Ford Motor Company can easily be described as one of the most influential car manufacturers, in the world, with plenty of highlights. Amon Ford’s highlights are the Ford Model T, Flathead V-8, and Ford Mustang. However, one of Henry Ford’s personal milestones was acquiring the Lincoln brand and turning it into Ford’s luxury arm. This happened exactly 100 years ago, which is why Ford celebrates a century of Lincoln.

Lincoln currently offers six models – the Aviator, Navigator, Corsair, Nautilus, and Zephyr, the latter of which is available only in China. Given that most of Ford’s light vehicles, for the U.S. market, are scheduled for axing, the luxury brand may play a more significant role for Ford, in the future. However, the same was true back in the day, as Lincoln brought many innovations, after being acquired by Ford.

Lincoln Motor Corporation’s roots can be traced back to Cadillac

Henry Leland was an engineer who also founded Cadillac, in 1902. Henry Ford did not particularly like him, since Ford’s partners had called in Leland to access the value of one of Henry Ford’s companies, as he was being asked to not interfere.

Cadillac became part of GM in 1909, just seven years after being founded by Henry Leland. However, he and GM head, Bill Durant had a falling out, which led to Henry leaving GM and founding Lincoln Motor Company, in 1917. Lincoln Motor Company started out by producing Liberty aircraft engines and did not start making cars, until 1920.

The story goes that Henry Ford had been “encouraged” by his wife Clara and his son Edsel, to acquire Lincoln. Apparently, he did since, for 100 years, Lincoln has been making stylish and luxurious vehicles, as Ford’s luxury brand.

Lincoln’s acquisition of Ford was accompanied by the departure of its founder Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred, from the company. Among Lincoln’s contributions to the automotive industry are the stylish coach doors, also known as suicide doors, electric gauges, keyless entry, and even the symphonic chimes that serve as warning signals. To top it all off, today, Lincoln s one of the very few brands that focus solely on providing an uncompromising luxury feel.