1928 Lincoln Model L

The Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by the engineer Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred. After building Liberty engines in support of the war effort, automobile production followed in 1921. Power was supplied by a 358 cubic-inch L-head, 60-degree V8 engine with precision-made fork-and-blade connecting rods and disposed the cylinders directly opposite each other. This configuration was unconventional and expensive, but more advanced than the traditional setup of offsetting the cylinder banks slightly to make room for adjacent connecting rod bearings on the crank journals. Another unusual feature of the era was the full pressure lubrication system on the engine.

When Henry Ford acquired Lincoln in February of 1922, it became the flagship marque of the Ford Motor Company. In June of 1922, Edsel Ford became company president, and his talents for design were quickly applied to the line, replacing the old Henry Leland-era bodies. Edsel enlisted the craftsmanship of America's finest custom coachbuilders to provide limited-production coachwork for the Model L chassis, among the list were Willoughby, Locke, Murphy, Brunn, and Judkins.

The linoleum covered running boards were replaced with black-ribbed rubber in 1927, and new bullet-shaped headlight shells with new lamps and dual filaments offered both high and low beams, replacing the older tilting beam arrangement. The rear taillights were also updated with a red lens-taillight, amber lens brake light, and a white lens-backup light. Mufflers were added in 1928 and dealers were able to retrofit earlier Lincolns with this new feature.

A larger 384.8 cubic-inch engine appeared in late 1927, with a 1/8-inch increase to the bore and a higher compression ratio of 4.81:1. It also had a reshaped combustion chamber and the use of counterweights on the crankshaft, and larger 1 7/8-inch intake valves replaced the previous 1 3/4-inch valves. It continued to use three main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and a Stromberg updraft carburetor. Although larger than the previous 357.8 CID V8, it delivered the same 90 horsepower at 2,800 RPM. An engine oil filter and conical valve springs were also new, along with new steering tube bearings and a lightweight rear axle.

The Model L catalog continued to include both factory and semi-custom coachwork, along with a bare chassis of which 105 examples were sold. Custom coachwork as provided by LeBaron, Brunn, Dietrich, Locke, Holbrook, Willoughby, and Judkins. Prices ranged from $4,800 and rose to over $7,000. The standard-wheelbase measured 136-inches and a 150-inch wheelbase chassis was available, with 24 examples built.

Stopping power was handled by mechanical internal expanding brakes on all wheels. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a three-speed sliding gear transmission with floor shift controls and multiple disc, dry plate clutch. Dual side-mount and side-mount covers were optional, along with wooden artillery wheels, Buffalo wire wheels, steel disc wheels, tonneau cowl, and windshield.

Lincoln produced 6,460 vehicles in 1927, 6,039 in 1928, and 6,399 vehicles in 1929.

by Dan Vaughan

Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton by Locke

By the early 1920s, the Lincoln Motor Company was being run by Edsel Ford. These Lincoln L Series cars were the first to have the famous leaping greyhound mascot on the radiator. The greyhound design was handpicked by Edsel, who commissioned the first one from the Gorham Foundry in 1929.

The owner of this example acquired the car over twenty-five years ago. It is painted with metallic paint that is correct for 1928.

The Model L was powered by a 383.8 cubic-inch flathead V8 engine with aluminum pistons and offering 90 horsepower. It was connected to a three-speed manual gearbox.

The Dual-Cowl Phaeton sold for about $5,000 and 150 were built by custom coachbuilder Locke. The body is all-aluminum.

The 1929 Lincoln Model L featured dual folding windshields and seating for seven. The seating is rather unusual with the jump seats side-by-side and accomodating three individuals while the permanent rear and front seats designed for two occupants.

During its production run less than 180 examples were produced of the Sport Touring version.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Tourer by Locke
Chassis number: 51112

This 1928 Lincoln Model L Tourer with coachwork by Locke has seating for seven passengers. Its first owner was a regent of the University of California in Berkeley. Ownership later passed to a Healdsburg dentist. Mr. Ronald Brown of Auburn was the vehicle's next owner, who purchased the car in non-running condition. The car was sold to John Derringer who performed a body-off restoration and brought it back to its former glory.

The factory outfitted this car with a performance camshaft, which was generally reserved for police cars. The downdraft inlet manifold was designed specifically for the Model L to eliminate the vapor lock and fire hazard issues with the original Stromberg updraft setup.

There is a rare bench seat in the back; most Model L's were given divided rear seats. The interior is finished in leather which is correct with the period. There are dual-side mounted spare tires, side curtains, owner's handbook, and a retractable top.

The car was on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2005, and the Palo Alto Concours in 2006. It was offered for sale at the 2006 Bonhams & Butterfields auction held at the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California where it was estimated to sell between $110,000 - $130,000. The car did find a new owner at auction, selling just below the estimated value, for $100,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Collapsible Cabriolet by Holbrook
Chassis number: 48253

In 1917, Henry M. Leland was 74 years old and it was the year he founded the Lincoln Motor Company. He named the cars after his favorite president.

This Holbrook Cabriolet was delivered new in Paris and is one of the more complex custom-bodied cars of its period. Transformable from a fully enclosed formal car, to a town car, to a fully open car, this body by Holbrook requires careful study to fully appreciate the intricacy of the entire top mechanism. It offered its buyer the ability to own one single car that could be used for a variety of purposes.

Just 12 Fully Collapsible Cabriolets were built by Holbrook for Lincoln between 1927 and 1929 and this is one of two still in existence. Holbrook, a reputable New York coachbuilder, was in expansion mode throughout much of the 1920s; in addition to its original focus on building one-off custom bodies for well-off individuals and luxury chassis builders, it began to supply semi-customs and even production bodies to select manufacturers, including Lincoln in 1923. Holbrook's most popular body style built for Lincoln was a Collapsible Cabriolet, which debuted at the 1925 New York Automobile Salon. Based on the Holbrook Brougham, the Collapsible Cabriolet had a removable chauffeur's top and a rear compartment with a top that folded down like a landaulet. Soon, this came in Semi-Collapsible and Fully Collapsible versions. This Lincoln Model L, now with the larger engine displacing 384.8 cubic inches that had been introduced late in 1927, was built to fulfill a special order from the Peruvian ambassador to France. The car has been owned by Elfred Prada and Ludi Hinrichs, and it passed into the current owner's possession in 1988.

Sport Phaeton by Locke
Chassis number: 48264

This Model L Sport Phaeton has coachwork by Locke & Company. Locke & Company primarily provided open bodies, including roadster and phaetons. This example is equipped with aluminum coachwork. The car was acquired in 1972 by Mr. Bob Shuler while stationed in Argentina with the Foreign Service. Little is known of its early history, though it is believed to have been purchased new by an Argentine military officer for approximately $5,000.

Mr. Shuler commenced a body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration that spanned 3 decades.

In 2010, this Model L was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $68,750 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Phaeton by Locke
Chassis number: 49681
Engine number: 49681

The Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred. Leland's first Lincoln was introduced in 1921, powered by a 358 cubic-inch, L-head, V8 engine with unusual pressurized lubrication. This is one of 6,363 cars built in 1928, of which just 226 had sports touring coachwork by Locke & Company of Rochester, New York. The earliest known history of this car is from 1941 when it was purchased from a Lincoln dealer by William Lile of Brookhaven, Massachusetts. The car had been driven fewer than 14,000 miles at the time, and after World War II the car was stored away until 1958, when Lile became active in his local old-car club. By 1969, the car's mileage had risen to 21,300, at which point the speedometer ceased to function so accurate mileage is hard to pinpoint. In 1982, after four decades of ownership, Mr. Lile sold the car to another well-known Lincoln collector, James Sullivan, who had a passion for original cars, and it was shown by him at various Antique Automobile Club of America events. Mr. Sullivan eventually put the car into careful static storage in an air-conditioned basement where it remained until 2019.

The Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by Henry M. Leland and acquired by Ford in 1922. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac, had left Cadillac during the First World War to form the Lincoln Motor Company, which was intended to build Liberty aircraft engines. He had left Cadillac due to a disagreement with General Motors boss William C. Durant. When Leland left, he was 74 years old, and chose the name Lincoln after the President he had voted for in 1864. At the conclusion of the War, Leland was forced with the decision to close the plant, or try to find another business for the 6000 employee's and the factories. The factory was retooled to accommodate luxury automobile manufacturing.

The transition period and process was difficult and the company entered financial difficulties. It was bought by the Ford Motor Company, and served as a personal victory for Henry Ford. During the very early years of automobile production, Henry Ford had been forced out of his second company by a group of investors led by Leland. Henry Ford's original company was later renamed Cadillac and later purchased by rival General Motors. This would later become Lincoln's chief competitor.

In 1927, the Lincoln marque adopted the greyhound as their emblem, which was later replaced with diamond, which is still in use in modern times.

The Lincoln L Series was powered by a 60-degree V8 engine producing 80 horsepower and had a guaranteed top speed of at least 70 mph. Those who did purchase a very early Lincoln automobile had to wait nearly a year for delivery, as the company was behind by eight-months and deliveries did not commence until September of 1920. The post-war recession, slow delivery time, and dated appearance all affected sales negatively. The board members put the company up for sale in 1922, and Henry Ford took the opportunity to enter the luxury car segment.

Henry's son, Edsel Ford, was given the responsibility of running the Lincoln Company. Quality and sales improved. The engines were given aluminum pistons and improved cylinder head cooling which greatly increased the vehicles durability, ride, and performance. The wheelbase was enlarged from 130-inches, to 136-inches in 1923. Some of the finest coachbuilders of the time were invited to work their craft. Names included Brunn, Dietrich, Holbrook, Judd, LeBaron and Locke.

By 1928, the engine had been enlarged from 357.8 cubic-inches to 384.8 cubic-inches and horsepower increased to 90.

by Dan Vaughan

Considered to be one of the most elegant of chauffer-driven automobiles of the 1920's, the Lincoln Model L Towncar was introduced in 1924. The Model L was an exclusive portrayal of the brand that represents everything that embodies American Luxury, Lincoln. Founded by Henry M. Leland in 1917, Lincoln Automobiles were operated under the Ford Motor Company. LeLand's favorite President had always been Abraham Lincoln, and at the age of 74, Henry founded the Lincoln Motor Company.

Beginning with the same desire for upscale markets that has carried through the years, the vehicles produced in the 1920's were just as exquisite and they are today. Leland has been recognized for his reputation for quality vehicles for the entirety of his career. Also known for prestige and status, the Lincoln automobile has been produced upon a standard of luxury and excellence.

Leland was an expert at producing cars that were of the greatest care and quality, but he was not adept at adding the finer points of styling to the Lincoln. The tight economic times and the stogy appearance of the Lincolns forced sales to droop. Customers could not afford the $4600-6600 price tag, though it was comparable in size and price to the Cadillac, the amount equaled most annual salaries. The Ford family swooped in at this time and purchased Lincoln at an incredibly low sales price.

Eventually Edsel Ford came onto the scene with his passion and flair for the finer things in life, and soon became responsible for the refined, elegant styling that made Lincoln one of the premier motor vehicles in the world. Hand selected by Edsel and produced by Gorham, an auspicious greyhound mascot was mounted to the Lincoln Model L Towncar in 1929.

Coachbuilder Judkins was responsible for the bodying of the Model L. Powered by a flat-head V8 engine of 358 inches, the Model L was capable of delivering 90 horsepower through a 3-speed manual transmission. By 1923 the 136 in, version was the only one left while the 130in wheelbase was dropped. In 1925 the Model L was being shaped into a truly exquisite vehicle under the skill and direction of Edsel Ford's designs in 1925. Minor styling updates were very apparent.

Edsel also became the first luxury car builder that made custom bodied vehicles during the mid-20's that were directly available in catalogue form that was from the automaker itself. Custom body manufacturers were also used extensively which resulted in the increase of more styling improvements and updates. The most exclusive and expensive Lincoln model cost $7200 in 1925.

Having created a reputation in 10 years which Cadillac, Packard and Pierce-Arrow had attempted for nearly 30, Lincoln rounded out the model run of the L in 1930. A more refined V8 and available 120 HP in the Model K eventually replaced the Model L in 1931. The Model K also featured duo servo brakes and 145 inch wheelbase.

Equal to the finest vehicles in the world, the Lincoln had very clearly established itself as a producer of luxury vehicles. (Ironically enough, the most consistent competitor that Lincoln has faced for decades has remained Cadillac, a company that was also founded by Henry Leland.)

by Jessican Donaldson