1940 Lincoln Zephyr Club Coupe

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve.

The Lincoln-Zephyr, introduced in 1936, marked a significant milestone in automotive history, evolving from John Tjaarda's innovative rear-engined Sterkenburg concept studies of the late 1920s to a production version by Ford. While the engine was shifted to the front for manufacturing feasibility, the advanced bridge-truss integral frame persisted, showcasing a balance between performance, handling, and engineering innovation. To uphold the Lincoln legacy, a V12 engine based on the Ford V8 was developed, offering a smooth and powerful driving experience, positioning the Lincoln-Zephyr as a luxury contender in its time. Bridging the gap between the Ford V8 De Luxe and the Lincoln Model K, it competed against rivals like the Chrysler Airflow, LaSalle, and the Packard One-Twenty, delivering a unique blend of style, performance, and comfort expected by Lincoln owners.

Highlights  

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection 

• Finished in Zephyr Blue with a tan striped cloth interior  

• Powered by a 292 cu-in V12 rated at 120 horsepower  

• Three-speed manual transmission  

• Body color painted steel wheels with chrome hubcaps fitted with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires 

• Front bumper mounted yellow fog lights 

• Introductory model year for the Club Coupe (Body No. 06H-77-2934) 

• Offered with 67,488 miles, believed to be original 

Features 

• Column-mounted gear selector  

• Transverse-mounted, semi-elliptical rear leaf springs  

• Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes  

• 125 inch wheelbase  

• Heater  

• Side view mirror mounted to the driver’s door edge  

• Rear fender skirts  

• Dual tone horn  

• Pivoting vent windows  

• Hinged rear side windows  

• Chrome bumpers with over-riders  

• Manual roll-up side windows  

• Dash mounted clock  

• Bench seat 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Cracked rear fender skirt seals 

• Paint crazing around rear bumper mounts 

• Crack in steering wheel 

• Passenger’s-side wiper arm is missing 

Included 

• The original Bill of Sale 

• An assortment of tools 

• Trunk-mounted spare tire 

• A history file of purchase paperwork and receipts 

• Car show style informational board 

• Lincoln Zephyr V12 Reference Book 1940 with mailing envelope 

• Various Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club magazines and information 

• Large 1937 Lincoln-Zephyr V12 banner 

• Lincoln-Zephyr V12 sales brochures, Ford Motor Company dealer correspondence, and a Ford Reference Manual among other literature 

Ownership History

According to the original Bill of Sale this V12-powered Lincoln Zephyr was originally purchased by Louis E. Gaulke of Crystal Lake, Illinois on 2 August 1940. By 1991 records show it was owned by the Buxton family of Santee, California who, during their ownership, embarked on a complete restoration. It ultimately joined The Karlock’s Collection in 2015.

Additional Notes

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot.

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096  email: rpotts@hagerty.com