Vehicle Description
Founded in 1920 by Henry Leland, the Lincoln Motor Company was
established as a premium American automobile manufacturer focused
on precision engineering. Leland, who had previously co-founded
Cadillac, named the company in honor of President Abraham Lincoln.
The Model L, Lincoln's inaugural offering, combined solid
mechanical underpinnings with Leland's 60-horsepower V8 engine.
While its styling was initially conservative, the build quality and
performance set it apart. In 1922, Ford Motor Company acquired
Lincoln, and Edsel Ford ushered in a golden age of bespoke
coachwork, commissioning leading American firms such as Brunn,
Judkins, and Walter M. Murphy Company to clothe Lincoln chassis in
designs that would rival the best from Europe. Few such
collaborations were more expressive-or more exclusive-than the car
offered here.Known as "The King," this particular example was
custom-built by the Walter M. Murphy Company of Pasadena,
California, for Thomas E. Sharp, a wealthy San Diego-based
telecommunications magnate and rancher from San Diego. , Believed
to be a one-off design, the car features lightweight aluminum
coachwork in a subtle skiff-tail configuration. Its design includes
numerous bespoke details and craftsmanship that reflect Sharp's
personal vision and preferences. The story of this remarkable
Lincoln takes it from California, across decades, to a museum in
Oklahoma, and finally into the hands of some of the most prominent
collectors of American classics.The body was created to suit Mr.
Sharp's personal taste-anything but staid. Constructed in
lightweight aluminum, it features a tapered boattail rear deck,
deeply cut doors for ease of entry, and an elaborate window system
that allows the open tourer to transform into a fully enclosed
limousine. Much of the brightwork was hand-formed and remains
intact today, including the distinctive brass hardware, now freshly
polished. Both the greyhound radiator cap and the dash fascia are
gold plated-adding an unexpected flourish to an already decadent
interior. Even more remarkable, the cabin was designed with
convertible seating that allowed it to fold into a twin bed for
long journeys. The restoration retained these features and
preserved the distinctive character that made the car so special
from the outset.Sharp reportedly retained the car into the 1950s,
and documentation shows it remained roadworthy into that decade. In
the early 1960s, it was acquired by the Reverend T.L. Osborn, a
globe-trotting evangelist and Lincoln enthusiast who displayed it
in his World Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His collection included a
stable of Model Ls, but this was undoubtedly the centerpiece. The
car was restored under the care of Mrs. Osborn's brother, Robert
Washburn, and at that time was placed on chassis no. 40539-a
later-spec Model L notable for its four-wheel brakes. It was during
this restoration that "The King" received its updated chassis,
helping to improve its drivability and ensuring its future road
use.After years of success on the show circuit and features in
numerous publications, the Lincoln was sold to collector Larry
Casey in 1981, then passed to the Imperial Palace collection in Las
Vegas, before being acquired by a respected collection based in the
Midwest in 1998. Recently serviced and mechanically sorted, the
Lincoln is now running beautifully-its 385 cubic inch V8 providing
ample performance, matched with a 3-speed manual transmission and
upgraded chassis dynamics. A brand-new, black cloth top has been
fitted, perfectly executed, and handsomely trimmed. The car also
rides on freshly fitted whitewall tires and presents with the
mechanical confidence to be driven as well as
displayed.Cosmetically, the Lincoln has benefited from recent
rejuvenation of its exterior, with gleaming paintwork and bright,
freshly polished brass and nickel trim that bring out the best in
Murphy's flowing lines. The interior, while an older restoration,
remains incredibly charming, with a warm and inviting patina that
only decades of care and gentle use can provide. Everything from
the intricate woodwork to the gold-plated dash has a richness and
depth that no modern restoration can replicate.Accompanied by
extensive documentation and period photos, including one of Mr.
Sharp himself proudly posing beside the car-this is a rare
opportunity to acquire a truly one-of-a-kind Lincoln. As a rolling
example of early American custom coachwork at its most imaginative
and expressive, "The King" lives up to its nickname. This is not
merely a rare Model L-it is the only one of its kind, crafted for a
singular purpose, with a provenance as rich as its detailing. A
true centerpiece for any serious collection of Classic Era American
automobiles. Offers welcome and trades considered. For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
