Lake Shore Lincoln Lines Newsletter - Lake Shore Region - Lincoln & Continental Owners Club

May / June 2017 The Director’s Message Inside This Issue Hi to all, ‘Round & About 2 Vintage car season is finally here! Some of us have already had our vehicles out and about as Event Calendar 3 you will see on page 6 of this newsletter. Hope you will take advantage of the many events and Editor’s Corner 4 activities we have planned for you to see collector cars in places near and far. Coming Event Info 5 Don’t forget to RSVP for visiting the Klairmont Kollection in Chicago on May 13th. See page 5 for more information Lake Lawn Brunch 6 - 7 on this event. If you have not already responded, please do so soon as we need to get the number of people attending in Mark II in the LCOC 8 order to firm up our reservation.

The National Meet in Kalamazoo, Michigan is approaching Mark IV Cartier 9 -10 fast. Hope we will have a good representation of members from the Lake Shore Region. Traffic Report 11

We can always learn from others in this hobby, so let’s get For Sale 11 - 12 together to enjoy beautiful and interesting vehicles, good conversations and lots of fun.

Hope to see you soon,

Barb Esdale Lake Shore Region Director

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Lake Shore Lincoln Lines Newsletter - Lake Shore Region - Lincoln & Continental Owners Club

‘Round and About… Remember….you heard it here first!!

 Over here………..Over there……. Last November we got the news that Ford announced they’d be making Lincolns in Kentucky rather than Mexico. The automaker let us all know that they no longer plans to move production of its Lincoln MKC luxury SUV from Louisville to Mexico. But now effective mid March of this year, Lincoln broke the news that they plan to produce an all- new SUV in China by the end of 2019. This will be part of a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Changan Automobile Group. Apparently China requires foreign automakers to partner with a Chinese company in a joint venture to manufacture cars on Chinese soil. The move will help Lincoln reach growing demand in China. The company wouldn’t go into detail about the SUV, and only said it will be a brand-new vehicle that will be sold exclusively in China.

 National Meet in August Got a little bit more detail regarding the upcoming LCOC 2017 Grand National Meet to be held at Hickory Corners, Michigan. I had a couple questions, so I reached out to Bob Johnson, the Meet Registration Chairman. He got back to me almost immediately and let me know the following. • The LCOC cars will in fact be judged on Saturday, August 12th. • The LCOC awards program will not be held Saturday at the dinner the way it traditionally is. Only the LOC and LZOC clubs’ awards will be presented at the dinner. • The LCOC awards will be presented on Sunday, August 13th back at Hickory Corners. • All vehicles must be on the field by 10a.m. • The awards will be presented and the winner photos will all be taken between 10:30a.m. and 2:00p.m. • So if you normally jump up early and head home on Sunday morning, you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly. If you have more questions regarding the meet or if you want to be on the list to be contacted via email or USPS with your meet packet as soon as it becomes available, you can reach out to Bob Johnson at 651-257-1715 or by email at [email protected].

Sadly word was received that Edward Schoenthaler has recently passed away. Although he and his late wife, Judy, were not members of Lake Shore Region LCOC, as an avid and passionate antique car collector he extended invitations to our club to view his extensive collection of award-winning cars. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.

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2017 Lake Shore Region Event Schedule

- Klairmont Kollection - 11:00 am See page 5 for more information 3111 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60641

- Wisconsin Automotive Museum - 11:00 am See page 5 for more information 147 N Rural St, Hartford, WI 53027

- Monon Connection Museum and Whistle Stop Restaurant More info in next newsletter

Grand National Meet, Hickory Corners, MI See page 5 for more information

- Ken & Son's Fly-in, Poplar Grove Airport More info in next newsletter

- Lincolns on the Lawn More info in next newsletter More events coming soon!!!

Got ideas for fun club activities? Reach out to our ACTIVITIES CHAIR & ASSISTANT ACTIVITIES CHAIR Joe Russo • 773-582-7245 Jason Rossi • 630-606-5401

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Hi there everybody!

Not much to say this time around, but I’m sure that like me you are all ready to celebrate the warmer weather by D-R-I-V-I-N-G! To that end, I thought I’d share a few fun quotes that I think you may appreciate.

 Best feeling ever: when it’s just you and the open road.  All you need is a great friend and a full tank of gas.  Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone driving faster than you is a maniac?  If you don’t look back at your car after you park it, you own the wrong car.  If you had to choose between unlimited gas or perfect love…….What would be the first place you’d drive to?

Be safe out there everyone! Anne

1940 REMEMBER WHEN

** The makes it's debut from the ** The 5 passenger Zephyr club coupe is introduced by Lincoln (feature car). ** Hydra-Matic Drive - the first true automatic transmission is offered by Olds. ** The final Buick 4-door convertible sedans are built (203 of them). ** Oldsmobile introduces it's first convertible sedan, only 50 are built. ** Cadillac's V-16 makes it's last appearance, only 61 are sold. ** Sealbeam headlamps become the industry standard this year. ** Chrysler develops Safety Rim wheels that keep the tire on the rim in case of a blowout. ** A demonstration of what will become the "Jeep" is held by Colonel Arthur Herrington, it's to be built by Willys.

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We have a really special activity coming up May 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Klairmont Kollection Address: 3111 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 Our club has been trying to visit this collection several times but it never worked out for us. The American Historical Truck Society is also attending that day and we will be the only two groups visiting the collection as they usually are not open on a Saturday. The fee to view this amazing collection of vehicles is usually $35.00 per person but one of the truck club members was able to get the price lowered to $25.00 per person. The Lake Shore Region board members voted to pay, from the treasury, $5.00 for each member or guest that attends this event - - which would make the fee $20.00 per person. For our meal we can order a box lunch from Subway which would include a sandwich, chips and a drink for $10.00. A menu will be available at the event.

The deadline to respond to go to this activity is April 28 Bring your payment to the event. Please RSVP to Barb Esdale at [email protected] or (847)831-2544

Where have all the If you find any, new members reach out to our gone?!?! MEMBERSHIP CHAIR John McCarthy 847-997-9944

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History comes alive at the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. Showcasing transportation history, the museum is Wisconsin's largest auto museum, featuring an ever-changing display of classic and vintage autos and artifacts plus the largest assembled group of Hartford-built Kissel luxury automobiles.

The museum's striking art deco interior sets off 110+ vehicles on exhibit, including: Pontiacs, Studebakers, Chevrolets, Kaisers, Fords, and other cars from around the world. The collection is rounded out by displays of automotive artifacts such as gas pumps, signs, license plates, oil cans and other petroliana. An assortment of outboard engines built in Hartford from 1930s - 1990s are also on display.

The high caliber Kissel automobiles were manufactured in Hartford from 1906 - 1931, making Kissel the second longest car manufacturer in Wisconsin. Of the 35,000 produced, fewer than 200 are known to exist today, with 25 currently exhibited at the museum. The most famous Kissel model was the two passenger Speedster nicknamed the "Gold Bug". Gold Bug owners included celebrities of the day such as Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford and Fatty Arbuckle. A wide selection of models including 4 passenger, coupes, touring cars, fire engines and trucks are part of the collection. One of the museum's exhibits is a car driven more than a million miles by a local traveling salesman.

Meet at the museum at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17th. Admission is $10 for adults - - $8 for seniors. If our group is 20 people or more, the entrance fee would be $8. The address is 147 N. Rural Street, Hartford, WI.

After visiting the museum, which will probably take about 2 1/2 hours, we will drive a short distance to the Mineshaft Restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. The address is 22 N. Main Street, Hartford, WI.

RSVP to Jason Rossi at (630) 606-5401.

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LakeLake LawnLawn

BrunchBrunch

Thirty-five Lake Shore Region people went to the Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, WI to enjoy a sumptuous brunch.

All left quite satisfied.

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Some of us went on a driving tour, planned by our member John McCarthy and also Dick Gifford of the Lake Lawn Resort, to the nearby area. We traveled on Snake Road which took us up and down, around and about to see some of the beautiful homes that skirt Lake Geneva. Also on our excursion, we stopped at the Yerkes Observatory for a photo opportunity.

Mother Nature kept the rain away and we all enjoyed a wonderful day.

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Continental with Mark n appended to distinguish it from the ear- lier car, and having been produced by its own division within the Ford Motor Company, it was technically not a Lincoln at all. This made no difference to Elliston Bell. For the reasons he has already cited, those who bought the new cars, whatever they were called, were eligible for dub member-ship. The first picture of a Mark n in Continental Comments appeared in No. 22, dated November, 1955, and the next issue, NO. 23, dated January, 1956, carried the first photo of a dub member with the new Con- tinental Mark n. She was Mrs. Earl Mosser, of Huntington, West Virginia. Also in that issue, Bell mentions that Mark II owners were joining the dub, and tells why he felt that their presence would strengthen the dub. That same month, January, 1956, LCOC got out its annual direc- HOW MARK II OWNERS GOT INTO LCOC tory of members, and the first Mark n owners were listed. There by Dave Cole were half a dozen of them; one each in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Michi-gan, North Carolina and West Virginia — When LCOC was founded in 1953, the only Lincoln Continen- but not a one in the Golden West as yet. Three of them also re- tals owned by its members were 1940 through 1948 models. This ported owning one or two '48 Continentals as well; two of them was only natural —those were the only cars built up to that time including Mrs. Mosser, were new members not listed in 1955; that had been called by those two names conjoined like that. But and one, Stanley Ferguson, of Boston, Mass., has been listed in this simple condition did not last very long. Rumors began to the directory as early as 1954 with a '47 Cabriolet, which he had circulate early in 1954 to the effect that the Ford Motor Compa- apparently traded in o his new Mark n. None of the six is still ny was planning to bring out a new Continental, so, of course, with the dub, although their cars well may be still owned by the question arose among LCOC members as to what stand the LCOC members, but forty years ago, they were the vanguard of club would take concerning the new car when it appeared. what is now the preponderance of LCOC members — those who Would its owners be welcome in LCOC? own a Lincoln other than a '40 to '48 model Continental. In this column in the April, 19%, Confab, we reviewed some And as for those six early Mark H's whose owners bought them early history of the dub, and illustrated it with a letter written by and joined the dub late in 1955, they were just the leaders in a LCOC founder Elliston H. Bell, Jr., which gave an answer to that great long parade of Lincolns other than 1940 to '48 Continentals question. Briefly stated, he said that after the new Continental whose owners belong to LCOC. Although exact figures change was introduced, he would point out the pros and cons of admit- almost daily, the latest directory lists nearly nine hundred Lin- ting owners of the new car to LCOC membership, and would let coln Continentals of 1940 to '48 vintage represented in the dub, the members vote to decide whether to include it or exclude it. versus 6350 other Lincolns! The cars mat started this whole thing now amount to just 115% of the total number. Wouldn't But as things worked out, the advantages or disadvantages were Elliston Bell be amazed! never addressed and no vote was ever taken on the matter, yet Mark n owners began to appear in the club rosters almost as soon as the car was introduced and ready for sale. How did this come about, one might reasonably ask. Elliston Bell explained it to me in another of his letters on June 21, 1955. He said: "I notice in one of my recent letters to you, that I mentioned the fact that it seemed doubtful that owners of the NEW Continental would ever become members of our dub. That situation has changed for the following reason Members who now own Continentals are in some cases keeping the old one and adding a new, so therefore we automati-cally have some in the dub. Other members are trading the old for a new and I mink it would be difficult to ask them to resign if they wished to remain. Soooo, we are going to have new cars in the dub, and then long run I think it will keep the dub alive and add new interest as the new models of Rolls-Royces are of interest to the vintage owners in their club." Certainly Mr. Bell must have been describing what some mem- Margaret Mosser, of Huntington, W. Va., was among the first bers were intending to do and not what they had done already, as half dozen Mark II owners in LCOC, and the very first to be pic- on the date he wrote that, June 21,1955, there were as yet no tured in Continental Comments with her new car. Her picture Continental Mark H's available to buy. According to a story in appeared in Comments#23. January. 1956, just three months the November-December, 1955, after the public introduction of the car. Was there ever another American automobile that had an enthusiastic car club that was Lincoln-Mercury Times, the first Mark n produced for sale was willing to accept its owners to membership even before the cars com-pleted on June 24, and the car was introduced to the public were built? on October 5, 1955. Curiously, it was not called a Lincoln Continental. It was simply This article originally appeared in a prior edition of LSR Lines

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1976 Continental Mark IV Cartier: Delightfully Impractical Yet Satisfying!

By Tom Klockau I like old cars. I like new cars too, but whenever I’m on the way to work or the store or wherever, I always keep an eye out for anything interesting. Modern cell phones mean most people are carrying a camera anyway, but I still keep an honest-to-God digital camera in the car. You can’t even make calls on it, honest! And sometimes, I see some pretty cool stuff.

I live in the Midwest. So most people may think the cool cars hide out for half of the year. But not always! For instance, just this month I saw 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville at a McDonald’s out by the airport. That one nearly caused me to drive off the road, I was so surprised. But today let’s check out this personal-lux cruiser from the ’70s: The Continental Mark IV.

The Mark IV debuted in Autumn ’71 as a replacement for the 1969-71 Continental Mark III. Like its predecessor it was strictly first cabin, based upon the Ford Thunderbird but with more elaborate trim and the trademark Rolls-Royce grille and hidden headlamps.

The Mark III had appeared more distinct than the ’72 Mark IV vis a vis the T-Bird, but it still sold rapidly. Only the ’72 had the classy thin bumpers front and rear. The 5-m.p.h. front bumper was added for 1973, as on all 1973 U.S. cars. By the time the final IVs appeared in showrooms, large battering-ram bumpers had appeared on either end. But then, so had they on everything else!

But oh, how Lincoln made hay while the sun shined. Cadillac usually ate Lincoln’s lunch in the sales charts, but from the debut of the new Mark, it rather consistently outsold the Cadillac Eldorado, though Caddy’s total volume was always much higher. From the initial Mark IVs, as the model years progressed more and more special editions, colors and trims were added, starting with the Silver Luxury Group in 1973 and Gold Luxury Group in 1974. Further Luxury Groups in 1975-76 included Blue Diamond, Gold/Cream, Lipstick/Red, Light Jade/Dark Jade, and several others-all for ‘just a bit more’ as most salesman probably put it.

But the top of the line–and a genius idea for an upper-crust coupe like the Mark–was the Designer Series of 1976. Name brand high-fashion designers chose special color combinations and interiors, resulting in Givenchy, Pucci, Bill Blass and Cartier editions.

And of course the Designer Series had a healthy premium over a ‘plain’ Continental Mark IV. I am sure Lincoln made a healthy profit on each one.

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And so it was that I was on my way to the barber a couple of years ago when I saw what looked like a Cartier Mark IV sitting on a side street. Further investigation proved it was so, and fairly presentable albeit slightly worn.

Some rust, but it was all there, right down to the polished alloy wheels, whitewalls and landau top. The interior photos didn’t come out great due to heavily tinted windows, but the dove gray leather seats were in nice shape too.

These cars were all about style, and to be seen in was more important than parking ease or rear passenger legroom. After all, it was a PERSONAL . YOU and your spouse/significant other got the cushy seats, and if the Josephs were a little too uncomfortable sitting in the back, well, they could always drive separate and meet you at the supper club.

Yep, they were a nightmare to parallel park, they sucked gas, the trunk was relatively puny for such a long car. But! But it was so brash, so clearly American. No one was going to mistake this for a Monterey or LTD. You had arrived! It’s really only relatively recently that Lincoln has started to get just a little of that swagger back with the new Continental. But in ’76, this was ‘the one.’ You had arrived, so enjoy it!

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Things that make you go “Huh?” • Has the “Go Green” fad gone too far? • How do you mow it?

I am the original owner, bought new in 1976. All original, 20,000 miles. 1976 Lincoln Mark IV Always garaged. Desert Sand Luxury Group mid year edition of the designer series. Tan body, dark brown hood, Vinyl top, leather interior brown. Recent new gas tank, sending unit, fuel line, fuel pump, carburetor. All fluids changed, brake lines, transmission and filter, cooling system, oil, battery. Original Michelin tires Custom cover. Full set of shop manuals. $13,500. Jim Cooley 309-532-2838 Bloomington, IL.

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Market Place

FOR SALE Seller Rates: Approx. 2-½″ x 4″ space is free for two issues per year to members. After two issues and for non-members the rate is $10 per issue. 5″ x 4″ space is $25 per issue. Buyers: Items and descriptions are not verified or warranted by the Lake Shore Region or the Lincoln & Continental Owners Club. Editor reserves the right to modify layout size, text and format

Lake Shore Lincoln Lines is a publication of the Lake Shore Region, Lincoln & Continental Owners Club. This newsletter is issued bi-monthly to provide information to the Lake Shore Region membership. Members are encouraged to submit articles and photos of their cars which will be utilized and edited as space will allow. FOR SALE ads are free for Region members and $10 for nonmembers. REGION DIRECTOR ORDER YOUR NAME BADGES TODAY Barbara Esdale • Highland Park, IL 847-831-2544 [email protected] ACTIVITIES CHAIR & ASSISTANT ACTIVITIES CHAIR Joe Russo • Chicago, IL • 773-582-7245 Jason Rossi • Bartlett, IL • 630-606-5401 Did you miss the first order opportunity? You can still order your magnetic backed TREASURER name badges for only $7 each. The best part of this club is the friends you meet. Joe Esdale • Highland Park, IL • 847-831-2544 Help them remember you. PRINT the names you want carefully on a sheet of pa- MEMBERSHIP per along with your address and send with a check payable to “Lake Shore Region John McCarthy • Crystal Lake, IL LCOC”, to Joe Esdale, Treasurer, 1769 Eastwood Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035. 847-997-9944 Order an extra set of badges to have in your car so that you can be ready for fun any SECRETARY time! Members who have just joined may order theirs for only $4 each within 30 Dick Nelson • Chicago, IL • 773-973-3796 days of joining. ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS Eldon Hueber • North Aurora, IL • 630-584-6963 Jack Fletcher • Poplar Grove, IL • 815-547-0874 Bill Fletcher • Poplar Grove, IL • 847-702-2651 Notice: In order to be a member of the Lake Shore Region of LCOC, NEWSLETTER EDITOR you must also join the national LCOC organization. Anne Zarzycki • Hickory Hills, IL To become a member of the Lincoln & Continental Owners Club 708-598-2720 (LCOC) call the LCOC Membership Office at (763) 420-7829 [email protected] or go to http://lcoc.org/Join.htm

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