The Lincoln Zephyr is a line of luxury cars manufactured and sold by Lincoln, the luxury division of Ford Motor Company. Lincoln marketed this model from 1936 to 1942, competing against the LaSalle, Chrysler Airflow, and the Packard One-Twenty. Edsel Ford came up with the idea for the Lincoln-Zephyr, and Eugene Turenne Gregorie designed it. The company manufactured the model at the Lincoln Motor Company Plant in Detroit, Michigan.
History of Lincoln Zephyr
Lincoln Zephyr (1936 - 1942)
The Lincoln-Zephyr was introduced on November 2, 1935, as a 1936 model and featured a low-sloped windscreen, incorporated fenders, and elegant aerodynamic shape, which inspired the term "zephyr," from the Greek word Zephyrus, or the deity of the west wind. After Chrysler Airflow's market opposition, it was among the first profitable sleek automobiles. The Lincoln-Zephyr had a reduced drag coefficient than the Airflow, thanks in part to the Zephyr's prow-like front grille. In the 1930s, the Lincoln-Zephyr revived sales at Lincoln dealers, and starting with the 1941 model year, all Lincolns were Zephyr-based, and the company took out the Lincoln-Zephyr label. Although annual manufacturing for any year vehicle was small, it resulted in a considerable amount of Lincoln's sales. 15,000 were sold in its first year, contributing to 80% of Lincoln's overall sales. As the US entered World War II in 1942, all American vehicle production came to a standstill, with Lincoln creating the final Lincoln-Zephyr on February 10. Most manufacturers, including Lincoln, resumed manufacturing their prewar models after the war. After 1942, Lincoln discontinued the Zephyr designation.
Lincoln Zephyr (2006 - 2012)
The Lincoln Zephyr was a medium-sized car that debuted at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show and was built on the same platform as the Ford Edge. The Zephyr was the name given to this vehicle when first introduced, although it barely lasted a year. In the Lincoln sedan series, the sedan succeeded the LS. The Lincoln Zephyr moniker dates back to the late 1930s when it was produced as a luxury sedan, and the 2005 model addressed the same market. The 2006 Zephyr offers greater luxury and power than its renowned predecessor while not having a V12 engine. Lincoln did not design the Zephyr on the same basis as the Mazda 6, but with a larger wheelbase to give additional rear-seat comfort.
Lincoln Zephyr (2021 - Present)
Lincoln unveiled the Zephyr Reflection Concept on April 21, 2021, at Auto Shanghai, which showcased a future China-built car that would replace the defunct North American Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln Continental formerly sold to the Chinese market. On November 19, 2021, at Auto Guangzhou, Lincoln unveiled the Chinese Lincoln Zephyr. While the Zephyr was not available in the United States, it was already a well-known brand in China. Its clients admired it because of the elegant style and fluid elements that made it up.
Price
Lincoln sold the two-door Zephyr sedan with an MSRP of $1,275 ($25,838 in 2022) while the four-sedan sold for an MSRP of $1,320 ($26,750 in 2022). Meanwhile, the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr has a base price of $28,995 ($40,805 in 2022), and the latest 2021 Lincoln Zephyr was sold with an MSRP of $39,906.
Features
The entirely remodeled instrument cluster of the 1942 Lincoln Zephyr had a raised area in the center to give depth and an equal-sized speedometer and clock flanking the radio grille. Lincoln put the gauges to the left of the speedometer, and Lincoln's name was on the glove box to the right of the clock. The company illuminated the glovebox door to balance the lit gauges on the other side of the dash, which was a lovely touch. Lincoln utilized walnut burl and mahogany throughout the structure to embellish various surfaces. The Lincoln-Zephyr was available as a two-door or four-door sedan with radio as an optional for 1936 and increased trunk space in 1940. In 1942, the company added a blinded quarter roof as an option.
Specs
The 1936 Lincoln Zephyr engine delivers 110 hp (82 kW) at 3,900 rpm and 186 lb-ft (252 Nm) at 2,000 rpm of torque. The Zephyr has a top speed of 90 mph (145 kph) with a curb weight of 3,704 lbs (1,680 kg). Lincoln sold the Zephyr as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle powered by a 4.4-L flat-head V12 engine.
Release Date
On November 2, 1935, Lincoln-Zephyr debuted as a 1936 model car.