March 31, 2016
Posted By : Barrett-Jackson
Written By : Barbara Toombs

FROM PREWAR TO POSTWAR: Craftsmanship and understated elegance remained strong

FROM PREWAR TO POSTWAR: Craftsmanship and understated elegance remained strong

March 31, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

Written by Barbara Toombs

LOt412_1932_Lincoln_KB_V12_Brunn_Sport_Phaeton_Grille

A fine example of prewar elegance, this 1932 Lincoln KB V12 Brunn Sport Phaeton (Lot #412) will be on the block at the Palm Beach Auction.

A fine example of prewar elegance, this 1932 Lincoln KB V12 Brunn Sport Phaeton (Lot #412) will be on the block at the Palm Beach Auction.

LOt412_1932_Lincoln_KB_V12_Brunn_Sport_Phaeton_EngineIt was in the Roaring ’20s when Ford Motor Company expanded its reach into the luxury auto market. In 1922, they acquired the Lincoln Motor Company from Henry Leland. Ford introduced several new body styles in the years to follow. Elegant and striking, the original Brunn Sport Phaeton debuted at the 1932 New York Auto Show. This gorgeous 1932 Lincoln KB V12 Brunn Sport Phaeton (Lot #412) wears an exacting re-creation of Brunn’s custom-built Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton body that first wowed audiences with its impeccable style in 1932. It has been professionally built as part of a nut-and-bolt restoration by a well-respected marque expert. The beautiful restoration earned this car a Best of Show at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours, as well as a First in Class at the equally competitive Meadowbrook Concours.

LOt412_1932_Lincoln_KB_V12_Brunn_Sport_Phaeton_InteriorThe body flows elegantly from front to back with twin steeply raked windscreens, a close-fitting convertible top and a custom-styled trunk, lending the car a dramatically low profile. The paintwork is beautifully finished; chrome, brightwork, detailing, and fit and finish are above reproach.

The cabin was treated to the same level of care and detail. The rear windscreen cranks into the cowl for a more open-air experience, and rear seat passengers face their own set of instruments to keep tabs on the driver, should he or she get a bit overzealous with the glorious V12 engine up front. The car stands as an outstanding example of one of Lincoln’s most respected and desirable prewar cars.

Postwar perfection is epitomized in this 1949 Oldsmobile 88 Woody Wagon (Lot #439).

Postwar perfection is epitomized in this 1949 Oldsmobile 88 Woody Wagon (Lot #439).

Major technological innovations introduced during the 1930s came to a crushing halt when American entered World War II. All domestic passenger automobile production ceased by February 1942, and the focus turned to the production of war materials. By the war’s end, existing vehicles could barely be kept on the road, which created a sellers’ market. Initially automakers quickly reintroduced their 1942 models with mild updates and called them their 1946 lines, but inevitably were ready to launch up-to-date designs. At Oldsmobile, that provided a rare occurrence in which one car helped to bring in the future as it phased out the past.

Lot439_1949_Oldsmobile_88_Woody_Wagon_Futuramic_BadgeOlds had unveiled its first new postwar car during the 1948 model year, and the Futuramic 98 bore only the slightest family resemblance to the other Oldsmobiles with their prewar styling. Smoother sides and cleaner lines helped the 98 look long, low and modern, meaning it was only natural that the new style would be extended to the entire Olds catalog in 1949. That included the 76, which still relied on the flathead six. That car weighed less and rode a shorter wheelbase, making it the perfect candidate for the V8. The result was the 88.

Lot439_1949_Oldsmobile_88_Woody_Wagon_BedOne of only 1,335 produced, this 1949 Oldsmobile 88 Woody Wagon (Lot #439) has received a ground-up professional restoration that was completed in October 2015. The wood’s light framing and dark paneling contrast nicely with the metallic green exterior, as do the new chrome and wide whitewalls. Inside, fresh red leather upholstery and red carpet complement the wood side panels and window-framing, while the dashboard blends a red surround with a metallic bronze panel and chrome dressing on the gauges and controls. Chrome skid strips protect the carpeting in the cargo area and on the rear of the back seat, which folds forward and flat to increase carrying capacity. If the car must be driven with the tailgate down to accommodate an oversized load, pushrods automatically flip the taillights as the gate is lowered so they remain visible.

Lot439_1949_Oldsmobile_88_Woody_Wagon_EngineUnder the hood, the bronze “Oldsmobile Rocket” valve covers with their guides to hold the spark plug wires adorn the V8. New wiring and detailing make the engine look like it did in 1949, when Oldsmobile felt it was a good idea to send demonstrators equipped with see-through Plexiglas hoods to help its dealers promote what was then the state of the art.

Given its unusual position as a first-year example of the 88 and a last-year example of an Oldsmobile Woody, the car is both uncommon and desirable.

Although born on opposite sides of a war, both the 1932 Lincoln KB V12 and the 1949 Oldsmobile 88 Woody Wagon bring with them much history, innovation and design originality – something sure to please the most discriminating collectors.

For more information on these vehicles and others on the Palm Beach docket, click HERE.

Heritage Partners