Uncovered; Unique John Bean Visualiner Cabinet

We believe that this cabinet was produced before the standard Visualiner long cabinets were built. It appears that this cabinet was manufactured out of a Lincoln Merchandiser, with a longer top and wider side doors.
The bench, hinges, spacing, marquee signage, back bracing, and handle shapes all mirror the Lincoln’s.

John Bean probably commissioned Lincoln to make these benches for them, rather than modify them in-house after delivery. It is interesting that at this early stage they attempted to project right on the widened doors, only to later build in an alcove for each projection surface.

 
 

The car in this below promotional image looks to be a 1946 Buick Roadmaster. This would most likely put this interesting cabinet being tested out in ‘46 before the 1947 roll out of the standard above Visualiners.

Thanks to a friend of the site; Here are some images of a surviving version of this wide door Lincoln/Visualiner. There is a different rounded and thinner top trim as well as the spacers between the desk and side door have been swapped with wider sections.

There are still new merchandiser styles out there to be found…