Rita Hayworth’s 1941 Lincoln Continental up for public sale

A 1941 Lincoln Continental coupe owned by Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth is headed to public sale by way of a Worldwide Auctioneers sale scheduled for April 23.

Hayworth was one among Hollywood’s greatest stars within the prewar interval, showing in motion pictures like “The Girl from Shanghai” and “My Gal Sal.” The Continental was a twenty fourth birthday reward from Orson Welles, who delivered the automotive to Hayworth on a film set in Georgia, based on the public sale itemizing. The 2 have been married quickly after.

The Continental should have made for a powerful reward. Launched in 1940 as the primary Lincoln to bear that identify, it was described by architect Frank Lloyd Wright as “probably the most lovely automotive on the planet.” It was a pet undertaking of Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, who sought to carry some European affect to American luxurious automobiles.

1941 Lincoln Continental owned by Rita Hayworth (picture by way of Worldwide Auctioneers)

This 1941 mannequin is powered by a 292-cubic-inch flathead V-12 making 120 hp, which drives the rear wheels by way of a 3-speed handbook transmission. It has a stable entrance axle, floating rear axle, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs entrance and rear, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Not probably the most subtle setup, however keep in mind that is 1941 we’re speaking about.

Hayworth stored the Continental for about 30 years, though she donated the unique bumpers to a World Struggle II scrap drive. The actress finally gifted the automotive to her secretary Frita Wolfe, who later offered it to Aspen Pittman for $2,000. The automotive was then offered to the Artwork Astor Assortment, which handled it to a full restoration.

The unique Continental spawned a number of generations, the final of which bowed out after 2020. With Lincoln now targeted on SUVs, it is unlikely that the Continental nameplate will return anytime quickly.