1930 Lincoln Model L V8 Panel Brougham by Willoughby

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

The first all-new Lincolns under Ford control appeared in 1923 albeit with minor improvements. What remained was the Henry Leland engineering brilliance; in particular, the big Lincoln V8 with its “fork and blade” connecting rods. This innovative but costly design allowed the cylinders to sit perfectly opposed from one another, bank-to-bank, making the Lincoln V-8 one of Detroit’s smoothest operating powerplants. 1930 marked the final year of the Lincoln L which used a 90 hp 384.8 cu-in V8 engine.

Under Edsel Ford’s direction, Lincoln continued to gain status, as did the car’s image as one of America’s leading luxury automobiles. Unlike his mechanically-minded father, Edsel was a man of sophisticated taste with a keen eye for design and classic good looks. He also contracted with coachbuilders, like Willoughby, to construct both cataloged and coachbuilt customs.

Willoughby & Co. of Utica, New York introduced the Model 187, a very formal Panel Brougham town car in 1930. Lincoln considered it a full-custom and it had to be ordered direct from the coachbuilder. It later appeared on Lincoln’s list of semi-custom cars, though no price was given. It was likely in the $7,000-8000 range. Only five were built in 1930.

Highlights

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection

• Custom coachwork by Willoughby & Co. of Utica, New York

• Rare model – one of five Panel Broughams built for 1930

• Final year of the Lincoln L V8 engine

• CCCA Full Classic eligible for all CARavans and club events

Features

• Aluminum body

• Rear privacy shades

• Armrest rear seat

• Project car of a rare Lincoln model

Known Imperfections

• Engine mostly complete

• Missing headlights, grille shell, rear bumper, taillights, hood latches and handles, hubcaps, driver’s compartment cover

• Does not run

Ownership History

James W. Riffenburgh, Big Bear Lake, California; Tom Powels, Reseda, California; Paul Cerf, Santa Monica, California; Albert Marx, Encino, California; Pauline Frederick, Beverly Hills, California (Original Owner)

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “This is one of only five Willoughby Panel Brougham bodies built. The L-Head V-8 engine is one of the smoothest running vehicles of the era. A true dream to drive.” 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: dgould@hagerty.com