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Israeli Presidential Lincoln to Be Restored in Canada

4 August 2000

RM Auto Restoration Awarded Contract by Ford

    CHATHAM, Ontario - A significant piece of Israeli history arrived in Canada 
this month.  A presidential limousine given to the first president of Israel 
by Henry Ford II was delivered to RM Auto Restoration to be restored to its 
original condition.

    The 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan restoration is being sponsored by Ford Motor
Company and its Israeli importer, Delek Motors.  The vehicle will be handed
back to the Israeli government after the restoration is complete, in
approximately one year.

    "Restoring this vehicle is an honor for RM.  It is in rough condition,
having weathered more than 50 years of use and museum display, but we have met
this kind of challenge before," said Clark Ferguson, general manager of RM.
"It will involve a lot of meticulous work, but we are confident we will have
repaired or rebuilt every piece of this vehicle, and that it will be back to
its original condition in one year's time."

    The Weizmann Lincoln is one of eighteen identical presidential limousines
originally built for the White House in 1950.  It was given to the first
president of Israel, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, by Henry Ford II during the Truman
administration to demonstrate the U.S.'s support of the new state after its
declaration of independence in 1948, the United States being the first country
to recognize it.

    Of the other vehicles, nine were leased to the White House and eight were
maintained by Ford for presidential and VIP use in various cities other than
Washington, D.C.  The Israeli vehicle is one of ten known to have survived to
the present day.

    "Ford has been doing business in Israel for nearly 65 years -- even before
the state of Israel came into existence," said Dale Wendell, executive
director and general manager, Ford Worldwide Direct Market Operations.  "This
Lincoln is a very special vehicle for us at Ford Motor Company.  It represents
our commitment to that market, and our determination to be a leading player
among the auto manufacturers serving the Israeli consumers.  We are happy for
the opportunity to assist with this restoration."

    Most recently, the Israeli presidential Lincoln was on display at the
Weizmann House Museum in Rehovot, Israel (near Tel Aviv), where it will return
after being presented to the Israeli government.  However, instead of being
used for static display only, it also will be driven on special occasions,
such as presidential ceremonies.

    RM's comprehensive restoration process will include:  component inspection, 
disassembly, metalworking, paneling and upholstery repair, woodworking, 
painting, detailing, reassembly, pre-delivery road testing and delivery to 
the customer.  The entire process will be photographed and documented for 
historic purposes.

    RM Auto Restoration is part of RM Classic Cars Inc.  Founded in Chatham,
Ontario in 1976, this award-winning company is one of North America's leading
automobile restoration facilities.