PROVENANCE
Edgar and Lila Mason, Auburn, Indiana (acquired new in 1925)
Jim Riffenburgh, Big Bear, California (acquired from the above in 1977)
Tony Heinsbergen, Ojai, California (acquired from the above in 1979)
Tom and Gwen Powels (gifted by the above in 2005)
Current Owner (acquired from the above in 2008)

EXHIBITED
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, August 19, 2013 (Second in Class)
AACA, 2013 (First Place)
Muckenthaler Concours d’Elegance, 2014 (Honorary Chairman’s Award)
Benedict Castle Concours, Riverside, California, 2014 (First Place)
Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance, 2014 (First in Class)
AACA, 2014 (Western Division President’s Cup)
Greystone Mansion Concours d’Elegance, Beverly Hills, May 2015 (Best in Class)

THIS CAR
This magnificent Lincoln Model L Type 130 Beetleback was commissioned in 1925 by Edgar and Lila Mason of Auburn, Indiana, as a mutual wedding gift. Custom-designed by Brunn and built by the Murray Body Corporation, the Beetleback two-door roadster, complete with rumble seat, is one of the sportiest and most desirable of Ford’s flagship Lincoln line. Chassis no. 27771 is believed by the owner to be one of as few as two of this particular specification remaining today.

Lila Mason so loved her Lincoln that she kept it for over a half century and dubbed it “Sis.” According to its anecdotal history, she remodeled her home to enable her to park the Model L in her living room. Eventually, the car was brought to Big Bear, California, in 1977 by its second owner, Jim Riffenburgh, who purchased the car from the family following Lila’s passing.

In 1979, the Lincoln’s third owner, Tony Heinsbergen, replaced most of the upholstery and had the engine rebuilt by the renowned Robin Onsoien of Early Motors in Nipomo, California. A factory police-spec camshaft was installed to increase the horsepower, along with a high-ratio ring and pinion, enabling the car to cruise at freeway speeds. In 2005, Heinsbergen gifted the car to Lincoln aficionado Tom Powels, who had provided maintenance advice and parts for the car to the Masons in Indiana. Finally, the car made its way to Powels’ close friend, the fifth and current owner, who arranged for extensive, show-level restoration work to be carried out. Arnold Schmidt Restorations of Valencia, California oversaw the entire process from 2007 through to 2013, with paintwork by Mike Hogan of California Collectible Coach Works in Santa Clarita.

Extensive documentation over the years enabled its owner to restore the Lincoln to its original and very stately exterior color combination of gray and black with gray leather interior. As a result, this sporty yet innately elegant Beetleback has garnered many awards, including a prestigious Second in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 2013.

This highly acclaimed 1925 Lincoln comes with the owner’s manual; tool kit, car jack, and wheel wrench; documents; plus a photographically documented restoration portfolio. The Lincoln L series offered here is undoubtedly one of the finest restored L-Model Lincolns in the country and represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of history that is also automotive art.