Chassis No. 33503

"The builders of motor cars, long concerned with solving engineering problems, have in the past given insufficient thought to the beauty of design," proclaimed period sales literature for Lincoln's Model L line of vehicles. Founded in 1917 by Henry Leland, creator of the Cadillac automobile, Lincoln positioned itself as an alternative to the ubiquitous and utilitarian offerings from Ford and others, allowing customers to choose from a variety of beautiful coachbuilt exteriors. However, the economic woes of the post-World War One recession hit Lincoln hard, forcing Leland to sell his company to Henry Ford in 1922, who promptly appointed his son Edsel to lead the division. Fortunately, Edsel Ford shared Leland's vision of offering richly appointed, custom-built vehicles, and treated the Model L to a restyling featuring a nickel-plated radiator grille, front and rear bumpers, and the absence of cowl lights. A full breadth of body styles remained available from coachbuilders such as LeBaron, Fleetwood, and Judkins, as well as Buffalo, New York-based coachbuilder Brunn & Company.

Renowned for their exceptional build quality and elegant designs ranging from limousines to lithe two-seater roadsters, coachbulit Lincolns bodied by Brunn & Company remain among the rarest and most sought-after of the era. More exclusive still is the "Beetle Back" Roadster presented here, as one of only six examples built with just three surviving today. Characterized by its softly tapered rear end and steeply raked windshield, the Brunn design was a progenitor of the "boattail" rear-end treatment which would appear on other vehicles later in the decade. Power was provided by a sophisticated, 90 horsepower 357 cu-in V8, imbuing the open two-seater with sporting performance to match its exterior.

This particular "Beetle Back" Roadster is presented in wonderful overall condition since benefiting from a complete restoration approximately 50 years ago by Kenneth Pearson of Wauconda Tool and Engineering. Wearing a light green finish neatly contrasted with a dark green beltline, the Lincoln was preserved in an esteemed Michigan-based collection for several decades before entering the Jepson Collection in 2010. Today, it boasts an array of spectacular period accessories including its leather-trimmed rumble seat, nickel-plated brightwork, Greyhound radiator mascot, chrome wire wheels, and matching dual rear-mounted spares. Under previous ownership, its impressive presentation was awarded at several prestigious shows and concours including AACA First Junior at Lake Forest, AACA First Senior at Central Spring Nationals, and many more. Truly one of the most magnificent custom-bodied Lincolns ever built, this award-winning "Beetle Back" Roadster by Brunn is ready to take on many more discerning judges at the world's most prominent concours and events.