Commissioned by Lincoln boss Edsel Ford and styled by Ford designer Bob Gregorie on the V-12 Zephyr chassis, the Continental would go on to become a design legend in its own time after entering production in 1940, with only 350 convertibles and 54 coupes produced that first year.

The restored example offered here shipped on 1 April 1940, finished as it is today in the handsome color scheme of black with a red leather interior and a black convertible top.

It came equipped with a radio, a cowl antenna, stone deflectors, and Firestone whitewall tires, according to a copy of its original build sheet.

Although the car’s early history is unknown, its fate from the 1960s forward is well documented, as the car has been the subject of various magazine articles over the years.

Les Klinge of West Caldwell, New Jersey acquired the cabriolet in the early 1960s after discovering it languishing in a New Jersey farmyard.

He would restore the neglected Lincoln over the ensuing years, finishing it ...