Volume 21 Issue 3 March 1, 2021

Concept, Design, and Building the Continental Mark III Continuing the Tradition

Ernest & Judith Herrmann, Jr., Peoria, Illinois won the William Clay Ford Trophy with their 1969 Continental Mark III at the 1996 Eastern National Meet in Asheville, North Carolina

Once again, we have dipped back into the archives and pulled out a very interesting article about the Mark III. Written by Buzz DeClerck and carefully edited by Tim Howley, it originally appeared in the March/April 1998 issue of Continental Comments. It is noted that the Mark III was honored at the Eastern National Meet and covered extensively in this Welcome to the particular issue of Comments. The Mark III is such a fine car in many respects and filled an important position in the market place. Subsequent models, the IV, V, VI, VII and finally Northstar News, the the Mark VIII were all appreciated by their first owners and as great collector cars in the monthly publication of following years since their introduction. The last of the Mark series rolled off the assembly the Northstar Region line in 1998. Sales of luxury sport coupes had fallen to the point where it was no longer possible to sustain production. Perhaps, someday, we will see another Mark as a Lincoln of the Lincoln and halo car. One can only hope. Continental Owners The Lincoln Continental Mark III was introduced in mid-year 1968 as a 1969 model Club. We value your year car. The automotive press panned it. The buying public loved it. Soon after its intro- duction, dealers were reporting backorders in some parts of the country of up to a year. This opinions and appreciate is one case where the buying public was smarter than the press. The problem with the press your input concerning was one of perception. The benchmark set by the Mark II of some 15 years earlier led some this newsletter and the to expect something different from the Mark III was ever intended to be. operation of the club. The Mark II and the Mark III were different cars designed to appeal to different markets. The Mark II was a $10,000 car in 1956 that was intended to be a rolling public relations piece This is your club.

(Continued on page 4)

This Issue Contains Feature Story 1 Directors Message 3 Club Information Page 4 Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes 5 Editors Message 2 North Star Events 15 Trivia 2

NORTHSTAR NEWS

Trivia from the Editors Message March 2021

Internet Dear friends and Gentle Readers: on their show floor. As Lincoln did 50 years ago We are in the downhill stretch of winter. with turning a Tbird into a Mark III, it might While we have had some cold days, it could just have a good seller on their hands. God for- have been a lot worse. The Northwest part of the bid that happening. country has seen lots of snow in the Seattle area The vaccination gods were smiling down and rain almost every day in Portland and the on me this past March. Early one Monday surrounding territory. Of late, Texas has come morning, I hit the Allina health care site. I was up short all the way around. Snow, ice, and rec- able to score an appointment for the first shot at ord cold have played 1:40 p.m. on a havoc on the infra- Wednesday afternoon structure, supplying at the Sister Kenney most of the state Rehab facility in with power, clean Golden Valley, about water, and natural 20 miles North of gas. And the East Burnsville. I got Coast has not es- there a little early and caped untouched was put in line to either. They, too, register; they had five have been clipped by registration spots American Actor heavy snows, rain, open. I got the paper- 1906 - 2005 and sleet. Maybe, work and waited Heim- living in another five minutes or so, and got the berger (April 22, 1906 - is not so bad after all. At least we have shot. They had about May 26, 2005) was an the machinery in 10 RNs giving shots. American actor and ac- place to deal with No-fuss, no pain, tivist. He was twice nom- what Mother Nature another 15 minutes of inated for the Academy passes down to us. waiting, and I re- Award for Best Support- In a couple of weeks, Olga is out in my back yard sampling some of the ceived a shot card ing Actor; the first nomi- we will once again fresh snow that came overnight. Her forebears came with the appointment nation came in 1954 for transition to from northernmost Russia, so she is genetically day and time (21 his performance in Ro- “Daylight saving imprinted with natural liking of snow and cold. days later). Now, I man Holiday, and the time.” This once-a- have that done with and hopefully have some degree of immunity second in 1973 for The year event will take place on March 14. Day- from this terrible disease that has taken so many Heartbreak Kid. Other light will be with us till 7:18 p.m., at least for those of us who live in the , Minne- of us. I hope that many of you will be able to get well-known screen roles sota, area. We should see some nice weather your shots soon and will also have some degree of his include Bing Ed- toward the end of March, probably not quite of protection from the Covid Virus. wards in the nice enough to take one of the older cars out, but If you have a moment, stop by and visit films, traveling salesman at least it will help put us in the right frame of with our good friends at Lincoln of Blooming- Ali Hakim in the musical mind for what surely will take place in April, no ton. See the Lincoln Corsair and the Nautilus, Oklahoma!, and the sadis- fooling, for sure. both outstanding SUVs, and I think you would tic prison warden in We took a trip down memory alley for this be happy with either one of them. Both have the 1974's The Longest Yard. month’s feature article. This is what will happen latest features available, and they ride and drive He starred as Oliver when no one sends me interesting articles for just like their big brothers, the Aviator and the Navigator, but for much less money. And as a Wendell Douglas in the our newsletter. You will have to put up with what Olga thinks is interesting and what her dad Lincoln club member, you are eligible for the television can scan, reformat, and stuff into the newsletter. “X-Plan” discount. While it is not like winning and as I really wish that I could have a nice article the lottery, it does knock some money off the Frank MacBride in the about an all-new Lincoln sedan or a new Mark final price. The seating is good in both of these 1970s crime drama (something or other) sport coupe. While the vehicles, and you can easily cover many miles Switch. He also had a re- Lincoln Sport Utilities and nice vehicles, and I in a single day, in absolute comfort and style. curring role as Carlton can personally attest to that, they just are not as See the folks at Lincoln of Bloomington and tell Travis on , exciting to most of us who grew up with Conti- them you are a member of the Lincoln Club. opposite . nentals, Town Cars, and Marks. Perhaps Lincoln You will be treated with kindness. will take one of the Mustang Mach E coupes Till next month… Edward Albert Heim- berger was born in Rock and re-body it as a new Mark. They might not David and Sweet Olga, the Samoyed... (Continued on page 3) sell a lot of them, but I am sure most Lincoln dealers would welcome one elegantly reposing

2

NORTHSTAR NEWS (Continued from page 2) Island, Illinois, on April 22, Directors Message by Bob Johnson March 2021 1906, the oldest of the five On Thursday, January 27, 2021, three weeks ago, our lives children of Frank Daniel changed when we were emailed the announcement from M Health Heimberger, a real estate Fairview, "Now scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments agent, and his wife, Julia for people 75+ years old." We made our appointments at the Jones. His year of birth is Maplewood Clinic for January 29 and then our second shot on often given as 1908, but this February 19. With us just having received the second shot, I can- is incorrect. His parents not yet tell you the effect the shot is having on my system. I'm were not married when Al- going to ask you to notify me when you have gotten your bert was born, and his COVID VACCINE SHOT. This information will help us to start planning our North Star activities. Please call me at 651-257- mother altered his birth 1715 or email me at [email protected]. I have heard from the certificate after her mar- Nelson's, Bob Roth, David Gustafson, Videen's, Wothe's, Syrdal's, and Wylie's, who have gotten riage. first shot. When he was one year With all the information available on what you now can do after receiving the vaccine, it still old, his family moved to looks like wearing a mask and social distancing and staying away from large inside groups is still Minneapolis, Minnesota. needed. Young Edward secured his We are getting closer to spring, but don't tell anyone in Texas that. My friends living in Texas first job as a newspaper boy say it is a living hell with no power and now no water. We are a spoiled generation of people; we when he was only six. Dur- don't want to pay for the extremes that Mother Nature can do to us. Winterization of utilities looks ing , his Ger- like to be the leading cause of power and water grid failures in Texas. Here in Minnesota, the land of the tundra, our utilities have withstood the test of Mother Nature. We have had one power outage for man name led to taunts as 20 minutes, but we did have a furnace failure that required a service call to fix. We do not leave our "the enemy" by his class- house unattended anymore to go south; it just is not worth it. If we do in the future, we will shut off mates. He studied at Cen- the power and drain all the water systems. This is really a tough year; hunkering down and being a tral High School in Minne- hermit does have its advantages if you can live with the boredom. It is tolerable if you have a wife apolis and joined the drama like Mary; she has to be a saint for putting up with me. See, it is a brutal winter here in Shafer. I'm club. His schoolmate Har- rambling again. Staying in Minnesota this winter does have advantages? Only 40 days till April 1 riet Lake (later known as for a Dave Gustafson spoof. actress ) gradu- North Star membership renewals are 83 renewed out of 138 sent out; Matt Foley reported Feb- ated in the same class. Fin- ruary 15. Harald Julesrud wrote that he sold his only Lincoln. Instead of renewing his membership, he has gifted a membership to Ben Velten, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the man who purchased his ishing high school in 1926, 1989 Town Car. That is an excellent way of keeping your Lincoln in the club when you sell it. Wel- he entered the University of come aboard, Ben Velten. Minnesota, where he ma- IT IS YOUR CHOICE virtual, live, or both car shows *** The 2021 eight annual Lincoln jored in business. Homecoming at Hickory Corners, Michigan, will celebrate and feature two Lincoln Car Shows. The When he graduated, first will be a virtual Lincoln car show, vlmcmhomecomingmeet.cornerstonereg.com/, which will Albert embarked on a busi- extend from April 1 to July 28. ness career. However, the For the virtual show, your car can be displayed for five months if you enter now. It will have its stock market crash in 1929 own People's Choice awards by decade, voted on by all persons registered for the virtual car show. left him essentially unem- The virtual car show will not be canceled because of COVID, and you can enter this show if that is ployed. He then took odd all you want to do. If you are going to do both the Virtual and Live car shows, only pay a $25 fee when you register your Lincoln for the Virtual Car show: then when you register for all the Live car jobs, working as a trapeze show activities, leave the $25 car fee blank. (only pay the car fee if you did not do the virtual car performer, an insurance show and want to enter the live car show only). salesman, and a nightclub The second event will be the live one---the annual Homecoming at the Lincoln Motor Car Her- singer. Albert stopped using itage Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. August on 12-15. The live show will also have Peo- his last name professionally, ple's Choice awards by decade. All Lincolns registered for the virtual car show will also be regis- since it invariably was mis- tered for the live car show for the one price of $25; one registration for two car shows. The 2021 pronounced as Homecoming theme is "Marks Through the Ages," which will recognize all Lincoln Continental "Hamburger". He moved to Marks, from the first in 1940 to the Mark VIII. Although Continental Marks will be the feature in in 1933, 2021, Lincolns from all eras are welcome. You do not have to be a member of any Lincoln car club to enter; you may enter your own much-loved Lincoln in either the 2021 virtual or on-site show. where he co-hosted a radio Our Facebook presence continues to grow, with likes up to 348 persons. Please check our Face- show, The Honeymooners - book page and contact Jay White if you have any suggestions about more Facebook items. Grace and Eddie Show, Have you thought about writing a Pride and Joy article about your Lincoln? Dave needs your which ran for three years. article about your Lincoln; please help him out. At the show's end, he was As always, keep the journey continuing in our marvelous Lincolns and stay WELL.

(Continued on page 5) Bob and Mary Johnson

3

NORTHSTAR NEWS

Board Of Directors - 2021

Title Name Phone Numbers email Term Ends

Regional Director Bob Johnson H(651)257-1715 [email protected] 2021

H(952)473-3038 Secretary Roger Wothe [email protected] 2022 O(952)583-5339 Treasurer Matt Foley C(612)280-4930 [email protected] 2022

Activities Director Jay White H(612)559-3219 [email protected] 2021

Director Bob Roth H(763)475-1429 2021 Publications/ Dave Gustafson H(952)435-1919 [email protected] 2022 Membership

Director Tom Brace H(651)644-1716 [email protected] 2022

Director Bill Holaday H(763)402-1171 [email protected] 2020

Director Jeff Eisenberg (612)521-3537 [email protected] 2020 Director Dave Heeren (952)469-3647 [email protected] 2022

Members and guests are welcome to attend the Board Meetings. Our meeting location, unless otherwise specified, will be held at Bloomington Lincoln in their conference room. Meeting time will be 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month, except December.

Articles and other information for the newsletter should be sent to David Gustafson, Editor, at 308 Brandywine Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337. email: [email protected] Mark III continued...

(Continued from page 1) for the Ford Motor Company. Initially, it was pur- chased by movie stars, political figures, and corporate heads. The Mark III appealed to an upwardly mobile mid- dle class. The Mark III made money for Ford Motor Co. — something the Mark II never did. The Mark III deserves credit, more than any other car, for Lincoln's current success in the marketplace. There are less than 25 years separating the Mark III and the Mark VIII. Even in that short span of time, howev- er, it's become generally accepted that, but for the suc- George & Shirley Richards won the William Clay Ford Trophy with cess of the Mark III, the Mark Series would now be a their 1971 Continental Mark III at the 1997 National Meet. memory. It should also be pointed out that the Mark II was never built by the Lincoln Division, which at that time was separated from the Mercury Division and the short-lived Edsel Division. The Mark II was built by the separate Continental Division, and nowhere does the name Lincoln appear on this car except on the wind•shield washer bottle. The first Lincoln with the name Continental Mark III was built as a 1958 model. For many years Lincoln tried to forget that Mark III. The story of the "second generation" Continental Mark III also begins in 1958, not with the Lincoln, but with the four- passenger Thunderbird. Robert McNamara's decision to discontinue the two-passenger Thunderbird (1957 production: 21,380), and in 1958, to build a four-passenger personal luxury Thunderbird, was very successful. Almost 38,000 Thunderbirds were built in 1958, and by 1960, annual sales were over 92,000. The success of the four-passenger T-Bird personal luxury car was not lost on Ford Motor Co. — or the competition. (Continued on page 6)

4

NORTHSTAR NEWS (Continued from page 3) offered a film contract by Warner Bros. Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes In the 1930s, Albert performed in Broadway stage productions, includ- ing Brother Rat, which February 4, 2021 opened in 1936. He had lead roles in Room Ser- BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING vice (1937-1938) and (1938- The meeting was called to order via a conference call by Regional Director Bob Johnson at 6:30 1939). In 1936, Albert had p.m. Board members attending the conference call were Bob Johnson, Dave Gustafson, Tom also become one of the Brace, Bob Roth, Jay White (Colorado), Matt Foley, Bill Holaday, Jeff Eisenberg, and Roger earliest television actors, Wothe which included all of the Board members. There were no visitors. The minutes of the performing live in one of previous meeting and the agenda of this meeting were approved. RCA's first television broadcasts in association with NBC, a promotion DIRECTOR’S REPORTS for their New York City radio stations. Regional Director Bob Johnson reported on the status of the Coronavirus COVID-19. A few people are reportedly not wearing face masks and do not follow the rules which have been estab- Performing regularly lished. So far, 63 members of the North Star Chapter have renewed their membership by paying on early television, Al- their dues. Bob reinforced the idea that the newsletter should remain to help keep up interest in bert wrote and per- the club. The 2021 Lincoln Homecoming is still planned for August 12-15, 2021. The Home- formed in the first tele- coming planning is now in process, and the registration information will be available near the play, The Love Nest, writ- end of March 2021. A Virtual Car Show is also being planned, and the login will be: ten for television. Done vlmcmhomecomingmeet.cornerstonereg.com. The 2021 Western National Meet scheduled for live (not recorded on Palm Springs, California, has been canceled until May 2022. The 2021 Eastern National Meet film), this production scheduled for Morgantown, Pennsylvania, for June 9-12 has been moved to October 20-24, took place November 6, 2021. The 2021 Mid-America National Meet in Springfield, Illinois, is still scheduled for Sep- 1936, and originated in tember 15-19, 2021. Studio 3H (now 3K) in the GE Building at Rockefel- Activities Director Jay White reported that Facebook “likes” are now at 348. ler Center (then called the RCA Building) in New Treasurer Matt Foley reported that the treasury balance is $3,146.98 with all bills paid. York City and was broad- cast over NBC's experi- Membership and Publications Director Dave Gustafson announced that paid membership renew- mental television station al is 63. He desperately needs more “My Pride and Joy” articles. W2XBS (now WNBC- TV). Hosted by Betty Good- The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next meeting will be via a conference call Thurs- win, The Love Nest day, March 4, at 6:25 p.m. starred Albert, Hilde- Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roger Wothe. garde, , Ed

Wynn, and actress Grace

Bradt. Before this time, television productions were adaptations of stage plays. Albert landed the starring role in the 1938 Broadway musical The Boys from Syracuse, and met , who had a small role in the play. The two later briefly shared an apartment in (Continued on page 6)

5

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 5) the Beachwood Canyon More Mark III community of Hollywood after Ives moved west the (Continued from page 4) troit accepted it as gospel that "niche" mar- following year. Also in Thunderbird's four-passenger success kets, if big enough, could dramatically in- 1938, Albert made his fea- was followed by other personal luxury cars crease corporate pride and profits. Today it is ture-film debut in the — the '63 Buick Riviera, the '66 Oldsmobile almost impossible to name all the separate Hollywood version of Toronado, the '67 Cadillac Eldorado, and passenger cars built in the last ten years with Brother Rat with Ronald eventually the '69 Lincoln Continental Mark the Ford or Chevrolet name on them. These Reagan and Jane Wy- III. To varying degrees, each of these per- niche cars were, many times, cleverly dis- guised clones of some other car in their man- man, reprising his Broad- sonal luxury cars borrowed their platforms, ufacturer's current inventory. way role as cadet "Bing" running gear, and some sheet metal from For Ford Motor Company, there was Edwards. The next year, other cars in their manufacturer's invento- also a downside to the success of the four- he starred in On Your ries to become attractive upper-end cars built on the cheap with a huge profit margin passenger Thunderbird. Thunderbird cut into Toes, adapted for the in each sale. That's the secret of the Mark Lincoln's traditional market. The Lincolns of screen from the Broad- III. It was made from a contemporary Thun- the 60s, although well-respected, weren't way smash by Rodgers derbird in the same mold as the original profitable in all years. Lincolns were slow and Hart. Zephyr inspired Continental and, in the case sellers compared to other Ford products, Prior to World War of the Mark III, made lots of money for including the Thunderbird. The four- II, and before his film ca- Ford Motor Co. In fact, Ford Motor Co. passenger Thunderbird's success just made reer, Albert had toured made over $2000 a car on each 1969-71 matters worse for Lincoln. Something had to Mexico as a clown and Mark III it sold. change. high-wire artist with the Lee Iacocca was the father of the 1969 Escalante Brothers Cir- Mark III. He pushed it; he shoved it, etc. cus, but secretly worked Iacocca had his sights set on the Presidency for U.S. Army intelli- of the Ford Motor Company. He was the gence, photographing one who gave the Mark III its identity and German U-boats in Mexi- market niche. He saw a need for such a car, can harbors. On Septem- and at the same time, he saw a way to uti- ber 9, 1942, Albert enlist- lize unused production capacity at the Wix- om plant when the Thunderbird would go ed in the United States back to separate body and frame construc- Coast Guard and was dis- Above, the 1967 Thunderbird four door from tion in 1967. charged in 1943 to accept which the Mark III was derived. Back in those days, the upper echelon, an appointment as a lieu- Below, the competition, the 1967 Cadillac president, vice president, etc., all made a lot of tenant in the U.S. Naval Eldorado. money, if the company made a lot of money Reserve. He was award- because bonuses went with the bottom line. ed the Bronze Star with There were bonuses paid into the millions. Combat "V" for his ac- Iacocca made sure that the dust in every corner tions during the invasion was there for a reason. It had to produce a lot of Tarawa in November of money. 1943, when, as the cox- With this background, it should come as swain of a Coast Guard no surprise that by the mid-1960s, the push , he rescued was on for another Lincoln, in this case, a 47 Marines who were Lincoln personal luxury car. From the begin- stranded offshore (and The development of the personal luxury ning, the proposed Lincoln personal luxury supervised the rescue of car was also a part of a larger phenomenon car was never meant to be a complete rein- 30 others), while under that took root in the 1960s when there was carnation of the Mark II. The Lincoln per- heavy enemy machine- an explosion in the number of different cars sonal luxury car was meant to appeal to the gun fire. built under the same brand name. By way of same market that the Thunderbird had un- During the war comparison, in 1950, there was one Ford covered a decade earlier. Because of this, there was a built-in rivalry between the Lin- years, Albert returned to passenger car/two series; by the mid-1960s, coln-Mercury people and the Thunderbird films, starring in ones the Ford name was on a full-size car, the people. such as The Great Mr. Falcon, the Fairlane, and the Thunderbird — The Thunderbird people wanted to build Nobody, Lady Body- all Fords. The same thing happened at Gen- eral Motors. Although it had been done on a a "Superbird," and they did not want a Lin- guard, and Ladies' Day, smaller scale in the past. By the 1960s, De- (Continued on page 7) (Continued on page 7)

6

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 6) as well as reuniting with Mark III continued... Reagan and Wyman for and co- (Continued from page 6) frame construction a year plus down the starring with Humphrey coln built on the same chassis and essential- road. During the mid-1960s, Iacocca also Bogart in The Wagons Roll ly the same body competing with it. The felt that it was about time Lincoln-Mercury at Night. After the war, he Mark III was at heart a Thunderbird clone, Division made a better profit. Iacocca resumed appearing in lead- and that did not sit well with Ford manage- sensed that too many upwardly mobile Ford ing roles, including 1947's ment. owners were moving up to G. M. products. Smash-Up, the Story of a The design of the Lincoln personal lux• Although it should be pointed out that Mer- Woman, opposite Susan ury car was set by late 1965 when Henry cury produced nearly 347,000 cars for Hayward. Ford II approved its basic design. It did not 1965; Lincoln produced only 40,180. The From 1948 on, Albert have the classic grille or the spare tire hump Cougar and the Marquis represented guest-starred in nearly 90 on the trunk at that time, but it did by the Iacocca's initial effort to further increase television series. He made time the final design was locked up in the bottom line at Lincoln-Mercury. Iacocca March 1966. When he saw the final clay, was at the same time looking for something his guest•starring debut on Henry Ford II told the designers he liked it to bolster the bottom line for Lincoln. The an episode of The Ford The- so much he wanted to drive it home that Lincoln personal luxury car that became the atre Hour. This part led to night. 1969 Mark III was the answer Iacocca came other roles such as Chevrolet When the Wixom assembly plant was up with. Tele-Theatre, Suspense, first opened in late 1957, it was not long Lights Out, Schlitz Play- before it was producing at capacity, largely house of Stars, Studio One, because the Thunderbird was selling so well. Philco Television Playhouse, That lead to expansion of the Wixom facili- , Front ties. By late 1966, when unibodies were be- Row Center, The Alcoa ing phased out, there was an excess in car Hour, and in dramatic se- building capacity at Wixom, and thus there ries The Eleventh Hour, The was room to build a new car there, but it had Reporter, and General Elec- to be a profitable new car. Thunderbirds and tric Theater. Lincolns were built at Wixom, and Thunder- In 1959, Albert was cast bird had a proven record of healthy profits. 1969 Mark III instrument panel. as businessman Dan Simp- Lincoln did not. son in the episode "The Un- Enter Lee Iacocca, fresh from the suc• In a 1979 interview, Bertil Andren, the willing" of the NBC Western cess of the Mustang and Maverick. In Janu- engineer in charge of the project, told why series Riverboat. In the sto- ary 1965, Iacocca was made Ford Motor the Thunderbird body was employed. He ry line, Dan Simpson at- Company Executive Vice President for Cars said, "At that particular time, the T-Bird had and Trucks. He immediately went to work a four-door which had a (3 inch) longer tempts to open a general on the Pinto and just about anything else he wheelbase that was the real clue to the store in the American West thought would help in his quest for Ford whole thing. They had gone to very deep despite a raid from pirates Motor Co. Lee Iacocca's Presidency was pocket footwells. You had to step down into on the ambitious. He didn't care how hard he had to it. If we could just use the four-door body, who stole from him $20,000 push and whose toes he stepped on to get to we could just shove the rear seatback. Then in merchandise. Debra Pa- the top. At about the same time, the all-new we could rearrange the front end a little bit get is cast in this episode as body style for the 1967 Thunderbird was and raise the floor so you could have more Lela Russell; being finalized. Although all prior Thunder- of a flat floor instead of the pockets. Well, is Darius, and John M. Pi- birds had been two doors, it seemed a profit- after much debate and so on, it was conclud- card is uncredited as a riv- able idea to extend the Ford passenger line ed that this really made a good package.” er pirate. once again — this time to include a four- "As might be expected, the T-Bird peo• The also had a re- door Thunderbird. If it sold well, the problem ple didn't want to have anything to do with turn to Broadway for Al- of excess capacity at Wixom might also be it. So we said we were going to go through bert, including roles in Miss remedied. It did not sell well after the first with it on our own. John Nevin was the Liberty (1949-1950) and The year, 1967, but that fact was not known in product planner for the T-Bird for Ford, and Seven Year Itch (1952-1955). 1965. they finally concluded that the package was In 1960, Albert replaced In 1965, Iacocca was concerned primar so good that they would go for it, and that's in the lead •ily with the potential with a market open- how we got back together again. Otherwise, role of Professor Harold ing up for a Mark III type of car and unused we would have had to get new floors and a Hill, in the Broadway pro- assembly capacity in Wixom when Thun- new underbody. The reason that we got such (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8) derbird would go back to separate body and

7

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 7) duction of . Even more Mark III Albert also performed in (Continued from page 7) It was meant to be a lesser priced Lincoln regional theater. He creat- a good package was that we had a longer ranking just below the top of the line Lincoln ed the title role of Marc wheelbase, which we picked up from the T- Continental. When it became apparent that Blitzstein's Reuben, Reuben Bird four-door. The entire outer structure, Cadillac was going to introduce a top of the in 1955 in Boston. He per- with the exception of the roof, was all unique. line personal luxury car called the Eldorado, formed at The Muny Thea- The inner structure was pretty much the same.” the yet unnamed Lincoln personal luxury car ter in St. Louis, reprising Iacocca already had an excellent work• was quickly changed to be in direct competi- the Harold Hill role in The ing relationship with L. David Ash, one of tion with it as the top of the line model Lin- Music Man in 1966 and the stylists credited with the design of the coln. playing Alfred P. Doolittle incredibly successful 1964 1/2 Mustang that Even though the four-door Thunderbird had made Iacocca a legend. As a result of platform provided for a more distinctive- in in 1968. Ash's success with the Mustang, Iacocca looking Continental than the two-door, there In the 1950s, Albert ap- talked Design Center head Gene Bordinat were still problems of identity. The first big peared in film roles such as into giving Ash his own styling studio, which problem was the doors. It was very difficult to that of 's fiance Ash named the Special Development Studio. disguise the Thunderbird look without chang- in The Fuller Brush Girl The Special Development Studio was set up ing the doors. After much effort and frustration, (1950), Bill Gorton in The in direct competition with the Ford and Lin- it was decided to do new doors, not simply re- Sun Also Rises (1957), and a coln-Mercury design studios and, at times, skin the Thunderbird. It was now sufficiently traveling salesman in Car- the Advanced Design Studio. Iacocca liked to different looking than the Thunderbird, but it rie (1952). He was nominat- have stylists competing with each other on was otherwise blah — and both Iacocca and Ash various car designs and three competitors recognized that fact. ed for his first Oscar as Best were thought to be better than two. Ash was It has long been contended that the clas- Supporting Actor with Ro- now answerable only to Gene Bordinat and sic grille and the hump on the trunk were man Holiday (1953). In Okla- Lee Iacocca. One of the people Bill Ford, Iacocca's ideas. I personally believe these homa! (1955), he played a titular head of the Design Studio, and Bordi- ideas came from someone in styling working womanizing Persian ped- nat wanted Ash to hire as a stylist in his new under Ash.* I think that Iacocca was stealing dler, and in Who's Got the studio was John Reinhart, the designer of the the thunder here. He may have seen these Action? (1962), he portrayed Mark II, who had just lost his job at U.S. ideas on some styling sketches and then di- a lawyer helping his part- Steel. If Reinhart had not turned down the rected them to be incorporated on the clay ner () cope job because he did not want to get back into model. When Iacocca saw the clay model with a gambling addiction. the "rat race," the designer of the Mark II, with the Rolls-Royce type of grille and the John Reinhart, would have been the exec• spare tire hump on the trunk, he was wildly Television series He guest- utive stylist on the Mark III project. Instead, enthusiastic. After that, the upper back panel, starred on various series, Don Kopka, the designer of the tall tail behind the rear window, was raised by two including ABC's The Pat finned '57 DeSoto, departed Chrysler and inches to give the car a hunched look, dis- Boone Chevy Showroom, as became executive stylist in Ash's Special guising it even further from the Thunderbird. well as the Westinghouse Development Studio. However, in a 1979 interview, the late Studio One series (CBS, 1953• Iacocca visited Ash's studio often. In David Ash pointed out that the radiator was 54), playing Winston Smith fact, he practically lived there. Even not a direct copy of the Rolls-Royce. He said, in the first TV adaptation though competition was the rule of the day "It is certainly like the Rolls-Royce, but it is of 1984, by William Temple- and the very reason Ash had been set up in not a copy because if you look at the Rolls- his own studio, Iacocca initiated the Lincoln Royce radiator shell, you will see that all of ton. personal luxury car exclusively in Ash's stu- the planes are absolutely flat. The Mark III Albert had his own day- dio because he trusted Ash's abilities and radiator shell is actually a welded up assem- time variety program, The because of the successful working relation- bly; the front is set at an angle, and so forth. Eddie Albert Show, on CBS ship he had already built with Ash. In a nut- I've heard of it being talked about as a Rolls- television in 1953. Singer shell, Iacocca liked working with Ash. Royce radiator shell, but actually, many clas- Ellen Hanley was a regular Iacocca claims that the early HV-12 Conti- sic cars had that general type, including some on the show. A review in nental, with its long hood/short deck, was his Lincolns. If you wanted to rationalize it, you Broadcasting magazine inspiration for the Mustang, so it's not sur- could say it was an adaptation of earlier clas- panned the program, say- prising that the same general idea was fol- sic Lincoln radiator shells." ing, "Mr. Albert with the lowed on the Lincoln personal luxury car. With the exception of the grilles on the Originally, the Lincoln personal luxury Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the Mark III grille help of Miss Hanley, con- car, which was Lincoln's answer to Ford's was the most costly used to that time on a ducts an interview, talks a Thunderbird, was meant to fit between the modern production car. It was a complex zinc little, sings a little and looks Mercury Marquis and the Lincoln Continen- die-casting given extra care in buffing (and all-thumbs a lot." tal in the Lincoln-Mercury line•up. The Lin- washing) in all stages: bare metal, copper coln personal luxury car was not initially (Continued on page 9) (Continued on page 9) intended to be a new top of the line product.

8

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 8) Beginning June 12, 1954, Mark III continued... Albert was host of Saturday Night Revue, which re- (Continued from page 8) nental Mark III and deserves credit for con- placed Your Show of Shows plate, zinc plate and,, finally chrome. ceiving it, determining what it would look on NBC. The 9:00-10:30 pm Whereas most grilles at that time may have like, and pushing it through to completion. cost the factory $15 to $20, the Mark III Even though he was not a designer, he was (Eastern Time) program grille came closer to $200. personally involved, almost on a day-to- also featured and * editor's note: The Continental Mark day basis, with the Mark III's conception, and the Sauter- III grille was originally done by Buzz design, production, and marketing. Iacocca Finegan Orchestra. Grisinger, who was head of Lincoln- had a keen automobile sense. He knew In 1962, Albert ap- Mercury styling. It was done for the 1965 what would sell and where the market was. peared as Cal Kroeger on Mercury. According to Grisinger, Iacocca Others may have jumped on the bandwagon the TV western The Virgini- had him change the '65 Mercury grille, took after its success, but the success of the an in the episode titled the idea for the '69 Mark III, and never gave Mark III was due almost entirely to Lee "Impasse." In 1964, Albert him, Grisinger credit. Iacocca. Except for Lee Iacocca's attention guest-starred in "Cry of Si- Lengthening out the hood, for the classic and persistence, there would have been no lence", an episode of the sci- Continental long hood/short deck look almost 1969 Continental Mark III. ence fiction television series didn't make it into production. Chief Engineer David Ash had a habit of naming the The Outer Limits. Albert for Lincoln-Mercury Division, Bert Andren, cars he designed with personal code names. played Andy Thorne, who wanted four inches chopped off the front Ash then named the new car "Lancelot" along with his wife Karen overhang for better weight distribution. Ash from the Arthurian legend. Ash also de- (played by ), refused to do this for aesthetic reasons, and he signed a hood ornament, which was a com- had decided to leave the was backed up by Bordinat and Iacocca. bination of the Continental star and a The frame was the same perimeter type city and buy a farm (a re- knight's sword. At about that time, Ralph of frame that Thunderbird had gone to in curring theme in Albert's Nader was complaining loudly about hood 1967. In the four-door version, it had a career). They find them- ornaments that could impale people in pe- wheelbase of 117.2 inches. The engine was destrian-car accidents. The use of a sword in selves lost and in the middle Ford's new 460 cid Continental V-8. This an upright hood ornament was considered of a deserted valley where engine was developed primarily to cope too much of a provocation and the, Mark III they come under attack by with increasing pollution restrictions, espe- was thus built without a hood ornament. a series of tumbleweeds, cially in California, and Ford's improved The Lincoln personal luxury car was frogs, and rocks. combustion emission control system was an approved for production with the name Green Acres In 1965, integral part of it. Better breathing and a Lancelot but subject to the understanding Albert was approached by new four-barrel carburetor were designed that the name was only temporary. Iacocca producer to for emission control up to legal standards later changed the name to the Lincoln Conti- star in a new sitcom for without the use of auxiliary air pumps. nental Mark III, a decision everyone agreed CBS called Green Acres. His To further set the car apart from the was the correct one, even though it rewrote character, Oliver Wendell Thunderbird, Iacocca had the engine blocks, history by ignoring the '58 Mark III. After Douglas, was a lawyer who cylinder heads, crankshaft, camshaft, and, approval was given to build the Mark III, left the city to enjoy a sim- of all things, the water pump body, mag- $30 million, a modest sum even in those ple life as a gentleman nafluxed. The ones that showed the best days, was allocated for engineering and pro- farmer. Co-starring on the stress lines were moved over to the side and duction costs. show was as his were ticketed for the Mark engine line. As late as Spring 1967, it was reported in urbanite, spoiled wife, Lisa. Then they would take a piston, pin, connect- trade magazines that some thought was being ing rod, insert and ring assembly and get The show was an immediate given to building the new Lincoln personal eight of them weighing within a gram of hit, achieving fifth place in luxury car (By that time being referred to as each other, and that would go in one Mark the ratings in its first sea- the Mark X.) with a type of drive train that III engine. The balanced, blueprinted engine would compete with the Eldorado's front- son. The series lasted six for the 1969 Mark III developed 425 horse- wheel drive. It was proposed to run the prop seasons with 170 episodes. power, not 365 which, was the rated horse- shaft along the frame structure on the pas- Switch After a four- power for that car. By 1970, these Mark III senger side as a cheap way to give the car a year-absence from the small engines were no longer balanced and blue- flat front floor to match Cadillac Eldorado's screen, and upon reaching printed. The true horsepower was now cut front-wheel drive. The use of constant ve- age 69 in 1975, Albert signed down to 390. For 1971 the true horsepower locity U-joints with a belt-driven transmis- a new contract with Uni- was cut down to 365, where it had been rat- sion mounted next to the engine was pro- versal Television, and ed all along. To this day, the '69 will outper- posed. A 1968 concept car, the Ford starred in the popular 1970s form the '70 and '71 hands down. Techna, was built with a similar offset pow- (Continued on page 10) Iacocca is the father of the 1969 Conti- (Continued on page 10) 9

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 9) adventure/crime drama Mark III continued... Switch for CBS, as a retired police officer, Frank (Continued from page 9) Wixom accommodated both the Thunder- McBride, who goes to work er train layout, but it was decided not to try bird and Mark III on the same lines. Thus, as a private detective with such a radical new system on the top of the the same workers on the chassis and body a former criminal he had line Continental Mark III. assembly lines built Thunderbirds, Lincoln once jailed. In its first sea- It was always planned that any new Lin- Continentals, and Mark Ills as they came son, Switch was a hit. By coln personal luxury car would be built at the down the same line. late 1976, the show had be- Wixom Assembly Plant. As indicated above, Although most sub-assemblies used on come a more serious and the only way that it was economically feasi- the Thunderbird and Mark III were fabri• ble to produce such a car was to borrow heav- cated on the same sub-assembly lines, some traditional crime drama. ily from the platform, running gear, and body Mark III sub-assemblies including, the rear At the end of its third sea- structure of the current production Thunder- quarter panels and the uniflow ventilation son in 1978, ratings began bird already being produced at Wixom. system, were so different they had to be fab- to drop, and the show was The Wixom Assembly Plant was specif- ricated on separate subassembly lines in oth- canceled after 70 episodes. ically built to make unibody Lincolns and er parts of the Wixom plant. Television specials Ed- Thunderbirds, and between late 1957 and Before the body drop, all the cars built die Albert appears in a late 1966, only unibody cars were built at at the Wixom plant (the Thunderbird, Lin- number of television spe- Wixom. coln Continental, and Mark III) were paint- cials. His first was the 1956 For many reasons, Ford Motor Compa- ed in the same general operation. They all made-for-television NBC ny came to the conclusion that big unibody got an electroplate process, two coats of documentary Our Mr. Sun, cars weren't easy or as profitable to build as primer and three-color coats, and they all a Bell Telephone-produced body/frame cars. Lincoln, starting with the went down the same line together. color special. Directed by 1970 model, returned to separate body and After the painting procedures were com- , it blends live frame construction, and by the end of the pleted, the Mark III received special polishing action and . Al- 1969 Lincoln Continental model year, there treatment not given the Lincoln Continental bert appears with Dr. were no more unibodies built at Wixom, at or the Thunderbird. The Mark III was built least for a while. Presently, Mark VIII and with more care and attention than the Thun- Frank Baxter, who appears Continentals, but not Town Cars — all built derbird. Insulation in this car is much more in several other Bell Tele- at Wixom — are unibody construction. extensive than in the Thunderbird. The en- phone science specials. Lots of alterations were necessary at gine was not shared with the Thunderbird. Later work In 1971, Al- Wixom when the Thunderbird changed back The transmission was Lincoln's Select-Shift bert guest-starred in a sea- to separate body and frame construction for Turbo-Drive, but shift points were tailored son-one episode the 1967 model year. The biggest change specifically to this car. called "Dead Weight", was the installation of an old fashioned, but Additionally, the Mark III had heavier which also featured guest updated frame assembly line and a floor- suspension and more suspension refinement star , as a mounted chassis assembly line. With uni- than the Thunderbird. Moreover, wheels, highly decorated retired US bodies, because the "frame" of the car, so to axles, suspension arms, springs, and shocks Marine Corps major gen- speak, is built into the body, the only were rubber isolated. No continuous path eral, and combat war hero "frame" related subassembly lines necessary through steel was left open from the frame from the , who were for the front and rear suspensions. to the passenger compartment. While the murders his adjutant to The assembly line procedures used for cowl section and instrument panels of the cover up an illegal quid pro construction of separate body and frame cars Thunderbird and Mark III were identical, quo contracting conspiracy are basically all the same. On the Thunderbird the outer instrument panel of the Mark III scheme. and the Mark III, frames were assembled up- was entirely different and much better de- side down, but once the suspension and rear tailed than on the Thunderbird. Finally, In 1972, Albert resumed axle assemblies were attached, the chassis there was much greater attention to detail in his film career and was was flipped over and then mounted on anoth- trim and upholstery. For example, Hermann nominated for an Oscar for er conveyor for additional assembly. The Brunn was brought in for the upholstery. He Best Supporting Actor for completed chassis was then lowered to a was the son of the famous Brunn of classic his performance as an over- chassis finish assembly line so the engine and body building fame in the '20s and '30s. He protective father in The the drive train could be installed. That proce- was so meticulous that if he found one little Heartbreak Kid (1972), and dure completed, the chassis was hoisted to an fault that could be corrected, he would go delivered a memorable per- overhead track, and thereafter came the body into a rage, and they would rebuild the formance opposite Burt drop. Once the body drop was completed, the whole seat, door panel, carpet, etc. I would Reynolds as an evil prison Thunderbird and the Mark III were finished say there was at least twice the amount of (Continued on page 11) up on the trim line. care on the Mark III interior soft material as The chassis and body assembly lines at (Continued on page 11)

10

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 10) More Mark III Events of 1969 warden in 1974's The Long- est Yard. In a lighter vein, (Continued from page 10) What happened in 1969 Major News Sto- Albert portrayed the gruff on the Lincoln Continental and Thunder- ries include The Beatles' last public perfor- though soft-hearted Jason bird. I also mentioned earlier the extra care mance, on the roof of Apple Records, First O'Day in the successful Dis- that went into the engines. The same was Concorde test flight is conducted In France, ney film Escape to Witch true of nearly everything throughout the Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes its debut, Pontiac Mountain in 1975. car. Several years later, problems devel- Firebird Trans Am the epitome of the Ameri- Albert appeared in such oped with quality control, especially during can muscle car is introduced, Woodstock at- the time the Mark V was built, but there do tracts more than 350,000 rock-n-roll fans, 1980s films as How to Beat not appear to have been any unusual quality Members of a cult led by Charles Manson the High Cost of Living control problems with the assembly of the murder five people, Chappaquiddick Affair (1980), Yesterday (1981), Mark III. Senator Edward Kennedy, PBS Established, Take This Job and Shove It Published figures uniformly claim there The first man is landed on the moon on the (1981), Rooster (1982 televi- were a total of 79,381 Mark Ills produced Apollo 11 mission by the United States and sion film), and Yes, Giorgio over a very profitable three and one-half year Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin be- (1982), and as the US Presi- production run. Figures from Jack Reynolds, came the first humans to set foot on the Moon. dent in Dreamscape (1984). plant manager of the Wixom plant at the Cost of Living 1969 His final feature film role time, are slightly different. He claims that How Much things cost in 1969 was a cameo appearance in total Mark III production was 79,648. It Yearly Inflation Rate USA 5.46 % The Big Picture (1989). He has also been reported that the first produc- Yearly Inflation Rate UK 5.6% also appeared in many all- tion Mark III rolled off the Wixom assem- Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Aver- star television miniseries, bly line March 3, 1968. According to Mr. age 800 including Evening in By- Reynolds, between February 20 and Febru- Average Cost of new house $15,550.00 zantium (1978), The Word ary 28, 1968, at least seven Mark IIIs were Average Income per year $8,550.00 (1978), Peter and Paul produced. At least three of those seven cars Average Monthly Rent $135.00 were built twice. Since all seven of those (1981), Goliath Awaits (1981) Average Cost New Car $3,270.00 cars were sold, the correct day for the start and War and Remem- Toyota Corona $1,950.00 of production is probably February 20, brance (1988). In the mid- Gas per Gallon 35 cents 1968. That first car, serial number 800001, Alarm Clock from Westclox $9.98 1980s, Albert was reunited may have been saved for a while and later with longtime friend and co delivered to Kar Kraft for conversion to the Apollo 10 Mission -star of the Brother Rat 1969 show car, the Mark III Dual Cowl NASA’s Apollo 10 space mission launched and An Angel from Texas Phaeton, which is now alive and well in the and landed successfully during May. The 3- films, Jane Wyman, in a hands of a collector in Puerto Rico. (The man crew consisted of Thomas P. Stafford recurring role as the vil- builders of the Dual Cowl Phaeton claim (the Commander), John W. Young (the Com- lainous Carlton Travis in they put the serial number on one of the mand Module Pilot), and Eugene A. Cernan the popular 1980s soap early Mark IIIs.) (the Lunar Module Pilot). The flight was a test opera Falcon Crest. He also It is interesting to note that while sales run for the first Moon landing which took guest-starred on an episode of the Mark III went up every year, sales of place 2 months later. The Apollo 10 mission of the '80s television series the Thunderbird four-door went down. successfully tested all aspects of a lunar land- , as With the addition of the four-door, Thun- ing except the actual landing. The crew con- well as Murder, She Wrote, derbird production was about the same for ducted a lunar orbit and lunar descent to about 1967 as for 1966-- nearly 25,000 four doors and in 1990, he reunited 9 miles from the surface, a rendezvous and and nearly 43,000 two doors, or about with Eva Gabor for a Re- docking with the command module, tested 69,000 total. Production of the Thunderbird turn to Green Acres. various systems, and conducted transmissions four-door was down to just under 22,000 back to Earth. The mission completed all ob- for 1968, 15,650 for 1969, 8,401 for 1970, Eddie Albert's wife, Mexi- jectives and returned to Earth after 8 days. and finally 6,553 for 1971, after which it can actress Margo, was was discontinued. Compare this to the Mark Moon Landing well known in Hollywood III. 1968-69 production was 30,858; that for her left-wing political was for one model year but two production The first man is landed on the moon on the leanings., but she was not a years. 1970 produc•tion was 21,432, and Apollo 11 mission by the United States member of the Communist 1971 production was 27,091. By any meas- and Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin became the first humans to set foot Party. In 1950, Margo and ure, the car was an unqualified success and on the Moon. and the famous Albert's names were both remains so as a collector car today. words "That's one small step for man, one published in "Red Chan- (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 12) 11

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 11) nels," an anti-Communist More events of 1969 pamphlet that sought to expose purported Com- (Continued from page 11) Significant Live Music Events in 1969 munist influence within the giant leap for mankind." will become part of Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock-n our history. -roll fans, Atlanta International Pop Festival entertainment industry. More Information and Timeline For The First on 4th July attracts 100,000 fans, Isle of By 1951, those identified Man On The Moon Wight Festival attracted an audience of ap- in "Red Channels" were 1. 1961 May 25th President Kennedy asks proximately 150,000 blacklisted across much or Congress for $531 million to put a man on 1. January 30th The Beatles, with Billy Pres- all of the movie and broad- the moon before the end of the decade ton, gave their final live performance on the cast industries unless they 2. 1963 June 16th Russians put the first roof of the Apple building in , Eng- cleared their names, the woman in space on the Vostok 6 land, the live performance was an impromptu customary requirement 3. 1965 March 18th First space walk by the event that ran for 42 minutes featuring Get being that they testify be- Russian cosmonaut Alexey Leonov from the Back, I Want You (She's So Heavy), Don't fore the House Un- Voskhod 2 Let Me Down, I've Got A Feeling, One After American Activities Com- 4. 1966 March 16th first docking of two 909, Danny Boy, Dig A Pony, God Save The mittee. spacecraft Gemini 8 Commanded by Neil Queen and A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody Additional hearings in Armstrong docks with unmanned Agena Tar- later featured as the climax of their Let It Be 1951-52 generated the bulk get Vehicle film of the blacklist, which was 5. 1968 December 24th Apollo 8, was the 2. March 25th to March 31st Following The then used by the industry first human space flight to leave Earth orbit Marriage of John Lennon and Yoko Ono on and enter a different orbit around the moon. March 20th in Gibralta they hold a week-long on both coasts to control 6. 1969 July 16th Apollo 11 Launched from Bed-In for Peace at the Amsterdam Hilton who was hired. In addition, the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex Hotel inviting the world's press into their the 1950 publication "Red 39 in Merritt Island, Florida carrying Neil A. hotel room every day between 9 a.m. and 9 Channels" listed 151 suspects, Armstrong ( Commander ) Michael Collins p.m and hearings on a smaller ( Command Module Pilot ) and Edwin 3. July 4th Atlanta International Pop Festival scale continued through the "Buzz" E. Aldrin, Jr. ( Lunar Module Pilot ) attracted an audience of approximately decade. Friendly witnesses 7. July 19th Apollo 11 passed behind the 100,000 to watch 16 performers including included actors Lloyd Moon and fired its service propulsion engine Janis Joplin, Johnny Rivers, Blood, Sweat & Bridges, Lee J. Cobb, Gary to enter lunar orbit. Tears, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker, Creedence Cooper, Robert Montgom- 8. July 20th Lunar module (LM) Eagle ( Neil Clearwater Revival, Sweetwater and Led ery, , and A. Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" E. Aldrin, Zeppelin Robert Taylor; studio heads Jr. ) separated from the command module 4. August 15th to 18th The Woodstock Festi- , Louis B. May- Columbia ( Michael Collins ) . val attracted an audience of approximately er, and Jack L. Warner; 9. July 20th Lunar module (LM) Eagle lands 500,000 to watch 35 performers including and director on the moons surface in the Sea of Tranquil- Ravi Shankar, Joan Baez, Santana, Grateful (whose compliance generat- lity Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis 10. July 21st Neil Armstrong stepped off Joplin with The Kozmic Blues Band, Sly & ed controversy over honor- Eagle's footpad and uttered his famous line the Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Air- ing him in the 1990s). "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant plane, Joe Cocker, The Band, Blood, Sweat Among the hundreds leap for mankind " Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin & Tears, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and named were Eddie Albert, joined him, describing the view as Jimi Hendrix at White Lake, New York, , Lu- "Magnificent desolation." U.S.A. cille Ball (who testified but 11. July 21st Lunar module (LM) Eagle 5. August 30th and 31st Isle of Wight Festi- satisfied the committee leaves the moons surface to rendezvous with val attracted an audience of approximately without naming others), Columbia 150,000 to watch 26 performers including , , 12. July 24th The command module Colum- Bob Dylan, The Who, Blonde On Blonde, Howard da Silva, Lee bia carrying the 3 astronauts splashed down Joe Cocker, The Moody Blues and Free at Grant, , in the Pacific Ocean Wootton, Isle Of Wight, England , Norman Estimates put the number who watched or 6. September 13th Toronto Rock and Roll Lloyd, , Zero listened to the Moon landing between 1/2 and Revival attracted an audience of approxi- Mostel, , 1 billion people around the world ( From mately 20,000 to watch 20 performers includ- , and Lionel Webmaster I consider myself privileged to ing Chicago, Alice Cooper, Chuck Berry, Stander. have watched and listened to Neil A. Arm- Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Little Rich- strong's famous words "That's one small step ard, Doug Kershaw and The Doors, Scream- for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind " ) . ing Lord Sutch and John Lennon, Yoko Ono (Continued on page 13) (Continued on page 13)

12

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 12) The results were devas- Events of 1969 continued... tating for many on the list. Some changed careers, (Continued from page 12) 3. The first point of the ARPANET was in- while others left the United and The Plastic Ono Band at at Varsity Stadi- stalled at a computer in UCLA in September um, of the University of Toronto, Ontario, 4. In October, the second point was installed States, or if screenwriters, Canada at a computer in the Stanford Research Insti- worked under pseudonyms 7. December 6th Altamont Speedway Free tute. and used "fronts" to sell Festival attracted an audience of approxi- 5. The first communication between the two their scripts. mately 300,000 to watch 10 performers in- is sent and received across the new network Albert later spoke of cluding The Rolling Stones, Santana, Jeffer- on October 29th, this period: Everyone was son Airplane, The Flying Burrito Brothers, 6. After that, it is installed at several other so full of fear. Many people and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Alta- universities across the United States. couldn't support their fami- mont Speedway, California, U.S.A. The con- 7. ARPANET, the predecessor to the Internet, lies, or worse, their lives cert is best known for having been marred by was not demonstrated to the public until 1972 were ruined and they had considerable violence caused by alcohol and 8. By 1989 the ARPANET had become to go out and do menial drugs including by the Hells Angels motor- somewhat obsolete and was shut down. jobs. Some even killed them- cycle club who were used for security round Project Blue Book, the United States Air selves. ~ Eddie Albert, quot- the stage. Force's investigation into unidentified flying ed in Vincent Price: A 1969 provided so many significant live music objects (UFOs), officially comes to an end on Daughter's Biography events that I thought they should be included December 17, 1969. The investigations began Albert's son spoke of his in a Music Timeline for the year, I hope you in 1952 when government officials started to enjoyed taking the trip in time and memories collect information related to UFO sightings. parents' blacklisting in an that the timeline provides Between 1952 and 1969, there were over interview published in De- United Kingdom -- Beatles "Abbey Road" 12,000 reports compiled by officials and of cember 1972, crediting Al- The Beatles release Abbey Road on Sep- those reports all but 701 cases were identified bert's service during World tember 26th. Abbey Road was not the group's as either an atmospheric, astronomical, or War II with ultimately sav- final album to be released to the public but it man-made event. The project concluded that ing his career: was their final album to be recorded together. UFOs did not threaten national security and My mom was blacklist- The classic album's cover art featured did not present evidence of extraterrestrial ed for appearing at an anti- the iconic photograph of John Lennon, Ringo life or technology and the US government Franco rally; she was Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison decided that it would be far to costly to con- branded a Communist, was walking across a zebra crossing near the en- tinue to investigate UFO sightings. spat upon in the streets, trance to the famous Abbey Road recording and had to have a body- studio. 250,000 march on Washington in protest at the guard. And my dad found This rock album featured such popular Vietnam War himself unemployable at songs as "Here Comes the Sun," "Come To- Golda Meir of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, several major studios, just gether," "Something," and "Oh! Darling." becomes Prime Minister of Israel when his career was gath- The full track listing includes: Robin Knox-Johnston becomes the first per- Come Together, Something, Maxwell's Sil- son to sail around the world solo without ering momentum. During ver Hammer, Oh! Darling, Octopus's Garden, stopping the second World War, dad I Want You, Here Comes the Sun, Because, The US institutes the draft lottery to deter- joined the Navy and saw You Never Give Me Your Money, Sun King, mine draft into US Forces for Vietnam War action at Tarawa, and be- Mean Mr. Mustard, Polythene Pam, She The very first U.S. troop withdrawals are cause he came back some- Came In Through The Bathroom Window, made from Vietnam. thing of a hero, he was able Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Estab- to get work again. But he End, Her Majesty lished never got as far as he It also topped the charts around the Police raid Stonewall Inn on June 28th a gay should have gotten. world once released, staying in the UK and club located in New York City ending The While Albert's career US charts for over 80 weeks. While there Stonewall Riot. survived the blacklist, his were initially mixed reviews about the al- Chappaquiddick Affair Senator Edward Ken- wife, Margo, had extreme bum, many fans believe it to be the best the nedy driving a car plunges into a pond difficulty finding work. band had ever produced and it remains one of on July 25th and a body of a woman passen- Albert married Mexi- the top selling Beatles albums of all time. ger is later found in the car can actress Margo (nee Ma- ARPANET Members of a cult led by Charles Man- ria Margarita Guadalupe 1. ARPA (Advance Research Projects Agen- son murder five people August 9th cy) was created in 1958 Hurricane Camille hits the Mississippi coast Teresa Estela Bolado Cas- 2. In 1966 the creation of the ARPA comput- killing 248 people (Continued on page 14) er network, or ARPANET, began. (Continued on page 14) 13

NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 13) tilla y O'Donnell) in 1945. A little more about 1969 Albert and Margo had a son, Edward Jr., also an (Continued from page 13) Popular Musicians actor, and adopted a The Rolling Stones -" Honky Tonk Woman " Britain deploys troops in Northern Ireland James Brown daughter, Maria, who be- following increasing violence The Beatles with -- " Get Back and Come came her father's business Australian light aircraft carrier HMAS Mel- Together " manager. Margo Albert bourne slices the destroyer USS Frank E. Johnny Cash -- " Daddy Sang Bass " died from brain cancer on Evans in half killing 82 of her crew Bob Dylan July 17, 1985. Wal-Mart incorporates as Wal-Mart Stores, Crosby, Stills and Nash The Alberts lived in Pa- Inc Creedence Clearwater Revival cific Palisades, California, The trial begins of "Chicago Seven" accused John Denver in a Spanish-style house on of inciting riot at 1968 Democratic National Simon and Garfunkel an acre of land with a corn- Convention Fleetwood Mac field in front. Albert grew Charles de Gaulle Resigns as French Presi- Marvin Gaye organic vegetables in a dent The Jimi Hendrix Experience greenhouse and recalled The Death Penalty is Abolished in the UK Cream how his parents had a Atlanta International Pop Festival on 4th July Pink Floyd "liberty garden" at home attracts 100,000 fans -- " In The Year 2525 " by Zager and Evans during World War I. Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock-n -- " Sugar Sugar " by The Archies Albert was diagnosed -roll fans. Pay no attention to the rumor that a Elton John picture exists of Arborbob Johnson on Face- David Bowie with Alzheimer's disease in book attending the Woodstock festival with a Born This Year 1995. Bud-light in his hand. Catherine Zeta-Jones September 25th His son put aside his Popular Culture 1969 Brett Favre October 10th acting career to care for his A free concert organized by the Rolling Renee Zellweger April 25th father. Despite his illness, Stones is held at Altamont Speedway in Liv- Jennifer Aniston February 11th Albert exercised regularly ermore, Calif with problems caused by the Technology until shortly before his use of Hells Angels as Bouncers resulting in First Concorde test flight is conducted In death. Eddie Albert died of a number of deaths France pneumonia on May 26, The Groundbreaking TV programme Monty First transplant of human eye 2005, at the age of 99 in his Python's Flying Circus is shown for the first Seiko sells the first Quartz Watch home in Pacific Palisades, time and the catch phrase "And now for The first automatic teller machine ATM or California. He was interred something completely different," becomes Cash Machine is installed in the United States at Westwood Village Memo- their trade mark Creation of ARPANET, the predecessor of rial Park Cemetery, next to Sesame Street known for its Muppet charac- the Internet his late wife and near his ters, makes it's debut on PBS The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes its debut. It Green Acres co-star Eva Bell Bottom Jeans and tie-dye shirts become carried 191 people, most of them reporters part of the teenage fashion scene. and photographers, from Seattle to New York Gabor. The John Lennon Album "Two Virgins" fea- City. Albert's son, Edward, turing John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the UNIX is developed by a group of AT&T em- Jr. (1951-2006), was an ac- nude are confiscated at Newark Airport ployees at Bell Labs tor, musician, singer, and The Beatles' last public performance, on the The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am the epitome linguist/dialectician. Ed- roof of Apple Records. of the American muscle car is introduced. ward Jr. died at age 55, one The Beatles release their album Abbey Road. The Microprocessor ( a miniature set of inte- year after his father. He bringing the 1960's to an end. grated circuits ) is invented opening the way had been suffering from Sesame Street debuts on Public Television for the computer revolution that followed lung cancer for 18 months. Brian Jones Former Rolling Stones Guitarist Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country For contributions to the drowns after drinking and drugs binge. ( or attributed to First Use ) television industry, Eddie Popular Films Internet USA US military Albert was honored with a The Love Bug Manned Moon Landing USA Neil Armstrong star on the Hollywood Funny Girl and Edwin Aldrin walk on Moon Walk of Fame at 6441 Hol- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid CCDs USA Charge Coupled Device - to cap- lywood Boulevard. True Grit ture image Midnight Cowboy Cash Dispenser Turkey by Luther Simjian Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Battery Powered Smoke Detector USA From the internet... Easy Rider From the internet... Where Eagles Dare

14

Preview of Coming Events

For 2021

Three major Lincoln Car shows being planned for 2021. Due to the pandemic and the various unknowns associated with the disease management, we cannot be absolutely certain that there will be Lincoln shows as presently scheduled for calendar year 2021. As of March 1, 2021, the following sanction Lincoln club meets are scheduled:

LCOC Eastern National Meet, Morgantown, Pennsylvania, Changed to October 20-24.

LCOC Mid-America National Meet, Springfield, Illinois, Sept 15-19, 2021

Please check the Lincoln Club website from time to time for the latest information concerning the above events.

The 2021 Lincoln Homecoming, is scheduled to be held August 13-15, at Hickory Corners, Michigan. The theme will be, “Marks Through the Ages” 1940 To 1998.

The Lincoln Motor Car Foundation website will display the most current information as soon as it becomes available. Speak- ing for the foundation, David Schultz, LMCF chairman. “We’re looking forward to seeing Continental Marks from all eras,” and “That includes original, restored and customized Continentals. Owners need not be members of a Lincoln club to join in on the fun.

For Sale

1967 Continental Convertible Two owner car with only 85,000 miles. Ser- vice records since 1977. Arctic White with newer correct leather interior and ivory top. Always pampered and main- tained with original 462 V8. Stainless steel exhaust and top mechanism works fine. Award winner in Touring/Original at 2012 and 2018 Mid-America National Meet. $39,000 Call Jon Cumpton at 612-859-1483.

BACK ISSUES OF THE NORTHSTAR NEWS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON THE NORTHSTAR LCOC WEB SITE. www.northstarlcoc.org Click on publications. Issues are in PDF format and may be printed on your color printer.

15

North Star Activities

Lincoln of Bloomington, the place to go to for your next Lincoln

We invite you to stop by and visit with our good friends at Lincoln of Bloomington. If you need a new or late model car, they have a wide selection of really great Lincolns to select from. Do you want a “slightly used, but well cared for” vehicle for a tad less money, they might have the perfect car for you. Our good friends at Lincoln of Bloomington have done their best to support the North Star club over the past few years, and we would appreciate it if you would try and support this fine business. Either sales or service, they will do their best for you.

The Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum is for You! America’s passionate love affair with the Lincoln automobile continues to inspire new generations. This is demonstrated in a variety of ways, including the formation of affinity clubs in which enthusiasts can share their interest in a particular brand or segment of the automotive market, past and present. The Lincoln automobile inspired the creation of four major affinity clubs, these motivated the cre- ation of the Lincoln Motor Car Foundation, its Museum and its work of Sharing the Living Legacy of the Lincoln Motor Cars. The Grand Opening of the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum took place August 9, 2014.

We invite you to explore what we have to offer and visit the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Mu- seum located on the Gilmore Car Museum Campus in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The Mu- seum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

We suggest that you visit the Museum’s website to learn more about this remarkable facility. Open your computer browser and go to: lincolncarmuseum.org

For Sale 1979 Lincoln Mark V

Shows under 37,000 miles, two-owner car.

Diamond Blue metallic paint, rare color for 1979. Matching blue leather interior. Has moon roof and all other accessories Lincoln offered in 1979. Always garaged, never driven in winter. A great car for either touring or showing.

No dings, dents or scrapes. Have all maintenance records and factory manuals. Fair- ly priced at $14,500/best offer. Call Maxine at 320-269-7547 Minnesota.

16