Lincoln Zephyr: one name, three very different Lincolns

Lincoln Zephyr is a name that has been used on several different Lincoln vehicles. It began with the V12-engined Lincoln-Zephyr of the 1930s, returned briefly on the 2006 sedan that became the MKZ, and since 2022 has belonged to a mid-size sedan built in China.

Lincoln Zephyr at a glance

Based on one source, and that source is a short page listing the three cars that used the name, so this article is shorter than usual.

History of the Lincoln Zephyr

The first Lincoln-Zephyr was a line of mid-size luxury cars sold from 1936 to 1942. It was the car whose streamlined body and V12 engine gave the 1939 Lincoln Continental its starting point, and it was the model that moved Lincoln from the exclusive K-series towards more affordable, modern cars.

The name came back for one year only: the mid-size sedan launched for the 2006 model year was sold as the Lincoln Zephyr and renamed Lincoln MKZ for 2007, when Lincoln adopted its three-letter model names.

Since 2022 a new Lincoln Zephyr has been built in China by Changan Ford. It is a mid-size sedan, known in Chinese as the “Z”, and it is sold only on that market.

Design and features

• A name in three eras: a 1930s V12 car, a 2006 sedan and a 2022 Chinese-market car.
• Linked to the Continental: the 1930s Zephyr was the base for Edsel Ford’s first Continental.
• Short-lived second use: the 2006 Zephyr became the MKZ after a single model year.

Lincoln Zephyr versions

• Lincoln-Zephyr (1936–1942): mid-size luxury car with a V12 engine.
• Lincoln Zephyr (2006): the mid-size sedan renamed MKZ for 2007.
• Lincoln Zephyr (2022–): Changan Ford mid-size sedan for China.

The 2006 Zephyr continued as the Lincoln MKZ, and the 1930s car was the starting point for the Lincoln Continental. More Lincolns are in the Lincoln collection.

Sources

• Lincoln Zephyr, English Wikipedia: the three cars that used the name