1921 Lincoln Model L

Engineer Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred founded the Lincoln Motor Company in 1917. The first model followed in 1921, called the Model L, and came equipped with a 358 cubic-inch L-head 60-degree V8 engine. While conventional V-engines offset the cylinder banks slightly to make room for adjacent connecting rod bearings on the crank journals, Leland's engine used precision-made fork-and-blade connecting rods and disposed the cylinders directly opposite each other. Another unusual feature for the period was Leland's V8 had full pressure lubrication.

The first president Henry Leland voted for was Abraham Lincoln in 1864, the inspiration for the company name. After leaving Cadillac, William C. Durant, and General Motors in 1917, Leland accepted a government contract to produce the Liberty engine. When the contract ended, he returned to automobile production. Although the vehicles were mechanically advanced and Paragons of innovation, the bodies left something to be desired in the design department. The stodgy and mundane bodies were the work of Leland's son-in-law, whose previous vocation had been in ladies millinery. The lack of modern coachwork coupled with late supplier deliveries and Leland's obsession with engineering perfected, delayed the arrival in the marketplace by approximately eight months, appearing in September of 1920. When it arrived, it was greeted by a postwar recession, crippling its prosperity further.

Lincoln attempted a quick redesign with a set of twelve body designs by Hermann A. Brunn but it was too late. The numerous complications and an erroneous (USD) 4.5 million tax bill brought an end to the Leland-era Lincoln (although, Leland remained with the company for four months after the purchase). The company was acquired out of receivership in 1922 by Henry Ford to complement his minimalistic Model T. Henry Ford's son, Edsel, was placed in charge and tasked with designing new bodies.

Ten months after being becoming president of the Lincoln Motor Company, 5,512 Lincoln Model L's (named after Henry Leland) had been sold, which was over 2,000 more than the Lelands had delivered in a year-and-a-half. Instead of offering an inferior product as Mr. Leland had feared, the Ford-era-built Model L had been improved, with a larger 136-inch wheel (an increase of six inches over its prior 130-inch platform), aluminum pistons, and better cylinder head cooling. By 1929, horsepower rose to 90 bhp. Production of the Model L continued until 1931 when it was replaced by the Model K.

The 1921 Lincoln Model L catalog listed fifteen body styles plus a bare chassis to be clothed by outside coachbuilders. Wheelbase sizes included 130- and 136-inches depending on the coachwork selected. The 357.8 CID eight-cylinder engine with 81 horsepower was backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with floor shift controls, and multiple disc and dry plate clutch. Stopping power was provided by mechanical brakes on the rear wheels, and twelve spoke wood artillery wheels with demountable rims were on all four corners. Optional equipment included front and rear bumpers, dual side-mount, and side-mount covers.

Among the innovations introduced on the 1921 Lincoln were an automatic tire pump, thermostatic radiator shutters, Alemite pressure gun lubrication, circuit breaker electric system, and a sealed cooling system with condenser tank.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer by Murray

The Lincoln Motor Company was established in 1917 by entrepreneur Henry Leland. He had previously started the Cadillac Motor Company in 1903 from the remains of Henry Ford's second failed attempt to start an auto company (Henry's third attempt resulted in the Ford Motor Company we know today).

Leland's Lincolns were well-built but very expensive, and somewhat bland in design. Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln in 1922 and Edsel Ford, Henry's son, was put in charge. He used his natural design instincts to lead Lincoln to build beautiful, luxurious cars.

The Lincoln L model was introduced in 1920 and was powered by a 357.8 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 90 horsepower, riding on a 130 inch wheelbase and weighing in at 2490 pounds. It was priced at $4,300. The large body built by Murray features unique features such as a 'fat man' steering wheel that folds out of the way for ease of entry and a cigar lighter that extends from a reel to reach throughout the interior. All of the bright metal on the car is pewter, including the decorative headlight surrounds. This car is the second oldest Leland-built Lincoln known to exist.

Phaeton

Henry Leland, a former manager at Cadillac and his son, Wilfred formed The Lincoln Motor Company in August of 1917. It was acquired by ford in 1922, but this 1921 Model L prototype was manufactured while Leland was still at the helm. It was styled by Hermann A. Brunn, who was retained as the in-house designer to transform the somewhat unsuccessful early Lincoln models. As such it is the forerunner of the subsequent touring-bodied Lincolns of the early 1920s. Due to its uniqueness, it was sent to the Henry Ford museum in Detroit in 1929, where it remained until J.B. Nethercutt purchased it in 1982.

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