Following his purchase of Henry Leland’s Lincoln Motor Company in 1922, Henry Ford entrusted the new flagship of his automotive empire to his only son, Edsel. Almost immediately, Edsel’s eye for design led him to turn away from the bland Leland-era bodies and hire prestigious coachbuilding firms to design an array of attractive custom and semi-custom bodies for Lincoln’s high-quality Model L chassis.

An outstanding and particularly stylish example of Model L production under Edsel Ford’s visionary leadership is the 1928 Club Roadster, model no. 165. Designed by New York coachbuilder Locke & Company and built by Lincoln, the Club Roadster was distinguished by its traditional Fiacre-style body lines and handsome proportions. The body type proved quite popular with Lincoln customers; approximately 600 examples were built over a 30-month period beginning in January 1928.

Later that year, a brilliant yellow and green Club Roadster was featured in Lincoln’s famous “Bird Series” advertising campaign, which paired a vibrant Stark Davis illustration with the following description:

“Nowhere is the balanced excellence of Lincoln performance more appreciated than it is in this intimately personal car. As an open car the Club Roadster has the swift fleetness of Lincoln speed and Lincoln easy riding luxury for the all day distant trip. In performance – it is a Lincoln. As a closed car it is a beautifully distinctive coupe – a masterly design by a famous custom body builder. There is not a flaw in its expression of true quality and fineness – no compromise in any detail. Made for the most discriminating users of personally driven cars, its fittings and appointments are as fine as art and skill can fashion. *In quality – it is a Lincoln!*”

The 1928 Club Roadster presented here, chassis 50626, is a wonderfully preserved, unrestored example, with just 19,342 miles recorded on its Waltham odometer at the time of cataloguing. Finished in a striking shade of olive green with contrasting moldings and pinstriping, as well as a light-colored convertible top, this Lincoln is ideally equipped with artillery wood-spoked wheels, carriage-style door handles, rear-mounted spare, rumble seat, and golf door. Inside, the brown leather upholstery remains in good, serviceable original condition, although the carpets are threadbare and the glass displays significant discoloration.

Acquired by devoted Ford and Lincoln aficionado Mark Smith from the estate of a long-term owner in Connecticut, this Club Roadster would be an ideal choice for preservation class display and future conservation efforts given its charmingly patinated original finishes. Collectors with an appreciation for high-quality American Classics maintained in unrestored condition are advised to pay close attention to this lovely Locke-designed Model L.

*Please note that this Lot, like all vehicles in this Auction, has been in long-term static storage and may not be currently operational. It will require mechanical attention prior to any road use.

Gooding & Company presents and conducts the Estate of Mark Smith Auction under the authority of John J. Rendemonti, Executor of the Estate of Mark J. Smith, duly appointed by the Circuit Court of the State of New Hampshire, Probate Division, Case Number 312-2022-ET-00072. The Estate has compiled available title and/or registration paperwork for the Vehicles offered in the Auction and will provide such paperwork to the Buyer if it is available. However, as set forth more fully in the Conditions of Sale, neither the Estate nor Gooding makes any representation or warranty with respect to any existing certificate of title or registration with regard to any Lot in the Auction. Any Lot may be sold on a Bill of Sale. By participating in this Auction, all bidders and buyers recognize that Estate and Gooding have expressly disclaimed all such warranties concerning the availability or sufficiency of any title or registration documentation.