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40-796: One of the most exclusive vehicles produced in the United States during the 1930s, the Model K competed domestically against the Cadillac V-12 and V-16 , Packard Twin Six , Chrysler Imperial , Pierce-Arrow Model 53 and the Duesenberg Model J , as well as bespoke bodied ultra-luxury models from Hispano-Suiza , Rolls-Royce , Bentley , Bugatti , and Mercedes-Benz . Alongside multiple body configurations produced by Lincoln, bare chassis were provided for coachbuilders . After

80-525: A drag coefficient of 0.45. Weight was 3,350 lb (1,520 kg). The Zephyr was powered by a small 75° V12 engine developed from Ford's Flathead V8 and unrelated to the larger K-series Lincoln V12 engines . The valve-in-block flathead engine was quite compact, allowing a low hood. But like the V8 Fords of the era, the Zephyr V12 often suffered from hot spots due to exhaust passages through

120-593: A mere 363 for the V-16. The appearance of the 1932 Series 370B benefited from a radiator shell that flared on the top, more flaring fenders and curved running boards. Mechanical changes included a stiffer frame, and a Cuno self-cleaning oil filter mounted at the right hand side of the clutch housing. Dual Detroit Lubricator carburetors were used in place of the Cadillac/Johnson carburetors that had been standard equipment on Cadillacs for 20 years. Largely thanks to

160-514: A select group of 1930s cars with multicylinder engines, namely those manufactured by Franklin , Hispano-Suiza , Horch , Lagonda , Maybach , Packard , Rolls-Royce , Tatra , Voisin , Walter , and Marmon . The Victoria Coupe was offered as both a steel roof and a convertible, and the coupe was the inspiration for the smaller 1932 Ford Victoria coupe , also offered with a V8 engine but a more affordable price. The Lincoln Victoria coupe, first introduced in limited numbers in 1929, also competed with

200-545: A similar choice of Fisher and Fleetwood semi-custom bodies. It was difficult to tell a Cadillac V-12 from a Cadillac V-16 unless you were close enough to read the figure "12" mounted on the headlight tie bar, but the hood was four inches (102 mm) shorter, and the headlights and horns smaller than a V-16's. More significantly, the V-12 cost about $ 2,000 less for each bodystyle, starting at $ 3,795 ($ 76,033 in 2023 dollars ). The Cadillac V-12 might have been lower in prestige than

240-463: A successor to the Model K (as of 2020 production). The original Model K appeared in the 1931 model year on a new chassis with a 145 in (3683 mm) wheelbase. Factory bodies included two- and four-door phaetons , the latter available as a dual-cowl model. The 384.8 in³ (6.3 L) engine was a derivative of the earlier L-series 60° V8 , but a dual venturi downdraft Stromberg carburetor , higher compression , and altered timing raised

280-745: Is a line of luxury cars that was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford from 1936 until 1942. Bridging the gap between the Ford V8 DeLuxe and the Lincoln Model K (in both size and price), it expanded Lincoln to a second model line, competing against the Chrysler Airflow , LaSalle , and the Packard One-Twenty . Following the discontinuation of the Model K after 1940, Lincoln shifted its production exclusively to

320-583: The Chrysler Airflow 's market resistance, and the concept car Pierce Silver Arrow , which never went into production. In fact, the Lincoln-Zephyr actually had a lower coefficient of drag than the Airflow, due in part to the prow -like front grille on the Zephyr, reflecting the popularity of leisure speedboats like Chris-Craft . The Lincoln-Zephyr succeeded in reigniting sales at Lincoln dealerships in

360-588: The Lincoln Motor Company Plant in Detroit, Michigan . Introduced on November 2, 1935, as a 1936 model, the Lincoln-Zephyr was extremely modern with a low raked windscreen, integrated fenders, and streamlined aerodynamic design, which influenced the name "zephyr", derived from the Greek word zephyrus , or the god of the west wind . It was one of the first successful streamlined cars after

400-542: The Packard Light Eight Victoria coupe also in 1932. The V8 engine was replaced in the Model KA with a new 381.7 in³ (6.3 L) V12 for 1933. This L-head engine shared little with the big KB engine which continued unchanged. The 1933 K-series Lincolns featured many changes, only a few of which were readily visible. The removal of the bar linking the headlights and return of hood louvers

440-523: The 1930 through the 1937. Below only the maker's top-of-the-line Cadillac V-16 line, these were powered by the Cadillac V12 engine , furnished with similar custom bodies, and built in relatively small numbers. A total of 10,903 were made in the seven model years that the automobile was built, with the majority having been constructed in its inaugural year. It was Cadillac's first, and is to date, Cadillac's only standard production V-12 automobile. In

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480-700: The 1939 model year, Lincoln ended production of the Model K, selling leftover vehicles as 1940 models. For 1941 and 1942, the Lincoln Custom was sold as an indirect successor to the Model K, offered as an 8-passenger limousine or touring sedan produced as a long-wheelbase version of the Lincoln-Zephyr . Since World War II, various Lincoln sedans (the Continental or its Town Car successor) have been produced as long-wheelbase sedans or factory limousines, but no direct model line has been developed as

520-440: The 7-passenger Model K limousine was the marque's best-selling model despite its US$ 4700 ($ 103,197 in 2023 dollars ) price tag. The grille and front fascia were again redesigned, and a revised raked windshield and pressed steel wheels were now used. The Model K continued in production for five more years, but sales declined rapidly with the modern Zephyr and new flagship Continental being more appealing to buyers. Production

560-471: The Cadillac V-16, but it joined a select group of 1930s cars with multicylinder engines, namely those manufactured by Auburn , Franklin , Hispano-Suiza , Horch , Lagonda , Maybach , Packard , Pierce-Arrow , Rolls-Royce , Tatra , Voisin , Walter , Marmon and Lincoln . Moreover, thanks to its lower price, it immediately outsold the Cadillac V-16 with 5,733 sold in the 1931 model year, versus

600-403: The Lincoln-Zephyr design. After World War II, the Zephyr name was dropped, lasting through 1948. It was the basis of the first Lincoln Continental , Lincoln's longest-running nameplate. The model line was powered by a V12 engine , in contrast to its competitors' V8 and inline-8 engines. The Lincoln-Zephyr was conceived by Edsel Ford and designed by Eugene Turenne Gregorie. It was assembled at

640-628: The V-16, generating 135 versus 175 horsepower. Both engines featured overhead valves in the first generation. The 1931 Model 370A V-12 was introduced in October 1930. A V-12 roadster was used as the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 . The Cadillac V-12 had a shorter wheelbase than the Cadillac V-16 , with a choice of 140 in (3,556 mm) or 143 in (3,632 mm), compared to the V-16's 148 in (3,759 mm), but it offered

680-480: The Zephyr name was dropped and the full-size luxury cars sold without a proper model name, known just by their body styles - Sedan, Club Coupe, or Convertible Coupe - during the 1946-1948 model years. For identification purposes, they are typically referred to as the H-Series , while the approach of offering a luxuriously equipped vehicle in a smaller size was ceded to the all-new Mercury in 1938. Their appearance

720-400: The Zephyr used a 292-in³ engine. The original engine had 110 hp (82 kW) and gave the car a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). Suspension was Henry Ford-era transverse springs front and rear, with dead axle front and torque tube rear, already quite outdated when the car was introduced. Brakes were cable-activated for 1936 to 1938; 1939 and onwards were hydraulic. The Zephyr was

760-434: The cylinder block. In addition, the earliest Zephyrs suffered from poor oil pressure, resulting in upgrades to the oil pump. The 1936 to 1939 models were 267 in³ (4.4 L) with hydraulic lifters added in 1938. The 1940 and 1941 cars used an enlarged 292-in³ (4.8-L) engine, while 1942 and early 1946 models used a 306-in³ (5.0-L), but lower compression ratio because of the iron heads. Late 1946 to 1948 Lincolns based on

800-424: The deepening Great Depression sales plunged to 1740 units. Styling changes to the 1933 Series 370C included a V-shaped grill that blended into the painted radiator shell, a radiator cap hidden under the hood, and skirts on the front and rear fenders for a more streamlined look. Fisher no-draft individually controlled vent windows were a new standard feature. Sales fell further to 953 cars. The 1934 Series 370D

840-465: The fully working Cadillac Solitaire concept in 1989, equipped with a Lotus-designed 6.6 liter DOHC 48-valve V-12 with multiport fuel injection. A Northstar -based V-12 was featured in the Cadillac Cien concept car of 2001, and tested by Cadillac engineers as an engine for a Cadillac Escalade with somewhat improved performance. An AutoWeek report in 2007 claimed a V-12 in the design phase

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880-494: The late 1930s, and from 1941 model year, all Lincolns were Zephyr-based and the Lincoln-Zephyr marque was phased out. Annual production for any year model was not large, but accounted for a large portion of the Lincoln brand's sales. In its first year, 15,000 were sold, accounting for 80% of Lincoln's total sales. The Zephyr was offered as a sedan with either two or four doors, and was manufactured in right hand drive for export, and

920-437: The marque's new L-head V12 engine . The 447.9 cuin (7.3 L) 65° L-head unit produced 150 hp (112 kW). Both series featured a new grille with less of a surround, vent doors rather than vertical louvers on the sides of the hood, a parking light on top of each front fender, and 18 inch wire wheels. The Lincoln V-12 competed directly with cross town rival Cadillac V-12 introduced earlier in 1930, and it joined

960-485: The mid to late 1920s a number of luxury car manufacturers began work developing extravagant V-configuration engines, with more cylinders delivering more and smoother power than the then upper-end straight-8 and V-8 engines being produced. Not to be outdone, Cadillac began work on an engine to top all others, a V-16 , and a V-12 derived from it to place the company on equal footing with the few manufacturers producing one. Larry Fisher, Cadillac General Manager, leaked to

1000-499: The only options listed were an electric clock, leather upholstery and a matched luggage set from Louis Vuitton . The two door sedan was listed at US$ 1,275 ($ 27,995 in 2023 dollars ) and the four door sedan was listed at US$ 1,320 ($ 28,983 in 2023 dollars ) Production of all American cars was halted by the Government in 1942 as the country entered World War II , with Lincoln producing the last Lincoln Zephyr on February 10. After

1040-475: The power to 120 hp (89 kW). It competed with the recently introduced Chrysler Imperial , Renault Reinastella , Rolls-Royce Phantom II , Mercedes-Benz 770 , Duesenberg Model J , Packard Eight , and the Cadillac Series 355 . Lincoln offered their clients a long list of coachbuilders with very desirous reputations that were contracted to provide coachwork. Providers who were retained from

1080-467: The press information about the V-12, hoping to keep the V-16 a secret. Owen Nacker , who designed the 45-degree overhead valve Cadillac V-16 engine , also designed the V-12 derived from it. The latter was essentially a truncated V-16, which retained the V-16's 4" stroke but was bored out to 3.125" from 3". The 45-degree bank angle was less ideal than a 60 degree design. The V-12 was less powerful than

1120-465: The previous Model L were Wolfington, Judkins, Willoughby, Brunn, LeBaron, Dietrich, Locke, Derham, Rollston, Waterhouse, and Murphy. The Lincoln K series was split in 1932 into two lines, the V8 carryover Model KA and the new V12 -powered Model KB . The V8 car reverted to a 136 in (3454 mm) wheelbase, though engine output was pushed to 125 hp (93 kW). The KB, on the other hand, featured

1160-458: The replacement once again of louvers with doors on the side of the hood. The Lincoln line was greatly trimmed for 1935, with all cars simply called Model K. The marque attempted to improve profitability by focusing on the lofty over-US$ 4,000 ($ 88,893 in 2023 dollars ) segment, limiting sales in the depression-wracked United States. The Model K's days were numbered as the less-expensive and more-modern Lincoln-Zephyr debuted for 1936. Nonetheless,

1200-482: The war, most makers restarted production of their prewar lines, and Lincoln was no exception. The Zephyr name, however, was no longer used after 1942, with the cars simply called Lincolns. The idea of a smaller and more modern luxury car to fill the gap in Lincoln's traditional lineup was revisited in the 1950 Lincoln Lido (The Lido was the same size as other two-door Lincolns, though ), 1977 Lincoln Versailles , 1982 Continental , and 2000 Lincoln LS . The Zephyr name

1240-512: The whole car sat approximately 2 inches (51 mm) lower. Significant mechanical advancements included dual X-frame chassis construction, " Knee-Action " front coil spring suspension that greatly reduced unsprung weight and Hotchkiss steering. The 1935 Series 370E saw the addition of the Fisher Turret Top on Fisher bodied cars and an increase in horsepower to 150. Sales over the two years combined totaled only 1098. The Cadillac V-12

Lincoln K series - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-568: Was discontinued at the end of 1937. As part of the General Motors V-Future program, Cadillac had an overhead cam V-12 slated for production in the late 1960s. The program led to a fiberglass mockup of a V-12 powered Eldorado coupe that remained hidden from public view until an article appeared in Special Interest Autos in 1984. Reports of new V-12 developments reappeared in the late 1980s. Cadillac showed

1320-521: Was evidently completed during the 1939 model year. The last Lincoln K series was delivered in January 1940. The " Sunshine Special " parade phaeton built for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939 was modified in 1942 with current Lincoln front sheetmetal. Cadillac V-12 The Cadillac V-12 is an exclusive V-12 powered luxury car that was manufactured by Cadillac from

1360-463: Was most noticeable, but the revised chassis, thermostatic shock absorbers, and transmission made the greatest difference. Drivers would notice the adjustable-pressure brakes. Both V12 engines were replaced for 1934 by a single 414 cu in (6.8 L) version of the new Model KA V12, with the KA and KB names now denoting the wheelbase only. Styling changes included a body-colored grille surround and

1400-600: Was no longer a separate marque. All 1941 models were Lincolns and the Zephyr-based Lincoln Custom replaced both the large Lincoln K-series cars and the Lincoln-Zephyr Town-Limousine. It also had full instrumentation. The following Lincoln-Zephyr heritage models were sold under the Lincoln name after Lincoln-Zephyr was merged into the Lincoln marque for the 1941 model year: When Lincoln resumed production after World War II

1440-502: Was renamed the Series 80 and 85 in 1936. The Series 80 and 85 featured a 131-inch and 138-inch wheelbase respectively. All V-12s were then Fleetwood bodied and had Turret Tops. A total of 901 V-12s were sold in 1936. In 1937 the Series 80 was dropped leaving only the long wheelbase Series 85. The only significant mechanical changes were the adoption of an oil-bath air cleaner and a pressure radiator cap. Sales were only 478. The Series 85

1480-414: Was restyled yet again but this time was mounted on a completely new chassis. The radiator grill slanted rearward with a central bar and five horizontal sections, the windshield sloped even more rearward, headlights were enclosed in new teardrop housings mounted on streamlined supports, the horns joined the radiator cap under the hood, the spare tire was concealed under a new beaver tail deck on most models and

1520-573: Was resurrected in 2006 for the car's spiritual successor, the Zephyr , which was quickly renamed the MKZ for 2007. The following were the Zephyr models for 1936 to 1940: When the last Lincoln V-12 (Model K) had been delivered on January 24, 1940, the Lincoln Motor Company was soon to be transformed into Lincoln Division, effective on May 1, 1940, and for 1941 model year the Lincoln-Zephyr

1560-478: Was to be based on the High Feature V6 . The Cadillac Sixteen concept utilized an all-aluminium pushrod V-16 engine based on the same architecture as GM's then-current small-block V-8 developments. A production version with a base V-8 and the option of the V-12 engine was planned, but was never approved for production and was ultimately shelved around 2008. Lincoln-Zephyr The Lincoln-Zephyr

1600-566: Was very similar to the contemporaneous Lincoln Continental coupe and convertible. An electric clock was standard. This series of vehicles continued to use the 292 in³ (4.8 L) 65° L-head Lincoln V12 engine . The four-door sedan Style 73 with the Custom-spec interior was listed at US$ 2,486 ($ 38,843 in 2023 dollars ). The Zephyr was designed by John Tjaarda (1897–1962), who was fascinated with airplanes, resulting in unibody construction relatively light and rigid for its size and

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