COMPANY

Lincoln has long been America's answer to foreign luxury car brands such as Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Founded in 1915, Lincoln was the brainchild of Henry M. Leland, who struck out on his own when former employer, Cadillac was sold to General Motors.

Named for Leland's favorite president, Abraham Lincoln, the company first began as an aircraft engine manufacturer during World War I. Once the war was over, Leland had his manufacturing plants equipped to begin production of luxury automobiles.

The transition from aircraft engine manufacturing to luxury car production did not go smoothly. Lincoln did not produce a product to rival other luxury cars and it was hampered by severe economic troubles. In 1922, Lincoln was forced to declare bankruptcy. The company was purchased by Leland's long-time enemy, Henry Ford, of Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford must have reveled in his victory. Leland had been the ringleader in a successful plot to force Ford out of his own company two decades earlier and no doubt Ford enjoyed serving Leland his just desserts at last.

Under Henry Ford, Lincoln rapidly improved in both quality and design, becoming one of America's leading luxury car brands. Ford focused on improving body design and lowering the price and sales grew exponentially during the rest of 1922. The following year, Henry's son Edsel introduced several new styles, including a two-passenger roadster, a touring sedan, several four-door models and a limousine. By the end of 1923, Henry Ford had Lincoln turning a profit.

Lincoln customers could upgrade their cars with specially-designed aftermarket items if they chose and Lincoln deliberately did not change its designs from year to year, in deference to its customers' desire to collect more than one of a particular style. Lincoln also began the manufacture of touring sedans for use as police vehicles. Known as Police Flyers, they were equipped with features not yet available to regular customers.

In 1939, under the direction of Edsel Ford, the Continental was created to satisfy Edsel's desire for a more European-style automobile. Production of the Continental continued for a decade before being suspended. Its distinctive spare tire mounting is still called a "Continental-kit" to this day. In 1955, the Continental was revived as the Mark II, designed as a deliberate rival of Rolls-Royce.

Lincoln began its long tradition of providing presidential limousines by designing a special convertible for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Lincoln presidential limousines were designed with special armor plating and bulletproof glass.

Lincoln continues to have a strong market presence in the new century, introducing the luxury SUV Navigator line to its classic production of Town Car, Continental and Mark series automobiles.