We’ve already talked about the LCOC Western Region election this month, the Wine Country Picnic and the upcoming Western Region Annual Meeting. But there is much more to share. This week marked the 100th anniversary of the factory rollout of the very first Lincoln automobile! What a century it has been and something to really celebrate.
The company was originally founded by Henry Leland in 1917 to produce Liberty V12 aircraft engine to assist with World War I efforts. Leland, who was also a founder Cadillac in 1903, was able to fund the company after receiving a $10 million government contract to produce the engines. When the war concluded, the company’s Detroit plant had been the final assembly location of more than 6,500 airplane motors that were made of parts sourced from Ford, Cadillac, Packard and other automakers.
With their contract nulled by the end of the war, Leland and his son planned a transition into building luxury automobiles. While retooling their facility they officially reorganized as an automaker in January of 1920. Just nine months later on Sept. 16, 1920 the first Lincoln automobile, a 1921 Model L, left the factory. The rest, as they say, is history and we’ll be celebrating 100 years of Lincoln luxury at our LCOC Western National Meet next May in Palm Springs. More about this in the coming months.
Speaking of history, I’d like to encourage all members of the region to join the Lincoln Motor Car Foundation. The LMCF was created by members of the four major Lincoln clubs; in other words, it’s our foundation and our museum. It’s the only automobile museum devoted solely to collecting, preserving and sharing Lincoln motorcar heritage. Every member of a Lincoln club should be a member of the LMCF.
Despite the effects of the pandemic on the auto industry, the Lincoln Motor Company donated $100,000 to the LMCF Endowment fund. But, we still need another $500,000 to reach our goal of $1,500,000. The endowment fund will ensure that the museum can operate well into the future. Please visit the foundation’s website at https://www.lincolncarmuseum.org to learn more about the foundation and museum, and the many different ways that you can support it.
Unfortunately, effects of the COVID pandemic are still with us. If you want to deal with it more stylishly, here’s a link to Lincoln logo masks. I ordered one.