1938 Lincoln Model K Coupe

This Lincoln K carries the last of the 12 LeBaron Coupes built in 1938. Four more were built in 1939, for a total of 16, and then they were at an end. A LeBaron Coupe could be had no more. The beautiful headlamps in the fenders, the low roof and windshield, and the lack of chrome trim on this example make the lovely design of the car even more pronounced. It is one of the largest coupes that could be had and it rests on a long chassis. Production of the great Model K was drawing to a conclusion; the last few Ks would be built in 1939 and sold as 1940 models. The new Zephyr had been introduced and the Continental would arrive soon. Coachbuilding, too, particularly in the U.S., was on the decline. Tastes were changing, and although the world was exiting the Great Depression, it was on the cusp of another great war.

The Model K was introduced in 1930 and continuously updated over the years. In 1938 the windshield was given a more rakish profile. The headlights were integrated into the fenders rather than set alongside the grille, and the fenders were better integrated with the body.

This particular example wears a Coupe body with custom coachwork by LeBaron. Power is from a 414 cubic-inch L-Head v-12 engine offering 150 horsepower and mated to a three-speed manual transmission. Its wheelbase measures 136 inches and there are four-wheel Vacuum-Assisted Mechanical drum brakes. Vacuum booster had been introduced on Model K cars in 1937.

The LeBaron Carrosserie Company was established in 1920 in New York. In 1926 it was acquired by Walter O. Briggs and operated as a subsidiary of his Briggs Manufacturing Company thereafter. Though LeBaron's New York office and Bridgeport, Connecticut body plant remained in operation through 1930, the entire LeBaron operation was located in Detroit from the end of that year until the Briggs family sold the company to Chrysler in 1953.

This two-seat hardtop has a cockpit that is set slightly rearward between the two axles. It has a long hood used to conceal the V-12 engine. The roofline is low and covered in matte black cloth. The entire exterior of the body is finished in gloss black paint. In the back is a trunk rather than a rumble seat. The grille, bumpers, and headlight surrounds have chrome plating.

The car has matching engine number K9314, and body number 12, making it the final of 12 LeBaron Coupes built. Upon completion, the car was assigned to Lincoln's New York sales office. The early ownership history is not known. It was reportedly purchased by King Hussein of Jordan and added to the Royal Museum in Amman, Jordan. After the King's death in 1999, his daughter, Princess Alia, gave the car to Mr. Said Abd Alkareem Rasheed Mohamed Rasheed on December 18th of 2002. The LeBaron Coupe was registered to him in 2004.

The Paul and Chris Andrews Collection of Fort Worth, Texas purchased the car a few years later. There the car received engine work, and much of its exterior chrome was replated.

In 2015, the car was sold by the Andrews Collection along with 77 other cars.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018