1932 Lincoln Model KB Dual-Cowl Sport Phaeton
- Engine
- V-12
The 1932 Lincoln Model KB dual-cowl sport phaeton is among the most celebrated coachbuilt American automobiles of the Classic Era. Its chassis and engine numbers confirm an original Murphy-designed body specification, though the current coachwork is a faithful reproduction built by Lincoln specialist Rick Kriss during a comprehensive restoration completed in 2003. The car achieved numerous top concours honours, including a First in Class at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and was later owned by author and collector Clive Cussler, under whom it won Best of Show at the Texas Concours.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$151,200
- —Auction saleSold US$128,800
- → 2005Acquisition unknownMike Cormanypartial documentation
California-based owner who took over stewardship during the restoration and saw it through to completion in 2003, achieving a high concours standard.
- 2005 → 2018Private saleSouthern California collectionpartial documentation
Car was carefully preserved during this period but shown only on a single occasion at a regional Lincoln club event.
- 2018 →AuctionClive Cusslerpartial documentation
Purchased at RM Sotheby's Arizona 2018 sale despite a recent neck injury; subsequently displayed the car at a Texas concours event alongside his wife Janet.
- Date unknownJim Griffinpartial documentation
Owned the car in an unrestored project state prior to selling it to a Lincoln collector in Illinois.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJim Bickleypartial documentation
Long-standing Lincoln collector based in Illinois who purchased the car as a project and initiated restoration work with a Chicago-based restorer; body was newly fabricated to original specifications by a Lincoln specialist.
Competition
- 20032003 Ford Centennial1st in K Open Class
- 20042004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in Class
- 2008Lincoln Owners Club2008 Lincoln Owners Club Western National MeetLincoln Trophy — top primary Lincoln from 1921 to 1939
Only public appearance during the Southern California collection's ownership period.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaClassic Car Club of America judged showPrimary First, score of 99.75 points
- —Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAntique Automobile Club of America judged showFirst Junior award
- —Texas Concours, ArlingtonBest of Show
Entered by Clive and Janet Cussler shortly after the 2018 auction acquisition.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Restoration
Restoration brought to completion under new owner Mike Cormany; finished to concours standard with high-quality paintwork, leather interior, a canvas hood, and painted wire wheels with chromed hubcaps.
Work initiated under Bickley was finalised under Cormany's ownership.
- —RestorationChicago Restorations
Restoration commenced by Jim Bickley in collaboration with George Kovanda of Chicago Restorations; scope included commissioning an entirely new body built to the original Murphy dual-cowl sport phaeton design by specialist Rick Kriss.
Per a 2017 account by Kovanda, the body is a careful reproduction rather than the surviving original coachwork, though chassis and engine numbers confirm the correct specification.
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