Is there anything more quintessentially American than Lincoln and Shinola? The two Michigan powerhouses represent some of the finest cars and leather goods this country has to offer.
Now, the two have teamed up to bring an upscale automobile to the public, a new Lincoln Aviator Concept perfectly encapsulates both brands’ design and artistry pillars.
The luxury car debuted earlier this year at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It features design elements inspired by Shinola's iconic leather silhouettes, including the Canfield sport watch and the Runwell bicycle.
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The collaboration began when Lincoln designers descended upon Shinola’s home town of Detroit.
“Shinola opened up their showroom to us as a playground, allowing us to explore how their brand’s lifestyle ethos could be woven into a new theme for one of our vehicles,” says Lincoln Design Director Kemal Curic. “Our designers were handed a rare gift, and they made the most of it. The fresh insights our team gained studying popular design motifs make this new Aviator concept a true celebration of craftsmanship.”
The collab feels organic, a natural progression for both brands to expand into relevant and adjacent verticals.
“After our initial meeting with the Lincoln team, it was clear we shared the same passion for well-designed, beautifully-crafted products,” adds Shannon Washburn, Shinola CEO. “Designers from both brands came together to create an ultra-luxe vehicle that still embodies Shinola’s aesthetic of approachable luxury with thoughtful details. You can see this in the touches of copper inspired by our bike seats, and the brand strip incorporated into the leather seats.”
Known for its signature blues, Lincoln took cues from the Shinola brand stripe, weaving it into the seats in all three rows for a unique, textural look.
“The goal is to impress occupants with our very own expression of craftsmanship, showcasing our meticulous attention to detail,” says Liam Butler, Lincoln's color and material designer. “This stripe is unlike anything I’ve ever seen sewn into a vehicle, so we wanted to make sure it was done with care.”
The vehicle remains a concept vehicle with no current production plans for mass market consumption, but those looking to catch a glimpse of the visionary vehicle can see Lincoln and Shinola’s Aviator on display at various auto shows, showcasing the depth of Lincoln’s design future.
“It’s all about warm, human and personally-crafted experiences, all true to Lincoln DNA, and knowing and feeling that quality of a leather watch strap on your wrist,” Butler says. “That’s what we wanted to recreate here, in everything from the stitching to the copper accents to the various textures—all tying back to the idea of quiet flight.”
See more images of the Lincoln Aviator Concept below, and learn more via Lincoln.com.
Photography by: Courtesy of Lincoln
