User:Drivingpassion/sandbox

A 1940 Lincoln Continental convertible was ordered originally by Edsel Ford for Paul Whiteman. The color combination was not one that was offered in 1940 however, Edsel Ford encouraged Paul Whiteman to order one. Paul Whiteman sent Edsel a match book cover in blue and asked him to match the color. The original car disappeared for years and even one (#291) that was ordered to be made in the same color combination has never turned up with any of the Lincoln Zephyr Clubs. In 1995 John quirk of Calabasas California sold to Gene Epstein his 1940 Lincoln Continental that was in pieces giving up the idea that he could restore it. Epstein, known as an avid collector and perfectionist, took on the project since it appeared to have all the necessary parts and trim, including the interior. Upon the vehicle arriving at Epstein's, and after a few weeks of sorting out parts, the new owner became aware that the interior was for a different year, Continental convertible and being a perfectionist, started a six month search, placing advertisements in newspapers and in car club's magazines seeking an interior regardless of condition for a 1940 Lincoln Continental. After nearly 6 months of constant searching, received a call from a custom, hot rod company in New Jersey, informing him that he was hot-rodding a car for his customer and they were 'gutting' it. His car was a 1940 and after only minutes of negotiation, Epstein purchased the entire interior which was blue leather and in relatively nice condition. Epstein contacted an authority on 1940 Lincoln Continentals and editor of "The Way of the Zephyr" Mr.David Cole to inform him of his find. The editor was questioning blue interior, since none was offered in 1940 however, he agreed to diligently look through approximately 250 file cards and notations that he had available. A few days later Mr. Cole contacted Epstein to inform him that he found a special order from Edsel Ford for Paul Whiteman's file card which showed blue leather interior and blue exterior. After lots of research, there was one that was ordered 100 cars after Paul Whiteman to duplicate the color combination however, the car has never been found. It was the conclusion of the editor, Mr. David Cole that Epstein purchased in fact had to come from the Paul Whiteman car. He suggested that sent that car was being hot-rodded that Epstein preserve history by using the same color combinations, especially after having the interior from paul Whiteman's car. Approximately three years later, the car was completed and was shown at national Antique Auto Club association in Hershey Pennsylvania, where it took First place honors then onto Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance winning accolades and Best in Class Awards. The automobile was professionally photographed by world renowned photographic artist, Michael Furman and a complementary copy sent to the recordkeeper Mr. David Cole who featured in their national magazine on the cover plus a 3 page story about it’s acquisition and restoration. It was titled "Rhapsody in Blue" redux. After the Amelia Island show, I received a call from Mr. Michael Dingman, a major shareholder of Ford motor company stock who wished to purchase the car. A price was placed on it and accepted. Less than two weeks later,Epstein had seller's remorse and tried for years to purchase the car back because it was so special. 20 years later Mr. Epstein was successful and acquired the car once again. This time he knew everything about the car and how much work he put into it to make it as perfect as possible. He along with a crew worked on the car for six weeks going through every system and making sure everything was back to the way it was when he first restored it. The car is back where it was basically given a new life.