Lonnie Shelton went to Dallas in search of spare parts for his car collection. The long-time baseball fan came home with the collector’s item of a lifetime.
Shelton, 61, a Pampa, Texas resident, heard that Babe Ruth’s 1948 Lincoln Continental was on display at the Texas Museum of Automotive History. Upon visiting, he learned it was also for sale. The two-door hardtop coupe remained in immaculate condition.
He couldn’t resist.
“To know somebody had enough foresight since 1948 to keep that car in that kind of shape is amazing,” said Shelton, who would not disclose the purchase price. “I respect that. And I can tell you that car will be maintained and kept in better shape than it ever has. I love old cars.”
Ruth, one of the greatest home-run kings that has ever played the game, received the car as a gift from Ford Motor Company in appreciation of the work he had done with Little Leaguers since his retirement from the game in 1935. Shortly after receiving the gift, Ruth succumbed to cancer on August 16, 1948.
Shelton has documentation confirming the authenticity of the vehicle, which has 81,000 miles on the odometer and spent the past 35 years on display on several museums in Minnesota and Texas. Shelton is working on arrangements with a local baseball team, the Amarillo Sox, to share the car with baseball fans.
“I want to share the car with baseball fans,” Shelton said. “And the greatest thing will be if we are able to use this car to bring relief for kids who have special needs, even adopt a kid to help them out. I’m on board for that.”
The car is a beautiful item from Lincoln’s past. To see what Lincoln has in store for the future, check out this story that details the opening of the brand’s first dedicated design center since the 1970s.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Luxury comes in many shapes, sizes and prices– especially when dealing with luxury cars.
Some high-end vehicles look great, ride great or provide that right mix of performance and luxury. For AOL Autos readers, the mix is just as eclectic as one might think.
During September, readers looked at nearly everything in the luxury market, but here are the top 10 luxury cars, researched by AOL Autos readers.
MSRP: $37,850 – $45,45
Invoice: $35,201 – $42,269
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway
This coupe is just the right mix of sportiness and luxury, though it may likely be a vehicle designed for single people or DINKs — dual income, no kids — couples. The front is spacious, wrapped in leather, and it’s a dream to drive. The second row is great for your computer bag. Powered by a 2-liter turbocharged I4, the A5 is great for road trips or commutes to work. It’s available in two-wheel or all-wheel drive.
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MSRP: $34,200 – $46,800
Invoice: $32,070 – $43,320
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 29 mpg Highway
Dollar for dollar, the Genesis sedan offers the most luxury for the lowest price. The Genesis continues to impress, first with its luxurious appointments inside the cabin and then with it’s optional 429-horsepower 5-liter V8.
It may ride like a big sedan, but it’s a really nice big luxury sedan that adds to Hyundai’s reputation. The Genesis has put Mercedes and Lexus on notice.
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Consumer Reports says: Redesigned for 2012, the A6 is agile, quick, and a joy to drive, surrounding drivers and passengers with a sumptuous, impeccably finished cabin that’s brimming with the latest high-tech features. The A6’s potent, supercharged V6 engine, super-smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and comfortable ride add to the business-class feel.
It returns respectable gas mileage, even with all-wheel drive.
MSRP: $25,900 – $29,200
Invoice: $24,452 – $27,507
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg City, 35 mpg Highway
All new to the Acura lineup, the ILX creates a new starting point for Honda’s luxury brand. The ILX promises a sporty ride, solid on-road performance and slew of standard luxury features. It’s also affordable luxury with a starting price under $26,000. That low price tag could explain why so many people are checking out this compact luxury sedan.
However, it still hangs onto some of Acura’s polarizing front end, which people who like it call it modern, and others call it hideous.
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MSRP: $36,100
Invoice: $33,815
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway
The Lexus ES 350 is one of those luxury cars that’s a safe bet. It’s soft and quiet ride make it easy to appreciate and allows any driver to relax on the commute home from a long day in the office. Lexus has begun to attempt to make it more sporty, but, still, it simply wraps its passengers in a cocoon of luxury.
It’s 3.5-liter V6 provides plenty of speed on the highway and the ride is so compliant it’s easier to get moving much faster than you think. It may be a safe bet, but it’s also a good one.
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MSRP: $32,500 – $33,400
Invoice: $30,227 – $31,062
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway
As Audis continue to grow in popularity, it’s likely we’re going to see more and more A4s on America’s roadways. This entry level Audi provides everything from precision handling to Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system. The A4 may look less aggressive than the BMW 3 Series, but it’s appeal continues to grow.
It includes Audi’s 211 horsepower 2-liter engine mated to an eight-speed transmission that helps it achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in the city. It can easily convert into a small family hauler and proves the point how luxury can arrive in small packages.
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MSRP: $35,915 – $51,650
Invoice: $33,940 – $48,809
Fuel Economy: 16 mpg City, 26 mpg Highway
The true flagship of Cadillac, the CTS is the car that changed the brand. It also created true competition with the European luxury carmakers such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
The CTS comes in a number of rear-wheel or all-wheel body styles including a sedan, coupe and sports wagon. There are also high performance V versions that include a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that is the most powerful production Cadillac ever built.
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MSRP: $35,350 – $62,330
Invoice: $32,876 – $57,967
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway
This entry level Mercedes luxury sedan has undergone a number of improvements for the 2013 model year. Upgrades include a new 3.5-liter engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission in the C300 and C350.
Some models also include Mercedes Start/Stop technology to help improve city mileage. But most of all, the C-Class is comfortable to drive, affordable in the luxury segment and still makes a statement about the owner.
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MSRP: $29,845 – $47,820
Invoice: $28,707 – $46,195
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway
Few cars carry as much attitude as the Chrysler 300. Its high beltline and big front end make it visually arresting. Put a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi under its hood and it will growl at anything it speeds up behind. People will move out of your way.
The Chrysler brand may not scream luxury, but the new 300 carries plenty of luxury inside the cabin with Chrysler’s second generation telematics system and a slew of other features that will cater to a more discerning buyer. While we love the V8, the best buy is the 300 with Chrysler’s 3.6-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed transmission.
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MSRP: $51,000 – $92,400
Invoice: $47,430 – $85,932
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway
The E-Class is a step above most luxury vehicles. It comes in coupe, wagon and sedan forms and offers gas, diesel and hybrid powertrains.
It feels substantial on the road with taut steering and good acceleration. It also has that nice weighty feel to it, while providing a sporty ride but a luxurious one as well. While some cars hedge toward one area or the other, Mercedes rides both of them beautifully.
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