Friday, July 22, 2011

1936 Lincoln Zephyr V12

The was the first model year for the Lincoln Zephyr, introduced on 2 November 1935. Its streamlined aerodynamic design with low raked windscreen and integrated fenders made it notable for being one of the first successful streamlined cars after the market failure of the Chrysler Airflow. In fact, the Lincoln-Zephyr actually had a lower coefficient of drag than the Airflow, due in part to the prow-like front-end on the Zephyr, and unlike the Airflow was very successful.

From the 1941 model year all Lincolns were Zephyr based and the Lincoln-Zephyr marque was discontinued. Annual production for any year model was not large but accounted for a large portion of the Lincoln brand's sales. In its first year, 15,000 were sold, 80% of Lincoln's total sales.

With America's entry into WW2 at the end of 1941, the 1942 model year was the last that used the Zephyr name.
The Lincoln Zephyr V12 engine, 1935 diagram.

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