Lincoln (automobile)

Lincoln

Type Division
Industry Automotive
Founded 1917
Headquarters Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
Area served North America, Middle East
Henry M. Leland, founder of the Lincoln
Key people
Motor Company
Products Automobiles
Parent Ford Motor Company
Website lincoln.com

Lincoln is the luxury brand of Ford Motor Company. Founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland
and acquired by Ford in 1922, Lincoln has manufactured vehicles since the 1920s. Leland
named the brand after his longtime hero Abraham Lincoln.

History
The company was founded in August 1917 by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of
Cadillac (originally the Henry Ford Company). He left the Cadillac division of General
Motors during World War I and formed the Lincoln Motor Company to build Liberty aircraft
engines with his son Wilfred. After the war, the company's factories were retooled to
manufacture luxury automobiles.

Purchase by Ford

Lincoln Touring 1922

Lincoln Model L Sport Touring 1929

Lincoln Convertible 1949

1959 Lincoln Premier

1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible

1978 Lincoln Continental (Custom)

1989 Lincoln Town Car

1990 Lincoln Town Car

2003-07 Lincoln Town Car

The company encountered severe financial troubles during the transition, coupled with body
styling that wasn't comparable to other luxury makers, and after having produced only 150
cars in 1922, was forced into bankruptcy and sold for US$8,000,000 to the Ford Motor
Company on February 4, 1922, which went to pay off some of the creditors. The purchase of
Lincoln was a personal triumph for Henry Ford, who had been forced out of his second (after
Detroit Automobile Company) company by a group of investors led by Leland. Ford's
company, renamed Cadillac in 1902 and purchased by rival General Motors in 1909, was
Lincoln's chief competitor. Lincoln quickly became one of America's top selling luxury
brands alongside Cadillac and Packard. Ford made no immediate change, either in the chassis
or the V8 L-head engine which was rated 36.4 SAE and produced 90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) at
2,800 rpm. An unusual feature of this power unit was the 60 degree separation of the cylinder
blocks that helped to cut down on synchronous vibration found with similar engines with 90
degree separation produced at the time. After the Ford takeover, bodywork changes and
reduced prices increased sales to 5,512 vehicles from March to December 1922.

In 1923, several body styles were introduced, that included two- and three-window, four door
sedans and a phaeton that accommodated four passengers. They also offered a two passenger
roadster and a seven passenger touring sedan and limousine, which was sold for $5,200. A
sedan, limo, cabriolet and town car were also offered by coachbuilders Fleetwood, and a
second cabriolet was offered by coachbuilder Brunn. Prices for the vehicles built by these
coachbuilders went for as much as $7,200, and despite the limited market appeal, Lincoln
sales rose about 45 percent to produce 7,875 cars and the company was operating at a profit
by the end of 1923.
In 1924 large touring sedans began to be used by police departments around the country. They
were known as Police Flyers, which were equipped with four wheel brakes, two years before
they were introduced on private sale vehicles. These specially equipped vehicles, with bullet
proof windshields measuring 7/8 of an inch thick and spot lights mounted on the ends of the
windshield, also came with an automatic windshield wiper for the driver and a hand operated
wiper for the front passenger. Police whistles were coupled to the exhaust system and gun
racks were also fitted to these vehicles.

Optional equipment was not necessarily an issue with Lincolns sold during the 1920s,
however, customers who wanted special items were accommodated. A nickel plated radiator
shell could be installed for $25, varnished natural wood wheels were $15, or Rudge-
Whitworth center-lock wire wheels for another $100. Disteel steel disc wheels were also
available for $60. Lincoln chose not to make yearly model changes, used as a marketing tool
of the time, designed to lure new customers. Lincoln customers of the time were known to
purchase more than one Lincoln with different bodywork, so changing the vehicle yearly was
not done to accommodate their customer base.[1] In 1927, Lincoln adopted the greyhound as
their emblem, which was later replaced with the stylized diamond emblem that is currently in
use.

In 1932, Lincoln introduced the V12-powered KB. The same year, Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie,
at the styling studio created by Edsel Ford, began designing what became the Continental,
eventually the most important car made by Lincoln. It started as a one-off project car for
Edsel, who wanted a European-style car unlike the boxier designs his father's company
produced, to drive around on vacations in Florida.

Lincoln-Zephyr

The sportier Zephyr gave Gregorie his chance. Introduced for the 1936 model year, it featured
a 267 cu in (4.4 L) V12, and was so successful it almost became a brand name, rather than
just a model. Its first year increased Lincoln sales almost ninefold.[2] Gregorie simply
sectioned a 1938 Zephyr Coupé 4 inches (102 mm), allowing most of the existing dies and
tooling to be retained, adding the hallmark vertically mounted spare tire.

Continental

The result became the Continental, eventually the most important car made by Lincoln; by the
time it ended production in 1948, 5322 were built, almost entirely by hand. The Zephyr, on
which it was based, stopped production in early 1942 when Ford converted to war work, and
was not revived.[3] The Continental's spare tire mount was so distinctive, those who work on
custom cars still call adding a similar mount a "Continental kit".

Continental Mark II

The Continental Mark II revived the concept. It was produced by the short-lived Continental
division from April 1955 to July 1957 before it was turned over to the Lincoln marque. The
Mark II had a basic list price of $10,000, the same as a Rolls-Royce that year. The Continental
division merged with Lincoln in 1958.

Town Car
The Continental became Lincoln's flagship model until 1981 when the Town Car, previously
the Continental's top trim level, became its own model and took over that role.

Navigator

In 1998 Lincoln was the best-selling luxury brand in the United States, helped by the massive
success of the Navigator SUV, and a redesign of the Town Car as well as the Continental.

Renaissance as global brand

Lincoln was one of the Premier Automotive Group brands from 1998 to 2002, but was pulled
out due to Ford's new marketing strategy of separating its import brands from its domestic
marques. In recent years the company had fallen behind Japanese, European, and American
competitors for a lack of new models. The company has reacted to remedy this, however, by
sharing parts and platforms with other Ford divisions worldwide in an attempt to bring more
new models to market faster. The result is the introduction of several new models, starting
with the 2006 Mark LT pickup (later replaced by the Platinum trim version of the Ford F-
150), Zephyr (upgraded and renamed Lincoln MKZ for the 2007 model year) and the MKX
Crossover SUV. Subsequent model launches were the MKS sedan in 2009 and the MKT
"Touring" crossover for the 2010 model year.

Lincoln vehicles are currently officially available in the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, South
Korea, and the Middle East. Lincoln competes with other luxury brands, mainly Cadillac of
Ford's American arch rival General Motors, but also to a lesser extent with brands such as
Lexus of Toyota, Infiniti of Nissan, Acura of Honda, and Audi of Volkswagen.

Expanded lineup replacing Mercury

On June 2, 2010, Ford officially announced the closure of the Mercury line by the end of the
year. Derrick Kuzak, Ford's head of product development, said seven new or updated Lincoln
product lines would be developed over four years to make up for Mercury's loss. One of these
would be Lincoln's first compact car.[4]

Presidential cars

Lincoln Limousine used by President Calvin Coolidge, c. 1924

Lincoln has a long history of providing official state limousines for the U.S. President. The
first car specially built for Presidential use was the 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible called the
"Sunshine Special" used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It remained in use until 1948.
A 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan called the "Bubble Top" was used by Presidents Truman,
Eisenhower, Kennedy, and once by Johnson. It was retired in 1965.

The Lincoln limousine made famous in Dallas was a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible,
custom built by Hess and Eisenhart of Cincinnati, and known as the SS-100-X. The Secret
Service had the car fitted with a 1962 grill for aesthetic reasons. It was in use from 1961 to
1977, having undergone extensive alterations which made it an armor-plated sedan after
Kennedy's assassination. A 1969 Lincoln was used by Nixon and a 1972 Lincoln used by
Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush. A 1989 Lincoln was the last Presidential Lincoln
as of 2004. Cadillac supplied Presidential limousines in 1983, 1993, 2001, and 2004.

The John F. Kennedy limousine also included a "Plexiglas" bubble top to be used in the event
of inclement weather. The 1961 vehicle was notorious for its inadequate cooling of the rear of
the passenger cabin while the bubble top was in place, particularly in sunshine. In order to
prevent excessive heat and discomfort to the passengers, the top was often removed prior to
parades, as was the case in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Though it was always assumed that President Lyndon Baines Johnson had the car destroyed
after the assassination of President Kennedy,[citation needed] the 100-X was turned over to the
Secret Service, Army Materials Research Center, Hess & Eisenhart, Pittsburgh Plate Glass
Company, and Ford Motor Company for retrofitting of armor plating, permanent sedan roof,
new interior, improved air-conditioning system, electronic communications equipment,
bulletproof glass, a new paint treatment, as well as cosmetic alterations to remove damage
incurred during the assassination, among other changes. The car is also on display at the
Henry Ford Museum.[5]

The Johnson Administration also used three 1965 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousines.
Two limousines for the President and one for Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, as well
as a 1968 "stretch" Lincoln to be used in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas. This vehicle is
on display at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The 100-X was modified again in 1967. Later, under President Richard Nixon, the large one-
piece glass roof was replaced with a smaller glass area and a hinged roof panel. It remained in
service until 1977 and resides in its final configuration at the Henry Ford Museum.

President Nixon ordered a 1969 model limousine, through Lehman-Peterson of Chicago. This
vehicle also had an added sunroof so that Nixon could stand upright when appearing before
parade-goers if desired. This vehicle was equipped with several features, such as retractable
hand grips and running boards, options later copied by Hess and Eisenhart. This car is now
located at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, California.

In 1974, Ford supplied a 1972 Continental model which was stretched to 22 feet (7 m),
outfitted with armor plating, bullet resistant glass and powered by a 460 cu in (7.5 L) V8
engine. This limousine was used by Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald
Reagan, and is on display at the Henry Ford Museum. This model was also altered a number
of times during its history, including a full body redesign in 1979. This was the limousine that
Reagan was about to enter during his assassination attempt in 1981.

Lincoln automobiles
Historic

 Lincoln Blackwood (2002)

 Lincoln Capri (1952–1959)
 Lincoln Continental (1961–2002)
 Lincoln Cosmopolitan (1949–1954)
 Lincoln Custom (1941–1942)
 Lincoln Custom (1955)
 Lincoln K-series (1931–1939)
 Lincoln Lido (1950–1951)
 Lincoln Mark Series (1956–1998)
 Lincoln Premiere (1956–1960)
 Lincoln Sport (1949–1951)
 Lincoln Versailles (1977–1980)
 Lincoln-Zephyr (1936–1942), a car line priced between Ford and Lincoln
 Lincoln (no other name) (1946–1951)
 Lincoln L-series (1920–1930)
 Lincoln-Zephyr Continental (1940–1942, 1946–1948), later Lincoln Continental

Recent

 Lincoln LS (2000–2006)
 Lincoln Aviator (2003–2005)
 Lincoln Zephyr (2006)
 Lincoln Mark LT (2006—2008)

Current and potential models

Lincoln currently uses a new naming system with most models bearing a three-letter
designation beginning with "MK" instead of a name, starting in 2007. The Navigator and
Town Car names remain, but all other models use the new nomenclature.

The 2009 MKS is Lincoln's newest full-size sedan

 Lincoln MKT (2010—)
 Lincoln MKS (2009—)
 Lincoln MKX (2007— )
 Lincoln MKZ (2007— )
 Lincoln Navigator (1998— )
 Lincoln Town Car (1981—2011)
Concept cars

 Lincoln Continental 1950-X (1952)

 Lincoln Anniversary (1953)
 Lincoln Maharaja (1953)
 Lincoln XL-500 (1953)
 Lincoln Mardi Gras (1954)
 Lincoln Futura (1955)
 Lincoln Indianapolis(1955)
 Lincoln Continental Town Sedan (1965, 1969)
 Lincoln Coronation Coupe (1966)
 Lincoln Coronation II (1967)
 Lincoln Mark III Dual Cowl Phaeton (1970)
 Lincoln Continental Concept 90 (1982)
 Lincoln Continental Concept (1983)
 Lincoln Quicksilver (1985–1986)
 Lincoln Continental Next Generation Mark (1986–1987)
 Lincoln Vignale (1987)
 Lincoln Machete (1988)
 Lincoln Marque X (1992)
 Lincoln L2K (1995)
 Lincoln Sentinel (1996)
 Lincoln Special LS (1999)
 Lincoln Mark 9 (2001) [5]
 Lincoln Continental Concept (2002)
 Lincoln Navicross (2003)
 Lincoln MK9 concept (2004)
 Lincoln Mark X concept (2004) [6]
 Lincoln MKR concept (2007)
 Lincoln C concept (2009)

References
1. ^ John Bentley, "Lincoln", in The Old Car Book, Number 168, Fawcett Books, 1952 p. 52-57
2. ^ David Burgess-White, "Lincoln", in World of Automobiles, Volume 10, p.1196-7
3. ^ Burgess-White, p.1197
4. ^ Durbin, Dee-Ann; Krisher, Tom (2010-06-02). "Mercury falling: Ford eliminates mid-range
brand". Associated Press. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FORD_MERCURY?
SITE=NCGRE&SECTION=NATIONAL&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-06-02-
13-53-18. Retrieved 2010-06-03.
5. ^ "Lincoln Mark 9 Coupe :: Concept Car Database". Conceptcar.co.uk.
http://www.conceptcar.co.uk/concept-cars/concept-car-54.php. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
6. ^ "2004 North American International Auto Show". Edmunds.com.
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/100916/page052.html?
tid=edmunds.e.autoshow..leftnav.53.*. Retrieved 2010-06-28.

Further reading
 David Burgess-White, "Lincoln", in World of Automobiles, Volume 10. London: Orbis
Publishing Ltd, 1974.
External links
 Official Website
 Lincoln at the Open Directory Project
 Website of Lincoln Presidential Limousines