Heirloom 1948 Lincoln Parked for 56 Years Seeks New Owner, Fantastic Survivor

It's unclear why Lincoln opted not to resurrect the Zephyr line after WW2, but the H-Series filled the same role as a more affordable alternative to the Continental. The cars were simply called Lincolns and were only distinguished by nameplates denoting their body styles, such as Sedan, Club Coupe, and Convertible Coupe. The H-Series was not an official name.

Much like the pre-WW2 Zephyr, the H-Series featured a V12 engine. This setup was still relatively popular in high-end luxury cars. The 292-cubic-inch (4.8-liter) Zephyr engine returned after the war with 130 horsepower on tap. The unit delivered notably more oomph than the previous 267-cubic-inch (4.4-liter) flat-head, which was rated at 110 horsepower.

Although it shared styling cues with the Continental, the H-Series had fewer luxury features and was thus more affordable. Despite this, demand remained low. After the 1948 model year, Lincoln discontinued both the H-Series and the Continental, replacing them with the EL-Series.

Much like the Continental, the final-year H-Series is a rare sight. Lincoln assembled fewer than 8,000 automobiles in 1948, and most of them are no longer on the road. If it's been a while since you've last seen an H-Series that's not a rust bucket, this green four-door will definitely make your day.

The 1948 Lincoln sports a rather controversial design, but I think it's a sight to behold. The coffin-style hood, the super-wide front fenders, and the two-tier grille make for a unique and even outlandish appearance. It's not for everyone, but I love it.

Rarity isn't the only thing that makes this Lincoln pop. Unlike most examples you may have seen on the auction block in recent years, this H-Series is a fully-fledged survivor. Yup, the green paint is original and a whopping 77 years old. The same goes for the stylish beige interior.

How did it survive in such fantastic condition for so long? Well, it's one of those classics that has been in the same family for its entire life. It was also kept in storage between 1959 and 2015 (that's 56 years!).

The Lincoln still relies on the original 292 V12 engine, but the mill was rebuilt after the car was taken out of storage. The transmission, clutch, wiring, and suspension were also restored or replaced with OEM parts. The odometer indicates 48,000 original miles (77,249 km), making it a low-mileage classic.

After nearly eight decades of ownership, the family is parting ways with the sedan, which is being offered on consignment by a dealer in Hewitt, Wisconsin. The asking price is $32,000, which is slightly higher than the average auction price for 1948 H-Series examples, according to classic.com. Is this survivor worth the sticker?