Henry M. Leland founded Lincoln Motor Company in 1917. It would be around for only five years before Ford acquired it and made it the luxury division of Ford Motor Company. Mr. Leland named his company "Lincoln" after President Abraham Lincoln and, at one point, stayed on at Ford after the acquisition. Very slowly, though, Ford transformed Lincoln into the brand we know today.
Lincoln's History and Contribution to the Auto Industry
Lincoln has always been competitive in the luxury auto industry. It was a step above Ford's more mainstream output and quickly gave Americans models like the Lincoln Model L. This model would go on to become Calvin Coolidge's official limo. It was a big deal. Many celebrities owned Lincoln models, including Greta Garbo.
Heading into the 30s and 40s, Lincoln was a successful luxury brand under the careful management of Ford. The Model K line and Lincoln-Zephyr are memorable models from that era. Almost everyone has heard of the Lincoln Continental, one of the most well-known models ever made by Lincoln or any other brand. In the 60s, it got a convertible design. Lincoln's designs in the past and now are always just a bit outside the box on the exterior, but they set the standard for interior quality. This brand has had many competitors over the years, and they're still going strong to this day. They've done that by listening to customers.
The 70s were dominated by the Lincoln Versailles and Continental Mark series (IV and V). The Lincoln Town Car would change things for the 1980s and give the vehicle a more "modern" look by 1980 standards. Lincoln continues to be a name of respect in the auto industry today. It's a brand that's never afraid to try something different for its designs but prefers to stick with the luxurious comforts people know and love for their interiors. You'll find plenty of leather seating designs and comfortable steering wheels on a Lincoln from any era. The Lincoln brand genuinely believes comfort is the most luxurious thing of all.
Learn More About Lincoln History
The Lincoln brand had its ups and downs over the years, but Ford has kept it on a steady path. Please contact us if you'd like to know more about Lincoln and how it has contributed to the auto industry.