1936 Lincoln Model K Series 300

The Great Depression of the 1930s stripped away much of the luxury car segment as many could no longer afford such luxuries as expensive coachbuilt motor cars. Those who could often found it inappropriate to flaunt their wealth in the faces of the less fortunate. As a result, many great automakers were forced out of business. Lincoln was one of the few that survived, mostly due to the support of the Ford Motor Company and Edsel Ford's strong interest in the line.

The Lincoln Model K was offered between 1935 and 1939 and fitted with an exclusive line of body styles equipped with an updated twelve-cylinder engine. The custom bodies were called 'semi-customs,' as they were offered in small numbers and finished with trim and paint at the Lincoln factory. The 136- and 145-inch wheelbase platforms were powered by a 67-degree, L-head, 414 cubic-inch V-12 engine with four main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, a Stromberg downdraft two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,800 RPM.

With the exception of the Zephyr, all 1936 Lincolns were Model Ks and were visually similar to the previous year's model, with minor cosmetic changes to freshen up the line. Those updates included a 27-degree sloping windshield versus the previous model's 20-degree slope, rounder fender with smoother edges, and more prominent horizontal bars in the grille. The prior wire wheels were replaced with pressed steel with larger hubcaps, and the headlights were lowered.

The few mechanical changes for 1936 included dual windshield wiper motors, five engine mounts as opposed to four, and the use of helical gears in the three-speed sliding gear transmission. Braking was handled by Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical brakes on all wheels.

Coachwork
Along with the factory bodies, coachwork was provided by Brunn, LeBaron, Willoughby, and Judkins. Edsel Ford preferred the coachbuilders to specialize in a certain types of bodies. Thus, Brunn specialized in convertibles and town cars (dual cowl phaetons, victorias, soft-top broughams, and cabriolets). LeBaron specialized in the convertible sedans, Willoughby the limousines, and Judkins was assigned coupes and berlines.

The Brunn & Company of Buffalo, New York had begun its association with Lincoln prior to Henry Ford's acquisition of the ailing Lincoln Motor Company, in the era of founder Henry Leland. After Ford acquired Lincoln, Edsel Ford and Hermann A. Brunn hit it off very well, and designs from Buffalo continued to grace the Lincolns.
During its peak years, Brunn & Company produced approximately 20 bodies per month from its staff of 150 craftsmen, with most used to cloth Lincoln automobiles. Hoping to continue the legacy of the company and expand its offerings, Brunn sent his only son, Hermann C. Brunn, to Paris to apprentice with Kellner. A year later, Hermann returned with a wealth of knowledge and new-found creativity which were applied to the Lincoln line.

The Willoughby company of Utica, New York built custom bodies in small production runs with conservative styling, fine quality upholstery, and high price tags. By the mid-1920s, the limited production runs were dropped and output was restricted to custom bodies. The company remained in business during the 1930s by supplying bodies to Lincoln before closing its doors in 1938.

The history of the John B. Judkins Company of West Amesbury, Massachusetts company dates to 1857, and their first automobile in the 1890s. They built coupes and berlines for Lincolns during the 1920s and 1930s, adding trailers to their product line in the 1930s. The final coachbuilt body was created in 1938 and the trailer production ceased in 1941 as the company entered liquidation.

Production
The 1936 Lincoln Model K offered a vast array of body styles with prices that ranged from $4,200 to the mid-$5,000s. 1,515 examples were built in 1936, a slight increase from the prior year's 1,411. The Model K had been the only model in the 1935 Lincoln lineup, but the 1936 Model K was joined by a new model called the Zephyr, offered as a two- or four-door sedan with prices that ranged from $1,275 to $1,320. If had unibody construction and a 267.3 cubic-inch V12 engine that offered 110 horsepower at 3,900 RPM. While Chrysler's attempt at offering an aerodynamic lineup had failed, Lincoln's attempt with the Zephyr was very successful and the teardrop styling was revolutionary. Nearly 15,000 examples of the Zephyr were produced in its inaugural year, with sales doubling a year later.
The immense popularity of the Zephyr provided the Lincoln marque with financial stability while the range-topping Model K remained an exclusive Paragon in the luxury car segment.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2020