Lincoln

Henry M. Leland, founder of the Lincoln Motor Company

© photo courtesy of: Lincoln

Lincoln was started in August 1915, by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of CadillacCadillacUnited States of America, 1902 > present79 models
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. General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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had purchased Cadillac in 1909, and Leland continued to work for Cadillac until 1917. Two years later, Lincoln, named after Abraham Lincoln, was born.

First Car

Initially Lincoln was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, but soon moved to cars. The first Lincoln car was the L-series released in 1920. After having produced only 150 units, Lincoln went into bankruptcy and was bought by FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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11 videos
in 1922. The Lincoln Town Car was custom-built to be Henry Ford’s personal vehicle. With a limousine body type, this elevated the make status as a luxury manufacturer.

In the following year, Lincoln explored different body types, from two-seat roadsters to 7-seats limousines and in the middle, four-door sedans and cabriolets. Lincoln quickly became one of the top-selling luxury makes in America, with sales rising by 45%.

In 1924, Lincolns were chosen as police cars, and fitted with 4-wheel brakes, two years before this feature is applied to cars for the public.

Success

In 1936, the Lincoln ZephyrLincoln Zephyr FastbackUnited States of America, 1936 > present1 photo
was launched and became an instant hit. It was the first successful streamlined car to be introduced.

The Lincoln ContinentalLincoln ContinentalUnited States of America, 1939 > 200210 series
31 versions
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, based on the Zephyr was launched in 1940. It was considered by Frank Loyd Wright the most beautiful car in the world and was honoured by the MOMA. The look of the car was very different from other Lincolns and because of its popularity and longevity it became a symbol of the make. It remained Lincoln’s flagship model until the release of the Town CarLincoln Town CarUnited States of America, 1981 > 20113 series
11 versions
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in 1981.

In 1998, Lincoln released the NavigatorLincoln NavigatorUnited States of America, 1998 > present3 series
8 versions
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. This was the first American luxury sports-utility vehicle, and once more Lincoln had got it right. The Navigator make Lincoln the best-selling luxury brand in the United States.

Global brand

Lincoln continued to be a top luxury brand until 2002, when it was pulled out by Ford with the goal of separating the domestic brands from the imported ones. Because of the lack of new models, Lincoln lost terrain to its competitors. To try to make up for lost ground and produce new models in short time, the new Lincoln models shared parts and platforms with other Ford divisions. New models were launched, the Mark LT, Zephyr, MKZLincoln MKZUnited States of America, 2005 > present2 series
11 versions
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, MKXLincoln MKX Gen.1United States of America, 2006 > present4 versions
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and later MKSLincoln MKSUnited States of America, 2007 > present4 versions
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and MKTLincoln MKTUnited States of America, 2010 > present3 versions
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1 video
.

Lincoln remains a favourite for those looking for the genuine american luxury car.