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Continental tire
A continental tire or a continental kit is the common U.S. term for an upright externally-mounted spare tire behind an automobile's trunk.
These were available as factory-installed or aftermarket "kits" with full-sized spare wheels. The term is also applied to a cosmetic accessory designed to give the impression of an exposed rear-mounted spare tire.
The term also describes a tire-like styling bulge stamped into the trunk lid. This non-functional feature appeared on the 1956 Continental Mark II[citation needed] and through successive generations of Mark-series Continentals until the 1998 model year.
Early automobiles' pre-mounted spare tire and wheel combination typically meant an external mounting because motorists often needed to change tires. Automakers often mounted a spare tire, or two, on the rear of the car.
Some cars featured a standard (or optional) side-mounted spare tire (or tires) on the fenders behind the front wheels, either for style or to increase luggage capacity.
Early European sports cars had their spare tire attached to the back of the automobile, since their trunk or storage space was often minimal. However, these rear- or side-mounted spare tires were not considered continental tires.
The development of the enclosed trunk on automobiles meant the spare tire could be placed inside rather than on the top of it. This arrangement used up valuable space for carrying luggage. Manufacturers offered the sidemount option to increase trunk capacity.
Edsel Ford had a unique car custom-built after returning from a trip to Europe in 1938. He wanted a "continental look," and a spare tire mounted on the trunk. Using the Lincoln Zephyr chassis that was chopped and channeled, stylist Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie, designed a convertible with a long hood and a spare tire mounted to the rear to reinforce the image of a low speedy automobile. The 1939 Lincoln Continental's short trunk with its external rear spare tire mount became a distinctive design. Reaction was so positive that Lincoln produced the car in 1940 through 1942 and returned after World War II, between 1946 and 1948.
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Continental tire
A continental tire or a continental kit is the common U.S. term for an upright externally-mounted spare tire behind an automobile's trunk.
These were available as factory-installed or aftermarket "kits" with full-sized spare wheels. The term is also applied to a cosmetic accessory designed to give the impression of an exposed rear-mounted spare tire.
The term also describes a tire-like styling bulge stamped into the trunk lid. This non-functional feature appeared on the 1956 Continental Mark II[citation needed] and through successive generations of Mark-series Continentals until the 1998 model year.
Early automobiles' pre-mounted spare tire and wheel combination typically meant an external mounting because motorists often needed to change tires. Automakers often mounted a spare tire, or two, on the rear of the car.
Some cars featured a standard (or optional) side-mounted spare tire (or tires) on the fenders behind the front wheels, either for style or to increase luggage capacity.
Early European sports cars had their spare tire attached to the back of the automobile, since their trunk or storage space was often minimal. However, these rear- or side-mounted spare tires were not considered continental tires.
The development of the enclosed trunk on automobiles meant the spare tire could be placed inside rather than on the top of it. This arrangement used up valuable space for carrying luggage. Manufacturers offered the sidemount option to increase trunk capacity.
Edsel Ford had a unique car custom-built after returning from a trip to Europe in 1938. He wanted a "continental look," and a spare tire mounted on the trunk. Using the Lincoln Zephyr chassis that was chopped and channeled, stylist Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie, designed a convertible with a long hood and a spare tire mounted to the rear to reinforce the image of a low speedy automobile. The 1939 Lincoln Continental's short trunk with its external rear spare tire mount became a distinctive design. Reaction was so positive that Lincoln produced the car in 1940 through 1942 and returned after World War II, between 1946 and 1948.