Yes, it’s a little late for Halloween, but it’s an interesting car nonetheless. It’s the twin-grille, twin-hood 1936 Lincoln Zephyr created by automotive visionary Willard L. Morrison.
First, Mac’s Motor City Garage would like to give a big thank you ace automotive photographer Al Rogers for alerting us to the car’s recent public appearance and supplying the photos you see here. A top pro shooter, Al is a blur as he hustles all over the country capturing the rare and the wonderful for the top collector car magazines.
Nobody is exactly sure why Mr. Morrison, an automotive inventor and accessory developer, created his twin-nose Zephyr Fordor back in 1937. Possibilities suggested over the years include wider appearance, improved steamlining, better visibility, and superior engine cooling. None of these theories seem totally plausible. It might be safest to presume that Morrison was simply trying to create something different. He also constructed twin-nose Packard and Ford prototypes along similar lines during this same period, as well as other customizing components for popular cars.
In 1955 or 1956, the double-schnozz Lincoln became part of the private collection of Lee Roy Hartung, and except for a historical piece in Special Interest Autos in August 1978, the weird machine was seldom seen. Upon Hartung’s passing in May 2011, his eclectic hoard was liquidated by Auctions America by RM in November of that year.
The Zephyr now belongs to Matt Klinger of Ohio, who got its V12 engine running and brought it to the 2012 AACA Hershey Fall Meet last month for the public to enjoy. That’s where our good friend Al snapped these photos.
We’ve also included an original factory photo of a stock 1936 Lincoln Zephyr Fordor below for reference. So what’s your theory? What’s the double-nosed Zephyr all about?
Styling left to pragmatic functionalists often take on strange visual qualities. I wonder if he just thought it would make the car go faster?
Yes, the ’36 Zephyr was a milestone design for Lincoln but I kinda’ dig Mr. Morrison’s mods. Matt will be an excellent caretaker of this unique piece of history.
Different,, but why? Though if it had taken off all cars may have had twin noses for a while as manufacurers all seem to ape each other. Fins, these days retro look and the flared guard look .
In all my years into cars especially Lincolns and most Ford products this oddidity slipped by me. Thanks.