1927 Lincoln Model L Berline

Robert H. McElroy, a partner and vice-president in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company, took delivery of this factory-bodied Lincoln in 1927. It came equipped with many luxurious amenities such as surrounding windows equipped with window shades drawn by silk rope pulls. Commands to the chauffeur were issued through an intercom system, state-of-the-art in the late-1920s.

McElroy used his Lincoln around the Chicago area until his passing in 1938. It was stored on blocks for over 2 decades, until his passing to Robert Wernle, from whom Ken Pearson acquired it in November of 1961. Mr. Pearson treated the 20,000-mile original car to factory-correct condition. In 1962 it completed the Glidden Tour and earned its AACA Senior First Prize. It completed its second Glidden Tour in 1964. It was then put away, to be well-maintained but seldom used in coming years. It came out of hiding briefly in 1990, to appear in Beverly Rae Kime's The Classic Car.

Currently, the car is in good condition considering it had a restoration fifty years ago. There are 35,900 original miles on the odometer.

The car is powered by an L-head, 357.8 cubic-inch V8 engine offering 90 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission with four-wheel mechanical brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013