1979 Lincoln Mark V Coupe on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Why Grandpa loved Lincoln: Looking back at a century of design

It’s been 100 years since Henry Ford, in the aftermath of World War I, purchased the scraps of the Lincoln Motor Company. Ford put his son Edsel in charge of the automaker, and challenged him to create a luxury car company that could rival Cadillac, Packard and Pierce-Arrow. This meant, first off, bringing actual automotive designers into the fold, building out FordÂ’s first such department. The Model T, FordÂ’s then long-in-the-tooth mainstay, was created by engineers, and looked it. “For Lincoln, the innovation and setting of new standards of modernity has always been a core of our design,” said Kemal Curic, a 20-year veteran of Ford, and global design director of Lincoln since 2014. “Since its founding purchase from Henry Leland, Lincoln was always courageous to introduce new designs.” These included concentrations on streamlining and exuberance. These focci yielded a number of vehicle designs that were influential not just for the brand, but for the industry. 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, 1939 Lincoln Presidential Limo “Some of the cars that changed America were the 1936 and ‘38 Zephyr. The ‘36 for its aerodynamic look, and the ‘38 for its patented horizontal grille,” said Lincoln archivist and historian Ted Ryan. “Also, the 1939 Zephyr Continental, developed in ‘39 as a 1940 model – later known just as the Lincoln Continental – instituted another icon that stayed in place for decades with the spare tire initially exposed, and then treated with the spare tire hump.” Both Ryan and Curic also called out a number of other inspiring Lincoln models. These included the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept – which was later turned into the Batmobile by George Barris – and the 1961 Continental, famed for its rectilinear slab sides and suicide doors, plus its role as a presidential limousine in the Kennedy era. “These cars emphasized horizontality,” Curic said. “We like to relate that to the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright in his architecture. Wright loved his Lincolns. These proportions on the exterior were always Lincoln signifiers.” 1961 Lincoln Continental, Lincoln Futura Concept Lesser known than these is an example of what, back in the day, was known as a Hybrid: a car featuring an American powerplant and European design. “IÂ’m a huge fan of the 1955 Indianapolis Concept,” Curic said, a stunning jet-like vehicle that was last up for auction by RM SothebyÂ’s in 2013.

Ford recalls Explorer, Flex, Taurus for parking brakes

Ford announced a recall of nearly 8,000 vehicles spread across a broad range of models for a faulty parking brake, which might not engage fully. The automaker has not received any reports of accidents or injuries resulting from the issue. The recall affects certain examples of the 2015-16 Ford Explorer, the 2015 Taurus, and the 2015 Flex. The 2015 Lincoln MKS and MKT are also included in the campaign. The vehicles in question were assembled at the company's Chicago and Oakville (Ontario) plants from May 4 to May 23. All told, 7,165 of the affected vehicles are estimated to be in the United States, with another 799 in Canada, and a solitary example in Mexico. In order to address the issue, owners are asked to bring the affected vehicles their local dealership, where technicians will inspect the vehicle and where necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly. Jul 22, 2015 | DEARBORN, Mich. Ford Issues Safety Compliance Recall in North America DEARBORN, Mich., July 22, 2015 – Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 8,000 vehicles in North America, including certain 2015-2016 Ford Explorer, and certain 2015 Taurus and Flex, as well as Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles for an issue with the parking brake. In these vehicles, the parking brake might not engage fully, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 135 regarding brake systems. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include certain 2015-2016 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; certain 2015 Lincoln MKS vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 23, 2015; and certain Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, May 4, 2015 through May 21, 2015. There are 7,165 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 799 in Canada and one in Mexico. Dealers will inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the parking brake control assembly at no cost to the customer. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2016 Ford Explorer View 30 Photos News Source: Ford Recalls Ford Lincoln Crossover Sedan ford flex lincoln mks lincoln mkt

Ford extends shutdown, Stellantis confirms layoffs due to chip shortage

Ford and Stellantis this week announced new production cuts due to the global semiconductor shortage, with popular models including the Ford F-150 and Jeep Grand Cherokee facing cuts. Stellantis plans to temporarily lay off workers at one facility as production is curtailed.  According to Automotive News, Ford is extending shutdowns at some of its North American facilities into May. The Blue Oval has been forced to reduce or idle production of both its redesigned F-150 pickup and the popular Explorer due to the chip shortage. The Mustang, Transit, Edge, Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator will also continue to be affected. Stellantis is planning to temporarily lay off workers at a Jeep plant in Detroit during April and May due to a shortage of semiconductor chips. The company will cut two work crews at its Jefferson North plant in Detroit for three weeks starting April 26, then call them back and lay off a third crew from May 17 through the week of May 31, according to a schedule obtained by Bloomberg News. The plant on Detroit’s east side normally operates two shifts with three work crews six days a week to keep it running 20 hours a day. “Stellantis continues to work closely with our suppliers to mitigate the manufacturing impacts caused by the various supply chain issues facing our industry,” company spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in a statement. “Due to the unprecedented global microchip shortage, Jefferson North will adjust its production schedule through the end of May.” Jefferson North employs about 4,800 hourly workers and makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the top-selling Jeep model last year, and the Dodge Durango SUV. A redesigned version of the Grand Cherokee is scheduled to start production in August, according to researcher AutoForecast Solutions. This article contains reporting from Bloomberg. Plants/Manufacturing Ford Jeep Lincoln Technology chip shortage