As Lincoln announced its inaugural V-12 model, the fabulous KB, for 1932, four cars were prepared for the salon exhibitions of fine automobiles held in major cities. Two of these were unique designs by Edsel Ford’s favorite coachbuilder, Brunn & Company, and one of those was a unique dual-windshield phaeton. Perhaps inspired by Gordon Buehrig’s tourster design for Duesenberg or Harley Earl’s sport phaeton design for the Cadillac V-16, it featured superb proportions with a low beltline and extreme 45-degree angled windshields for the front and rear passengers. The rear windshield was synchronized to crank down into the back of the front seat, producing a smooth and seamless appearance without the use of a bulky second cowl.

The Model KB was shipped on 25 January 1932. It was sold on 7 June 1932 to its original owner in Long Beach, California, perhaps after the Los Angeles or San Francisco showing, and was unfortunately never seen again.

This did not stop enthusiast Harry Andrews from attempting to resurrect the car, which he did, based around an original 1932 KB engine and chassis, renumbered to the original using factory stamps. The project was eventually sold to William Ruger Jr., the noted gun maker and a passionate collector of performance automobiles. Restoration work began in California, where original blueprints were used by craftsman Cass Nawrocki to complete the body and top assembly to the specifications originally used in 1932.

Work was eventually completed by the talented shop of Fran Roxas in suburban Chicago, who finished the car in the original factory-specified color of Belmont Brown, with the upholstery in the correct original pattern and colors. The car has a 1935 gearbox fitted, which has better ratios and quieter intermediate gears than a 1932; it is a bolt-in job and could be changed out for a correct 1932 gearbox if the new owner chose. Similarly, the car is fitted with a lighter, very high 3.3:1 ratio rear axle from a Lincoln Model K, which is another bolt-on installation.

The resurrected KB was brought to Monterey for the 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. There it won both Best in Class and the Most Significant Design Award, which had been presented, most fittingly, by Ford Motor Company. It was also judged Most Elegant Car at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.

This example is among the most stunning Classic Era Lincolns in existence, as it is unique in its provenance and stunning in its appearance, and it will be a rewarding acquisition for any connoisseur of the Lincoln marque.