Vehicle Description
Chassis No. K7604
Engine No. K7604
American engineer Henry M. Leland was a transformative figure in
the burgeoning Detroit automotive industry, founding Cadillac in
1902 and remaining with the company until leaving to form Lincoln
Motor Company in 1917. Initially known for the sophisticated
Liberty V12 aircraft engine, Lincoln shifted to luxury automobiles
but struggled post-World War I, leading to its sale to Henry Ford
in 1922, who promptly appointed his son Edsel to lead the division.
Fortunately, Edsel Ford shared Leland's vision of offering richly
appointed, custom-built vehicles, cementing Lincoln as one of the
top American luxury marques with the first new Lincoln under Ford
ownership, the 1931 Lincoln Model K.
Initially available in two series, KA and KB, the Model K line was
consolidated by 1935 to a single variant powered by the firm's
flagship "L-head" V12 engine. Edsel spared no expense in delivering
some of the most luxurious motorcars on the market, offering a
breadth of custom bodies all in excess of $4,000 - significantly
more expensive than the V12 Cadillacs and Packards of the era. No
less than 21 unique body styles were available from various noted
coachbuilders in 1937, including the beautiful two-passenger Coupe
by LeBaron presented here.
Beautifully proportioned with a low roofline, long hood, sloping
rear deck, and sitting atop a short 136-inch wheelbase chassis,
this particular LeBaron Coupe is one of a mere 24 constructed in
1937 with fewer than ten known to survive today. The Coupe's
"chopped" hot-rod-esque appearance was designed under the direction
of Edsel Ford himself, who mandated that the streamlined, Art Deco
teardrop design was not interrupted by belt moldings or
side-mounted spares. According to prominent collector Dave Kane,
this rare example, chassis number K7604, was discovered some years
ago tucked away in the back of a body shop. Owing to the car's
remarkable originality, including its matching numbers engine block
stamped K7604 (the bell housing is stamped K8724, indicating it
could have come from another Model K from the era), and its
odometer showing just over 51,000 miles - believed by Kane to be
the original mileage - the decision was taken to conduct a
concours-quality restoration to its factory specifications. This
included renewing the Lincoln in its elegant original finish of
Canal Grey with Vermillion pinstriping and a black leather-trimmed
top. Inside, the beautifully crafted Art Deco interior was trimmed
with grey broadcloth upholstery and adorned with wood accents.
In 2014, then under the care of well-known Lincoln collector Tom
Brace of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, the freshly restored Coupe was
awarded the revered Lincoln Trophy - which accompanies the car - at
that year's Mid-America National Meet. Also while in Brace's
ownership, the car was shown at the 2017 Cobble Beach Concours
d'Elegance as well as the 2018 Mid-America National Meet where it
received the Elliston H. Bell Founder's Trophy for the most
outstanding Senior Lincoln. After years of persuasion, Brace sold
the award-winning Coupe to Dave Kane, who immediately continued the
car's success on the concours circuit by showing it at the 2021
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, receiving The Ford Motor
Company/E.T. "Bob" Gregorie Trophy for Enduring Design
Excellence.
Offered from a prominent Southern California-based collection of
American classics, this outstanding classic coachbuilt Lincoln is
presented in beautiful overall condition and would undoubtedly
continue to excel at the most exclusive concours events in the
world under new ownership.
