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Dual-Cowl Survivor: 1923 Lincoln Phaeton

left-front

Ford purchased Lincoln in 1922, so this Lincoln was built by Ford with a body built by Brunn. It’s listed here on eBay in Tomball, Texas. Bidding is over $12,000 and the reserve is not yet met. This Lincoln was in a collection until 35 years ago when it traded hands and was stored in a warehouse. These dual-cowl Lincolns are rare. This one is mostly complete and has had no restoration work performed after being recovered from storage. It looks nice, on the outside anyway. The Brunn bodied cars were often crafted out of aluminum. There is just the one rust hole in the radiator shell. The wood body frame is said to be in very good condition. 

inside-front

The leather upholstery is long gone but the rest of the interior is still complete.

back-seat

The back seat is in better condition than the front.

engine

This is a 90 horsepower 384 CID flathead V8. It does turn but several important bits seem to be missing like the Stromberg downdraft carb, distributor, dipstick, upper radiator hose and such.

right-rear

The paint and bodywork look nice from this angle as well. The battery cover is missing, so a new one will need to be sourced or made. The top will no doubt need replacing but the bows are there. Ten years ago restored Lincolns from this era were six figure cars. Now, values have dropped by about half. Perhaps the dual-cowl cars are more valuable than other Lincolns. If a collector wants one badly enough and no others are for sale, then perhaps someone might be willing to purchase this Lincoln and restore it even at an inflated price. I hope the buyer doesn’t over restore it, but keeps it as original as possible.

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Howie B.

    “This is a 90 horsepower 384 CID flathead V8. It does turn but several important bits seem to be missing like the Stromberg downdraft carb, distributor, dipstick, upper radiator hose and such.”

    I just rebuilt one of these engines and the carb is an updraft and is in the middle of the engine and is present, the distributor is there in the photo and there is no dipstick, but a glass view bowl with a float and it looks like it is there. These are very smooth running engines. So it looks like an upper hose and a set of wires and it may come alive again.

    Howie B

    Like 1
    • Avatar photo MartinG

      Hi Howie. I have one and am having trouble with it, mainly the updraft carb float. Is there any way we can talk?

      Like 0
  2. Avatar photo S.S. McDonald

    Looks like a touring car to me.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar photo jeff6599

    A dual cowl anything IS a touring car. Better read up.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar photo Puhnto

    Isn’t it actually a “dual windshield” phaeton rather than “dual cowl” phaeton? (Touring car.) It doesn’t have a cowl in front of the second windshield.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Bingo

      That’s nitpicking isn’t it? (Spinal tap). Please read with a British accent.

      Like 0
      • Avatar photo Puhnto

        I read it with a British accent. It didn’t change anything but thanks for the suggestion!

        I’m not trying to be a wiseacre, there is a definite distinction between a dual windshield and a dual cowl phaeton for those who dabble or immerse themselves in those types of cars.

        Like for those of us with more mundane interests and pocketbooks, you’d be incorrect in calling a step-side pickup a fleetside pickup. There is a very real difference.

        Like 1
      • Avatar photo waynard

        I agree with Puhnto.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar photo Kent Pearson

    There is a bulkhead between the front drivers section and the rear passenger section. My father had one with a “speaking tube” so they could communicate with each other.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar photo Howard A Member

    Slam it, lower it, huge fire-breathing motor,,,,,I know what you’re thinking,,, did Howard bump his head over night? Just kidding, like the Packard from a few days ago, these cars were in the same class, although, I believe Lincoln was fancier around this time, and Packard later on. Being 8 years older than the Packard, motoring was even more of an adventure. Everyday schmoes didn’t have cars like this, so some big-wig rode in the back, for sure, and by the 30’s, cars like the Packard were more for cruising, this, I think, was still more of a chauffeured deal across town. I hope someone saves this. I can’t find any 1923 Lincoln restomods. That’s encouraging.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar photo jeff6599

    That secondary windshield mounts to a crossbody panel called a cowl. A cowl can cover a variety of items such as a firewall (if used in front) or boots (feet) or storage if used in the midbody area. If the rear cowl were not there, no windshield would be present unless it were a windscreen type design. The higher priced the car, the longer the body, the much greater propensity for the sides of the body to wallow, therefore the additional stiffness of an additional cowl.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar photo Terry

    Magnificent beast.

    Like 0

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