Final V-12 Beauty: Restoring the Last of a Legendary 1940s Lincoln Zephyr Collection

A Labor of Love: Restoring the Last of a 1940s V-12 Lincoln Zephyr Collection

Overseeing the restoration of a 1947 Lincoln Zephyr convertible has been a heartfelt journey for classic car enthusiast Ed Avedisian—one that honors a friendship spanning over 60 years.

This particular Zephyr is the final piece in a series of 11 1940s V-12 Lincolns once owned by Avedisian’s late friend, Craig Watjen, who passed away in August. Craig had inherited the collection from his brother Peter Watjen, who died in 1996.

“He never got to see it fully restored,” said Avedisian during a visit to Nick’s Upholstery in Narragansett. “He always said it was Peter’s favorite convertible.”

The vehicle has just completed a meticulous three-year restoration by artisan Daniel Falco, formerly of Narragansett Reproductions, who previously worked on six of the Lincolns in the Watjen collection.

“I did most of the work on this one,” Falco shared. “Mechanical systems, wiring, window mechanisms—everything that makes the car function.”

While Falco handled the core mechanical restoration, he subcontracted the paint and upholstery. The car was painted in Pace Car Yellow, the iconic color used on the 1946 Lincoln Continental that served as the official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. Falco explained that when the car arrived from Bellevue, Washington, it was in a mismatched copper red with a white vinyl roof—“wrong color, wrong top,” he said.

Nick Petcu of Nick’s Upholstery reworked the interior with beige upholstery and replaced the vinyl top with authentic beige canvas, completing the car’s vintage look.

A Friendship Forged in Fords

Avedisian and Watjen’s shared passion for vintage vehicles dates back to their youth in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where they spent countless nights restoring Model A Fords.

“I remember walking into the garage in the morning and finding them still working after an all-nighter,” recalled Avedisian’s brother, Paul.

Both friends pursued music in college—Avedisian at Boston University, and Watjen at Harvard. Each played the clarinet, and Avedisian went on to perform with orchestras like the Boston Pops, while Watjen earned degrees from the Juilliard School of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music.

But Watjen’s path took a surprising turn. After years in the orchestra world, he shifted gears, earning an MBA from Stanford University, eventually becoming one of the earliest employees at Microsoft, hired by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1981. By the time he left in 1996, he was assistant head of the company’s treasury team.

“He was a multi-talented guy,” Avedisian reflected.

A Life of Collecting Classics

Watjen’s love for cars began early—his first vehicle was a 1929 Model A Ford Sport Coupe with a rumble seat, which he got at just 12 years old. Over the decades, he amassed a 30-car collection that included multiple Model A Fords and the 11 V-12 Lincolns inherited from his brother.

His collection, housed in a private museum he named “Lincolnshire” in Bellevue, Washington, became a tribute to his family’s passion for cars. Avedisian himself received a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr convertible from Peter and a 1941 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster from Craig.

Falco noted that the recently restored 1947 Lincoln was in rough shape upon arrival: “It was a runner, but barely. I took it apart, every bolt and nut.”

The Final Chapter of a Classic Collection

With Craig Watjen’s passing, the future of the “Lincolnshire” collection remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: this final restoration stands as a lasting tribute to a lifelong friendship and shared love of classic American automobiles.

“He restored it in his brother’s memory,” Avedisian said of the 1947 Zephyr. “It’s the last one.”

For the Love of Vintage Cars

This story is more than just the restoration of a rare classic Lincoln—it’s about friendship, craftsmanship, and a devotion to preserving automotive history. For classic car enthusiasts, it’s a poignant reminder of why we restore, collect, and celebrate these rolling pieces of Americana.

 

1947 Lincoln Zephyr 

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It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

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Amelia Island’s Preservation Trophy Winner .

From the : HVA Newsletter April 2011 

Amelia Island’s Preservation Trophy Winner            by Mark Gessler
Rare Duesenberg Wins FIVA/HVA Preservation Trophy at Amelia Island Concours.

The FIVA/HVA Preservation Trophy is given to those ultra-rare, historic vehicles that retain much, if not all, of their original mechanical components, body, interior and finishes.  At the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance last month, this elite-status recognition went to Gary Bahre for his 1940 Duesenberg SJ Town Car Cabriolet by Rollson.

This long-wheelbase, supercharged chassis was assembled by the Duesenberg factory in late 1937, but was not completed by Rollson until April 1940 due to a series of intriguing events.  First owner, Rudolph Bauer, was a famous German artist and contracted Rollson—an offshoot of the famous Rollston Company coachbuilders—to create this spectacular coachwork based on design drawings he provided.  Bauer was imprisoned by the Nazi regime and later rescued by art collector and connoisseur Solomon Guggenheim, who brought him to the United States where the artist spent the rest of his life.

Driven less than 11,000 miles, Bauer’s special Duesenburg—known today as the “Bauer Car”—is now over 70 years old and still as immaculate and stunning as the day it was finished.
Under its original, black silk convertible top, the coachwork retains all its original paint and bright work and is near flawless.  The interior features its original violet carpet and striking leather upholstery, which was re-dyed in recent years.  Under the hood, the engine and drive train are in the same condition as delivered.  The car also still rides on its rare and original Vogue double whitewall tires.

FIVA President and Chairman, Horst Brüning, was on hand to present the FIVA/HVA Preservation Trophy.  Other Preservation Trophy judges included the HVA’s Mark Gessler and renowned collector Fred Simeone.

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Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving! 

Operation Ignite!

News - Hagerty (Insurance)

Jay Leno is a fan of Operation Ignite

April 01, 2011

Jay Leno with McKeel Hagerty

In a recent video on Jay Leno’s classic car website, Jay’s Garage, Jay had a chat with Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty about our youth program, Operation Ignite!, and our Youth Reporter Contest. Turns out, he thinks it’s pretty cool. In fact, he even offered to hang out with the winner. So not only will one lucky kid go to classic car events around the country all expenses paid, the winner (and his parent or guardian) will also get to meet Jay Leno and check out his amazing garage.

Do you know a kid who likes cars and would be great in front of a camera? Make sure they know about the Operation Ignite! Youth Reporter Contest.

In a recent video on Jay Leno’s classic car website, Jay’s Garage, Jay had a chat with Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty about our youth program, Operation Ignite!, and our Youth Reporter Contest. Turns out, he thinks it’s pretty cool. In fact, he even offered to hang out with the winner. So not only will one lucky kid go to classic car events around the country all expenses paid, the winner (and his parent or guardian) will also get to meet Jay Leno and check out his amazing garage.


Do you know a kid who likes cars and would be great in front of a camera? Make sure they know about the Operation Ignite! Youth Reporter Contest. Our submission period closes on May 1 – so enter today!


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Upholstery Artist restores masterpieces

Submitted By Shirely Page 4/19/2011

Dressed in jeans and sandals with longish hair under beret-like cap,

Nick Petcu looks more like an artist than an artisan.

Indeed, this 50-year old Romanian immigrant is trained as an artist and used to

paint and sculpt.

No more!

“I found another passion”. It is a 1938 Cadillac and a 1947 Packard that underwent

restoration in his workshop.

Petcu, owner of Nick’s Upholstery, restores the interiors of classic collector cars. He can

Transform a car’s beat up and rotting insides—including door panels, carpets and convertible roofs, let alone the seats—into a flawless recreation of the coach builder’s art.

The 1938 Packard 1608 V12 Town Car is unique It was built for tobacco heiress Doris Duke and has a custom coachbuilder Rollston Company, which was founded in 1921

by Romanian immigrant Harry Lonschein.

Time had taken its toll on the interior, which had been “totally destroyed”.  Petcu says that “ much of the wood (frame) was rotten and the roof was (perished)”. Half had to be cut off and replaced.

Petcu’s skill in re-creating the upholstery is matched by Bobby Dwyer’s woodworking skills. While the two are no officially partners, they have on many projects together and a door connects the two workshops.

Dwyer is able to not only re-create the frame but also to refurbish or replace the finely veneered wood that is hallmark of classic cars.

“Hours and hours can go into one tiny piece” he said. You can invest $1,000 into a part you can hold in you hand”.

The Packard is one of a kind.  Not only is the driver separated from the passenger compartment by a glass window, but the rear of the passenger compartment has a convertible roof.

Petcu and Dwyer have refurbished the interior in extreme detail, re-creating the leather and cloth interior in beige and refurbishing (and in some cased re-creating) the fine veneer trim.

A measure of Petcu’s attention to detail is outlined in long strips of cardboard that line both cars’ massive running boards. They are covered in meticulous notes listing every task he undertakes.  He uses the notes both as records of what he has done and for billing purposes.

He had made the new convertible roof out of beige material that matched the interior, but was dissatisfied with the result because it clashed with the black paintwork.  He said that he planned to replace it with black material after a discussion with owner, collector and restorer Dick Shappy.

It would take about 30 hours or two to three days to make the replacement  or two to three days given that he works”12 to 14 hours a day, six day a week.”

He said he also often works on Sundays, breaking only to watch his beloved Celtics on TV.  Overall, he said the Packard has some 700 of work in it.

Just replacing a set of seats requited him to install them three of four time, taking them out each time for retightening or loosening and possible additional stitching.

“It’s like making a suit, you pretty much tailor it ,” he said, adding, “ A major

Aspect of the upholsterer’s art is measuring and re-measuring.”

Petcu said that interior of the massive black 1947 Cadillac 62 Series Convertible was done to the metal when he received it. He re-created the two door panels, all the seats,

the floors, the convertible top and interior of the trunk.

He pointed out the piping along the back of one of the front red leather seats of the Cadillac, which he said was very slightly crooked on one of the seats.

The flaw was invisible to a layman’s eye but he said he would be taking the seat out and tightening it up to bring the piping in line.

Petcu said he left Romania in 1990 as a political refugee from the Communist government.  He had been a foe of President Nicolae Ceausescu, who was captured and executed in 1989 following a general uprising.

“ Why leave now”? he said many of his friends asked him.

“No, no, no, I’m leaving,” he said, noting that the new government was still a Communist one. “ I knew nothing good would come out of it.”

He subsequently spent a month in Italy being processed by the U.S. immigration authorities before coming to the U.S. in 1990.

Petcu said he held a variety of jobs when he first arrived.

“I did everything,” he said, citing breaking asphalt, working at Stop & Shop market and washing dished.

He also started upholstering furniture, a skill he had acquired in Romania.

“ I had a swing machine and fixed couches and chairs,” he said. “One day ( in 1996), a guy comes to me and says, I have an old car, can you do the upholstery?”

He said he had always loved cars and thus the transition into working on collector-car upholstery was a natural fit.

Petcu shares his workshop with another artisan, Brian Sullivan of P&S Upholstery. Sullivan left the corporate life with Merrill Lynch to focus on upholstering, a skill that runs in the family as he said he learned it from his brother who has a shop in East Providence, RI.

Indeed, another Bobby, helped him refurbish the upholstery of a dark blue 1964 Iso Rivolta, a car with an Italian body with a Corvette engine.

He said he had spent some 70 hours re-creating the Rivolta’s dashboard, floor, door panels and seats, noting the work had been eased by the fact that the car was delivered from a paint shop without doors or windows.

“ Restoration is a sequence of events,” he said.

Two years ago, Petcu and his wife Shirley Page, who is Brian and Bobby Sullivan’s sister,

Bought a condo in Tagliolo, Italy, where they spend half the year.

He has established an upholstery business, Autoappezzeria di Nick, but he said he has yet to fully exploit his Italian business.

“ People were concerned that I was leaving,” he said of his American customers.

For more information, check out:  www.nicksupholstery.net

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