Lincoln Heats Up in the Entry-Luxury Segment
When I say the word Lincoln, what image comes to mind? That great American patriot, Honest Abe, who rose from obscurity to defeat
three more notable opponents (at the time at least), Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell, to become the 16th President of the United States, and then went on to free African Americans from slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation, following this up by instituting America's first draft, leading the Union to win two major battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, plus on a lighter but nevertheless important note considering his devout religious sentiment, issuing a proclamation creating Thanksgiving Day, all before becoming the first assassinated head of state in U.S. history?
Some, who live in Lincoln City, Oregon, Lincoln Alabama, Lincoln, California, Lincoln, Nebraska, or Lincoln City in the U.K., might think of their home town. And others may think of that legendary American luxury car brand started by Henry Leland in 1921, auctioned off to Henry Ford in January,
1922, and up until present day having brought us notable classics such as the original '39 through '48 Continental, the gorgeous 1955 Continental, and elegantly tasteful 1961 Continental, ironically, in a later model year and convertible form, the car America's last assassinated president (Garfield and McKinley were 2nd and 3rd), John F. Kennedy rode in back of on that fateful November day in Dallas, Texas. Could there be a car brand more entrenched into the fabric of American political history than Lincoln?
One of the most successful cars in Lincoln's storied past was the Zephyr, first produced in 1936. It was streamlined, for its time, a real head-turner. But just like all Lincolns, it didn't attract admirers from being sensational. No, leave such "bling" to Cadillac buyers, as Lincoln was all about understated elegance. This remains as true today, as it was then, at least when speaking of its all-new 2006 Zephyr sedan.
When I say the word Lincoln, what image comes to mind? That great American patriot, Honest Abe, who rose from obscurity to defeat
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| When I say the word Lincoln, does that legendary American luxury car brand come to mind? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Some, who live in Lincoln City, Oregon, Lincoln Alabama, Lincoln, California, Lincoln, Nebraska, or Lincoln City in the U.K., might think of their home town. And others may think of that legendary American luxury car brand started by Henry Leland in 1921, auctioned off to Henry Ford in January,
 |
| One of the most successful cars in Lincoln's storied past was the Zephyr, first produced in 1936. Is the new Zephyr as powerful a turn-around vehicle? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
One of the most successful cars in Lincoln's storied past was the Zephyr, first produced in 1936. It was streamlined, for its time, a real head-turner. But just like all Lincolns, it didn't attract admirers from being sensational. No, leave such "bling" to Cadillac buyers, as Lincoln was all about understated elegance. This remains as true today, as it was then, at least when speaking of its all-new 2006 Zephyr sedan.