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Old 05-09-2014, 11:28 PM
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Default 1941 Lincoln Zephyr - Building the ultimate daily driver with minimal tools

My idea of the perfect car is having classic looks, modern handling, reliability and obscene amounts of power.



My current car is a blast to drive. I love that it’s impossible to go anywhere without having someone taking a photo or waving at you. Almost everyone loves it. Kids, parents, teenagers and even the elderly. (My engine builder said it was the only car he's ever driven that caused a 80 year old woman to flash him.) I’ve owned classic cars before but none of them have received as much attention as this one. While the attention is great for your ego, the car fails on the modern conveniences.

My original plan was to learn to shape metal and fix the car up while still being able to drive it. I made an aluminum grill for it and had the suspension re-worked to make it a bit safer.

After I thought about the time it would take to make it into the car I ultimately wanted, I quickly realized that my car wouldn’t be worth any more than I could probably sell it for in it’s current condition. So I changed up the plan.

The new plan… create something worth building. Something different, something with attitude and style. Something like a lincoln zephyr.
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Old 05-09-2014, 11:30 PM
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A 1937 two door 3 window zephyr would definitely look good in my driveway. The only problem is that even if I could find one for sale, my budget doesn't afford me the luxury of starting with a solid 3 window.
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Old 05-09-2014, 11:35 PM
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So here's what I could afford. A one owner 1941 four door sedan.




This sucker is ugly, but it has potential. I’m guessing that I’ll end up replacing 90 percent of the car.
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Old 05-09-2014, 11:40 PM
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I think its important to start with a visual idea of where you want to end up. I would hate to do all this work and have the proportions look wonky when I’m done.

With a chopped top, I thought the sail panel on the 3 window seems too big. I decided that I’d go with a 5 window.





I used Photoshop to check the proportions of a couple different variations.

I ended up going with the middle version. I thought the tight radius door curve would match well with the rest of the body curves,
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Old 05-10-2014, 12:03 AM
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I think the five window version I'm making flows much better than the club coupe that Lincoln made
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Old 05-10-2014, 12:06 AM
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List of planned modifications
  • Convert from 4 door to 2 door
  • 3 1/2” chop
  • Widen front door opening by 10 1/2”
  • Replace flat head V12 with a twin turbo 6.0L Chevy LS motor & 4l80E trans
  • Replace all the drive train needed to handle 1000 hp
  • New chassis to be built by Industrial Chassis (ELpolacko on this board)
  • Additional 3” subframe to be added.
  • Eliminate the built-in running board
  • Widen the rear fenders to accommodate fat tires
  • Lengthen rear fenders
  • Lower stance
  • Suicide doors
  • Air Conditioning
  • Split oval rear window
  • Stereo

Possible modifications
  • Replace flat glass with curved windshield
  • Add running board
  • Re-work the nose & hood
  • Roll Cage
  • Airbags
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Last edited by Rick Evans; 05-10-2014 at 12:16 AM.
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Old 05-10-2014, 12:16 AM
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Time to get rid of the ugly.




Center Post Removed




Rear door removed

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Old 05-10-2014, 12:21 AM
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I haven’t decided if I’ll bag this or not. I would like to have them, but I’m not willing to sacrifice handling to get it to lay frame. If I did put air bags without changing the door opening, you wouldn't be able to open the doors with the bags completely deflated. Taking 3 inches off the length of the doors will also allow for running boards to be added later if I decide I want them
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Old 05-10-2014, 12:22 AM
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After a quick trip to the metal supply to get some tubing, it’s time to start building something.


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Old 05-10-2014, 12:26 AM
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In 1941, Lincoln used unibody construction and welded all the sheet metal to the frame. Im not exactly sure what ELpolacko has up his sleeve for the chassis yet so I added a separate 3”x3” tubing for support. All the body sheet metal will attach to this tubing and allow ELpolacko to remove the frame bits as needed and still support the body.






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