1941 Lincoln Custom Twelve

Lincoln discontinued the Model K for the 1940 Model year. Though the Zephyr had been very popular since its introduction in 1936, the absence of the Model K was a void in the luxury automaker's catalog. The Continental coupe and convertible were able to fill some of that loss, but there was no true luxury car in the lineup. Lincoln responded by introducing the Custom Twelve which had a wheelbase 13 inches longer than any other Lincolns at the time. It was a proper luxury automobile with a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for up to eight passengers. It had a bustle trunk in the back, a Continental hood ornament, and Zephyr club coupe front doors. There were industry's first power front seat, power hydraulic window lifts, and a folding center armrest in the rear. The Custom sedan was a three-window type with an open passenger compartment. The Custom limousine was equipped with a division partition with a power-operated window.

Lincoln offered just one engine across its lineup for 1941. All Lincoln models were powered by a 75-degree, L-head, V-12 that displaced 292 cubic-inches and produced 120 horsepower. It was mated to a three-speed sliding gear transmission with column shift controls. Braking was provided by internal expanding Bendix Hydraulic brakes at all four corners.

The Lincoln Custom Twelve obtained a level of luxury and exclusivity known to elite automobiles. Just 355 examples of the sedan and 295 examples of the limousine were produced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011