At the end of WWI, Henry Leland began building a new line of conservative but well-designed automobiles he called Lincoln after the first president for whom he voted. After struggling financially he sold the company to Ford in 1922 for $6.5 million.

The 1931 Lincoln Model K was produced for only one year before being replaced by the marque's Model L, made for almost 10 years, and Models KA and KB made from 1932 until 1939. It combined conservative 1920s design with emerging 1930s engineering. Both design and engineering were overseen by Edsel Ford who, at the time, was at odds with his father Henry over modernizing the company's vehicles.

The new Model K sported a 145-inch wheelbase, nine inches longer than the outgoing Model L. The innovative 'drop-frame' design of the chassis allowed for the body to be four inches lower for a sleeker look. The V-8 engine made 120 horsepower compared to the earlier model's 90 horsepower. Of course, competitors like Cadillac and Packard were presenting V-12 and V-16 engines at that time.