- Sapphire Blue Over Tuxedo Black
- Leland-built Shortly After Ford Absorbed Lincoln
- Beautiful, Nickel-plated Headlights And Taillight Bezels
- High-level Restoration And Well-maintained Since
- Runs And Drives Well
- 357.8 Ci 90 HP Flathead V8 Engine
- 3 Speed Manual Transmission
- 89,003 Miles
This Sapphire Blue and tuxedo black Sport Phaeton is subtly
gorgeous! It is one of the first Lincoln's produced after Ford
absorbed the company and still wears the "Leland-Built" badging on
the grille, running boards, and hubcaps. The styling of this
Phaeton is defined as conservative but the color probably made a
good enough statement on its own in its time. Subtle queues like
the wreathed nickel bezels on the headlights and taillight, and
nickel bezels for the dash gauges provide the right amount of
flash.
It's obvious this car has had a high-level restoration in the past
and been lovingly maintained since. It runs and drives, the paint
shows very well, and the interior shows just the right amount of
distress to show it has been used. The walnut wood behind the front
seat with dual glove compartments is exquisite. The dash gauges and
knobs are in impeccable shape given their age. The engine bay is
clean and shows off the Leland-designed, 90-horsepower V8 flathead.
We wouldn't hesitate to hop in this car and drive it to the ice
cream parlor tomorrow.
The early days of the Lincoln Motor Company can be viewed as a
legacy of World War I, a manifestation of the prestige of Henry
Leland, an indication of the vast economic power of Henry Ford, and
eventually the consummate good taste of Edsel Ford. Leland had
founded Cadillac on the financially distressed remains of The Henry
Ford Company, which Henry Ford soon left, going on to establish the
Ford Motor Company. Together with his son Wilfred, Leland oversaw
Cadillac's emergence as a technological leader, staying on when the
company became a division of William Durnat's new General Motor
Corporation in 1909. But in 1917, when Leland wanted to adapt
Cadillac resources to production of Liberty aircraft engines,
Durant balked and the Lelands walked. Leland was able to raise
sufficient backing for his engine plant, and when the war ended he
was able to raise more financing to launch Lincoln.
Established in 1920 as Cadillac competitor, the first Lincoln won
praise for its meticulous engineering and V8 power, but dowdy
company styling and production hiccups led directors to put the
company up for sale. In February of 1922 Lincoln was absorbed by
Ford. The deal included the Lelands, but that uneasy marriage
lasted just four months, whereupon Edsel Ford became president of
the new Ford division.
This four-passenger sport phaeton was built shortly after the Fords
acquired Lincoln. It still sports the 'Leland-Built' badge on the
radiator shell as well as Leland-Lincoln hub caps.
The early Lincolns were exceptionally well-built - and fast -
automobiles but rather conservative in their appearance. They were
powered by the Leland-designed 90 horsepower V-8, which remained in
production through 1932.
