Re: Henry Ford & Packard (trivia)...

Posted by 58L8134 On 2010/3/5 21:56:03

Hi LINC400

Consulting my copy of The Cars of Lincoln-Mercury by Dammann and Wagner page 36, noted in the section on 1925: "In September, almost in time to be considered a 1926 vehicle, Lincoln introduced its 150-inch wheelbase Commercial Chassis."

Pictured in sections on '25, '26. '28, '29 and '30 are Model L's with hearse and ambulance bodies on this chassis, built by Eureka, Miller, Langerquist, Brownell & Burt, and surprisingly Dietrich. Eureka appears to have been the largest user. One custom bodied Brougham by Murphy for a private owner is pictured in the 1930 section.

In the 1930's section, '32, '34, '36-'39 show hearses and ambulance by Eureka, Knightstown, Henney & Derham. Commercial chassis wheelbases are variously noted as 145", 150", 155", 157" & 160". Best known car built on the late Lincoln K commercial chassis is the 1939 'Sunshine Special' for FDR. Another late K commercial chassis of 160" is mounted with a Willoughby Panel Brougham body for a private owner, displayed in The Crawford Collection in Cleveland.

The book Lincoln and Continental, Classic Motorcars, The Early Years by Marvin Arnold has a production figures index with body types, commercial chassis numbers included for most years. The figures for most years are miniscule; small wonder no Lincoln funeral coach was readily available for Henry Ford's last ride.

Steve