From producing luxury cars and presidential limousines in the 1900s, Lincoln has joined the fierce battle of sedans, SUVs, and crossovers. Here are the most curious facts about Lincoln and its cars compiled by the Indy Auto Man, Indiana auto dealership researchers.
Fact #7 Auto engineer and inventor
The Lincoln Motor Company was founded in August 1917 by Henry Leland in partnership with his son Wilfred. Most inventors named their companies after themselves, such as Enzo Ferrari or Nihon Sangyo, but Leland named his company differently. He was Abraham Lincoln’s admirer, the first president he voted for in 1864, and so named the company in his honor.
In addition, Leland was an originator of many other things, such as the Leland-Detroit Monorail toy train and electric hair clippers for barbers. Overall, Henry Leland was an engineer, mechanic, and genuine inventor with extensive knowledge of metrology, tool making, and precision machining.
Fact #6 Aircraft Engines
The Lincoln Motor Company was originally funded (a $10 million contract) to produce Liberty V12 aircraft engines. These aircraft engines were intended for use during World War I. General Motors and Cadillac did not want their plants to produce war equipment. The facility was merely an assembly point for aero-engines, as the Lincoln Motor Company purchased components from various manufacturers.
The end of World War I marked the end of Liberty V12 engine manufacturing. The Lincoln Motor Company assembled 6,500 aircraft engines and employed 6,000 workers. On January 26, 1920, the company was reorganized to begin producing motor vehicles. Lincoln’s first automobile, the Lincoln Model L, was rolled out on September 16, 1920.
Fact #5 Presidential Heritage
Lincoln has a long history of building limousines for U.S. presidents. The Lincoln Model L was President Calvin Coolidge’s favorite car and the first vehicle used by a head of state. The 1939 Lincoln Model K V12 convertible, nicknamed the Sunshine Special, was the first car custom-built for presidential use.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt rode in the Sunshine Special, an armored Lincoln that was used until it was retired in 1950. The 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, nicknamed the Bubble Top, picked up where the Sunshine Special left off and remained in use for Presidents Kennedy, Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson. George H. W. Bush owned the last presidential Lincoln in 2004. Since then, U.S. presidents have used Cadillac-built limousines.
Fact #4 Now Owned by Ford
Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million on February 4, 1922. Today, Lincoln Motor Company is Ford’s luxury car division. At the time, the luxury car maker was struggling to survive, with customers having to wait up to a year for their cars to be assembled and delivered.
Interestingly, in 1902, Henry Leland was one of the investors who led others to acquire Ford Motor Company.
Fact #3 Was Involved in Motorsports
In the 1950s, most American brands competed in the NASCAR Grand National Stock Car Series. Lincoln also entered the competition and won the first race. Ford campaigned its Lincoln cars in the NASCAR series until 1953.
In 1984 and 1985, the Lincoln Continental Mark VII competed in the Trans-Am Series but was unsuccessful—its best finish was ninth at the 1984 Watkins Glen Trans-Am. The Lincoln Mark VIII was intended to replace the discontinued Ford Thunderbird, but NASCAR rejected it during testing. However, Ford did not want to give the Lincoln division a racing image.
Fact #2 JFK’s Last Ride
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was riding in a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was accompanied by First Lady Jackie Kennedy and the then-governor of Texas, followed by a presidential motorcade.
After the assassination, the Lincoln Continental codenamed the SS 100X, was redesigned and equipped with new safety upgrades. It was no longer used as the front end of the presidential motorcade and was completely retired in 1977. The SS-100X is currently exhibited at the Henry Ford Museum.
Fact #1 The Legendary Lincoln Town Car
Ford’s decision to kill the Lincoln Town Car was a blow to loyal fans of the classic model. Produced from 1983 to 2011 and spanning 30 model years, the Lincoln Town Car remains Ford’s longest-running production vehicle. The auto gets its name from its limousine-style body.
For decades, this iconic model has been synonymous with American luxury, serving as a mainstay of the American limousine industry, transporting marrying couples, VIPs, and proms. It was a symbol of comfort and style for everyday drivers. The Lincoln Town Car is still considered one of the coolest autos around. Although not a direct successor, the Lincoln MKS replaced the Lincoln Town Car as the longest American sedan — later surpassed by the Cadillac CT6 in 2016.