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 with 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 wire
wheels 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/
