1934 Lincoln KB Convertible Victoria

The acquisition of Henry Leyland's Lincoln Motor Company gave Ford the Luxury division they lacked. Ford was a one-model brand at the time and this opened the door into the potentially higher profit sales of luxury models. The Leyland Lincoln was a finely engineered if a bit conservative motorcar. The styling of the Lincoln would be changed to give it a stylistic connection to the Ford brand. This would become most apparent in 1928 with the introduction of the Model A and its strong resemblance to the Lincoln.

With the major revamp of the Ford brand for 1932, Lincoln would receive a similar redesign. The two brands would continue to share a stylistic connection and both would receive new power plants. Ford would adopt the legendary flathead V-8 and Lincoln would get a powerful V-12. Initially employing the "fork and blade" design of the Leyland designed V-8 the new engine was smooth, robust and significantly more powerful than the eight. The new model was offered in long and short wheelbases, the short was dubbed the KA and the long the KB. The KA would be equipped with its predecessors' V-8 for 1932 but would not be offered after this point.

The new Lincolns for 1932 showed a refined styling that significantly updated the aging L model. The fresh look incorporated a Ford style radiator shell, and the car rode on more modern 18" wire spoke wheels, and was offered in, as was customary for Lincoln, an extensive catalog of body styles including many expensive custom styles. Lincoln's custom offering was very impressive; they had cataloged styles from most top custom body makers including LeBaron, Dietrich, Willoughby, Waterhouse and Brunn.

The KB chassis would earn legendary status in period and today is a highly desirable senior CCCA classic. Praised for its excellent driving qualities, with exceptionally light and predictable steering and fine power-boosted brakes, the KB has become quite popular with seasoned classic era enthusiasts with an appetite for touring.

For 1933 Lincoln would be an all V-12 brand, adding a slightly smaller twelve that would replace the aging eight-cylinder unit. A new-for-1933 front end styling updated the look of the car considerably, while stylistically Lincoln did take a step backwards, reverting to a louvered hood. This mistake would be corrected when the hood doors returned in 1934.

Things got back on track for 1934. The styling was refined and the new models had a polished modern look. A new larger version of the 1933 KA engine was now adopted for the KB model; this more modern engine, though slightly smaller than the original KB V-12, was rated at identical horsepower. This one is a 1934 Lincoln KB Convertible Victoria Coachwork by Brunn

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams & wallpaperup & conceptcarz