Lincoln Model K 1935 Convertible Roadster by LeBaron
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Car producer : |
Lincoln |
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Model: |
Model K 1935 Convertible Roadster by LeBaron |
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Year: |
1931-1939 |
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Type: |
Roadster |
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-$4,000 segment, limiting sales in the depression-wracked United States.
Edsel Ford had long since resolved the first Lincolns' stodgy body designs by relying on Ford's own designers and a loyal retinue of coachbuilders including Brunn, LeBaron, Willoughby and Judkins. The coachbuilders supplied both individual bodies and a steady stream of up-to-the-minute ideas which could be incorporated in Lincoln's own coachwork. 1935 brought important visual changes in Lincoln design with the passenger compartment moved forward on the wheelbase and the hood shortened accordingly. It was a design concept mirrored in Fords that year as well. Claimed benefits included a lower center of gravity for better handling and a smoother ride.
Although only 1,411 were built in 1935, Lincoln found enough demand to sustain itself during these difficult years of the Great Depression.
Among the custom bodies available was the unique Non-Collapsible Cabriolet style by Brunn. Based off of the Semi-Collapsible Cabriolet that Brunn had debuted in 1929 on a Lincoln at the Paris Auto Salon, the elegant Non-Collapsible body style placed a fixed roof atop the rear passengers while still allowing the chauffeur to be set in an open cabin — similar to a town car. Carrying nearly identical lines to its open brethren with its padded top and faux landau bars, it would earn the moniker of the 'President's Car' when the first President of the Philippines ordered a Non-Collapsible Cabriolet — a car that still survives today at the Presidential Museum in Manila.
Only 13 Non-Collapsible Cabriolets were produced (and an identical number of Semi-Collapsible).
LeBaron’s convertible roadster was built on a shortened, sportier 135-inch wheelbase chassis, and only 30 examples were produced, at a price of $4,600 each, reserving them for only the world’s wealthiest buyers.
