After leaving the company over a dispute with William Durant over World War I production, Cadillac founder Henry Leland created the Lincoln Motor Company. the company produced Liberty V12 aircraft engines as its only source of revenue. With the war finished Leland decided to make the Lincoln Motor car. The company was reorganised in 1920 & created the first L-series car in 1920, for sale as a 1921 model. The L series was designed by Angus Woodbridge, the son-in-law of Henry Leland; trained as a ladies hatmaker, the design of the L series was considered old-fashioned for the time. In the years following World War I, the Lincoln Motor Company struggled in the postwar recession with repeated, false tax evasion claims.
In financial trouble, Leland sold the company to Henry Ford in 1922 for $8 million, the amount determined by the judge presiding over the receivership Arthur J. Tuttle. Henry Leland valued the company at over $16 million. After a few months the Lelands left the company because of Henry Ford's managerial style and his son, Edsel Ford, designed a new body for the L series. Edsel became President and Ernest C. Kanzler General Manager. the L series was a robust car. In the first year, hydraulic shock absorbers were added. Edsel and Kanzler implemented production economies, trimming manufacturing costs by about $1000 per car. Aside from the extension of the wheelbase from 130 to 136 inches, the chassis of the Lincoln Model L saw few major changes; the 60-degree L-head V8 remained in production. The V8 used a novel approach for the piston connecting rods called Fork and Blade, which meant two connecting rods shared one bearing on the crankshaft, which allowed for a short crankshaft and a smaller overall engine size, while still displacing. The cylinders in both banks are also not offset from each other. For 1923, several new body styles were introduced for the Model L under the direction of Edsel, including two and three-window four-door sedans, and a four-passenger phaeton. Other vehicles included a two-passenger roadster, and a $5,200 seven-passenger touring sedan and limousine. A sedan, limousine, cabriolet, and town car were also offered by coachbuilders Fleetwood, Derham and Dietrich, and a second cabriolet was offered by coachbuilder Brunn. Vehicles built by these coachbuilders went for as much as $7,200; despite the relatively niche market segment, Lincoln sales rose about 45 percent to produce 7,875 cars and the company was operating at a profit by the end of 1923.
Year
Engine
HP
Transmission
Wheelbase
tire size
1923
357.8CID
90
3-speed manual
23"
1924–1926
In 1924, the L series was given a newer look with such things as a nickel-plated radiator shell, while 1925 is identified by the absence of cowl lights. Front and rear bumpers became standard. The smallest L series was the 2-door, 2-passenger roadster. 1926 was basically the same except for some interior changes. In 1924 large touring sedans began to be used by police departments around the country. They were known as Police Flyers, which were equipped with four-wheel brakes, two years before they were introduced on private-sale vehicles. These specially equipped vehicles, with bulletproof windshields measuring 7/8 of an inch thick and spot lights mounted on the ends of the windshield, also came with an automatic windshield wiper for the driver and a hand-operated wiper for the front passenger. Police whistles were coupled to the exhaust system and gun racks were also fitted to these vehicles.
Year
Engine
HP
Transmission
Wheelbase
tire size
1925
357.8CID V8
90
3-speed manual
23"
1927–1930
In 1927, the L series got smaller wheels with 4-wheel standard mechanical brakes. All instruments were on an oval surface. A larger engine came in 1928. 1929 brought Safety glass and dual windshield wipers. 1930 was the last year for the L series.
Year
Engine
HP
Transmission
Wheelbase
tire size
1928
384.8CID V8
90
3-speed manual
20"
Coachbuilt examples
Lincoln contracted with dozens of coachbuilders during the 1920s and early 30s to create multiple custom built vehicles, to include American, Anderson, Babcock, Holbrook, Judkins, Lang, LeBaron, Locke, Murray, Towson, and Willoughby in the 1920s. Murphy, Rollston, and Waterhouse were added in the 1930s. Optional equipment was not necessarily an issue with 1920s Lincolns; special and bespoke items were accommodated on customer vehicles. A nickel-plated radiator shell could be installed for $25, varnished natural wood wheels were $15, or Rudge-Whitworth center-lock wire wheels for another $100. Disteel steel disc wheels were also available for $60. Lincoln chose not to make yearly model changes, used as a marketing tool of the time, designed to lure new customers. Lincoln customers of the time were known to purchase more than one Lincoln with different bodywork, so changing the vehicle yearly was not done to accommodate their customer base.
Pop culture
A 1924 Lincoln was featured in the first season of the classic CBS sitcom The Good Guys. In the 1986 comedy movie, The Money Pit, the house came with a as a part of the purchase.
