1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe: One of the First and Most Iconic Art Deco American Cars

Not unlike Packard with its One-Ten and One-Twenty series and Cadillac with the LaSalle, Lincoln introduced a lower-priced line to help it endure the tough times following the stock market crash in 1929. Debuting in November 1935 (as a 1936 model), the streamlined Zephyr shared its name with the newfangled diesel trains on the Burlington Railroad. Helped by Edsel Ford and a young designer, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Company is credited with the advanced design. A new 110 hp V-12 derived from Ford’s flathead V-8 resides underhood.

Despite the car’s svelte good looks, the bold Art Deco styling was not for everyone. Its forward-looking stance gives the Zephyr the appearance of motion while standing still. Ford Motor Company executives were never happy with sales. Yet, of 18,994 Lincolns sold in 1936, 17,715 were Zephyrs, arguably keeping Lincoln alive. In 1939, 21,000 were built, including 2,500 three-window coupes, like this example, the first to include hydraulic brakes.

Production of the Zephyr continued through 1948, though the Zephyr name was dropped in 1947. Here below is a set of amazing photos of the 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe.