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1948 Lincoln Continental

$32,495

Vehicle Details

Make

Lincoln

Model

Continental

Year

1948

Mileage

61,356 miles

VIN

NRO4826

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Automatic

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

Description

1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible For Sale
An Icon of Postwar American Luxury * Long-Term Ownership * Tastefully Upgraded * A True Full Classic
Few American automobiles possess the prestige, elegance, and timeless design of the 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible. Regarded as one of the most beautiful automobiles ever produced, the Continental represented Lincoln's flagship luxury model and was the preferred transportation of celebrities, dignitaries, and prominent figures during the late 1940s. This beautifully maintained example has been lovingly cared for by its current owner, Norman, an 87-year-old veteran, for more than two decades.

Purchased from the Atlanta, Georgia area and brought home by trailer over 20 years ago, the car has remained a cherished part of his collection and has been meticulously maintained throughout his ownership. Blending classic styling with carefully chosen modern upgrades, this Continental offers the best of both worlds-authentic postwar luxury with improved comfort and drivability. Designed for effortless touring, this Continental delivers the smooth, quiet ride that made Lincoln one of America's premier luxury marques.

Odometer showing 61,356 miles
Smooth, quiet, and reliable operation
Fully functional gauges, including oil pressure
Simple, dependable non-computerized drivetrain
Excellent road manners for touring and cruising
The car starts easily, runs exceptionally well, and offers a relaxed driving experience befitting its status as one of America's premier luxury automobiles. The styling of the 1948 Continental remains instantly recognizable nearly eight decades later. Long, flowing body lines, elegant proportions, and restrained chrome trim make this one of the most admired American automobiles ever built.

Beautiful paint finish
Professionally restored chrome throughout
Signature factory Continental rear-mounted spare tire
Wide whitewall tires
Matching fender skirts included
Distinctive one-piece windshield
Original-style oval rearview mirror
The factory Continental spare tire enclosure became so iconic that similar rear-mounted spare tire conversions on other classic cars are still commonly referred to as "Continental Kits."
The Continental's cabin is a showcase of postwar American craftsmanship, featuring elegant Art Deco-inspired styling and premium materials throughout. Genuine leather seating
Beautiful brass interior accents
Factory center console
Integrated ashtray and cigarette lighter
Factory front power windows
Console-mounted window switches
Factory directional turn signals
Push-button door entry system
Unlike many modern automobiles, the interior is almost entirely free of plastic, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship of the era. While preserving its classic appearance, this Continental has received several thoughtful upgrades to enhance comfort and drivability.

Vintage Air air conditioning system
GM tilt and telescoping steering column
Custom steering wheel
Modern seat belts
Premium sound system hidden in the glovebox
Custom floor mats
These improvements make the car significantly more enjoyable on today's roads while maintaining its timeless character. Long-term ownership is becoming increasingly rare among Full Classic automobiles, making this Continental especially desirable. Owned by the current caretaker for more than 20 years
Purchased in the Atlanta, Georgia area
Carefully maintained throughout ownership
Well-preserved and regularly enjoyed
The pride of ownership is evident throughout the vehicle and is reflected in both its presentation and mechanical condition.

The 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible is widely regarded as one of the greatest American luxury automobiles ever built. Combining elegant styling, outstanding craftsmanship, long-term ownership, and carefully selected modern upgrades, this example is equally suited for touring, concours events, or inclusion in a distinguished collection. A beautifully maintained postwar American icon that offers timeless elegance, exceptional comfort, and the opportunity to own one of Lincoln's most celebrated automobiles.

For Sale By Owner Located In West Islip, NY 11795
Take A L@@K At The Video On YouTube:
Follow This Link To Over 250 High Resolution Photos: JobY7

Trim: For Sale
Options: Premium Sound System, Leather Interior Surface

Classic Lincoln Continental Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Sarah Whitfield

Pre-War Classics

1940–1979

~4 min read

Updated Apr 2026

Definitive buyer's guide for classic Lincoln Continental (1940–1979). Covers the original 1940–1948 pre-war model, the iconic 1961–1969 suicide-door generation, and the 1970s full-size era — with inspection priorities and current valuations.

This guide covers

✓ 10-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 5 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Continental Buyer's Guide

Lincoln Continental Market Overview

Based on 81 Lincoln Continental listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$27,114

Avg. Asking Price

1941–1997

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $32,495

Low: $5,195 High: $98,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 77% ◄

Manual 1%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 10%

Good 4%

Fair 5%

Poor 1%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 81 listings →

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What is this car worth?

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Classic Lincoln Continental Buyer's Guide

The Lincoln Continental is one of the few American automobiles that achieved genuine design immortality — not once but twice. The 1940–1948 original defined the American luxury car of its era; the 1961–1969 generation with its iconic reverse-opening rear doors defined it again for a generation that included heads of state and Hollywood royalty. Between those two high-water marks and after them, the Continental name carried Lincoln's flagship ambitions with varying degrees of success. Buying a Continental today requires knowing which generation you're actually after — they differ more than the shared nameplate suggests.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Inspect rear door hinges and latches (1961–1969) — Reverse-opening rear doors have unique hinge and latch mechanisms. Check alignment, seal condition, and hinge pivot wear. Parts are available but expensive.

✓

Check lower rear quarters for rust — Primary rust zone on 1961–1969 cars. Complex panel geometry makes repair expensive. Inspect with magnet and flashlight.

✓

Verify rear window seal condition — Water ingress at rear window is common. Check for water staining inside the rear shelf and boot area.

✓

Test convertible top mechanism (if applicable) — Four-door convertible top mechanisms are complex. Test full cycle — up and down — multiple times. Specialist-only repairs if anything fails.

✓

Check Lincoln V8 compression and oil condition — All cylinders should read within 10% of each other. Milky oil = head gasket. These are large-displacement engines — rebuilds are expensive.

✓

Test all power accessories — Power windows, power seats, power locks, air conditioning — these cars were heavily optioned. Multiple failures indicate electrical system neglect.

✓

Verify body panel gaps and alignment — Continental panel gaps should be even and consistent. Uneven gaps indicate accident repair or improper restoration.

✓

Inspect floor pans and trunk floor — Water ingress through window seals and body seams rots the floor from above. Inspect with carpet removed.

✓

Check original colour and interior documentation — Verify original colour against the trim tag in the door jamb. Factory colour and matching interior add 15–30% to value.

✓

Document with photos before purchase — Every panel, door gaps, rear door mechanism, engine bay, interior, and all identifying tags.

Common Issues

The 1961–1969 Continental has specific rust patterns: lower rear quarter panels, around the rear window opening, and floor pans from window seal failures are the primary concerns. The complex body geometry makes panel replacement expensive — budget accordingly. The reverse-opening rear door mechanism is unique to this generation. Worn hinge pivots, fatigued torsion springs, and deteriorated seals are common. These parts are available through Continental registries and specialist suppliers but are not inexpensive. The large-displacement Lincoln V8 engines (430, 462, 460) are fundamentally robust but their cooling systems need attention on high-mileage examples. The 460 in particular benefits from a thermostat upgrade and fresh coolant. The automatic transmissions are generally long-lived when serviced. Electrical systems on all generations from 1961–1969 have aged in ways consistent with any 55+-year-old vehicle. Power window motors, door lock solenoids, and the instrument cluster lighting are all common failure points.

What to Look For

Generation clarity first. Know which Continental you're evaluating — the 1940–1948 original, the 1956–1957 Mark II, the 1961–1969 suicide-door, or the 1970–1979 later car. Each has different values, different parts availability, and different inspection priorities. Rear door mechanism on 1961–1969 cars: this is the most critical inspection point specific to this generation. Open and close both rear doors fully. They should open and close with smooth, positive action, seal flush against the B-pillar, and latch securely. Any slop, binding, or poor seal indicates worn hinges or springs. Original colour and trim documentation. The trim tag in the driver's door jamb lists the paint code, interior code, and production date. Cross-reference with any available build records. For 1961–1969 cars, original medium-metallic colours (Midnight Blue Metallic, Black, Corinthian White) are the most desirable.

Price Guide

Original 1940–1948 Continental: $70,000–$140,000 for correctly documented survivors in good condition. The finest concours examples approach $200,000. Mark II (1956–1957): $55,000–$110,000 for correctly documented examples in good condition. Concours-quality Mark IIs with known ownership history: $95,000–$140,000. 1961–1969 four-door sedan: $22,000–$42,000 for driver-quality examples; $55,000–$85,000 for professional restorations. Convertibles: $45,000–$90,000 driver quality; $100,000–$130,000 concours. 1970–1979 Continental: $8,000–$18,000 for clean driver-quality examples. Values are stable rather than appreciating for this generation.

Did You Know?

President John F. Kennedy was riding in a 1961 Lincoln Continental when he was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The car — SS-100-X — was subsequently rebuilt with a permanent hardtop and remained in presidential service until 1977. It is now displayed at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The 1956–1957 Continental Mark II was priced at $9,695 — roughly double the cost of a Cadillac Eldorado in the same year, and the most expensive American production car of its era.

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$32,495

1948 Lincoln Continental

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Original Factory Colors

Official paint codes for the Lincoln Continental.

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Model History