Vehicle Description
In 1902, Henry M. Leland was charged with appraising the assets of
The Henry Ford Company prior to its liquidation. Rather than
liquidate the stocks, Leland suggested the firm reorganize and
build a new car based on an engine he had previously designed for
Olds. Henry Ford was forced out, and the new company was
reorganized as Cadillac. Leland applied lessons he learned in the
firearms business to automobile production, particularly in the use
of interchangeable parts. Leland sold Cadillac to General Motors in
1909, but remained in charge, keeping Cadillac at the forefront of
the automobile industry. A dispute with Billy Durant over the
production of Liberty Aircraft engines led to Leland and his
son-in-law departing from Cadillac in 1916. Leland secured a
ten-million-dollar grant and soon started a new company, named for
his hero, Abraham Lincoln. They built Liberty engines for the war
effort; however, the Armistice came before Lincoln could fully
establish itself, so the Lelands fell back on making what they knew
best - luxury automobiles. The Lincoln Model L was Henry Leland's
first production car, debuting in September 1920. The L was
technically excellent, with its fork-and-blade 60-degree V8, torque
tube drive, and robust chassis. Leland's perfectionism delayed
production, with the car debuting at the start of a post-war
recession. The styling was also seen as dowdy and lacking the
suitable Jazz-Age flamboyance that was necessary on such a pricey
automobile. Initial sales were slow and financial troubles hit the
company hard. Despite Leland's vehement opposition, the board
elected to sell Lincoln to Henry Ford for $8 million. Ford, perhaps
acting in retribution, soon displaced Leland and assigned his son
Edsel to head the new division. Edsel, unlike his father,
understood the importance of style and he designed a new body for
the L-series, also improving the handling by fitting hydraulic
shock absorbers. Production was streamlined, saving vast amounts of
money, and turning Lincoln into a profitable business in less than
a year, all while producing a superior product, despite Henry
Leland's fears to the contrary. The V8 Lincoln L would continue to
be a mainstay of the lineup for the remainder of the 1920s. It
would, of course, see numerous improvements along the way. By 1929,
it was reaching the end of its run and benefitted from the years of
refinement by Ford's engineers. The antiquated styling was a thing
of the past, replaced by handsome sweeping lines designed under
Edsel's supervision. No fewer than thirty-nine different bodies
were available from the factory or America's finest coachbuilders,
including Dietrich, Willoughby, LeBaron, and Brunn. The technical
spec was mostly unchanged from 1928, except for some subtle
mechanical refinements made to the chassis. Today, the Lincoln L is
a favorite among classic-era enthusiasts for its excellent road
manners, respectable power, and understated elegance. This 1929
Lincoln L is a truly stunning example and one of just eight cars to
wear this fantastic Convertible Victoria coachwork by Dietrich. A
sporty and elegant car, the Lincoln was reportedly first owned by
"Mr. Roberts" who was an early celebrity hair stylist. By the
1950s, the Lincoln was discovered in a New York City parking
garage, and by 1970, had been acquired by Ken Kenewell. Mr.
Kenewell is a longtime classic era enthusiast with a particular
fondness for these early Lincolns. In the 1990s, the car was
treated to a meticulous restoration to beautiful concours standards
and was shown at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Also,
it earned a CCCA Senior Premier award (No. 133), an AACA Grand
National First prize in 1999, and is featured in Beverly Rae Kimes'
book "The Classic Era." Since its restoration, this car has been
maintained in exceptional condition. Finished in handsome two-tone
warm gray accented with red Buffalo wire wheels (an option in 1929)
and dark red coach stripes, this is undoubtedly one of the most
attractive and fascinating open Lincoln designs of the era. The
paint quality is outstanding, with impeccable quality finish work
and fine detailing. Chrome plating is also excellent, remaining in
incredible condition since the restoration. The body is minimally
adorned, with just a Greyhound mascot, dual side-mount spares, dual
cowl lamps, and a fitted trunk for a clean and crisp look. The
interior is particularly elegant, with individual armchair seats
trimmed in gray Bedford cord cloth, with vibrant dark red leather
piping and backing. Like the exterior, the interior is
exceptionally well-preserved and presents in excellent condition.
Upholstery shows minimal use, with only some very light wearing on
the front seat cushions visible on close inspection. Front floors
are finished in gray linoleum while the rear passenger compartment
is carpeted in red. For additional luggage capacity, the rear seats
cleverly fold out of the way, transforming the car into a sporty
two-seater. Interior hardware and fittings are in excellent order -
from the restored original instruments to the beautiful wood
steering wheel and the fine nickel-plated hardware. The intriguing
top configuration gives the car a "convertible coupe" look with its
removable rear quarter windows, which are also hinged for
ventilation. Folding the roof and stowing the side windows gives
this Lincoln a decidedly sporty appeal. Lincoln's 60-degree V8 is
one of the great engines of the era. Noted for its smoothness and
precision, it produces 90 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and sends power
through a 3-speed sliding gear transmission and torque-tube
driveshaft. The engine presentation is outstanding, with correct
clamps, hardware, and finishes on the crankcase, cylinder blocks,
and heads. Some of the finish has baked-off the manifolds in
places, which is not uncommon given the car has been carefully
enjoyed since its restoration, but the overall presentation remains
very impressive. This handsome and exceptionally rare Lincoln
represents the best that Ford Motor Company had to offer in 1929,
as well as highlighting Raymond Dietrich's exquisite craftsmanship
and unique style. The fabulous restoration has been lovingly
maintained, and this car remains in truly stunning condition, still
suitable for concours events or for CCCA CARavan Tours. As one of
just eight built, this represents a unique opportunity to acquire
an impeccably restored and breathtaking Full Classic Lincoln.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7821-1929-lincoln-model-l-convertible-victoria-by-dietrich/
