The Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum ended the year on a high note, the donation of two automobiles to the museum’s growing group of classic Lincolns. Of equal significance, three separate groups from the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company visited the museum.
The Dr. L. Dale Shaeffer family donated Dr. Shaeffer’s 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, which he had owned for more than sixty years. Dr. Shaeffer was the second president of the Lincoln Continental Owners Club (LCOC). His widow and children attended the 2016 Lincoln Homecoming for the ceremonies.
Randy Fehr of Iowa formally donated his 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible, which had previously been on loan. During Mr. Fehr’s ownership, the car benefited from a complete restoration to as original condition.
Other key events that took place during 2016:
The completed restoration of a 1926-‘27 Lincoln L chassis was donated by Arnold Schmidt. The chassis was restored by Paul Van Stratton and his team of volunteers. Major funding came from the Nau family, in memory of longtime Lincoln enthusiast Gerry Nau. Several LOC members donated parts.
A 1946 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet was loaned by David Bunch of Florida. This is a one-off car customized by Lincoln’s design department. Unique features include a custom color, wheel covers painted body color, Haartz cloth top, and a chromed spare tire carrier.
The loan of a newly-restored 1940 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet by Lincoln Motor Car Foundation Chairman Emeritus Jack Eby, who led the LMCF for many years and continues to serve as head of the museum’s endowment campaign.
Of equal significance, three separate groups from the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company visited the museum. Among the executives visiting were teams from the Lincoln marketing department, Lincoln product planning department, and Lincoln design department. Among the executives visiting the museum were Moray Callkum, Vice President, Design Ford Motor Company; David Woodhouse, Lincoln Design Director, John Emmert, Group Marketing Manager, Lincoln; and Scott Tobin, Director, Lincoln Product Development.
An ongoing LMCF capital campaign drive continues to build an endowment fund that ensures the continued operation of the museum for years to come. Matching funds have been pledged by Jerry Capizzi and Chris Dunn.
Looking ahead, the 2017 Homecoming will take place August 9-13. (A “premeet” event will be held in Dearborn, Michigan, August 6-9.) A host of activities has been planned.
While the 2017 Homecoming will be hosted by the Lincoln Owners Club, it will be attended by all four Lincoln clubs—the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club, Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club, the Road Race Lincoln Register and the LOC. The theme will be the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Lincoln Motor Company to build Liberty Motors for the war effort. (The company was reincorporated in 1920 to build motor cars.)
Details on the 2017 Homecoming are available on the LMCF website.
