1938 Lincoln Model K Convertible Victoria

In 1898, Hermann A. Brunn was apprenticing in his uncle's carriage work shop. Later, he spent a few years working at the New Haven Carriage Company and at H.H. Babcock at Watertown, New York. He established Bunn & Co. in his hometown of Buffalo, New York in 1908. The company specialized in automobile bodies.

The Lincoln range of automobiles was introduced in 1920. They were immediately praised for their high quality and engineering. Their appearance, however, did not receive the same rave reviews. Brunn was later tasked as a design consultant for the Lincoln automobiles. A deal was later arranged for twelve new body styles.

When Ford took over Lincoln, Brunn and Edsel Ford hit it off, and the designs from the Buffalo-based company continued. The small orders were built at Brunn's workshops, while the larger quantities were shopped out to Detroit-area companies.

At Brunn's peak, 150 craftsmen were employed and the company averaged 20 bodies per month, with most going to Lincoln. Herman A. Brunn son, Herman C. Brunn, was sent to Paris to apprentice with Kellner. The young Brunn would return a year later and join his father's business.

This 1938 Lincoln Model K Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Brunn is a concours-winning example with its original coachwork. This was the third example built for the 1938 model year. It was shipped by boat to Buffalo on October 11 of 1937. It was delivered to the workshop a month later. It has been in the collection of several prominent east coast collections until the late 1970s when it was acquired by Ernest Stern of Pittsburgh. While in his care, the car was treated to a complete restoration. It would remain in his care until his death in 1996. It was then sold to Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection, who would later sell it to Chicago Collector Joe Hayes in 1998. The current owner, an individual from Colorado, purchased the car in 2000.

The car is finished in Cambridge Blue and has been well maintained over the years. It was shown at Pebble Beach in 2003 and earned a First in Class at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Concours d'Elegance at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

In 2008, this Convertible Victoria was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $350,000 - $450,000 and carried a reserve. A high bid of 192,500 including buyer's premium was enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. The lot was sold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009

The chassis for this custom-bodied Lincoln was built to special order for Walter Weiss of the Sterling Drug Company. The Model K chassis was completed on October 11th, 1937, then delivered by ship to Brunni n Buffalo one month later. Brunn built a lovely Convertible Victoria body on the long wheelbase chassis, which is 145 inches long - 9 inches longer than standard. With the extended wheelbase, the two doors are nearly five feet long! Custom details, such as the teardrop-shaped running boards, rear wheel skirts, and V windshield, accent Brunn's design. other features include chrome covers for the window slots, a folding rear armrest, radio, heater, and beautiful interior woodwork. The car was later owned by Ernest Stern, Don Williams, Joe Hayes, Roger Willbanks, and Hyman Ltd. The current caretakers have owned the car since 2011.