Vehicle Description
Lincoln Motor Car Company's flagship model in the 1930s was the
prestigious Model K. When introduced in 1931, Lincoln was under the
full control of the Ford Motor Company, as Henry Leland had been
pushed out by a revenge-seeking Henry Ford. Henry put his son Edsel
in charge and almost immediately, Lincoln enjoyed a turnaround. The
flagship Model K hit the showrooms in 1931 powered by an L-head V8
engine. Power was more than adequate but with ever increasing
pressure to build multi-cylinder engines such as the V12 and V16,
Ford swiftly responded with the addition of the V12 Model KB in
1932, followed by the smaller displacement KA. The early years of
the Great Depression meant that sales were slim, but the V12
remained the signature of the K-series through 1939. The biggest
change coming in 1934 when the two available sizes of V12 engines
were combined into one singular 414 cubic inch unit. Most of
America's luxury car manufacturers had added entry level lines to
boost the bottom line during the Great Depression. Packard had the
Junior series, Cadillac offered LaSalle and, while late to the
game, Ford introduced the Zephyr range to bridge the gap between
top line Fords and the prestigious Model K in 1936. The new Zephyr
was also powered by a V12 engine, and was surely stealing sales
from its older sibling, but Lincoln continued to offer the Model K
for high end buyers, who now had 17 different custom body styles to
select from. For the 1936 K-series (the KA and KB monikers had been
dropped), styling was tweaked with a raked windscreen, revised
radiator grille and optional stamped steel wheels. On the
mechanical side, the 414 cubic inch flathead V-12 engine was
updated with hydraulic lifters and a revised cam shaft and placed
further forward in the chassis sitting to allow for more passenger
room. The resulting car was elegant and understated, yet it still
had an imposing presence that demanded attention. This 1936 Lincoln
K wears a rare and desirable Convertible Sedan body from the
Lincoln catalog, fitted to the 136-inch wheelbase chassis. It wears
an older restoration that has held up very well, although it is
showing its age in a few places. The body is in very nice
condition, with straight panels and good fitment of the doors and
hood. Paint quality is good, though some small touchups have been
made here and there. The colors are indeed a bit unconventional,
but the body style itself is quite attractive, with its sloping
rear trunk, low roof line, and curvaceous front fenders with
dual-sidemount spares. The spare wheels are housed within metal
covers that are topped with side-view mirrors. A greyhound mascot
adorns the radiator grill, while out back a trunk rack supplements
the integrated trunk in the body. Chrome bumpers are in quite good
condition, and the painted wire wheels are adorned with chrome
center caps and wide whitewall tires. Doors open with a satisfying
quality to reveal the brown leather interior which, while older,
remains supple and clean. The seats and carpets are in good
condition front and rear, exhibiting signs of use but not
excessively worn. Instruments appear to be in original condition,
along with much of the switchgear. A later turn signal switch has
been added for safety. Interior fittings are in good condition and
the chrome on the window winders, door handles and other areas
remains very presentable. In the rear, a robe rail is affixed to
the back of the front seat, and again, the leather is in good
presentable condition. The tan canvas convertible top is piped in
brown to complement the interior, there is a small repair on the
top, but it remains attractive and serviceable. The engine
compartment, while not concours, is clean and nicely detailed, the
big 414 cubic inch flathead V12 engine starts easily and runs very
well, with the signature smooth, virtually silent idle that defines
these 1930s multi-cylinder engines. Very few of these open cars
were originally sold, since in 1936, a Model K 7-passenger
Limousine cost a rather steep $4,700. This more complex Convertible
Sedan would have come in above that. Given the competition from
within by the Zephyr, it is no wonder that sales of the K were
limited. This 1936 Lincoln K features rare and desirable coachwork,
and is a very enjoyable car for CCCA CARavans, local shows, or
Sunday drives.