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 Lwould 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
