Lincoln Zephyr

The Lincoln Zephyr name has been used by two distinct Lincoln vehicles:

1. 1936-1948 Lincoln-Zephyr:

Paving the Way for Luxury (1936-1942):

Bridging the Gap: Introduced in 1936, the Lincoln-Zephyr aimed to fill the gap between Ford's upscale models and Lincoln's larger, pricier cars. It was a strategic move to expand Lincoln's market reach and compete with other luxury car brands of the era.
Aerodynamic Design: The Lincoln-Zephyr embodied a stylish and aerodynamic design for its time. It featured a streamlined profile, departing from the boxier look of previous Lincolns.
V12 Power: Early Lincoln-Zephyrs were powered by a powerful V12 engine, offering impressive performance for a luxury car in the 1930s.
Evolving Through War (1942-1948):

Production Shift: With World War II impacting car production, Lincoln temporarily stopped making the Zephyr from 1942 to 1945. After the war, production resumed, but with a six-cylinder engine replacing the V12.
The Birth of the Continental: Interestingly, the first Lincoln Continental appeared in 1940 as a high-end model under the Lincoln-Zephyr nameplate. After the war, the Continental became a standalone Lincoln model.
The Zephyr Legacy: Production of the Lincoln-Zephyr continued until 1948, but its design and engineering served as a foundation for future Lincoln models.
2. 2006 Lincoln Zephyr (Short-Lived Revival):

A Brief Return (2006):

Rebranding the MKZ: In 2006, Lincoln briefly revived the Zephyr name for the North American market. However, it was essentially a rebadged version of the already existing Lincoln MKZ sedan.
Luxury Sedan Offering: This iteration of the Zephyr offered a luxurious driving experience with features like a comfortable interior, premium amenities, and a refined driving experience.
Limited Availability: The Lincoln Zephyr nameplate only lasted for one model year in 2006 before being discontinued again.