Lincoln does not build many cars like the Lincoln L-Series: a 2-door convertible / 4-door convertible / 2-door coupe / 4-door sedan / 4-door town car / 4-door limousine / 4-door phaeton with 1917–1927: 90 hp 357.8 cuin Lincoln Fork and Blade V8, built from 1920 to 1930 the vintage years, when coachbuilders still shaped most of what was sold. Its designer of record is Angus Woodbridge / Edsel Ford. Production ran to 65,120 cars.
Where it came from
The Lincoln L series (also called the Lincoln Model L) is a luxury car introduced by the Lincoln Motor Company in 1921 as its first automobile. It was manufactured in Detroit, Michigan, and would continue on after the bankruptcy of Lincoln in 1922 and its purchase by Ford Motor Company.
The debut Lincoln was positioned at the top end of the motorcar marketplace, competing against the Mercedes-Benz 630, Rolls-Royce Phantom I, Renault Type MC, Packard Twin Six, and Cadillac Type 61. It was replaced during 1930 by the Model K.
Under the skin
Under the skin sits 1917–1927: 90 hp 357.8 cuin Lincoln Fork and Blade V8; other versions carried different engines, listed in the specification table below. The gearbox is a 3-speed manual. The layout matters: a front engine drives the rear wheels, the classic proportion — long bonnet, cabin set back — that most people picture when they picture a sports saloon or a grand tourer. The wheelbase is 1917–1922: 130 in / 1923–1930: 136 in. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
In context
Where it sits in Lincoln's history is not in doubt: the Lincoln K series/Model K followed it; it was built at Detroit, Michigan (Lincoln Motor Company Plant), United States. On a showroom list of its day it stood against the Panhard & Levassor Type X 29 torpedo, the Panhard & Levassor type X 26 coupé-chauffeur, the Mazda Mazda. Nearby in the Lincoln catalogue sit the Lincoln First Call and the Lincoln Funeral Car.
The money
MotorJury scores cars on the United States complaint and recall record, and the Lincoln L-Series has none: too old, too rare, or never sold there. Its value today is a collector's question, decided by provenance and condition rather than by a class average.