Auction Date: January 21 - 22
FEATURE LOTS
Lot No. 255:
1996 Lincoln Sentinel Concept Sedan Styling Buck
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| Estimate: | ||||
| $50,000-$70,000 US | ||||
| Rolling frame without engine or transmission, simulated doors and interior. During the 1990s, America's automotive industry saw a major rebirth with an eye toward vehicle styling and concept cars in addition to fuel economy and related environmental concerns. It was this new vision that brought about the Lincoln Sentinel, a full-size four-door sedan created to be powered by a modern engine up front with drive to the rear wheels, plus opulent luxury to cradle the driver and passengers in the ultimate of comfort and civility on the road. From its very beginning, Lincoln has always been a leader in the field of style, so it was only befitting that Ford Motor Company would call together the most talented designers they could find to produce a one of a kind masterpiece that would provide a look into the future. Sentinel was one of the first exercises in the "New Edge" approach of vehicle design, one that has been adopted, to some degree in recent years, by several other luxury marques and hailed by the press for its bold use of sharp and rakish lines when unveiled at the 1996 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Sentinel fused together several elements of earlier Lincolns’ design cues, such as a new interpretation of E. T. "Bob" Gregorie's fine-bar textured grille from the historic Continentals of the early 1940s. Other throwbacks include the landmark designs of the 1960s, when Elwood Engle's revolutionary designs set the industry on a whole new direction of slab-side sharpness with a minimum use of chrome, which promoted "less is more" ideas that inspired other car makers to rethink their offerings. These elements came together perfectly on the Sentinel, from the flush mounted glass surrounding the greenhouse to the vertically-stacked projector head lamps and tail lamps which combined to add to the exterior's uncluttered look. Designed to be mounted flush to the body, massive 20-inch wheels were used and fitted so as to ensure a minimum of body overhang, both front and rear. Despite its lean contoured outline, this beauty measured in at 218 inches from bumper to bumper – one inch shorter than the production Lincoln Town Car of the day. Sentinel's classic proportions offered a crisp and well balanced silhouette that had no interruptions to distract from its elegant lines while blending the roof line with the hood and deck-lid, allowing all components to flow from end to end. Its low stance combined with one of the first uses of the high linear beltline – another styling cue that has been seen in some of the most luxurious cars of today. Ford's first use of this "New Edge" school of design had first been seen on the experimental GT90 sports car project which was also applauded by the media when first unveiled. After favorable comments were received from both the media and general public, Sentinel was returned to the Lincoln design studios where clear windows and a simulated partial interior, designed in part by Ghia in Italy, were installed. A Charcoal metallic exterior finish was applied to the exterior, which was previously finished in Jet Black. Rarely do concept vehicles of this caliber and importance escape into the hands of private collectors. The Sentinel, however, was part of a special collection of such cars that Ford Motor Company let go, and it has been in the care of a dedicated enthusiast who has maintained its original appearance and features ever since. For a collector of the Lincoln marque, this car could easily be a centerpiece to show the innovation and development in design since those earliest days when Edsel B. Ford had a vision to make Lincoln the leader in luxury and style. A fantastic design sculpture that would be at home in anything from a major collection, modern art museum or even a hotel lobby, the Lincoln Sentinel embodies design and vision at its finest. |
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| Addendum Please note that this lot is being sold on "Bill of Sale Only" |
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