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 Dan Vaughan

Brougham by Brunn
Chassis number: K6702

Lincoln was one of the few luxury car builders that survived the Great Depression and continued in the years that followed in its wake. One of the major factors to their survival was the considerable resources of the Ford Motor Company, and Edsel Ford's strong interest in the line.

For 1936, all Lincolns, except for the new Zephyr, were grouped under the Model K and Series 300. The designs were similar to the previous year's model with slight improvements including a windshield with a 27-degree rake. The grille became rounder and given more prominent horizontal bars within the grille. The fenders became more streamlined and the headlights were lowered. The previous wire wheels were replaced with pressed steel disc-type giving them a more modern appearance.

This rare and beautiful classic K Model, Type 331 Brunn Brougham is number 20 of 20 built. It was built for a principal of Phillip Morris Co. The interior is mostly original with still working radio and intercom to the chauffer compartment. With black leather front and down filled tan broadcloth rear. When it was new, it cost $6,700 and weighed 5,570 pounds. The custom coachwork combines an open chauffeur's compartment with black leather upholstery and a closed passenger compartment with seating for up to five passengers. There are folding auxiliary seats, a concealed intercom, and folding footrests.

The exterior of this car is maroon accented by black fenders, a black padded top, and gold pin-striping. There are dual side-mounted spare tires with hard covers and side-view mirrors, a luggage rack, and body-colored steel artillery wheels riding on whitewall tires. There is an original working radio.

In 2009, this Model K Brougham with coachwork by Brunn & Co. was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was expected to sell for $65,000 - $100,000. As bidding came to a close the lot had been sold for the sum of $61,600 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Collapsible Convertible by Brunn

Brunn & Company of Buffalo, N.Y. was a favorite coachbuilder of Edsel Ford's. One of the body styles the company developed was the cabriolet, in collapsible and semi-collapsible style.

Mr. Ford was especially close to Hermann Brunn Jr. for whom this cabriolet was built. It was, in effect, the prototype for all subsequent cabriolets. Mr. Brunn enjoyed this car for several years before selling it.

The custom-built Brunn body styles among the most expensive offerings from Lincoln in 1936; the model shown here sold for nearly $7,000 new - about what one might pay for a fine house.

Convertible Victoria by Brunn
Chassis number: K6276
Engine number: K6276

The Lincoln Motor Company was in bankruptcy when Henry Ford purchased it from Henry Leland. This was a triumph for Ford since Leland led a group that had ousted Ford from the first Henry Ford Company and renamed the company Cadillac. Edsel Ford took a personal interest in the company and introduced several stylish models.

Despite a deepening economic depression in the United States the Lincoln Motor Company continued to design and build outstanding luxury automobiles. One of the company's most handsome designs was the convertible Victoria, designed and built by Brunn of Buffalo, New York. Ten were built in 1936.

Lincolns were available on two wheelbases for 1936 - 136 and 145 inches. All were powered by Lincoln's own 414 cubic-inch twelve cylinder motor that developed 150 horsepower.

Interestingly, the Lincoln-Zephyr was introduced in 1936, as a more affordable alternative to the expensive 'senior' Lincoln. It was a sales success. In 1936 only 1,515 'big Lincolns' were sold. By 1940 it was gone, replaced by the Lincoln-Zephyr.

Bodies for the various configurations were supplied by different suppliers and Edsel preferred specific types from specific vendors. The body for the convertible Victoria was supplied by Brunn & Co. of Buffalo, New York. The 1936 version was the first year for pontoon style fenders. In keeping with the streamlining styling which was popular, the car also features a 27-degree raked windshield, lowered headlights and a lower profile roof.

This Lincoln was custom ordered by Mr. H.F. Johnson of the Johnson & Johnson Co. The body was made from white ash and paneled in aluminum with steel front cowl and a brass windshield. It is the fifth body of ten produced and is one of three known to still exist.

A complete restoration was recently completed on this Convertible Victoria.

Convertible Sedan Phaeton by LeBaron
Chassis number: K6205

The Lincoln Model K was offered from 1935 through 1940 and wore bodies produced by factory craftsmen and custom coachbuilders. The custom bodies were called 'semi-customs' as they were ordered in small series and finished with trim and paint at the Lincoln factory when a buyer placed an order.

This particular example is one of 30 semi-custom convertible sedans built by LeBaron on the Model K chassis in 1936. It is believed to have been originally sold in Pasadena, California and purchased by the Wrigley family. The car remained in the Pasadena area for the next seven decades. Many of those years, the car resided in the Art Astor collection from which the Lincoln was sold in 2008.

This Lincoln has been sympathetically restored, including a cosmetic restoration with new black paint, top, and chrome. It had new upholstery on the front seats while the rear seats remain in original condition.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by LeBaron

LeBaron produced 25 examples of the two-passenger coupe on the Model K chassis for 1936. Powered by a 414-cubic-inch V-12 engine, the LeBaron Coupe offered its owners the ultimate in intimate luxury transportation.

This car was rescued from a junkyard and given a restoration. It has won numerous concours awards and represented the year 1936 at the centennial celebrations of the Ford Motor Company.

This was one of the first cars restored by the Canton Classic Automobile Museum founder Marshall Belden. He used the car on his honeymoon and as a daily driver in his oil exploration efforts.

by Canton Classic Car Museum

Convertible Roadster by LeBaron
Chassis number: K6876

The Lincoln Model K was one of the most exclusive, luxury vehicles of its time, produced by the Lincoln Motor Company from 1931-1940. It competed with the Cadillac V-12 and V-16, the Packard Twin Six, the Chrysler Imperial, the Duesenberg Model J, and the Pierce-Arrow Model 53. All were sought-after by the rich and famous and seen in the toniest of locales such as Hollywood. The Lincoln, like others, was produced in several body configurations as well as a bare chassis. Power is from a 6.8-liter Lincoln L-head V-12 engine through a 3-speed manual transmission. In 1936, coachbuilder LeBaron, Inc. was a subsidiary of Briggs Manufacturing, operating in Detroit.

This Lincoln, the 14th of 20 LeBaron bodied convertibles, was purchased new by Hollywood dancer Sally Rand. Several decades later, the roadster was still in Los Angeles and still completely intact, including leather interior and top, but in need of much loving care. Hilyard Barr purchased it there in 1972 and eventually sent it to the Murray Motor Car Company to be restored. It has since received several awards and accolades at the CCCA Grand Classic and the AACA Western Regional meet.

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