1926 Lincoln Model L Custom Berline Limousine

The Lincoln Company was founded in 1917 by Henry Leland, creator of the Cadillac automobile. Lincoln automobiles were intended as an alternative to the utilitarian and ubiquitous offerings of other marques, allowing customers to choose from a variety of beautiful coachbuilt exteriors. Lincoln's sales literature of the era stated: 'The builders of motor cars, long concerned with solving engineering problems, have in the past given insufficient thought to the beauty of design.'

Lincoln was quickly greeted with the economic woes of the post-World War One recession, and unable to compete, Leland sold his company to Henry Ford in 1922, who promptly appointed his son Edsel to lead the division. Edsel shared Leland's vision of aesthetics, and bestowed a restyling upon the Model L that complemented its mechanical prowess. The interiors were richly appointed, and the exteriors were given a nickel-plated radiator grille, front and rear bumpers, and the absence of cowl lights. A plethora of body styles remained available from coachbuilders such as LeBaron, Fleetwood, and Judkins, as well as Buffalo, New York-based coachbuilder Brunn & Company.

Brunn & Company built their reputation on quality and elegant designs. They offered a range of body styles, from limousines to two-seater roadsters. This particular Model L wears Brunn & Company coachwork in the form of a 'Beetle Back' Roadster, one of six examples built with just three surviving today. Styling features include a softly tapered rear end and steeply raked windshield.

This 'Beetle Back' Roadster was given a restoration approximately five decades ago by Kenneth Pearson of Wauconda Tool and Engineering. The exterior is finished in a light green with a dark green beltline. It resided in a Michigan-based collection for several decades before entering the Jepson Collection in 2010.

This Model L is powered by a 357 cubic-inch V8 engine delivering 90 horsepower. Its list of period accessories includes a leather-trimmed rumble seat, nickel-plated brightwork, a Greyhound radiator mascot, chrome wire wheels, and matching dual rear-mounted spares.

This 'Beetle Back' Roadster won an AACA First Junior at Lake Forest, AACA First Senior at Central Spring Nationals, and many more awards at prestigious shows and concours events.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2024