The first Lincoln Continental was developed as Edsel Ford's one-off personal vehicle, though it is believed he planned all along to put the model into production if successful. In 1938, he commissioned a custom design from the chief stylist, Bob Gregorie, ready for Edsel's March 1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour by Gregorie working from the Lincoln Zephyr blueprints and making changes, was an elegant Convertible with a long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders, and a short trunk with what became the Continental series' trademark, the externally-mounted covered spare tire.

The car could be considered a channeled and sectioned Zephyr that did not even have the bulge that in the Zephyr (and in some other cars) replaced the running-board at the bottom of the doors. This decrease in height meant that the height of the hood was much closer to that of the fenders. There was hardly any trim on it at all, making its lines superb. This car is often rated as one of the most beautiful in the world.

The custom car for the boss was duly produced on time, and Edsel had it delivered to Florida for his spring vacation. Interest from well-off friends was high, and Edsel sent a telegram back that he could sell a thousand of them. Lincoln craftsmen immediately began production on the Continental convertible, and even a rare few hardtop models. They were extensively hand-built; the two dozen 1939 models and 400 1940-built examples even had hand-hammered body panels, since dies for machine-pressing were not constructed until 1941.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Continental production was suspended, to be re-started in 1946 to 1948. Like the other Post War Lincolns, however, the Continental had similar bits of trim added to make it look improved. The 1939–1948 Continental is recognized as a "Full Classic" by the Classic Car Club of America, one of the last-built cars to be so recognized.

This "Survivor" car has been repainted but otherwise exhibits a lot of original features. The car runs and drives exceptionally well having had the engine rebuilt by a long term owner less than 10,000 miles ago. It also had had extensive brake work and the fuel system overhauled. So while she is tad tired cosmetically, this is a car you can drive and enjoy immediately while you attend to its cosmetic issues, or it would be fine just as it is as a CARavan car since you wouldn't have to worry overly much about it when you park it and go into a restaurant for an hour or 2.

Originally finished in Dune Beige with Red Leather and Tan Whipcord Interior, the car was delivered new to Toby Motors in St Louis, MO. It was owned for many years by an Oak Ridge Laboratories Engineer.

Here we have a great opportunity to get an affordable, reliably running Full Classic, that you can improve as time and funds allow.