1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

A friend of mine died recently and left two Lincoln Zyphers in the garage that the widow wants to sell. They were his Grandfather's cars. I saw them about 50 years ago and they were solid and complete and are still parked in the same garage now. I suggested a well known auctioneer but they have not responded back to her. I have a good idea what Model A's and mid-forty coupes are worth, but I am in the dark on the Lincolns. Anybody know a lot about these cars and their values?

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I’m thinking that the auctioneer’s failure to get back to her is a clue as to value. If they were Zephyr coupes, though, it would be a different story.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

39 Zephyr four door that’s in good condition but been sitting for a long time in none running condition I would say $15-20 K if complete and solid.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I sold my running 38 fourdoor with a low mile completely rebuilt 12 and a factory columbia for 16k. Tim

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Tops.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

These situations can be tough. Sitting for 50 years may or may not mean they can be easily rolled out of the garage.

What a lot of sellers don't want to hear is the amount of effort and time it will take the buyer to get the cars out of the garage if they don't roll.

Long story short, these cars are not all that desirable. If the seller really wants to part with these cars, they need to be mentally prepared to take an offer that may be lower than what they think they are worth in "running & driving" condition.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Do you have any photos of the cars that can be posted here? That would help interested people and most likely prompt some offers.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Anyone who thinks these cars are worth more that 4 figures should reread post # 4.

Knowing the cost of rebuilding a V8 flathead, just think of what it would cost to do a V12. I would bet that one, and probably both will need a rebuild, and there are chances that the reason for putting them away 50 years ago may have been a piston through the block or other such mayhem.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Big Lincoln cars and other top of the line motor cars are complicated and harder to get parts for. Condition is everything. If a prospective buyer is looking, they generally want a drivable car at very least. They know what it will cost to just get it that way with weather worn tires, mucked up fuel system, and clogged up brakes. A person can purchase cars like this pretty cheap even if they are complete and solid. Most folks don't have the funds to completely restore them and the high end collector wants the rare and popular models unless they are purchased for sentimental reasons.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Sadly, depending on condition, it may be worth more parted out. The funky side shift trans case and the shift lever are desirable (same gears as a Ford. Not LZ's yet) as are the brakes and drums and steering wheel

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Did you realize that that funky case with the goofy shifter is the same case used in a '40 and later RIGHT HAND drive with COLUMN shift. Ford sure was good at double-dipping with it's parts utilization. Compare the cover bolt locations in pictures #2 and #3.

Coop


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1471544965


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1619227542


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1307805618

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I was not aware of that. I'd have to venture a guess that the chances of finding a lone '38/39 Lincoln side cover/fork set would be slim to none and Slim just left town....

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1669154653

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1669154657

Floor Shift in RHD 1932 Ford using 1940-1948 Transmission with LZ Side Shifter

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Go on the "Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club" website---- LZOC.org
This may help

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1669155128

Floor Shift in RHD 1934 Ford using 1940-1948 Transmission with LZ Side Shifter

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Those 38-39 shift levers look like they were designed by a drunken pretzel maker!! I’ve had several of them.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Haha. So true

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Sounds like the answer to the original question is right here in these three posts.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I would sure like to see some photos. Tim

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I have not been able to get any photos yet. The cars are about 120 miles from me but I will get up there sometime around Christmas. Hopefully I can move around them well enough to get some good shots.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Well, I was sent a couple of photos. Not much to look at, in 50 years since I saw them they have become "storage units". I will try to take better ones when I get up there.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Not even close to five figures...

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

So you are saying they are worth between $1000 and not quite $9999. That helps. Thanks :)

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Seeing those pictures reminds me that as a newlywed, my sister's first car was a Zephyr, back in 1952. She learned to drive in a Ford Woodie out on the open fields of a chicken ranch in Livermore, California. Dunno whatever became of the Zephyr, but I remember using that Woodie for target practice!

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

OK, here we go. First of all they both appear to be 1938's . I say this do to the louvers on the nose. How ever, the the one tail light Bessel shown is a 39. As for value, not much. If the motors aren't stuck and don't have water in the oil $2500 each unless they have Columbia rear axels (which is common in these cars) in which case you would tack on another $3000. This would also be assuming the interior's are at least complete. Tim

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Thanks, Tim
That is about what I was thinking, but it has been over 50 years since I have seen them. They were in good condition back then and without junk piled on top. I will take another look when we go up for a family gathering on Dec.23rd. I will either be pleased or shocked!

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

...

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

:rolleyes:
Sounds familiar! I learned to drive on the gravel country roads in Minnesota in my Dad's 1936 Ford Fordor. Those gravel roads told you real quick if you were going too fast. I loved the sound of the V8 and have been looking for a driveable '36 to take out on the gravel for years but now they are way out of my price range. Just had my 84th birthday and I don't know how to handle it. I have never been this old before....

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

CORRECTION! $3500 each not $2500. Fat fingers. Tim

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Thanks Tim. Hey... $1000 here, $1000 there..... pretty soon we will be talking real money! Now all we need is a real buyer! :)


Thanks again for the reasonable estimates.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

They are both 38’s as shown by the horizontal fins on the grill and the embossed lines behind the teardrop hoodside emblem. 38&39 tail lights are the same.

Some of the parts are worth a fortune but it would be a shame to go that route.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I would disagree that the39 and 38 tail lights are the same. The 38's do not have the cool little chrome cross bars on the Bessel like 39's . It was just embossed on the glass in 38. I would show a picture of my 38 but have never mastered that on this site. Tim:)

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Can pm me, Tim

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

Sold both for $2000 each, plus cleaning out her garage so she can use it again. Bodies were pretty good with little to no rust and interiors were there, engines questionable. Thanks for all the input!

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1670198540

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1670198540

Both Lincoln Zephyr's are 1938 models. I hope that they are going to be restored? These are great cars.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1673472886

This 1938 Lincoln Zephyr factory Right Hand Drive Sedan was sold new in Australia. One of a handful sold down under.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I hope they went to good homes. I'd love to see them restored, but whoever does it will have more in them than they are worth.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

I wonder how many rats and mice lived in them? $2000 each was just about right as they were parts cars at this point.

Re: 1939 Lincoln 4-door value
 

"have more in them than they are worth.." Hmmm.... seems to me that I have heard that before. Oh yeah, my wife said it. More than once! :rolleyes: