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In 1931, Lincoln made an overdue leap away from its model L which was in production since the company moved to producing cars in 1920-21. The new model K retained the powerful and reliable V8 of the model L although with some refinement. The big difference was in the size and styling of the new cars. A new chassis, now with a 145 inch wheelbase, and more modern design supported no less than 14 different body choices plus customers could purchase a bare chassis and have the body builder of their choice fashion coachwork to their tastes.
For 1932, the model K expanded into the KA, with the V8, and the KB with a robust and powerful V12. The KA now rode on a 136” wheelbase while the KB retained the 145”. The new KB came in eight standard bodies or a long list of semi-custom bodies. The semi-custom cars were all constructed by outside coachbuilders such as LeBaron, Dietrich, Waterhouse and Judkins, to name a few.
The depression was strangling the automobile industry by late 1932 and Lincoln was not immune. Yet, even with base prices in the range of what an average house cost at the time, Lincoln managed to produce just a few more model year 1932 cars than 1931. -
Company
Ford Motor Company
Make
Lincoln
Model
KB, Type 244B
Body Style
Coupe, 2-dr., 2-pass.
Body Manufacture
Judkins
Model year
1932
Wheelbase
14521 inches
Length
214 inches
Engine
V12, L-head, 447.9 cid
Horsepower
150 hp @ 3400 rpm
Transmission
3-speed manual shift
Original Base Price
$5,350
Brand Production
3,647
This Car Production
1,515 of all KB -
The Judkins bodied KB coupe came in two types, a 4 passenger with a rumble seat and a 2-passenger with an integral trunk. The NB Center car is the latter style. This car was purchased at an RM sale in 2012. It was formerly in the William Ruger Jr. collection of the Ruger gun company family.
The car was restored prior to its acquisition by Ruger in 1995 and finished in the attractive combination of Birmingham Green and Jade Mist. Despite the restoration, Ruger went about replacing all the brittle pot metal parts on the car with newly cast brass ones, no doubt done in Ruger’s own gun factory shops.
Ruger also equipped the car for reliable long distance touring. He replaced the transmission and rear axle with 1935 units for better gear ratios. He also installed turn signals. He used the car extensively for touring and stated it was capable of cruising all day long at 65-70 miles per hour.