This 1926 Lincoln just came on the market in Ohio and it just reminded me how much I appreciate unrestored cars. I know "unrestored" means a lot of different things to different people. The word has a broad meaning in the hobby. I think we can all agree this car satisfies the narrowest definition of the term.
https://app.rumbleseat.com/marketplace/5315315/1926-lincoln-model-l-sedan-by-lebaron
This 1933 REO Royale 835 Coupe has something like 10k original miles on it. Henry & Deb Kanderski showed it at Audrain two weeks ago.
Another favorite of mine is this Crane Simplex with Brewster Coachwork. There has been some sympathetic work done to it but it remains largely original.
I've noticed the price on this one has been steadily coming down, about 40% or more below the original ask.
AJ, I think the White that @Edinmass just posted qualifies!
https://app.rumbleseat.com/rumblefeed/post/29163/welcome-to-all-white-gasoline-car-truck-owners-1910-1925
AJ, it’s interesting how my tastes have changed for a scruffy original old car. I don’t think at age 20 I had much appreciation for them. At age 61 I find them very endearing. In particular if they mechanically perform well. In many ways, I think it’s liberating to drive one and not be too worried about fingerprints on the paint below the door handle, worries that the weight of the driver might cause a slight depression in the driver upholstery, all the little things that are stressful for people that have a near perfect car.
It is called "maturing taste" John!!!
John, I wanted to post your towncar but figured I would let you have the glory. That car is super cool.
😆 I’m writing this day down on my calendar. ….Oct 14, someone mentioned they thought I was maturing.
Unrestored cars are the best. I wouldn’t care if I ever owned a perfectly restored car. A car loses a bit of its soul when it gets redone.
I saw this unrestored Marmon at a concours in September and loved it.
That's a great car! The owner and I went to McPherson together.
What percentage of McPherson guys are into prewar stuff? (I know you are!). Are they common or is that a small number of students?
I was wondering about that, I noticed the McPherson badge.
It's certainly a smaller percentage than the students into postwar stuff, but there was always at least 3 or 4 students with a prewar project when I was there. I know there are 2 Franklins, 2 Pierce Arrows, and a handful of Model T and A owners currently attending. Plenty of students who are into it as well but don't have the means for a project car. I didn't have much prewar interest until attending my first Franklin Trek my Freshman year summer. I've been getting deeper down the rabbit hole ever since.
That is awesome. We need to start a topic on Classic Franklin, which I believe is most of them except for the Olympic.
I’m a huge Franklin fan and belong to the Franklin club. I’m constantly trying to be a cheerleader to other buddies telling them that if they have interest in a Full classic car, there might not be any better value than jumping in to the Franklin family. Fabulous cars at surprisingly affordable prices if you meet other owners.
The Lincoln is just great! I think the mid-west is now the new northeast for finding hidden stuff.
Dan, Ohio is an absolute hot bed for cool early cars. Cleveland was a huge automotive hub and it is a good sized state with a lot of barns and garages.
AJ mentioned it so here is an unrestored Locomobile 48 Towncar body by Kellner.
Thanks John! Love it. Did we determine this is the highest known serial number Locomobile 48?
It is #19334. Several people have commented that it is the highest serial number and I have not seen one that would be newer. There may be some out there that surface, but it is the highest that I’m aware of.
It has been registered as a 1924, but the serial number would seem to imply it might be as new as 1926. That actually makes more sense to me if you think about it then being shipped over to have the body put on it. The body looks like other things Kellner was doing around 1927. Fender other features seemed too modern for 1924.
Looking forward to a detailed discussion on this car in the Loco Society.
That thing is just awesome.
My Stearns Knight J8-90 had a top put on it in the 50s and wheels painted but is otherwise original.
I love the look of accessory lights coming off the cowl vice attached to the fenders. There’s something very elegant about them.
Not sure if it technically counts as a classic without custom bodywork but this mostly unrestored Willys Knight 66B was lovely. Definitely a model that’s on my “someday” list.
Travis, you are right but we can allow it. I'm big 66B fan.
Which brings up a good question. Were there any custom bodies on these aside from the plaidside roadsters and phaetons?
Another unrestored car that we’ve discussed before. 645 Dietrich Sport Phaeton. Mostly original with I believe one respray at some point.
Great one Travis. I LOVED it when I saw it at Gooding Amelia back in 2025 and I think I started a topic on it.
I love everything from Packard that ends in the numbers 45.
I remembered I had this photo from the Belltown show when I was parked next to it. It gives quite a size comparison. My Hupmobile isn’t a small car but it’s dwarfed by that thing.
This Cunningham is one of my all time favorite unrestored cars. Currently residing with a prominent restorer who collects original cars. I saw it at Hershey maybe 9 years ago when it was for sale and went back to see it a dozen times.
We need some dedicated Cunningham conversations, big fabulous cars that don’t have a lot of exposure. Hopefully that could be changed here on rumble seat
That speaks volumes when a restorer collects original cars.
Doesn't it? That is basically all he has.
Outstanding.
A.J.,
I love original cars as well. I can promise the Lincoln won’t be restored…it’s going to Texas. I think the mileage under 15K is original. Engine rolls; I’ll post how it goes when I get to it. I’ll be picking it up in a couple of weeks.
Kent
Awesome Kent! I thought of you when I saw that car.
