Lincoln Custom
Encyclopedia
The Lincoln Custom was a custom limousine
and long-wheelbase touring sedan from Ford's
Lincoln luxury
division, manufactured only in 1941 and 1942. It was a replacement for the large Model K Lincolns (produced from 1934–1939) and earlier luxury cars of the 1920s and 1930s.
The Lincoln Custom was based on the Lincoln Zephyr, a smaller, unit-bodied, mid-range priced vehicle introduced in 1937 with a smaller 292 cu. inch V-12 (based on the Ford V-8). This car competed with the smaller Packard 110, Packard 120 and Cadillac Series 60 and La Salle; smaller cars introduced in the mid-30's to a shrinking luxury car market. The large Lincoln Model K
sold 3024 units in 1934, the first year of its production and only 133 units in the last year, 1939. 1940 saw only the Zephyr and the higher priced Continental
carrying the Lincoln name.
The wheelbase of the Lincoln Custom was 138 inches (3.5 m) compared to the Zephyr's 125 inches (3.2 m). Both vehicles used the same V-12 engine that was enlarged for 1942 to 305 cubic inches (5,002 cm³) with 130 hp. The engine was the weakest point of the 1942 models, being very prone to overheating and premature wear. The 305 cubic inch version was reduced to a 292 cubic inches (4,788.8 cm³), 120 hp version after World War II in an attempt to promote longevity. The V-12 was the only engine used in Lincolns until the new 1949 models came out with a flathead V-8 based on a Ford truck engine.
The 168H (1941) and 268H (1942) Lincoln Customs featured two models: the Model 31 eight passenger sedan and the model 32 eight passenger limousine. Differences included a division window and different front seat upholstery for the limousine. Both utilized a three speed transmission
with Borg-Warner overdrive
. A small number were modified by the few custom coach builders left in the United States before the war. The 1942 models introduced power windows to the luxury car field; electric and hydro-electric powered limousine dividers having previously been offered.
Specifications were:
For 1942, the Zephyr-based waterfall grill was changed to a broad full-width grill that extended above and below the hood and was also used in the 1946-1948 models (Lincoln sedan and Lincoln Continental). These changes were undoubtedly due to the major Cadillac and Packard grill design changes during these immediate pre-war years, whose production and sales far outpaced Lincoln.
After World War II
, production of these vehicles was not resumed. The former Zephyr became the only Lincoln sedan and was available in both standard and DeLuxe versions. The famous Lincoln Continental
remained as a limited production, very expensive (and not very reliable) semi-custom offering from the luxury division of Ford Motor Company. For 1949, a major revamp of the entire Lincoln line was made, eliminating the slant-back Zephyr and custom Contintental and introducing relatively modern V-8 power.
A special 1942 limousine was provided to the White House
for the President's use: The Sunshine Special
. This car weighed more than 7000 pounds (3,175.1 kg) and was refitted with a 1946 grill clip after the war for modernization. Cadillac
and Lincoln vied for visibility and prestige by supplying limousines and other special vehicles to the White House (generally by means of a $1.00 per year or other low-cost lease arrangement). Packard
and Chrysler
were rarely able to penetrate this exclusive market.
See also
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
and long-wheelbase touring sedan from Ford's
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
Lincoln luxury
Luxury vehicles
Luxury vehicle is a marketing term for a vehicle that provides luxury — pleasant or desirable features beyond strict necessity—at increased expense ....
division, manufactured only in 1941 and 1942. It was a replacement for the large Model K Lincolns (produced from 1934–1939) and earlier luxury cars of the 1920s and 1930s.
The Lincoln Custom was based on the Lincoln Zephyr, a smaller, unit-bodied, mid-range priced vehicle introduced in 1937 with a smaller 292 cu. inch V-12 (based on the Ford V-8). This car competed with the smaller Packard 110, Packard 120 and Cadillac Series 60 and La Salle; smaller cars introduced in the mid-30's to a shrinking luxury car market. The large Lincoln Model K
Lincoln K-series
The Lincoln K-Series was a line of luxury vehicle produced by Lincoln from 1931 to 1942. While the original K-Series featured a 385 in³ V8, a V12 became standard in 1933...
sold 3024 units in 1934, the first year of its production and only 133 units in the last year, 1939. 1940 saw only the Zephyr and the higher priced Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
carrying the Lincoln name.
The wheelbase of the Lincoln Custom was 138 inches (3.5 m) compared to the Zephyr's 125 inches (3.2 m). Both vehicles used the same V-12 engine that was enlarged for 1942 to 305 cubic inches (5,002 cm³) with 130 hp. The engine was the weakest point of the 1942 models, being very prone to overheating and premature wear. The 305 cubic inch version was reduced to a 292 cubic inches (4,788.8 cm³), 120 hp version after World War II in an attempt to promote longevity. The V-12 was the only engine used in Lincolns until the new 1949 models came out with a flathead V-8 based on a Ford truck engine.
The 168H (1941) and 268H (1942) Lincoln Customs featured two models: the Model 31 eight passenger sedan and the model 32 eight passenger limousine. Differences included a division window and different front seat upholstery for the limousine. Both utilized a three speed transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
with Borg-Warner overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
. A small number were modified by the few custom coach builders left in the United States before the war. The 1942 models introduced power windows to the luxury car field; electric and hydro-electric powered limousine dividers having previously been offered.
Specifications were:
| Year | Model number | Body style | Weight | Price | Number built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 31 | Sedan | 4250 lb (1,927.8 kg) | $2750 | 355 |
| 32 | Limousine | 4270 lb (1,936.8 kg) | $2836 | 295 | |
| 1942 | 31 | Sedan | 4380 lb (1,986.7 kg) | $2950 | 47 |
| 32 | Limousine | 4400 lb (1,995.8 kg) | $3075 | 66 |
For 1942, the Zephyr-based waterfall grill was changed to a broad full-width grill that extended above and below the hood and was also used in the 1946-1948 models (Lincoln sedan and Lincoln Continental). These changes were undoubtedly due to the major Cadillac and Packard grill design changes during these immediate pre-war years, whose production and sales far outpaced Lincoln.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, production of these vehicles was not resumed. The former Zephyr became the only Lincoln sedan and was available in both standard and DeLuxe versions. The famous Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
remained as a limited production, very expensive (and not very reliable) semi-custom offering from the luxury division of Ford Motor Company. For 1949, a major revamp of the entire Lincoln line was made, eliminating the slant-back Zephyr and custom Contintental and introducing relatively modern V-8 power.
Presidential limousine
A special 1942 limousine was provided to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for the President's use: The Sunshine Special
Sunshine Special Presidential State Car (United States)
The Sunshine Special was the official state car used by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. It is said to have been the "First Presidential car to acquire its own personality" although the exact origin of its nickname is unknown...
. This car weighed more than 7000 pounds (3,175.1 kg) and was refitted with a 1946 grill clip after the war for modernization. Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
and Lincoln vied for visibility and prestige by supplying limousines and other special vehicles to the White House (generally by means of a $1.00 per year or other low-cost lease arrangement). Packard
Packard
Packard was an American luxury-type automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana...
and Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
were rarely able to penetrate this exclusive market.
See also