Some cars are engineering marvels, while others are things of style and beauty. During the 1930s when Edsel Ford was the subject of the wildly varying whims of his father, he sought refuge at Lincoln and was able to indulge his passion for engineering perfection and beautiful designs that were the hallmark of the company. This 1936 LeBaron-Bodied Lincoln Model K epitomizes that philosophy, and you will find this example listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Garner, North Carolina, it is offered with a clear title. Bidding opened at $100 but has already reached $35,100. I’d be bracing myself with this car because I wouldn’t be surprised to see the final sale price push beyond $100,000.
This Lincoln is reputed to have an interesting past. It was previously owned by the Imperial Palace Museum and is rumored to have also been personally owned by Edsel Ford up until his death. If this is true and can be verified then that makes this a car with some significance in its history.
By 1936 the Model K was in its death throes. The introduction of the Lincoln- Zephyr rendered the Model K virtually obsolete overnight, and this was mainly due to the high price of the Model K. In 1936 a Model K sold for a hefty $5,400, or the equivalent of around $96,500 today. In a country just emerging from the Depression, it was difficult to find a ready market. This particular car has been restored at some point, and the owner believes that this occurred at some stage during the 1980s. The paintwork is showing some wear from the past 30 years, but the car still has beautiful lines and is quite presentable. There are also no obvious rust or corrosion issues.
The art deco interior has also been the subject of a restoration and presents beautifully. Apart from some marked and chipped paint on the shifter lever, the rest of the interior is virtually perfect. The dash has been restored well, and the trim pieces (which are apparently finished in sterling silver) set off with the style and elegance that Edsel so sought.
It is details like this that explain the incredible price of the Model K. Those door caps are handmade from in-laid timber. This was not a cheap process when the car was new, and it certainly would not have been cheap to restore them when the rest of the car underwent its restoration. They do present well, although I think that I can detect a couple of imperfection and cracks in the lacquer finish that will probably require attention.
The 414ci V12 engine which was introduced to the Lincoln line in 1934, is a beautiful looking engine. It is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission, and the car also has mechanical brakes. The owner states that the engine has also been rebuilt at some point and that it runs really well. There are some wiring details under the hood that will need addressing to bring the presentation up to the expected Lincoln standard, but these don’t appear to be major. This is certainly a car that I would love to hear running.
The seller states that in 1936 only 25 Model Ks were built featuring the LeBaron body, and of these only 4 survive today. If this is true then this makes our feature car a very rare piece of machinery. If it can be proven that it was owned by Edsel Ford that will make it an even more significant car. If both of these rumors are proven to be fact, then I think that the value of the car will definitely head well into the 6-figure territory.
This is the same car that sold at Auburn for $28,600 on August 31 of this year. The car was owned by Jim Popp and was part of the Shrine of the Holy Grill collection. There was nothing mentioned at the auction about Edsel Ford owning this car. Looks and sounds a little fishy to me.
Yeah, now if it was George Romney’s car, you’d really have something,,,
Got to admit, sellers are getting creative,,or desperate. George Romney, Edsel Ford,,,the DEA, for heavens sake. What’s next, LBJ’s blue Amphicar?
I went and looked at the photos on the auction site. It appears to have gained the inlaid “timber” on the door caps since the auction. This is a really nice car I hope it does well and finds a good caregiver.
I was mistaken about the door caps. Upon further inspection the inlay was present. The sun just had it washed out in the photo and really hard to see. Sorry, mea culpa.
Still a really nice car.
Nice car, but what a hideous color!
And about the Edsel connection; my aunt was married to the pope as well! If you believe that than I might believe the Edsel story.
You know how it goes; 1 guy says “I can see Edsel Ford drive something like this” and before you know it he was the 1st owner.
It’s easier than you might think to verify Edsel’s ownership. And if true, you can easily add $40K to the price. I think you’re a bit jaded from too many BS stories told at swap meets. Even if Edel DIDN’T own this; I dare you to try to find another of the same just as nice.
This is a nice car but I thought Fidel C. Owned it 😀
Fidel hadn’t even shot his first Cuban citizen yet when this was built. He was still pulling wings off of flies at the kitchen table.
I freakin’ love this car!! (Not the color.) If I only had the money… (Story of my life… no time, no money, no room.)
28.6K would be a good price, even plus fees. I could see maybe 35K, but like others, I tend to poo-poo the “history” till it is documented.
Nice car. Unfortunate colors.
What a beautiful car. Love that color combo
Gorgeous car.
Even more so if there had been a convertible version.
I have to agree I also love the car, including the color. I think the color scheme, though different complements the body lines. I also would love to hear and drive that V12.
Hope it goes to the right person to both preserve and drive it on occasion.
Looks like there are some paint issues at the bottom of the front fenders, and along the tops of the running boards. Repainting a car like this to restoration standards will be very expensive.
That would be a good excuse to change the color, seems several readers don’t like the current combination.
Beautiful car, the design flows so smoothly it’s truly a work of art; the colour combination on this is very suitable… natural colours on such soft body lines, it looks perfect.
It would look better if it were a medium blue with navy blue fenders. White interior with blue high lights. JMHO.
This car would look good in any color – my preference would be as per original cause its always nice when the collar matches the cuffs as 007 Bond said. My poor man’s variant (1940 Buick special sport coupe attcahed) – long live old swb coupes.
Not bloody likely.
This is easily a six figure Auction gem! Provenance can easily be authenticated through standard ID serial numbers. Rumor has it none other than Jay Leno himself has made inquires at acquiring this magnificent icon upon Provenance verification and it will go for a six figure sum!
If there is/was ANY Ford family connection, this should be on display in the village at Dearborn, MI. It won’t reach 6 figures if it only reached $26k in the past couple years. Sorry to say the crowd that goes for such things is slowly fading away, along with their deep pockets. The rear shot looks like a fat 1936 Ford three window coupe. Wonderful work of art.
Beautiful car!!
Already over 42000.00! That’s a whole bunch of money!
Nice ride. Wish it was mine. I’d drive it, a lot
And some one thinks Jay Leno wants to buy a poorly painted flaking rubbers painted over priced car now speculated to be owned by Edsel Ford that escaped the previous owners attention Give me a break Why help flippers?? See you at Hershey
“…I tend to poo-poo the “history” till it is documented…” & I even afterwards. The story seldom appeals but the vehicle (esp if classic – to me mid /late ’30s thru very early 50s) can. I like this one – color, meh. How bout ‘top side’ navy, ‘bottom side’ grey? Almost like the traditional blue blazer/grey flanel slacks!
Can anyone tell me what the weird looking electrical device is ? It appears to be under the dash.
Neat-o….and another for the colors….
And what’s with the green painter’s tape on the dash?