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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?
