Anyone know what ever happened to 1930's movie actress Thelma Todd's '32 Lincoln KB Dual Cowl Phaeton? From what I understand, after her untimely death in December 1935 from carbon monoxide poisoning, the car was sold at auction the following year to someone in California named Ted Reed. He owned the car for decades until his passing in 2003. The car was then sold to someone else. It's been a mystery for over eighty years as to how Thelma Todd died (accidental, murder or suicide) and I am doing some research into how this car was equipped, particularly, was it equipped with a heater of some sort either hot water or hot air. Does anyone know where this car is today? Has anyone seen it displayed at any shows since 2003? The attached pic is supposedly her car but I have no idea where or when this pic was taken. I believe the color is called Haverhill brown. Any help is appreciated.
I believe It was a car like this in Steve Moals coach works getting aluminum body repair by the craftsman from the UK about 6-8 years ago when I were visiting. There is also one in McLeods Farms museum in McBee South Carolina.
Remember seeing her in some of those 1930's films, but didn't know who she was until now. Thanks for sharing!
There are questions on the internet whether the Lincoln Stan Lucas owns is the Thelma Todd death car. The serial numbers for the Todd car are available, so checking the numbers would be a good start I'd say. From the AACA forum, the the engine/body number is KB1008.
Probably not THE quickest, but likely one of. The V12 was rated at 150HP. Pierce Arrows, Packards and Duesenbergs may have been a tad quicker.
I look at pictures like this and can't help but think that people had so much more style and class back then.
The Jalopy Journal
