LINCOLN model L material with some K series car stuff too

[Walt G]

This batch of Lincoln model L material and model K series factory photographs  just arrived and if I add it to the material I have collected for the past 50 years ( sales catalogs issued and printed  here and in  Europe , Information and images in Custom body salon souvenir programs in the USA, Motor show programs from Europe, large color chips with formulas, images in coach builders portfolios and catalogs etc) it looks like another semi detailed story could become a reality to include and understand and appreciate the pre WWII era car scene and activity.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Walt G
typo (see edit history)

[58L-Y8]

Walt:

Wonder addition to your collection!  The symbiotic relationship between Lincoln and the custom coachbuilders orchestrated by Edsel Ford is the essence of the story.  Considering who his father was, one has to wonder where in his family lineage his urbane good taste and gentlemanly demeanor was sourced...maybe the Bryant side of the family...

Steve

[Walt G]

1 hour ago, 58L-Y8 said:

his urbane good taste and gentlemanly demeanor was sourced.

Exactly!  there is a whole story to be told about what the market was, who bought what and why and the relationship between the coach builders and their designers and staff that built the cars. Location had a lot to do with it. Competition not only with each other here in the USA based companies but what was coming into the USA on steam ships across the Atlantic ocean in the holds of the ships. European car companies had specific sales catalogs printed here in the USA to "flaunt" who was buying what so their friends would know and want the same to be trendy.  It went both ways , Lincoln had amazing sales catalogs designed and printed in Europe , some spiral bound! . Given the value of what a single dollar could buy in that era and the cost to print and give out for free this kind of material is somewhat mind boggling and not well understood by current collectors nor it is often written about .  One has to see the real item to believe it and its content, how it was put together,  but few survive because very few were produced.

[John Kelso]

There is an excellent book about Edsel and some of his trials and tribulations. I've often wondered if his early death was from frustrations.

[CChinn]

11 hours ago, JAK said:

There is an excellent book about Edsel and some of his trials and tribulations. I've often wondered if his early death was from frustrations.

Edsel Ford died from gastric (stomach) cancer. As a board certified gastroenterologist, I would say unlikely 

[alsancle]

Cool!!

[Walt G]

He is a sample of what is in the content of the magazines. this one from January 1925. The content is incredible. Well produced and edited, even if Lincoln model L is not your favorite car you have to admire the effort and skill they they took to produce such a fine publication .  The factory magazines like this ( and there were many - it was an era of direct mail contact to customers or potential customers , no TV, computer etc. ) are an incredible resource for information. Most were tossed away in the trash because you got one monthly. 

Edited April 21, 2023 by Walt G (see edit history)

[John Kelso]

CChinn,I was thinking of the stress he must have been under from father and the business, stress always hit me in the stomach.

I like pre war Lincoln's I think they are among the best cars Made in America.