1932 Lincoln Model KB Convertible Victoria

During the early 1930s, the Great Depression was in full swing and the automotive industry was busy at work attempting to attract customers as their pool of potential buyers continued to dwindle. At least seven marque's introduced V12 flagship models in hopes that horsepower was the way to customer's hearts.

For Lincoln, their V12 model was the KB, which had a top speed of 100 mph and rode on a 145-inch wheelbase. Custom coachbuilders were invited to work their magic on this platform to create vehicles that met the customer's demands and wishes. One of those artisans was Waterhouse, who enjoyed a lifespan of just six years, and clothed approximately 300 chassis for DuPont, Packard, Chrysler, Marmon, Pierce-Arrow, Stutz and Lincoln, among others.

The Waterhouse bodied Convertible Victoria was based on a design of Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky for Belgian coachbuilder Van den Plas. Waterhouse's main designer, George Weaver, refined and improved the design. The most distinct improvement was the way the large soft top folded completely into the body.

There were a mere 10 examples of the Waterhouse Convertible Victoria created on the Lincoln KB chassis. One was brought to the 1932 New York Auto Salon, where it wore colors of light tan and light green with a tan leather interior.

D.U. 'Dee' Howard of San Antonio, Texas gained a reputation for converting military aircraft to commercial use. He was a noted collector and restorer who decided to recreate the 1932 New York Show car. The result was an accurate reconstruction of the Waterhouse Victoria using the same techniques and materials as used in 1932. It was built atop an original KB chassis and done to the finest standards.

The result of the recreation was rewarded in 1989 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it took a First in the 'American and European Classic, New Coachwork' class.

After its Pebble Beach display, it was put into a climate controlled showroom and operated sparingly since that time.

In 2007 this 1932 Lincoln KB in the style of Waterhouse 'Convertible Victoria' was brought to the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $190,000 - $240,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, this former Pebble Beach winner had been sold for the sum of $203,500 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008