The LINCOLN LINK LINKINGThe TOGETHER LINCOLN ALL ELEMENTS OF THE LINCOLN MOTORLINK CAR HERITAGE IN THIS ISSUE 3 Foundation Acquires Capizzi Literature Collection 4 The Role of Museums in Promoting Lincoln’s Heritage 7 The LMCF Archives at the AACA Library 8 Historic Wixom Plant Closes 10 Lincoln Wins Younger Customers 11 Ford Vehicle Quality Soars in 2007 12 Letters to the Editor 14 Know Your Foundation Trustees published semi-yearly Volume V, number 1 • spring, 2007 a single building to a plus wrapping and FROM THE EDITOR whole factory. Seven postage. Either version Roncelli employees makes a wonderful gift. ■ RONCELLI INC. is a can-do supported the May Contact the editor. construction management and ser- 22, 2004, unveiling vices company of Sterling Heights, ceremony. ■ ON A DIFFER- Michigan, who donated vital ser- ENT SUBJECT, your vices in the saving of the Lincoln ■ FORD MOTOR Lincoln Link editor name stones from the old Lincoln COMPANY produced a of five years must plant. (See The Lincoln Link, beautifully illustrated step down in order Volume 2, Number 2.) They have and written 272-page to pay attention to produced a quality DVD presenta- book to celebrate the 100th personal matters. Working with tion of that timely preservation birthday of the company, which the quality men who volunteer as effort, and have graciously offered occurred in 2003. These books Foundation Trustees has been a to make copies of the DVD avail- are much sought after, both as a personally rewarding experience. able to those who are interested. memento of the event and for the I do plan to remain a Trustee and Contact this editor at 703 754 timeless information and graphics support the Link and Foundation 9648 if you want a copy. contained therein. If you missed programs. While the Trustees Saving those Lincoln name getting a copy, the Foundation seek an editor, interested individ- stones was a “just-in-time effort” can help you. We have a modest uals are invited to serve as guest only made possible by a team of supply of these books and can editor. The first volunteer to step quick-acting volunteer individu- offer them in two bindings: the up is Jack Eby, who plans to pro- als and companies that included prestigious version is blue leather duce the second issue of Volume Roncelli, Messina Trucking, bound in a blue protective slip 5 for Fall release in 2007. Next Dennco Construction, Banner box, a lovely thing at $50 each. comes John MacAdams, who will Sign Specialties, Jerome Duncan We also offer the same book in a produce the first issue of Volume Ford and others. These Lincoln normal bind- 6 in the name stones can be viewed today ing with a Spring of next at the Gilmore Museum, Hickory colorful dust year. Comers, Michigan. Roncelli Inc. cover at $20 You, too, will build for you anything from each, both can be edi- tor for an issue. Do not tremble and cringe at the thought of writing and assembling ■ The Roncelli video shows something for publication. We the cleaning of the Lincoln will help you, and you can share stonework and the discovery of traces of fancy gilding in the your thoughts in print. Possibly crevices of the letters. you have unique knowledge and photographs that are of interest to others. If intrigued, talk with Jack Eby or me. —CHAD COOMBS 2 volume v, number 1 Foundation Acquires Capizzi Literature Collection OLLOWING the success of begin collecting automobile lit- this group by his integrity and the well publicized sale of erature? Very simply, the answer fairness. In the course of these the cars and hobby effects was to support his growing col- dealings, he was offered many belonging to Foundation lection of Thunderbirds. He other literature items, such President Jerry Capizzi, started with the repair manuals, as manufacturing documents Fwe learned of the planned dona- parts manuals, technical bulle- and blueprints, corporate and tion to the Lincoln Motor Car tins, owner’s manuals and dealer dealer correspondence, accessory Foundation by Jerry of all the color and upholstery albums albums and brochures, books, to help repair, Lincoln magazines and newslet- restore and tune ters, and sales literature. the mechanicals Sales literature? Bingo, Jerry and to assure was hooked. He was struck with authenticity as the beauty and desirability and he and his small fascination of the sales literature, staff restored and as many of us are, and began to prepped each collect these items in earnest. car for display This was a whole new world. and enjoyment. Jerry then began to concentrate Jerry bought on Lincoln literature over the and sold and past fifteen years, and his edu- improved cars, cation in what is available out always striving there was helped by a visit to the for the best, as splendid literature collection of attested to by the the late Colonel Bill White in many show tro- Kentucky. Jerry under- Lincoln literature he had pains- phies he collected over the years. stands he perhaps takingly accumulated. Whereas Jerry expanded into Ford, Edsel, started with the Ford and Mercury literature Mercury and Lincoln cars and Lincoln materi- was sold at the November 11, collected literature for these, al a bit late in 2006, auction, the Lincoln liter- too. the game but ature was packed and shipped to Jerry is by nature a collector, quickly made the AACA Library prior to the with collections of coins, stamps, up for lost auction, to assure that none of Jim Beam containers, model cars time, collect- it would get intermingled with and such, and he found great ing a wonderful the sale articles. Over 30 boxes satisfaction in collecting, striving representation weighing well over 700 pounds, for complete sets of whatever of Lincoln sales spread over six shipments, were the collection and always reach- Cont’d on required to transfer the collec- ing for the best and continually page 6 tion to the Library, who will upgrading his collections. In hold the collection in custody. the process of accumulating the The collection is appraised at essential restoration and opera- more than $100,000, and title tion literature for the cars, he will be transferred to the foun- came into contact with many dation when tax considerations other collectors and dealers in have been determined. the hobby who were of great So what inspired Jerry to help. Jerry earned respect within Jerry Capizzi 3 the lincoln link focused facility. The most popular approach is the single brand- or The Role of Museums in corporation-focused facility, because of the opportunity to assure that all of the activities are focused for Promoting Lincoln’s Heritage the benefit of the brand and that the presentation is fashioned to the BY JOHN T. EBY execution of technology, design, desires of the trademark owners. Chairman, Lincoln Motor Car features, appointments and qual- The only current notable major Foundation ity, followed by superior sales and luxury vehicle brand exceptions to service experiences. The vehicle’s the dedicated facility approach are HE LINCOLN MOTOR CAR heritage is signaled to the market- Lincoln and Land Rover. FOUNDATION was created place by utilizing historic design There are important constituen- to preserve and promote the cues and identification, a high level cies beyond company personnel heritage of the Lincoln motor of product content and the quality that are interested in the formal car and the products, people of appointments and materials. preservation of vehicle histories and Tand places associated with that his- Ford Motor Company recog- the existence of facilities to facilitate tory. While one of the Foundation’s nized the value of brand name access to that history. Those groups primary objectives is the active sup- heritage when it bolstered its luxury include the vehicle owners, media, port of all museums and venues vehicle portfolio with the purchases historians, authors, students, vehicle collecting and displaying Lincoln of Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover, restorers and collectors. Among automobiles, the thereby inheriting lux- these varied constituencies, it is the Foundation has now ury heritages. Along vehicle collectors who are frequently matured to a point with those purchases, the most passionate about the brand where many believe Ford also acquired and have access to rich collections of it is appropriate to facilities or relation- historic material and vehicles. explore the creation ships dedicated to the It was the Lincoln collectors, with of a dedicated physi- preservation of the the support of William Clay Ford, cal facility. This facil- histories of the Volvo Sr., and Ford Motor Company, ity would house the and Jaguar brands. who created the Lincoln Motor Car Foundation’s future An issue facing the Foundation. The Foundation has collections and serve automotive manu- already established an archive and as a physical focal facturers is how best is actively collecting and organiz- point for the brand. to preserve, organize ing historic Lincoln documents, Currently the nascent and leverage the heri- John T. memorabilia, artifacts and vehicles, collections of the tage of their brands. Eby and is digitizing material and initiat- Foundation are being This is particularly ing interpretative studies. Is it now housed and admin- important with luxury the time to build a facility dedicated istered at the Antique Automobile vehicle brands where customers are to the Lincoln brand similar to Club of America’s library in willing to pay a premium for more those facilities that exist for Jaguar, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the than the simple utility that is avail- Volvo and other luxury car brands? Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory able in mainstream brands. An orga- Even Packard, Pierce Arrow and Corners, Michigan.