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Deal Finds / Lincoln

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1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe, one of about 200 built, engine missing

A low-production 1942 Continental coupe body for under $8,000, a good base for a modern drivetrain.

1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe, one of about 200 built, engine missing

Photo from the Beverly Hills Car Club listing. See all the seller's photos there.

Rare The seller says about 200 Continental Club Coupes were built for 1942 before WWII stopped civilian car production; the commonly cited 1942 figure is 200 coupes.

Why we picked it

Why we picked it: Beverly Hills Car Club is asking $7,950 for this 1942 Lincoln Continental Club Coupe, down from $9,750. It is a California car in Bristol Blue with a matching interior. The dealer says it is one of about 200 club coupes built for 1942 before the war stopped civilian car production. The original V12 is missing, which explains the price.

This is not a bargain on a like-for-like basis. Complete, running club coupes sold for $11,500 to $19,500 on Bring a Trailer this fall, and finding a correct flathead V12 costs real money. For a restomod build, though, the missing engine matters less. You get the Continental's long hood, short deck and spare-tire bustle, and you can fit a modern V8 or crate motor without cutting up a numbers-matching car.

The value check

The seller is asking $7,950. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $11,500–$19,500, so the middle of the market is about $15,500. That put this car 49% under.

Complete, running first-generation Continental club coupes sold for $11,500 to $19,500 on Bring a Trailer in fall 2026. This car has no engine, so it is not a like-for-like match. The case for it rests mainly on how few were built.

Where the numbers come from:

What to check

  • The engine is missing. Ask what else is gone, such as the transmission, overdrive, radiator and engine accessories, and get a complete parts inventory.
  • Beverly Hills Car Club listings leave out mileage, title status and rust details. Confirm the title, as-is terms and condition in person or through an independent inspection.
  • Check the floors, the trunk floor under the continental kit, the rocker panels and the lower doors for rust and old repairs.
  • 1942 cars have model-specific front sheet metal and trim. Make sure the grille, bumpers and brightwork are there, because they are hard to find.
  • Running Continentals have been selling for under $20,000, so budget the build with resale in mind.

Making it drive like new

With no V12 to keep, this coupe is ready for a restomod. A common approach is a modern small-block or Coyote V8 with an overdrive automatic, a Mustang II-style or aftermarket independent front suspension with disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, a new 12-volt wiring harness and modern cooling. You can keep the 1942 body, trim and interior styling and still have a car that drives well on the freeway.

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