It's a shame that although America's 16th president is revered as one of the nation's greatest leaders, the annual celebration of his birthday is primarily used to promote mattress and furniture sales. Of course, if you are going to use the familiarity of a president's name to market your product, what better one than Lincoln? After all, cars named after Presidents George Washington, James Madison and Theodore Roosevelt all failed.
In contrast, the Lincoln Motor Co., established in 1917 and named for the president that founder Henry Leland first voted for, survived receivership in 1921 thanks to Henry Ford, who bought the company. Some, though, saw Ford's purchase as an act of revenge. Leland had forced Ford out of the Henry Ford Co. in 1902 and renamed it Cadillac, which Leland ran until 1917, when he started Lincoln.
Given its historic name and interesting beginnings, let's look at Lincolns _ both good and bad.
Seven Lincolns for the ages
1936 Lincoln Zephyr
As Lincoln's sales cratered during the Great Depression, this less-expensive line was created to ensure Lincoln's survival. A 12-cylinder engine, found in all Lincolns of that era, enhanced the Zephyr's art deco allure.
1940 Lincoln Continental
Edsel Ford asked company stylists to create a custom car for an upcoming Palm Beach, Fla., vacation, something "Continental." The Zephyr-based Continental proved so popular it went into production and became a touchstone.
1956 Continental Mark II
Edsel's son, Henry II, revived the Continental, making it a separate division at Ford. Technically not a Lincoln, this hand-built car cost a breathtaking $10,000, the equivalent of $88,200 in today's dollars. Despite the price, Ford Motor Co. lost $1,000 on each one.
1961 Lincoln Continental
Originally conceived as a Thunderbird, this mid-century modern masterpiece's styling was deemed better suited for Lincoln. Offered as a sedan and convertible sedan, it marked a return of tasteful styling after three years of gaudiness.
1968 Lincoln Continental Mark III
Designed to take on the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado, the Mark III saw Lincoln's first use of an upright vertical grille and fake spare tire hump in the trunk lid _ an homage to the first Continental. A 365-horsepower V-8 and real wood trim were standard.
1984 Lincoln Continental Mark VII
Based on the same platform as the Continental sedan, the Mark VII was smaller than its predecessor and dramatically more aerodynamic. An air suspension and V-8 power endowed the Mark VII with the feel of a luxurious muscle car.
2017 Lincoln Continental
Looking to regain its significance after decades of irrelevance, Lincoln has revived the Continental. This flagship's opulent interior, high technology and powerful V-6 engine endow it with glamor worthy of the name.
Three Lincolns we'd rather forget
1958 Lincolns
As Cadillac's increasingly garish styling attracted buyers, Lincoln abandoned its reserved styling for something more outlandish. Yet Cadillac's sales continued to rise as Lincoln's continued to slide. Take a look; it's no wonder.
1977 Lincoln Versailles
A reaction to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo, and the 1976 Cadillac Seville, the Versailles was little more than a Ford Granada with a formal grille, wire wheel covers and a padded vinyl roof. It fooled no one.
2002 Lincoln Blackwood
The same company that sold the world's bestselling pickup, the Ford F-150, sold an utterly useless one. Available only with rear-wheel drive, the truck's short bed was carpeted, lined in stainless steel and covered by a motorized tonneau cover. It lasted one year.
