway...Theres one hiding around here and was wondering if they were sorta rare or if they were like vikings *actual meanings* post on the lingo of VERY RARE COLLECTOR where they were useless when they came out and are just as useless today. Just checking to see if anyone remembers those cars and has any tips on 'dem.
They look pretty good when fixed up. This is a restored 1939 Lincoln Zephyr three window coupe. It has the original V12 engine.
And below is a picture of a coupe built in the last few years that sold at the last Barrett-Jackson in AZ. for around $400k!! These used to languish in wrecking yards and the barns of eccentrics, but with cars like these shown, and the radical custom know as "Scrape", they've been coming on of late. The one pictured here also has the flathead V12, equiped with some extremely rare speed parts.
Yes Richard, it was a gear ratio thing for acceleration, as well as somewhat stronger. Here's a link; they're being repopped. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/product.htm
The hydraulic brakes from them are also prized because, unlike the standard Ford and Merc hydraulic brakes, the Lincolns were the self energizing variety, and were a virtual bolt up to the Fords.
Self energizing? What exactly is that? Just wondering since I happen to have a pair of non-hydrallic lincoln drums and spindles from a 37 sitting on the floor in my garageQuote:
Originally posted by Bob Parmenter
[The hydraulic brakes from them are also prized because, unlike the standard Ford and Merc hydraulic brakes, the Lincolns were the self energizing variety, and were a virtual bolt up to the Fords. [/B]
These seem to be a nice alternative to the ever popular 41 willys. Since there is so many willys these are similar in body style and give you a more class style rod as compared to the more street savy willys.
People disliked the car's at first, so they filled junk yards, then a decade or two latter the beach boys wrote a a song about one and they kicked off the popularity of the zephyr.
There are a few still around that need to be restored, yes I feel them to be worth it, they sell for a lot when there done and the options are endless with those body lines.
Otto
Aye aye, thanks for the info. The one around here is a 37 with the original 12 which is a 267 I 'tink and is a 4 window. I dunno much more about it but I should take another look. Well, either that or I could take a look at the 56-57 2 door Belair that is just down the road...which would you guys pick??
The Zephyr in the picture that sold at the Barrett Jackson auction was built by the brother in law of somone I work with. Extreme Rods which is in Green Acres Washington by Spokane.
Bob
Bob hit it right on the nose concerning gear ratio and strength. In 65 I bought a 39 box with Zephyr gears from Ford Parts Obsolete which at that time was located in Bell, Ca. I put it in the 36 5 window I had at that time. The car had a fiarly strong sbc with a 4:11 rear from a 40 pickup. I had my share of kills on the street wuth it.
NTFDAY
Yes the 3rd gear ratio was higher in the zephyr's than in the fords, but it was not any stronger like you state. This conversion was popularized by "top enders" looking not for dragging or street racing but for flat out top end speed.
Furthermore, while it was fine and plenty strong enough to place behind the slower revving motors, like the flathead and nailhead, it would ussually blow apart when put behind the quick revving and higher horsepower chev small blocks.
My cousin blew apart 5 of these before saying screw it and backing up his 327 with a muncie 4sd. S
NTFDAY
Yes the 3rd gear ratio was higher in the zephyr's than in the fords, but it was not any stronger like you state. This conversion was popularized by "top enders" looking not for dragging or street racing but for flat out top end speed.
Furthermore, while it was fine and plenty strong enough to place behind the slower revving motors, like the flathead and nailhead, it would ussually blow apart when put behind the quick revving and higher horsepower chev small blocks.
My cousin blew apart 5 of these before saying screw it and backing up his 327 with a muncie 4sd.
Check out this forum for the Zephyr.
http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/postl...t=&Board=UBB35
Gary
suedeplymouth
I can feel for your cousin, pulling that closed driveline down 5 times had to have been a pain. I guess the guys at Ford Parts Obsolete must have put mine together fairly well or I was just lucky cause I never had a problem with the one I had. The sbc was a 265 with some seriously reworked heads, early vette dual quads, dual point dist, mallory dual coil, offy converter, and a 10 lb Schaeffer alum flywheel. It'd grab 6 grand plus in a heartbeat and I never once had a problem with the tranny. Did bend 3 pushrods one night racing a guy in Oceanside, Ca though.
Sorry, checked the car out again, tis a 5 window coupe with the original 12 and tranny, the body is in like pretty damn decent shape but looks to me like the 'coons or sometin' been at da inside quite a bit heh. So by the sounds of it guys here would rather see me in a 37 Zephyr rather than a 57 Belair?
It seems 57 belairs are everywhere. Personally i would go for the lincoln, it's more better!!, but then again thats just me