The Lincoln Continental was created in 1939 as a custom, one-off car for Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford II and president of Ford Motor Company. The Continental was designed by Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie. Inspired by European design, the sleek convertible was an instant success with Edsel's friends, leading to limited production that year and 400 cars in 1940. This elegant car with its signature trunk-mounted spare tire became a luxury icon and was selected by the Museum of Modern Art as an example