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1938 Lincoln Model K

The 1938 Lincoln model lineup consisted of the streamlined, unibody Zephyr and the more conservative body-on-frame Model K. The Model K had a more traditional appearance and had been updated continuously since its 1930 introduction. By 1938, the headlights had been integrated into the fenders rather than set alongside the grille, and the fenders became better integrated with the body. The windshield had a more rakish profile thanks to its new V-shaped glass introduced in 1937. 1938 improvements included changes to the grille which now had 18 rather than 30 horizontal bars. The engine louvers were also revised since the thermostatically controlled hood shutters had been eliminated. Thirteen catalog bodies were offered and the standard sedan models all had built-in trunks.

Powering the Model K was an L-head twelve-cylinder engine with a 414 cubic-inch displacement and 150 horsepower. The three-speed sliding gear transmission had floor shift controls and, for 1938, received improvements to its synchromesh. Improvements to the Bendix Duo-Servo mechanical brakes were made which improved its resistance to fading. Vacuum boosters had been introduced on the Model K cars in 1937.

For 1938, Lincoln produced 19,751 examples of the Lincoln-Zephyr and 416 examples of its Model K. The Model K and Zephyr would return in 1939, but in 1940, only the Zephyr remained, joined by a longer and lower version called the Continental. Lincoln would continue to employ twelve-cylinder engines through 1948, returning to V8 power in 1949.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet Limousine by Brunn

Henry Martin Leland is inextricably linked as the brilliant engineer who not only founded Cadillac, but was also responsible for many innovations during his tenure. He was 74 years old when he quit General Motors after a quarrel with Billy Durant. Following his departure, Leland set up a company to produce Liberty aircraft engines receiving a $10 million advance contract. As the war ended, Leland was beset with a huge factory, 6,000 employees, and mounting debt. Building an automobile was what he knew best, and that's what he did. Within three hours of announcing his new automobile, Leland had raised $6.5 million in stock. The automobile was named Lincoln, in honor of the first president for whom Leland had voted. After 17 months, just 3,400 had been sold and Leland's board of directors acted quickly to stem the red ink. On February 4th of 1922, Ford Motor Company bought the Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million. Leland departed just four months later.

By 1938, the luxury automobile market was disappearing. Lincoln was one of the last companies building these cars and in 1938 with total sales of only 416 cars, the company offered 19 different body styles, including 13 different custom bodies - more than any other American luxury car builder.

Lincoln had recognized the decline of the luxury car market by introduced its medium-priced Lincoln-Zephyr in 1936. An immediate hit, nearly 20,000 were sold in 1938.

Thanks to Edsel Ford's personal interest in the marque, Lincoln was a rare survivor of the Great Depression. This long wheelbase Model K Seven Passenger chassis carries a 3-window semi-collapsible cabriolet body custom built for Elizabeth Cates of Ohio. Mrs. Cates ordered the Brunn body with an enclosed roof for the chauffeur and extra headroom to accommodate her husband's tall silk hat. It was given numerous special touches dictated by Mrs. Charles H. Cates of Youngstown, Ohio. The list includes the extra-tall town car body to accommodate Mr. Cates' top hat, along with a solid roof over the chauffer's compartment so that Leonard Prather, her chauffer of 30 years, was protected. She requested black medallions on the wheel covers in lieu of the normal blue cloisonne, and key locks in the hood to prevent intrusion into the engine compartment. The car remains in nearly original condition with just 30,000 miles on the odometer.

Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

By 1938 sales of 'big' Lincolns had slowed significantly; only 416 (or 414) cars were sold that year - spread among 20 (or 21) body styles from the factory as well as 17 custom bodied cars - more than any U.S. Company.

This is one of only 15 LeBaron convertible sedans sold by Lincoln in 1938. Most significantly, this car is unrestored, with just over 39,000 original miles showing!

Most of the LeBaron convertible sedans were built on Lincoln's long, 145-inch wheelbase chassis, with a division window. Price new was $6,000.

Power was supplied by Lincoln's venerable 414 cubic-inch V-12 that developed 150 horsepower.

Convertible Victoria by Brunn

On February 4th of 1922, Ford Motor Company bought the Lincoln Motor Co. for $8 million. Henry Ford put his son Edsel in control of the new luxury division. Edsel's innate sense of style combined with the brilliant engineering of Lincoln would prove a successful marriage. Under Edsel's direction, the marque continued to grow and prosper as well as gain status in the marketplace, as did Lincoln's image as one of America's leading luxury automobiles. Unlike his mechanically-minded father, Edsel was a man of sophisticated taste with a keen eye for design and classic good looks.

As the end of the 1930s approached, however, demand for huge, opulent, coachbuillt luxury cars was all but gone - less than 450 V-12 Lincolns were produced for 1938 and just eight were convertible victorias from Brunn & Co. in Buffalo, New York.

This pre-war Lincoln is one of only two in existence from a total production of eight cars. It features a custom aluminum body by Brunn Coachworks of Buffalo, New York. After discovering the car stored in a barn, the last private owner spent thirteen years collecting parts before undertaking a complete restoration. It is the winner of numerous AACA awards and a prestigious 'Most Elegant Pre-1940 Open Automobile' at the 1996 Concours D' Elegance of the Eastern United States.

This Lincoln was donated to the AACA museum by past AACA President Jim Raines.

Convertible Victoria by Brunn
Chassis number: K9002
Engine number: K9002

The chassis for this custom-bodied Lincoln was built to special order for Walter Weiss of the Sterling Drug Company. The Model K chassis was completed on October 11th, 1937, then delivered by ship to Brunni n Buffalo one month later. Brunn built a lovely Convertible Victoria body on the long wheelbase chassis, which is 145 inches long - 9 inches longer than standard. With the extended wheelbase, the two doors are nearly five feet long! Custom details, such as the teardrop-shaped running boards, rear wheel skirts, and V windshield, accent Brunn's design. other features include chrome covers for the window slots, a folding rear armrest, radio, heater, and beautiful interior woodwork. The car was later owned by Ernest Stern, Don Williams, Joe Hayes, Roger Willbanks, and Hyman Ltd. The current caretakers have owned the car since 2011.

Brougham by Brunn

Brunn & Company of Buffalo, NY was probably Edsel Ford's favorite custom coachbuilder. The company began designing and building bodies for the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922. Ford Motor Company acquired Lincoln that same year.

This Lincoln brougham was used by Edsel and Eleanor Ford for formal outings both in Detroit as well as other cities. It was not uncommon for Mr. Ford to have his cars shipped or, in some cases, kept in another city, available when he visited.

The Brunn type 411 brougham body style was one of the most expensive models in the 1938 Lincoln catalogue, selling for $7,000, enough to buy a very nice house in most American cities.

Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

The original owner of this Lincoln LeBaron felt he wanted something special in his convertible sedan. He enlisted Holden Koto, Alex Tremulius and Ralph Roberts (all automotive design industry greats) to blend features of their own to make this a truly one-of-a-kind, forward-looking design.

By the end of the 1930s, James H. Knox, who was a Lincoln dealer in Buffalo, New York, felt that the bodies being offered for the marque were a bit tired. So he invited LeBaron to work with him to develop a much more modern-looking Model K - and this one-off Convertible Sedan was the result. The front ensemble, which Knox himself penned, was taken in part from production studies for the original Lincoln Zephyr. The tall, narrow grille, in turn, might have inspired a similar nose that appears on the 1939-1940 LaSalle. The fenders were basically those of a 1938 Zephyr, but the rear fenders had a subtle kick up at their tailing edge and were skirted. The stretched hood and grille were entirely new. Additional custom details included a luscious wooden divider/bar and service cabinet, with insulated storage for wine bottles.

The car is powered by a 4.38 liter, water-cooled, side valve, V-12 engine developing 110 horsepower, coupled to a three-speed sliding gear transmission. It has a top speed of 90 mph.

The current owner acquired this K-12 LBaron Five Passenger Convertible Sedan in 2004, and it then underwent a two-year restoration process, which Stone Barn completed in 2006.

Tourer Cabriolet by Brunn

A strong friendship between Edsel Ford and Hermann A. Brunn led to a relationship between Lincoln and Brunn & Co. that spanned two decades. This Touring Cabriolet on a Lincoln K chassis features one of the later efforts from the coachbuilder - one in which the younger Hermann C. Brunn was involved.

Convertible Victoria by Brunn
Chassis number: K9139
Engine number: K9139

Edsel Ford preferred that his coachbuilders and suppliers specialize in certain types of bodies. Judkins was tasked with creating berlines and coupes. Willoughby created the limousines and LeBaron created convertible sedans. Brunn & Co. of Buffalo, New York specialized in town cars and convertibles, such as soft-top broughams, cabriolets, victorias and dual-cowl phaetons.

From 1933, Brunn built Convertible Victorias with blind rear quarters on the Lincoln chassis. This style had been a staple of Waterhouse, the Webster, Massachusetts coachbuilder, but when Waterhouse foundered in 1932, Edsel Ford worked aggressively to keep the body style alive. The result was the acquisition of Waterhouse design rights by Brunn and the continuation of the style through 1937.

This Convertible Victoria was built by Brunn in late 1937. It was ordered by Walter E. Weiss of the Pittsburgh-based Sterling Drug chain. It was to rest on the 145-inch chassis and featured a vee windshield and retractable rear quarter glass. For 1937, there was no other automaker - except Hudson - who offered convertible coupes with rear quarter windows.

Lincoln built just eight convertible Victoria's built. It is painted Washington Blue and upholstered in dark saddle leather and has a tan Haartz canvas top. It was built without side-mounts, with the spare being kept in the enclosed trunk. Current mileage stands at about 54,000.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Hershey Auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $160,000 - $200,000. As bidding came to a close, the vehicle had been sold for the sum of $203,500 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Victoria by Brunn

Edsel Ford preferred that his coachbuilders specialize in certain body types. Judkins created berlines and coupes. Willoughby crafted limousines and LeBaron created convertible sedans. Brunn & Co. of Buffalo, specialized in soft-top broughams, town cars, convertibles, cabriolets, Victorias and dual-cowl phaetons.

From 1933, Brunn built convertible Victorias with blind rear quarters on the Lincoln chassis. This style was a staple of Waterhouse, but when they floundered in 1932, Edsel Ford worked aggressively to keep the body style alive. Brunn acquired the Waterhouse design rights and continued the style through 1937.

This car is powered by a side-valve, 414 cubic-inch, V12 engine, developing 150 horsepower, coupled to a three-speed manual transmission. The 5,801 pound car is capable of an estimated 87 miles-per-hour.

Touring Coupe by Judkins

This one-off design by Judkins Coachbuilders was inspired by the 1938 Delage displayed in the French pavilion at the World's Fair. The novel window treatment was inspired by the Delage D8 120 Aerodynamic Coupe built by Letourneur et Marchand in Paris. As with all Judkins designs, the full-size backseat area was lavishly appointed and upholstered in Bedford cord despite the fact that the car has just two doors.

This was the personal car of Mr. J.B. Judkins. Its 136-inch wheelbase allowed increased leg room and massive, rear hinged doors that give access to both the front and rear seats. The swept back pillarless windows give an unobstructed view from the rear seat.

The chassis arrived in Merrimac, Mass. on April 14th of 1938. It was termed 'Touring Coupe' because it was open like a touring car but with a fixed roof and only two doors. It is believed to be the first 'hard top convertible.' It is powered by a V-type 12-cylinder engine of 414 cubic-inches providing 150 horsepower. The original sale price was $7,000.

Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

This example is one of fifteen coachbuilt Lincoln LeBaron convertibles made in 1938 and one of only eight known to exist. It rolled out of the factory November 11, 1937. It was bought 'out of a barn' from the estate of the second owner in 2008 and the restoration was finished in 2015. It is powered by a side-valve 412 cubic-inch V12 developing 178 horsepower coupled to a 3-speed manual transmission. Top speed is estimated at 87 mph.

Coupe by LeBaron
Chassis number: K9314
Engine number: K9314

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe by LeBaron
Chassis number: K9314
Engine number: K9314

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.

Convertible Victoria by Brunn
Chassis number: K9002
Engine number: K9002

In 1898, Hermann A. Brunn was apprenticing in his uncle's carriage work shop. Later, he spent a few years working at the New Haven Carriage Company and at H.H. Babcock at Watertown, New York. He established Bunn & Co. in his hometown of Buffalo, New York in 1908. The company specialized in automobile bodies.

The Lincoln range of automobiles was introduced in 1920. They were immediately praised for their high quality and engineering. Their appearance, however, did not receive the same rave reviews. Brunn was later tasked as a design consultant for the Lincoln automobiles. A deal was later arranged for twelve new body styles.

When Ford took over Lincoln, Brunn and Edsel Ford hit it off, and the designs from the Buffalo-based company continued. The small orders were built at Brunn's workshops, while the larger quantities were shopped out to Detroit-area companies.

At Brunn's peak, 150 craftsmen were employed and the company averaged 20 bodies per month, with most going to Lincoln. Herman A. Brunn son, Herman C. Brunn, was sent to Paris to apprentice with Kellner. The young Brunn would return a year later and join his father's business.

This 1938 Lincoln Model K Convertible Victoria with coachwork by Brunn is a concours-winning example with its original coachwork. This was the third example built for the 1938 model year. It was shipped by boat to Buffalo on October 11 of 1937. It was delivered to the workshop a month later. It has been in the collection of several prominent east coast collections until the late 1970s when it was acquired by Ernest Stern of Pittsburgh. While in his care, the car was treated to a complete restoration. It would remain in his care until his death in 1996. It was then sold to Don Williams of the Blackhawk Collection, who would later sell it to Chicago Collector Joe Hayes in 1998. The current owner, an individual from Colorado, purchased the car in 2000.

The car is finished in Cambridge Blue and has been well maintained over the years. It was shown at Pebble Beach in 2003 and earned a First in Class at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Concours d'Elegance at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

In 2008, this Convertible Victoria was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $350,000 - $450,000 and carried a reserve. A high bid of 192,500 including buyer's premium was enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. The lot was sold.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Victoria by Brunn
Chassis number: K9224

This 1938 Lincoln Model K wears a two-door, five-passenger Convertible Victoria body by Brunn. This was one of the catalogued semi-custom offerings for 1938 on the 136-inch wheelbase Lincoln Model K chassis and just eight examples were built. This particular example was given a recent restoration and finished in deep burgundy over saddle leather upholstery. There is a tan fabric soft top, a leaping greyhound ornament, and dual side-mount spare tires with covers. The interior has a burgundy dash with a wide, angular speedometer flanked by a clock and multigauge. Options include a heater, radio, and cigar lighter.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

The Lincoln K-Series was produced between 1930 and 1940. This particular convertible sedan with coachwork by LeBaron is one of fifteen examples produced. The original cost was $5,800. This fully restored example won its class at the Cincinnati Concours d'Elegance in 2021. Power is from a 414 cubic-inch V-12 engine delivering 150 horsepower.

Becoming a vehicle that was known for luxury, 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 wheelbase 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 headlights 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 were 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 the 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 year's 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 Jessican Donaldson