1934 Lincoln Model KB Series 271

Until the acquisition of Henry Leyland's Lincoln Motor Company, Ford was a one-model brand. Adding Lincoln to its portfolio in 1922 for eight million dollars opened the door into the potentially higher profit sales of luxury models. At this point in history, the Lincoln Motor Company was still in its infancy but had developed a reputation for its fine engineering. Slow sales and a lack of profitability were attributed to its stodgy and conservative styling, a problem that was soon rectified by Henry Ford's son Edsel. By 1928, Lincoln styling would closely resemble the recently introduced Model A, and following another major revamp of the Ford brand for 1932, Lincoln would receive a similar redesign. Ford and Lincoln would continue to share stylistic features and mechanical components throughout the years.

Cadillac had rocked the luxury car segment in the late 1920s/early 1930s with the introduction of its V16 and V12 models. Cadillac's V12 was a 45-degree overhead valve unit of 368 cubic-inches delivering 135. Lincoln responded in 19323 with the introduction of a V12 of its own but selected a 65-degree L-head design and a 447.9 cubic-inch displacement. It was a very large engine with a cast-iron block, seven main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and a Stromberg DD downdraft two-barrel carburetor. The engine offered 150 horsepower at 3,400 RPM and 292 lb-ft of torque at 1,200 RPM. It was backed by a sliding gear three-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls and a double dry disc clutch. Braking power was provided by Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical brakes on all four wheels.

The 1932 Lincoln model lineup consisted of the Model KA resting on a 136-inch wheelbase and powered by an eight-cylinder engine with 125 horsepower. The Model KB had a 145-inch wheelbase and powered by the new V12 engine rated at 150 horsepower. Initially, the V-12 used a 'fork and blade' design of the Leyland designed V-8, but in 1933, a new smaller V12 joined the 447.9 CID V12. This new engine displaced 382 cubic-inches and abandoned the hallmark fork-and-blade rods. It had four main bearings, mechanical valve lifters, and delivered 125 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. The eight-cylinder engine was no longer offered.

The 1933 KBs were powered by the 447.9 CID engine installed in a new cruciform double-drop chassis frame. Lincoln continued to use the Model KA and KB through 1934, and in 1935 it was consolidated into the Model K being powered by a 414 V12 engine. The 1934 Model KA continued to represent the 136-inch chassis with the Model KB using a longer 145-inch platform. Powering both models was a new 414 CID version of the former KA powerplant, but with aluminum cylinder heads, an engine oil cooler, and 6.28:1 compression. It used a Stromberg downdraft two-barrel carburetor and delivered 150 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. The engine was less complex than earlier models while providing similar horsepower and greater torque. The brakes were revised with a two-shoe servo-type function with molded linings resulting in more efficient stopping power with softer pedal pressure.

Lincoln offered twenty-six different body styles, both factory and semi-custom. Ten factory body styles were offered on the 136-inch KA and the remainder - including the semi-customs - on the Model KB. Edsel Ford had developed relationships with several prominent coachbuilders of the day including Willoughby, Brunn, LeBaron, and Locke. Small batches of these semi-customs were ordered by Lincoln, helping to expedite development, lower prices, and minimize the time it took to fulfill customer's orders. Finished to the specifications of each individual customer order, these bodies had custom quality, style, and individuality, at a price somewhat lower than a 'full custom' body.

1934 Lincoln styling was similar to the previous year, with minor changes that included smaller headlamps, body-colored radiator shells, and new cooling shutters on the hood replacing the prior louvered treatment.

Prices on the Model KA ranged from $3,250 to $3,900. The Model KB prices began in the low-$4,000s and rose to nearly $7,000s. Lincoln produced 2,411 vehicles in 1934 with 1,671 of those being the Model KA and 740 of the Model KB.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020