Lincoln became a part of Ford Motor Company on Feb. 4, 1922, when Henry Ford paid $8 million to buy the future American luxury icon. But it is Edsel Ford whose influence can be seen in the early decades of the enterprise. His impact on the company’s direction early on could be seen in a recent exhibit marking the 100th anniversary of Ford’s acquisition of Lincoln.

About 150 employees took a self-guided tour through the Ford archives, located inside the Ford Engineering Lab and the adjoining garage spaces. A prerecorded audio program voiced by Ted Ryan, archives and heritage brand manager, guided visitors through the space. More than 30 members of the media also took the tour.

“While Ford and some of its brands are well known, Lincoln has always been a bit of an enigma,” said Ryan. “The goal of this event was to highlight the Lincoln DNA to be able to understand exactly what Lincoln is and what it stands for. The best way to do it was to highlight Edsel Ford and his role in the design of all the cars over the years, and the archives felt like the natural place to do it.”

Ryan and his archives team collaborated with other Ford groups, including Lincoln Chief Designer Robert Gelardi, whose team created the design experience showing how Lincoln has evolved and what the future holds; over the course of a year to bring the event to life. While most of the assets came from the Ford archives, others, including nine vehicles, were sourced from the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the Gilmore Car Museum and from private owners.

Edsel Ford was underappreciated, according to Ryan, yet he was instrumental in the purchase of Lincoln, serving as company president beginning shortly after the acquisition, until his death in 1943. Edsel prioritized design and styling and is credited with turning the company around. Memorabilia prepared for the tour includes a portrait of Edsel Ford by renowned painter Diego Rivera.

“People have this visceral reaction with automobiles and seeing them in a setting like this,” said Ryan. “We’re not a museum, we’re an archives department using our best storytelling ability to make it feel different.”

Ryan said he was surprised to see which vehicles visitors gravitated toward, such as an “enormous” 1979 Lincoln Mark V Cartier Edition. The car is the result of a designer series launched in 1976 in collaboration with jewelry and fashion icons including Cartier and Givenchy. The line features unique interior and exterior color combinations, with each designer’s logo appearing in the rear opera window of the vehicle.

Other classic Lincolns on display included a 1923 Model L Touring Car, presented by Henry Ford to his friend and mentor Thomas Edison, the 1953 “laboratory on wheels” X-100 prototype concept, a 1964 Continental stretch limousine custom built for Pope Paul VI to use on his visit to New York City, and a 1961 Continental, with its iconic center-opening coach doors.

Robert Nino, seat design specialist, is fond of the 1956 Continental Mark II and 1941 Continental. “I love the early, original Continental,” he said. “It’s just my favorite. It is an awesome design and very avant-garde for its time.”

Electrical systems integration engineer Joseph Confer said the venue was “impactful,” in that it has helped him fill in gaps in his knowledge of Lincoln’s history. “I’ve always been a big Lincoln fan,” he said. “It was an interesting walk through time in the story of Lincoln from the beginning, with Edsel Ford and the continuation of his legacy, and keeping the feeling of luxury and the identity of Lincoln.”

Advertisements, press releases and other memorabilia including a large collection of trims and swatches of interior fabrics are also featured. “In most museums, you can’t touch anything,” said Ryan. “We actually have signs asking people to touch the assets.”

An assortment of rare design sketches show the evolution of various Lincoln models over the decades. Intern Charles Wytrychowski traced the brand’s transformation from modular, boxy concepts to more aerodynamic designs that look “like a work of art.” With everything done in computer-aided design software now, seeing pen and paper designs “made this an awesome experience,” he added.

Nino said the way the exhibit hits the high marks in Lincoln’s history makes for a very good display. “I’ve always been one for heritage and history,” he said. “It’s critical. And it’s excellent that this exhibit is being opened up for employees to help people understand the beginnings of Lincoln and how it has evolved.”

The exhibit proved so popular that Ryan and his team are exploring opportunities to install it elsewhere in Dearborn, so stay tuned to @FordOnline and the @BlueOvalNow app for your chance to get up close and personal with Lincoln history. The Lincoln employee archive experience is also available on-demand in video format here. You can also browse curated Lincoln content from the Ford Archives collection here.