By Jeff Shively

Originally published in the November-December 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 381)

ABOVE:  The show field at the Gilmore.  Note the variety in the front row alone – 1920s to 1990s, with lost of 1960s and 1970s charm in between.  Ian Macartney’s 1872 Lincoln Continental Sedan is at the left.  (Photo courtesy of Ian Macartney.)

The 11th annual Lincoln Homecoming was held Aug. 7-11, 2024, at the Gilmore Car Museum near Hickory Corners, Michigan. This year’s host club was the Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club, although the LCOC’s own Paul Temple and family were heavily involved as per usual. Lincoln lovers from far and wide began arriving on Wednesday afternoon. As has been the case for many years, the host hotel was the Four Points by Sheraton Kalamazoo. One of the benefits of arriving on Wednesday is attending the weekly cruise-in at the Gilmore.

Thursday offered a change of pace from years past. Visits to the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum and the Michigan State Capitol were on the schedule. One of the charms of Lincoln events is that we usually caravan on these outings. As it was farther afield, everyone sat back and let the motorcoach driver handle the motoring chores. Although not Ford Motor Co. related, the Olds Museum is a fascinating place to visit for all fans of the internal combustion engine. Visiting any of our 50 state capitol buildings is a treat for history buffs, and Lansing was undoubtedly no different.

Friday featured a drive from the Gilmore campus to an old favorite- the W.K. Kellogg Manor House. This home is a reminder of the lifestyles of the rich and famous in the early part of the 20th century. Then, it was off to the bird sanctuary to see avians in their natural habitat.

One of the hidden gems of the Hickory Corners area is the Bill Parfet Collection. There were two opportunities to see his cars together. Many of these rare cars are displayed periodically in the different museums on the Gilmore campus, but this is a special treat.

Friday evening’s activity was centered around the Lincoln tent, within easy sight of the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum. The fun kicked off with a cocktail hour followed by a Texas-style barbeque. Then it was time for everyone to open their wallets as the auction began, with the chance of getting that rare part or piece of Lincoln memorabilia they couldn’t live without!

Saturday was the big day. There were 34 cars registered, but as always, that number fluctuated as some were sidelined at home and others arrived to take their place. It was an early start, 7:30 a.m., with attendees entering the show field via the Model A Gate. Each Lincoln paraded by our museum on its way to its spot in the shadow of the red barns. Despite a smaller-than-hoped turnout, there was nearly a century of Lincoln history on display, starting with Bill Wybenga’s 1921 Model L and culminating with Paul Temple’s 2020 Continental. There was but a single Zephyr, a 1937 Three-Window Coupe named “Rita,” shown by Andrea Irby.

ABOVE:  Andrea Irby with her 1937 Lincoln Zephyr Three-Window Coupe named “Rita”.  (Photo courtesy of Ian Macartney.)

BELOW:  Gary Hussar and the Canton Car Museum brought this 1932 Lincoln Model K Roadster by Murphy.  (Photo courtesy of Ian Macartney.)

In the evening, after a trip back to the hotel for a shower and fresh clothes, attendees returned to the Gilmore for the banquet. Participant awards were given out and the guest speaker was Dave Perczk, Director of U.S. Lincoln Sales & Service.

Sunday was the last hurrah for 2024. Those who chose to stay enjoyed an encore Lincoln show at the Gilmore. The Lincoln Motor Car Foundation met to discuss the future of our museum, and then it was time to head for home.

Your editor was unable to attend the Homecoming this year and is grateful to Ian Macartney for providing the pictures for this article. He came from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to display his 1972 Lincoln Continental Sedan and 2017 Lincoln Continental. Let’s plan to return to Hickory Corners in 2025 for the 12th annual Lincoln Homecoming!

Jeff Shively is an LCOC member from Kokomo, Indiana.

Originally published in the September-October 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 380)

For over a decade, Ford has offered all LCOC members the ability to use the X Plan program to obtain substantial discounts on new Ford or Lincoln vehicles. Over the years, hundreds of our members have used this plan not only to save on the price of the car, but also on fees, as the X Plan limits the dealer to a document fee cap of $100. It’s a great help when you are in the market for a new car or truck.

Recently, Ford has made the LCOC a full-fledged Partner Recognition member. That means that all our members can now get their own X Plan PINS! Just follow these simple steps to generate your X-Plan PIN:

1. Visit www.fordpartner.com and enter our 
2. Click on “GENERATE MY PIN” and enter your information to receive your LCOC X-Plan PIN.
3. Bring your PIN Certificate along when visiting an eligible participating dealer, as well as proof of LCOC membership and the date of membership (month/year). Note that you must have been an LCOC member for at least 90 days.

The proof of LCOC membership can be one of the following: (1) Screen print of your membership information from Cornerstone, our membership manager. Go to www.lcoc.org, click on “Member Login” on top of home page, and sign in for the required information. (2) Your welcome letter from Cornerstone, or (3) The latest issue the Lincoln and Continental Comments with your address on the back cover. A photocopy is acceptable. If you have any questions, get back to me at gkramer2047@gmail.com or 832-368-2575. Good luck!

ABOVE:  John Walcek doesn’t shy away from driving his Lincolns cross-country. Here he is at it again, in Fort Stockton Texas, with his two sisters, Rosie and Annie, along with Annie’s son, Will. The giant roadrunner is Paisano Pete.

Originally published in the September-October 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 380)
(Photos courtesy of John Walcek.)

ABOVE:  Breathtaking! One of the amazing natural formations at the Chiricahua National Monument.

ABOVE:  The disappointment! Clouds in the Texas sky obscured the eclipse. Could it be they came all that way for nothing?

ABOVE:  John’s niece Alina and her family in Pflugerville, Texas.

ABOVE:  The crowd of eclipse watchers get a glimpse at the show they’ve been waiting to see.

ABOVE:  The eclipse chaser with the tools of the trade.

We arrived in Texas to cloudy skies – a major concern for eclipse viewers. The next day was even worse, with the sun only peaking out momentarily between thicker clouds. As the eclipse approached, we were able to view the partially obscured sun in the thinner clouds without solar glasses. A quiet depression fell on everyone. To our delight, the clouds broke, and we were able to view the total eclipse – a black sun surrounded by a whitish, pulsating corona and with some red solar flares clearly visible! A roar, arm-raising, yelling, and hollering went up by everyone there as I watched through my camera’s telephoto lens. Though the totality lasted just under five minutes, it was one of the most ecstatic times I’ve experienced.

I stayed with my college friend Paul and his wife Debbi in south Austin, and clouds completely obscured the eclipsed sun there. The trip back to California was leisurely, and we took three days to enjoy the LBJ Presidential Ranch and the Sonora Caverns in Texas, the White Sands National Park in New Mexico, and Saguaro National Park in Arizona. I guess you can say I’m an Official Eclipse Chaser!

John Walcek is an LCOC member from Placentia, California, and the official photographer of the Club.

ABOVE: Jack with his prized 1979 Lincoln Continental Convertible in his adopted home state of Florida.

Originally published in the July-August 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 379)
(Photos courtesy of John Walcek.)

Thoughts by Glenn Kramer

Jack was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1931. Raised by his grandmother, he went out on his own at 15, doing odd jobs for support. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in West Germany during the Korean War. He eventually went to work at Borg Warner and became manager of operational auditing before his retirement in 1986.

Jack and his wife Ginny, the love of his life, moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, and quickly made it their home. In addition to investing in commercial real estate, Jack was a valued member of many civic and religious organizations, often bringing his unique financial talents to them.

Jack and Ginny have been members of the LCOC for some 30 years, and Jack was our treasurer for 27 years. He also acted as treasurer for the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum for many years. When I was elected LCOC president in 2009, Jack was the first call I made. In short order, he summarized where we stood, best/worst case projections, as well as targets and options for each department’s goals for cutting expenses. At our first board meeting, he was there with all the information we needed to achieve our goals. He was also instrumental in restructuring the board meeting format and worked with the new management to rededicate the club to its members. Jack is a key reason the LCOC enjoys its solid financial footing today.

Jack Shea was a valued member of LCOC’s leadership for nearly three decades. He was also a true gentleman and a delight to be around. “He will be missed” is just not an adequate statement to describe our loss. Our prayers, thanks, and best wishes go out to Ginny.

Glenn Kramer was LCOC president from 2009 to 2013 and lives in Houston, Texas.

ABOVE:  Jack & Ginny with John & Jeanne Talbourdet at the 2022 Western National Meet in Palm Springs, California.

An Obituary for Jack Shea

Jack Everett Shea passed away peacefully at home in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 92. He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Everett Shea and Elizabeth (Betty) Steiner and was raised by his maternal grandmother, Anna Steiner Whitney, upon his mother’s death soon after childbirth. Jack had two half-brothers from his father, Robert Shea (deceased), the elder, and Gary Hobbs, the younger.

Jack grew up on his grandmother’s farm, tending rabbits, vegetable garden, and orchard. At age 15, he went to work at a local grocery store to support himself. Jack graduated from Millcreek High School, where he played trumpet in the orchestra and marching band. After graduation, he served as a company clerk in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His unit was deployed to Germany during the Korean War. Back at home, he attended college nights at Gannon University while working at American Sterilizer Co. during the day.

After a short courtship, Jack married the love of his life, Virginia Allen. They built a house next to his grandmother’s home,
where they started their family. They purchased their first income property in Erie, Pennsylvania, setting the stage for their working lives.

Jack took a job with Morse Chain (Borg Warner) in 1962 and began a 22-year career there in Ithaca, New York. His professional life extended from computer programming on IBM mainframes and culminated as Manager of Operational Auditing.

Meanwhile, Jack and Ginny purchased, improved, and managed six apartment buildings with 30 units while raising their family of four: Elizabeth, Dean, Allene (deceased), and Scott.

During their 20 years in the Ithaca area, Jack served in the local Lansing Lions Club and as an elder and the treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca. He was an active and faithful member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he taught Sunday school. During those years, Jack enjoyed boating on Cayuga Lake in Ithaca.

Jack and Ginny retired in 1986, moving to The Landings in Fort Myers, Florida, where they traded their residential properties for commercial properties. In Fort Myers, he was treasurer of Habitat for Humanity of Lee County and treasurer at Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Jack continued his love of boating on the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. He was a car guy from early on, owning many convertibles over the years. Later, Jack acquired several Lincoln convertibles, which won many awards. He was treasurer of the Lincoln & Continental Owners Club for 27 years. He also helped raise funds for the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum at the Gilmore Car Museum and later became its treasurer.

Jack and wife Ginny traveled the world in their over 40 years of retirement and enjoyed 65 years of marriage together. Jack is survived by his wife Virginia, daughter Elizabeth (John) Ragosta, Son Dean (LeAnn) Shea, Son Scott Shea, and six grandchildren.

Photo Inset:  Jack & Ginny riding the rails at the Strasburg Rail Road during the 2021 Eastern National Meet.

ABOVE: Dr. Lukas has owned eight Lincolns in his lifetime, starting with a ’54 Capri.  Two are currently in his inventory.

Originally published in the July-August 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 379)
(Photos courtesy of Gary Lukas.)

ABOVE TWO PHOTOS:  Two interpretations of personal luxury, separate by a decade.

By John Walcek

Originally published in the May-June 2024 Lincoln and Continental Comments magazine (Issue # 378)
(All photos courtesy of the author.)

ABOVE: A winning line-up at Lincoln and Lattes- a 1961 Continental, a trio of 1956 Premieres, a 1948 Continental Cabriolet, and a 1938 Model K.

Sometimes, during the dead of winter, life comes to a standstill. This February, the “atmospheric river” brought with it more rain than we have had in California in some time. There were lucky breaks. On Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, the Lincoln Design Center in Irvine held its second annual “Lincoln and Lattes” event, and I decided to go. The morning was gorgeous, with the sun shining and billowing white clouds. By 9 a.m., a cavalcade of some 300 collectible and classic cars had assembled in the parking lot. Free coffee and donuts really facilitated friendly socialization and the excitement of the time.

I drove my nice 1997 Lincoln Continental and was able to park in the aisle with other Lincolns, thanks to the efforts and involvement of LCOC Western Region president Jim Ayres and webmaster Elayne Bendell, who drove her beautiful saddle brown 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible.

The Lincoln Model K, like this 1938 sedan, could go toe-to-toe with any of the other stars of the luxury field in the pre-war years.

One of three, this Continental Mark II Convertible by Derham was a sight to behold.

The timeless elegance of the first incarnation of the slab side Lincoln, seen here in a 1963 sporting some subtle modifications.

Unforgettable.  This 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark V was one of the most impressive machines plying America’s highways in the early 1960s.

Always a crowd pleaser, Aaron Leider’s 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet made the trek from Palm Springs.

Western Region Director Jim Ayres’ 1988 Lincoln Mark VII is an impressive example of “what a luxury car should be.”

An early Lincoln Model L, sporting a 1926 California license plate, was among the earliest cars at Lincolns and Lattes.

There was a whole line of 1960s Lincolns from the “Ratties” and “Suicide Kings” car clubs. My favorites were a 1963 parade car and a rose-beige 1963 Lincoln Continental Sedan. Noteworthy aspects of these cars were the quality of their metalwork and paint jobs, as well as customized wheels and hubcaps.

Gregg Bunch brought his big 1938 Lincoln. Aaron Leider drove his 1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet from Palm Springs. Don Torrence brought his excellent 1970 Lincoln Continental Mark III. There were also three lovely pastel-colored Premieres.

The new Lincolns were in the special Salon parking area, with Lincoln people from the design center and the South Coast Plaza Lincoln showroom. Two noteworthy Lincolns from the 1920s were a 1927 Lincoln belonging to Duesenberg expert Randy Ema and a 1926 Lincoln with an interesting radiator ornament sculpture along with the temperature gauge, or motometer.

Then there were three Continental Mark IIs: one factory-commissioned convertible by Derham, ordered by William Clay Ford for his wife Martha, now in the Galpin Ford Collection; another nice darker blue Mark II previously owned by Elizabeth Taylor now belonging to Bob Rattinoff, and a beautiful silver one.

When things began to break up after 10:00 a.m., I spent the next hour talking to many interesting characters with their other cars. It was a great way to spend part of a Saturday during the winter.

John Walcek is the official LCOC photographer and lives in Placentia, California.