OK, so this 1930 Lincoln Model L is hardly a “hot rod Lincoln”, no it’s more like an archeological dig and a fascinating look into what was offered by one of America’s premier auto companies almost a century ago. There’s a surprise here but more than that, this Reno, Nevada barn find, courtesy of Mr. Numskal, will need an enormous restoration undertaking. The seller tells us “pretty much all there” but that’s just the start. There’s no backstory on this car, the seller mentions that it has been sitting, somewhere, for 50 years. Oh, and the blue tape, that’s to protect the glass lenses.
This is the second time that I have covered a 1930 Lincoln Model L (’20-’30). The last time was back in ’20 and it was essentially the same model – just in better condition. Facts and figures as they pertain to the Model L are dizzying in number and tend to contradict one another – depending upon the source used. One statistic that I did uncover stated that there were about 2,000 Model L four-door sedans produced in ’30 but I question its accuracy. What we do know is that there were multiple styles available with bodies provided by at least fourteen different coachbuilders. The seller claims this Lincoln to be in possession of an aluminum body and LeBaron did design a four-door sedan that was constructed of aluminum and produced by the Murray Corporation of Detroit. This Lincoln has a body number of 169B but I couldn’t cross it to anything meaningful.
Regardless, while the coachwork of this example is intact note that the fenders are displaying surface rust so they’re likely stamped from steel. The leather roof panel has typically collapsed which hasn’t done the interior any favors. Good to see is the inclusion of a non-damaged grille and radiator shell – corroded, yes, but it appears to be salvageable. Other than some small dents, the body, in its entirety, along with attachments such as the bumpers, does appear to be a good base for a major redo.
In addition to the aluminum body, the seller states, “Also has the aluminum block engine, engine block has a hole in it, from what I would believe to be a thrown rod.” While the rod theory is probably accurate, the aluminum construction is doubtful. Aluminum pistons? Yes. An aluminum block? I question that. This is a 90 HP, 384 CI, 60-degree flathead V8 powerplant, attached to a three-speed manual transmission. The listing suggests that a block repair is doable but I wouldn’t be so sure of that. A hole, visible from the exterior is one thing; the damage that spinning parts do to the interior when they let go, is another.
There’s not much one can say about the interior because there are no comprehensive images, just some of the dashboard and instrument panel. Those items are looking real shaky and I get the vibe that there really is no interior to speak of. I can’t say that I have ever seen a steel dash decompose the way that this one has.
This one gets points for completeness but what a slog, an expensive slog, it will be to return this Lincoln to any sort of useable form, much less a completely restored vehicle. Interested parties can find it here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $6,500. My thought is that there will be few and far between who will want to shoulder this project, but what says you?
I say that they should have shared a photo as found in said barn, that could have been the best part. It’s a shame it got into this condition yet a blessing that it wasn’t scrapped a long time ago. I suppose the best way forward is to build a street rod. Although I see that always as a last resort, for this car I feel that is the last resort short of yard art.
There are some towns in Nevada that look like they went through the Apocalypse a couple days earlier, they are so dry and dusty. I’m thinking that’s where this car marinated for the past half century. Where would you even start to restore this?
I couldn’t agree more Jack. There just
isn’t enough of the car left to do a restoration of this car. Last time I saw a luxury street rod like this car
could be was a ’32 Imperial limo powered by a 318 (?) Dodge V-8 backed by a 727 Torqueflite tranny.
For this one, I’d use a 460 V-8 and a
C-6 tranny for power. A Holley Sniper fuel injector system would be used to squeeze more MPGs out of the 460.
Parts of the factory suspension could be used but modernized to meet today’s roads. Brakes would be disc
front and drums rear. Oh yeah there would be a 9 inch Ford rear out back
with 2.80:1 gears for effortless cruising. The interior would be standard luxury fare with overstuffed
leather seats and door cards, a rebuilt
dash with all gauges placed in front
of the driver. A good sound system
and A/C would just about finish it up.
The lighting group would be converted to modern LED bulbs to
improve night driving and make it safe. The roof panel would be filled
and steel ribs used to reinforce the
car’s body. In the end, you’d be the first one on your block to have such a fine street rod as this one..
Aluminum block’s were used on several high dollar cars of that era. Cylinder’s and head’s were cast iron.
Perhaps, but were they used by Lincoln is this case? I couldn’t find a blessed thing on this model’s engine block construction.
JO
Aluminium crankcases on cheap cars, too; Austin Sevens have an aluminium crankcase with cast-iron cylinder block and head. So it’s not too unlikely…
I’d be going full goth on the re-trim! Black paint and puple velvet.
Found it here:https://youtu.be/Pj6_xB9ABgE
If you go to the 8 minute 25-second frame, there is an image of the tech. manual for this Lincoln engine. The text reads, “The cylinder blocks and heads on the Lincoln engine are cast of close grained hard gray iron of special analysis designed to give a maximum of service with a minimum of wear.”
JO
Yes Jim, I wouldn’t think a 1930 Lincoln had an alluminum block. Certainly makes more sense that it was a cast iron block. It is interesting enough that this 1930 Lincolns body is alluminum
As much time and effort it took to just wash my ’48 Cadillac hearse I don’t think I’d take on a job this big. Big is the word here as there is a lot acreage to work on. Terry’s right about the Nevada towns. We lived in Fallon for a couple years and found all sorts of cars out in the desert including the front half of a Porsche 356. Got all sorts of good parts off of that one including the instruments which were in as new condition and wound up on one of our restorations just like we found them. Getting the parts came after running off the hissing lizard living in the glove box.
Could be restored. However, needs to be listed under ‘you haul it, you own it’. To charge anything for this is too much.
Wow what alot of of work! Most guys who used to collect these are long gone. Agree with previous comments, this one is a good candidate for a custom, street build. With that gaping hole in the block drivetrain is trashed anyway. A Lincoln 460 and C6 with a 9″ rear end would do nicely. I saw an older guys collection of 20s-30s Lincolns and those original brake drums were just massive. This one is too far gone for a faithful restoration.
no< build a 400 cubic inch flathead and a aod trans!
Restoring this is a fantasy, hot rod this and drop a Coyote in it
A few years ago, I looked at a 28 Lincoln converted to a fire truck, much worse than this piece. The biggest problem was it got shoved outside in a cold climate. The engine was totally ruined, the block and heads had MAJOR DAMAGE and not salvageable. Repower of the whole drivetrain was the only option,
I think the best I could do with this one is to put that good sound system and a/c in it,and sit in it and dream of what it could be,for about 200k
days gone by
Donate it to a school for the students to restore….Hey, tax write-off…..
Indeed a rare piece of history that unfortunately can’t be restored.While I respect everyone’s opinions and ideas, why complicate matters here? All you need is a good ‘ol fashion 302,4V,cruise-a-Matic and and 8 rear axle,basic disc/drum combo,American Autowire Highway harness,And section in a comparable front suspension setup.It’s still a lot of work and dedication but one can definitely breathe some new in this rare Lincoln.Keep it simple folks!!