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Image Left 1936 Model K Series 3001938 Model K Image Right
 

1937 Lincoln Model K news, pictures, and information

Berline 2 Window
Coachwork: Judkins
 
This Model 367-A Judkins 2-window, 5-passenger Berline is a very rare body style with only 47 built new. This car wears a fresh restoration with only test miles since completion. The car is painted in Dalmatian Green and black paint accented by a French gray triple painted pin stripe, wide white walls and great chrome. The interior features brown cloth with original wood accents. There is a clever single rear jump seat that comes out of the divider window bulk head.
Panel Brougham
Coachwork: Willoughby
Chassis Num: K-8376
Engine Num: K-8376
 
High bid of $150,000 at 2008 RM Auctions. (did not sell)
There were a total of 17 styles available on the Lincoln Model K for 1937. One of the premier coachbuilders for the series was Willoughby of Utica, New York. Their roots extended to the carriage trade. R.M. Bingham of Rome, New York purchased the nearby Utica Carriage Company in 1897. His son-in-law, Edward Willoughby, was named president of the company. In 1903, Willoughby established a separate company bearing his own name with the purpose of building automobile bodies. By 1910, Edward's son Francis joined him in the company. During the Coolidge and Hoover administration, the Willoughby Company was tasked with creating coachwork for the presidential vehicles. The list of well-known clientele included Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City, Horace Dodge, Joe Louis and the Rockefellers.

Packard's two best customers were Lincoln and Packard. Other manufacturers that requested their services included Duesenberg, Rolls-Royce, Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac, Marmon, and Wills Ste. Claire.

The company prospered until the Great Depression forced them out of business in 1938.

This 1937 Lincoln Model K Panel Brougham with coachwork by Willoughby was built only to customer order. For the 1931 season, only 15 examples were built. This example is currently in excellent, restored condition. It is painted in black, with a pale yellow faux cane on the rear portion of the body. The chauffeur's compartment is upholstered in black leather. The passenger area is gray broadcloth.

In 2008, this Panel Brougham Model K was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000 and carried a reserve. A high bid of $150,000 was not enough to satisfy the cars reserve. The lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2009
Sport Sedan Coupe
Coachwork: Willoughby
 
The custom coach-building business was in serious decline by the late 1930's. Lincoln Motor Company, through Edsel Ford, kept many of the remaining coach builders in business. Mr. Ford offered 13 of this sport sedan body style from the Willoughby Company for 1937; however only six were sold that year. By the time the last one was sold in 1939, Willoughby, located in Utica, N.Y. had closed its doors.

Willoughby was known for its lavish interior appointments, particularly the woodwork. The inside features wood, including a fold-out writing desk and concealed cabinets and compartments.

The Willoughby sport sedan was one of the most expensive models offered by Lincoln in 1937, selling for approximately $7,000 new. Total Lincoln production for 1937 was only 977.
Convertible Roadster
Coachwork: LeBaron
 
Henry and Wilford LeLand's Lincoln Motor Company began producing Liberty airplane engines in 1917. Leland decided to enter the automobile production business after the contract for the Liberty engines were fulfilled. The first cars were produced in 1920 but by 1922, after facing financial difficulties, Lincoln was acquired by the Ford Motor Company. Edsel Ford took the helm and saw the need to upgrade the styling of the Lincoln product line. He enlisted the finest American coachbuilders to produce new stylish bodies for the company.

By 1930 Lincoln was well established as a premier luxury automobile manufacturer. They exhibited many special custom bodied cars at the major auto shows. Their popular L Series remained in production until 1930. The L series V-8 engine was upgraded in 1931 to the K Series and starting in 1934 all k's were powered with a 414 cubic-inch V12 engine producing 150 horsepower.

This car is body number 8 of 15 convertible roadsters built by LeBaron in 1937. It was originally sold in Long Island, NY and is believed to be one of only eight to survive. It was purchased by the current owner in 1964 for $600. Thirty-three years later, it started an eight year restoration.
Tourer
Coachwork: Willoughby
 
By 1937, sales of the Lincoln K, introduced in 1931, had dwindled as the era of big V12 and V16-powered luxury cars was coming to an end. However, Edsel Ford commissioned custom body builder Willoughby of New York to produce a large, 7-passenger open touring car for their most elite clientele. The result was a sleek 145 inch wheelbase, aluminum bodied phaeton with V-shaped windshield, geometric shaped side vent windows and hidden jump seats. Combined with Lincoln's new integrated, tear drop headlamps, the striking car sold for $5,500.

By 1937, open cars, such as this seven-passenger touring car, were being built in very small numbers. The public's taste had definitely switched to closed cars. And, a declining number of luxury automobiles were being sold as the depression deepened in the United States.

This Lincoln, which features a custom body by the Willoughby Body Co. of Utica, New York, was sold new to the state of California, to be used by its governor as a parade car.

For 1937 only 977 Lincoln Twelves were built and that number was spread over 21 different body styles. The lower-priced Lincoln-Zephyr was keeping the Lincoln name alive.

All Lincoln Twelves were built on the 145-inch wheelbase and were powered by Lincoln's 414 cubic-inch V12 that offered 150 horsepower. Price of this model was approximately $5,550, a hefty sum for 1937.
Becoming a vehicle that was known for luxury, the Lincoln underwent a total transformation in 1931. Re-powered, re-styled, and becoming lower-priced, this entire transformation was done under the censorship of Edsel Ford. The Lincoln Model K replaced the Model L, and only a total of forty five models were ever produced.

With an increased horsepower from 90 to 120, the newly added Stromberg carburetor increased the engine with 384.8 cubic inches. With a price significantly lower than any other Lincolns, the Model K 7-passenger Touring vehicle was used primarily as a limousine. Though at $4,400, the model K still cost ten times the amount of a Ford.

The largest updates were contained in the body style. The wheel base was now increased to 145 inches with a longer hood, and rounded bumpers which now gave it a low and sleek profile. Dual trumpet horns and large bowl-shaped head lights now gave the front a stunning look. Utilized mainly as a limousine, sales were less than half of what they were in the late 1920s due to the Depression.

A reflection of the earlier Ford Model K, the Lincoln K-series was a luxury vehicle line that was produced until 1942. A V12 became standard in 1933, while the original K-Series featured a 385 in³ (6.3 L) V8. The option of ordering a fully custom coachwork was available for customers.

Appearing on a new chassis in 1931, the original Model K had a 145 in (3683 mm) wheelbase. Available as a dual cowl model, factory bodies were a 2 or 4-door phaeton. A derivative of the earlier L-series 60° V8, the 384.8 in³ (6.3 L) engine had a dual downdraft Stromberg carburetors, altered timing upped power to 120 hp (89 kW), and higher compression.

Splitting into two lines in 1932, the Lincoln K-series featured the carryover Model KA and the new V12-powered Model KB. The engine output was pushed to 125 hp (93 kW) while the V8 car reverted to a 136 in (3454 mm) wheelbase. Producing 150 hp (112 kW), the KB featured the marque's new V12, 447.9 in³ (7.3 L) 65° L-head unit. These two new lines featured a new grille with less of a surround, and vent doors rather than vertical louvers on the sides of the hood. Both series also featured a parking light on top of each front fender and 18 inch wire wheels.

The Model KA V8 engine was replaced in 1933 with a new 381.7 in³ (6.3 L) V12. The large KB engine shared very few similarities with this new L-head engine. Only a few minor changes that were readily visible occurred on the 1933 K-series. The return of hood louvers and the deletion of the bar linking the headlights were by far the most obvious updates. The chassis was also revised, along with thermostatic shock absorbers and transmission.

In 1934, the V12 engines were replaced by a single 414 in³ (6.8 L) version of the updated model KA V12. The KA and KB nameplates now denoted the wheelbase only. For this year, the only styling updates included the replacement again of the louvers with doors on the side of the hood, and a body-colored grille surround.
For 1935, the Lincoln line was trimmed down considerable, as all vehicles where simply referred to as the Model K. Putting focus on the lofty over-$4,000 segment, the marque was attempting to improve profitability, though unfortunately limiting sales in the depression devastated US.

The following year, a more modern Lincoln Zephyr was debuted. Costing much less, the Model K's days were considerably numbered. However, despite its high $4700 price-tag, a 7-passenger Model K limousine was the marque's best-selling model for 1936. A new and improved raked windshield and pressed steel wheels were also part of this years update.

Continuing in production for the next five more years, the Model K unfortunately faced a decrease in sales in comparison to the more modern Zephyr and the new flagship Continental which became more appealing to buyers. Though production was mostly ended with the 1939 model year, one final Model K, the 1942 model was a one-off 'Sunshine Special' convertible limousine that was built especially for President Roosevelt.

By Jessica Donaldson
For more information and related vehicles, click here

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Arrow Right 1937 Lincoln models
Lincoln Zephyr

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Average Auction Sale: $91,622

 
Lincoln: 1931-1940
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