Henry Ford purchased the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922, but he left it principally under the aegis of his son Edsel. Edsel was an aesthete, and had developed relationships with the prominent coachbuilders of the day: Locke, Willoughby, Brunn and LeBaron, Some of their bodies were cataloged as so-called “semi-custom” offerings. No fewer than four LeBaron custom styles were included in Lincoln’s 1937 catalog, among them two very sophisticated convertible sedans: Style 363-A, without division partition, and 363-B, with a crank-down glass division.

Acquired by the Pond Collection in the early 1990s as a running car, it became the subject of a protracted restoration of uneven progress. In the summer of 2008, the work was taken over by Terry Stokes, after which it progressed at a steady pace, with completion around 2010. A comprehensive and thorough effort, it involved complete disassembly, cleaning, painting, plating, upholstering and reassembly. The result is the understated sophistication for which Lincolns and LeBaron have become so well known.

The car is painted in a subtle metallic gray. The body contours and paint are very good, the brightwork of equivalent quality. The seats, upholstered in soft tan leather, are like new. Tan carpet lines the floor and the car has a tan canvas top, also like new. The division partition has a crank-down window, with pillars that fold down when the roof is lowered, leaving a clear open vista. Alternatively, the pillars and division window can remain up while the top is down, reducing drafts in the rear seat. The car has dual sidemount spares with covers and tall rear-view mirrors.

The engine compartment is spotless and correctly detailed. The undercarriage is clean and properly configured, but does not show the same level of presentation. The tires are Denman 7.50-17 wide whitewalls. One of 37 Style 363-B Convertible Sedans built for 1937, this car is both rare and refined.