Lincoln needed a more moderately-priced car to help it endure the tough times of the post-Depression era. The luxury car maker responded with a November 1935 introduction of the Zephyr for the 1936 model year. Its name echoed that of the new-fangled streamlined modern diesel trains in operation on the Burlington Railroad. The dramatic teardrop styling was credited to designer John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Company with help from a young Ford designer named Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie along with input from Edsel Ford. The trio would be credited for fashioning the first successful streamlined car in America. The Zephyr was powered by a new, small V-12 engine derived from the standard Ford flathead V-8. Production was interrupted by World War II and resumed in 1946. The Zephyr name was dropped in 1947 with 1948 being the final year of production. 

Zephyr Sedans retailed for $1,493 before options. When equipped with the optional custom interior, its price was $95 additional. This stylish sedan was Lincoln’s most popular car in 1941 with a 14,469-unit model run. Zephyrs underwent myriad detail changes for the model year, and interior modifications included the industry’s first use of push-button door releases.