Hooniverse Asks – It’s President’s Day, So What’s Your Favorite Lincoln?

Robert Emslie

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Sure, today POTUS rides around in a Cadillac-bodied GMC Topkick, but that hasn’t always been the case. President McKinley was the first leader of this great nation to ride in a car, while Teddy Roosevelt’s administration was the first to buy an official government ride – a Stanley Steamer. Over the years, and up until the ’80s the Feds switched back and forth between the two U.S. luxury car makers, until finally during the Reagan administration, the preference for Cadillac was made.
But what better car for a president, than one that shares its name with one of the greatest this country has known, and whom we celebrate today – along with another guy who didn’t get a car named after him, even though his teeth would have made for a great connection to the woody. No, it’s not Washington – but Lincoln who deserves our admiration and consideration today.
And while Lincolns today may be a thin parody of their former greatness, the brand once rightly competed for world standard honors. The Lincoln Continental, back before the name represented little more than just a faux spare tire hump, was the ride of not just presidents but the Hollywood elite and captains of industry. That car took its name from its European pretensions, but it was still wholly American in nature, originally sporting what would turn out to be the last factory V12 engine offered in a U.S.-built auto. The Mark II had the honor of being, for a time, one of the most expensive cars in the world, its $10,000 asking price rivaling that of Rolls Royce. Hand built, with no expense spared, the Continental seemed designed to justify its price, but found its market very limited.
These days, it’s hard to compare Ford’s aspirational brand with competitors from around the globe without having it come up wanting. It seems that ever since the ’90s, Lincolns have been nothing more than tarted up Fords, and the company appears to have been courting the livery business more so than that of private buyer of discriminating tastes. That’s not to say that the company can’t turn things around – hell, Cadillac certainly did – but until it does, it’s unlikely anyone will be taking a day off of work to fete any of their current models. That does leave us with decades of Lincoln iron that may deserve honoring, from those original Connies, to perhaps the MKVIII which breathed new life into the company a number of years back, only to see it flatline again as the century turned. So whether old or new, which Lincoln – on this President’s Day – gets your vote for favorite?
Image source: [karznshit.com]

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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72 responses to “Hooniverse Asks – It’s President’s Day, So What’s Your Favorite Lincoln?”

  1. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    This one would have been perfect, were it not so closely tied to the 1963 tragedy.
    <img src="http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/Media/580×348/6a/6a13eaa48b72403486a49e90ea76a8f2.jpg"&gt;
    I'd love to hoon a Mark III, though.
    <img src="http://images.classiccars.com/classifieds/109199_10624071_1970_Lincoln_Continental%2BMark%2BIII.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      The year after the Kennedy assassination, the Secret Service had the Lincoln redone with a fixed roof and full bulletproofing. Actually, Lincoln had a long run as the presidential car of choice from 1939 until the early 1980s.
      <img src="http://www.remarkablecars.com/main/lincoln/1961-lincoln-001-2.jpg&quot; width="500/">

      Reply
  2. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    So many choices. A Mark II. A Mark VII LSC with a Coyote 302. A suicide-door convertible. However, since I'm allowed only one, I guess it's gonna have to be this – a Mark III.
    <img src="http://images.classiccars.com/preview/9769_7075_1969_Lincoln_Continental%2BMark%2BIII.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      Don't forget about the Lincoln Cadillac.
      <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3800113806_dbd990fa69.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
      1. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        That would be a terrible getaway car – you'd never be able to shake the coppers loose.

        Reply
        1. $kaycog Avatar
          $kaycog

          LOL! That makes perfect cents!

          Reply
        2. Avatar
          Anonymous
          Reply
  3. Maxichamp Avatar
    Maxichamp

    Let's not forget the bastard son, the Versailles!

    Reply
  4. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    <img src="http://img1.classistatic.com/cps/po/101208/488r9/359215g_27.jpeg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      Even better, make mine a dual cowl phaeton…
      <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3210140391_cf171f355e.jpg"width=500&gt;

      Reply
      1. tonyola Avatar
        tonyola

        If there's anything that signified that you had money to spare, it was a 1930s luxury phaeton. Utterly impractical and useful only in nice weather. When it was rainy or cold, you had to snap in a bunch of foggy and leaky side curtains. However, the rich would just leave the phaeton at home and take their regular limousine.

        Reply
    2. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      Not bad, but the original Continentals were bulked up for 1942 and after the war were slathered with chrome like the green car. The best-looking year for the Continental was 1941.
      <img src="http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Automobiles/1941LincolnContinental.jpg&quot; width=500>

      Reply
      1. mr. mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
        mr. mzs zsm msz esq

        I actually like the looks of the '46 or so from the front a lot. It looks very heavy/unstoppable from the front, which might match the feelings of potential buyers back then. In any case when I was a kid my favorite old dream car was one I had seen in a book. I believe the book called it a '48 or maybe '46 Lincoln Mark II limo. But I think the book must have had many errors, google is not turning it up. The car looked somewhat like a post WWII continental from the front but seemed very long and was uncovered for the driver but covered for the rear passengers. I remember reading in that book that during WWII cars did not change much, and so after the war Lincoln quickly restyled the outside calling it a Mark II. Do you or anyone else know what car it was? It's not the Loewy Lincoln (though that's an interesting one).
        <img src="http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/168651-500-0.jpg"&gt;

        Reply
  5. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    The Continental Mk II was NOT a Lincoln. It was a Continental. For a very brief period Continental was a Ford division, right along with Lincoln, Mercury, Edsel, and Ford.

    Reply
  6. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    I'm going to keep my feet planted firmly in reality (for once) and go with this one:
    <img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IMG_0560_cropped.jpg&quot; width="500">

    Reply
    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
      Rust-MyEnemy

      Rollin' in your 5.0
      With the moonroof open so your scalp can show.

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Actually, it doesn't have a moonroof. Which is good because, ya know, skin cancer and all.

        Reply
      2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Rollin' in my 4.6 2-valve single cam?
        Doesn't have the same ring to it.

        Reply
        1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
          Rust-MyEnemy

          Ah, Modular! There's me thinking you were rocking a Windsor.

          Reply
    2. lilwillie Avatar
      lilwillie

      Pimp'n

      Reply
    3. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      Whitewalls up front, blackwalls in the back. What's up with that, playa?

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        I'd just put the General Altimax Arctic tires on the rear for winter.

        Reply
      2. dukeisduke Avatar
        dukeisduke

        Business in front, party in back?

        Reply
        1. Van Sarockin Avatar
          Van Sarockin

          Steering up front, traction in the back.

          Reply
          1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
            FuzzyPlushroom

            Steering or traction in the back. More steering up front.

  7. CptSevere Avatar
    CptSevere

    I've always liked the 1966 suicide door models. Clean, classic, unadorned lines. I had a Corgi toy '66 Lincoln as a kid, a limo, and that made me notice these gorgeous yachts.
    <img src="http://www.cardcow.com/images/set328/card00949_fr.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  8. Dutch Avatar
    Dutch

    One word…DEATHMOBILE!

    Reply
  9. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
    Rust-MyEnemy

    <img src="http://www.bat-mania.co.uk/main/vehicles/images/lincoln_futura.jpg"&gt;
    Only thing that spoils it for me is the Batman connotations. Other than that I love that a company who specialise in fairly conservative product for fairly unadventurous, if well healed clientele should be moved to create a symbolic concept that was so forward thinking.
    I mean, in terms of pushing things on, it didn't achieve much at all. But for injecting a little life and vitality into the brand, it was unforgettable.
    (my other favourite is that MkVIII with the drop-down door, but I can't access Youtube thanks to the Naziproxy we have here)

    Reply
    1. Charles_Barrett Avatar
      Charles_Barrett

      As a big fan of Debbie's, I must add this tidbit about the Lincoln Futura concept car:
      "The original concept car was painted red in 1959 and was featured in the movie “It Started with a Kiss” starring Debbie Reynolds & Glenn Ford. Following the filming of the movie, the car was sold to George Barris for $1. The car was parked in a back Hollywood lot and rusted away for several years before it was used as the inspiration for the original Batmobile in 1966."
      <img src="http://theinvisibleagent.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/lincoln-futuradebbieandglenn.jpg&quot; width=460>
      (Image source: fast-carblog.blogspot.com)

      Reply
      1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
        Rust-MyEnemy

        Futura sure looks smug with Debbie sitting on it like that…

        Reply
        1. Charles_Barrett Avatar
          Charles_Barrett

          Wikipedia says:
          "This is one of the relatively few motion pictures where an automobile was given the lead role."
          Eva Gabor is also in the film, and I love her, too…!
          I taped and watched the film on cable TV on a Debbie Reynolds marathon weekend, around the same time I was tutoring Debbie on how to use her iBook to send and receive e-mail with her teenage granddaughter. Very fun lady.

          Reply
          1. dukeisduke Avatar
            dukeisduke

            I thought it was a good movie.

          2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
            Peter Tanshanomi

            Wait. You personally taught Debbie Reynolds E-mail skills?

          3. Charles_Barrett Avatar
            Charles_Barrett

            Yes I did. As an independent computer consultant, one of my clients was a dancer and close friend of Ms. Reynolds, who recommended me. First, I helped sort out computer issues at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, then once I showed myself to be reliable, knowledgeable, and "safe", I set up her new laptop, then went now and then to her Coldwater Canyon home (Carrie's estate's carriage house, actually) to tutor her when she wasn't touring her cabaret act. Once or twice Carrie and Billie Catherine would come down the driveway and stop in, so I met them as well. The big joke was Debbie using e-mail to talk to her granddaughter who lived up the driveway… Except of course that Debbie had her traveling show, so wasn't home all that often..

          4. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
            Peter Tanshanomi

            Wow, cool.
            Remind me to never play "Brush With Fame" with you.

          5. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            You and I are geographically challenged when it comes to that game. When I lived in SoCal, I averaged at least one celebrity spotting a week.

  10. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    I like most cars from 1957, and the Lincoln is no exception.
    <img src="http://www.plan59.com/images/JPGs/lincoln_1957_ciros_1.jpg"width="500"/&gt;

    Reply
    1. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      Nice choice. This car can pull off a coral pink paint job like no other.

      Reply
      1. $kaycog Avatar
        $kaycog

        I agree, and I don't care for pink cars. The 1957 Thunderbird had a real subtle shade of pink that I really like. I see in the background of this pic that Buick (58?) came in pink too.
        <img src="http://ec2-184-73-38-112.compute-1.amazonaws.com/upload/images/barbie_pink_1956_thunderbird_3-800-600.jpg"width="500"/&gt;

        Reply
  11. lilwillie Avatar
    lilwillie

    Not one person I know would be surprised to see me driving this.
    <img src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/12/03/death_mobile.jpg&quot; alt="Deathmobile" />

    Reply
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      RAAAAAMMMMMING SPEEEEEEEEED!

      Reply
      1. CptSevere Avatar
        CptSevere

        The first time I saw that movie, I was appalled at seeing D-Day breaking out the cutting torch and slicing up that beautiful car. See my above comment.

        Reply
  12. Jimmy7 Avatar
    Jimmy7

    1939 Zephyr. The factory kustom. http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~d…

    Reply
  13. Jimmy7 Avatar
    Jimmy7

    <img src="http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dickbolt/DCLake/LincolnZephyr3WCColor.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. RahRahRecords Avatar
      RahRahRecords

      yes please.

      Reply
  14. medazzone Avatar
    medazzone

    The last two coupes in LSC trim. http://image03.webshots.com/3/0/27/18/14102718vDM…

    Reply
  15. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    1954 or so Capri in full La Carrera spec.
    <img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1381/5100832451_d2044e3c7b.jpg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
    1. CptSevere Avatar
      CptSevere

      Now, that's a Hot Rod Lincoln. Not the same as in the song, but Commander Cody would approve.

      Reply
  16. facelvega Avatar
    facelvega

    I've always had a soft spot for the Mark VII. Decent power, reasonable build quality, actually kind of luxurious, and in contemporary tests they didn't do too bad against the Germans and early Japanese luxury coupes. As long as you find one in a dark color, it also lends a bit of badass aura to its driver. I also like the early, cylon-brow Mark VIII, even if it looks portly from every other angle.
    <img src="http://www.strutmasters.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/1988-lincoln-mark-vii-lsc-with-air-suspension-conversion-kit.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
      Rust-MyEnemy

      MKVII LSC, black with lace spoke alloys could grace my driveway any day of the week. The very baddest of asses.

      Reply
    2. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      My father had an 87 LSC. Probably the best car he has ever had. He put over 225k miles on it, never even had a transmission rebuild. I have heard that Lincoln got the 5.0 engines that measured exactly to spec., Ford and Mercury got the ones that were still in spec., but not exactly right. The LSC was a great highway cruiser. He had a Mk VIII LSC too that was a lot faster.

      Reply
    3. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      I agree. These Marks were really good looking – all the aero qualities of the concurrent T-bird but without the 'Bird's puffiness. It's like a pro wrestler wearing a very well tailored tuxedo.

      Reply
  17. Van Sarockin Avatar
    Van Sarockin

    The Abraham Lincoln is my all time favorite. The Lincoln Zephyr is a distant second, but it does have greater seating capacity.

    Reply
  18. RevPiper Avatar
    RevPiper

    <img src="http://www.daevius.com/piper/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Lincoln.jpg&quot; width="500">

    Reply
    1. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      I know the unadorned sides of these old Continentals are very vulnerable to door dings, but an aftermarket protective strip does no justice to the styling either.

      Reply
      1. RevPiper Avatar
        RevPiper

        Yeah sorta breaks up the flow doesn't it.

        Reply
    2. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      I always think of Green Acres when I see these convertibles.
      <img src="http://imcdb.org/i235288.jpg"width=500&gt;
      Or The Matrix for the hardtops.
      <img src="http://imcdb.org/i005397.jpg"width=500&gt;

      Reply
      1. ChuckyShamrok Avatar
        ChuckyShamrok

        I always think Pushing Daises for the Converts

        Reply
      2. RevPiper Avatar
        RevPiper

        <img src="http://www.daevius.com/piper/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Lincoln-2.jpg&quot; width="500">

        Reply
  19. skitter Avatar
    skitter

    The 5-speed V6 LS is a car that really deserved better.

    Reply
    1. dukeisduke Avatar
      dukeisduke

      I wish they'd built a V8 5-speed. They pretty much orphaned the LS; too bad.

      Reply
  20. ChuckyShamrok Avatar
    ChuckyShamrok

    I've had a soft spot for the Mark V, moreso than the much loved 59 Caddi
    <img src="http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/1960_Lincoln_Continental_Mark_V_Convertible_Front_1.jpg"&gt;
    [Image from Bringatrailer]

    Reply
    1. rt_pittman Avatar
      rt_pittman

      The '58 hardtop and convertible are among the most beautiful cars ever, in my opinion. The first time I walked past one, in front of my school, I thought, " Isn't that a daring styling move, they turned the fenders inside out!"

      Reply
    2. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      Those cars are incredible in a parade-float sort of way. The part of the '60 I'm in love with is the rear styling. Just look at the two-plane "V"-eed shaping and the way the fins cut into the mile-wide ornate rear panel.
      <img src="http://www.picturearchive.co.za/Images/large_1960-Continental-Mark-V-rvr.jpg&quot; width=500>

      Reply
  21. Tomsk Avatar
    Tomsk

    I'm pretty partial to the Mark VIII, particularly this one:
    <img src="http://www.hotrodlincoln.com/htg104.jpg&quot; width="500" />
    It's powered by a Boss 429 engine. You can read more about it here: <a href="http://www.hotrodlincoln.com/index.html” target=”_blank”>http://www.hotrodlincoln.com/index.html

    Reply
  22. EscortsForever Avatar
    EscortsForever

    the one you can hoon in
    <img src="http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr333/TrueBoolean/Lincoln/IMG_2550.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  23. Black Steelies Avatar
    Black Steelies

    The Cadillinc ran in the 1952 Mexican Carerra Panamericana as a Frankenstein monster of parts. Part Cadillac, part Lincoln, and all cool due in no small part to an aircraft canopy. Any old road race Lincoln is my favorite.
    <img src="http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/5841f0f207fd46d7_large&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. scroggzilla Avatar
      scroggzilla

      Ah, the HAM special……now available in 1/43 scale!
      http://www.topmodelcollection.com/eng/index.htm

      Reply
      1. Black Steelies Avatar
        Black Steelies

        Yup actually saw a lot of pics for the model before the real car. And the pic did come off of the HAMB.

        Reply
  24. Black Steelies Avatar
    Black Steelies

    Crap I just totally thought of something better. I don't know how I was temporarily blinded from my Neil Young obsession and forgot about his Lincvolt. I'll make up for it by posting a picture of the car and the legend.
    <img src="http://www.autosavant.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/neil-young-lincvolt.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  25. packratmatt Avatar
    packratmatt

    My favorite is the Lincoln Continental prototype from a few years ago.
    < img src =http://4carwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Lincoln-Continental-Concept-013.jpg, width="500" >

    Reply
  26. BlackIce_GTS Avatar
    BlackIce_GTS

    As with Maserati, I only like the bad ones;
    <img src="http://www.classiccarclubphuket.com/Webpics/Brochures/Lincoln%20Continental%20Mark%20V%20Emilio%20Pucci%201977.jpg"&gt;
    Classic Car Club Phuket

    Reply