1954 Lincoln Capri Convertible

The Lincoln Capri is an automobile that was sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1952 until 1959.  A full-size luxury car, the Lincoln Capri derives its name from an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples.  Introduced as a premium trim variant of the two-door Lincoln Cosmopolitan, the Capri was introduced in 1952 as a stand-alone model line serving as the premium Lincoln.  With the introduction of the Lincoln Premiere, (and Continental), the Capri replaced the Cosmopolitan as the standard Lincoln product line.  Competing against the Cadillac Series 62, Chrysler New Yorker, and Packard Pacific, 14,342 Capris were sold in its debut year, and nearly double that, 26,640, in 1953.  It readily outsold its stablemate, the Cosmopolitan, each year until the Cosmopolitan's demise.  The Capri had a new Lincoln 90 degree V8 engine.  It was not offered in an extended length limousine, and the listed retail price was US$3,665 for the convertible, ($40,388 in 2022 dollars), which was a significant price reduction of luxury sedans the company had produced in the past and very close in price to competitor vehicles of the same time.  The exclusive Lincoln Continental had been discontinued in 1948 making the Capri the flagship product while design and research had started on the eventual return of the Continental name with the 1956 Continental Mark II.

For consignment, some big chrome, big trimmings, nicely scaled proportions and wrap around glass...we give you Lincoln's generation 1 of the Capri.  This 1 of 1,951 built and restored in the 1980's example is still looking nearly showroom fresh to this day with its extensive use of chrome, nicely applied paint, and a top that lowers with the flick of a switch.  Add in factory installed power steering, power brakes, a power adjustable front seat along with the optional spotlight and fog lamps and we are living large in 1954 style.  Let's not forget the upgrade to an 8 volt electrical system for much easier starting and the large engine bay being graced with a 317ci Y block 8 cylinder.  You too can own a snappy boulevard cruiser/head turner right out of the early 1950's when Detroit was definitely king.

Exterior
Leading the way is an imposing dual tier chrome front bumper.  Vertical struts with imposing dagmar toppers point forward and the bumper and even the marker lenses wrap around the sides.  The hood cascades downward and has a large chrome V and multi-colored Lincoln crest that edges the front of the hood.  Simple single headlights grace the front of each quarter and the long lean hood gracefully makes its way back to approach the beginnings of a wrap-around windshield.  The windshield and passengers compartment has thick chromed surrounds and gives up a brief look at the bubble windows yet to come.  On either side is a large trim spear running the length along with Lincoln badging in your grandmother's pen.  On the back are fender skirts with some stainless trimmings to simulate motion in static form.  Added to the wow factory are script Capri badging along with some tasteful rocker molding in stainless bridging the gap between the front and rear tires.  On back, a large rear bumper cradles the chrome trimmed cathedral style taillights and small chrome dagmars are on just above the black painted Lincoln embossing within the bumper.   All is bathed in Parklane Green with straight steel, but showing several areas of rust bubbling on the sides near the rockers, evidence of filler on the rockers, and a few minor chip offs throughout.  A like new black canvas convertible top compliments the pale green nicely and shows with no tears or wear, including the clear plastic rear window.   Rounding out our exterior tour are 15-inch steel wheels with standard Lincoln covers and bright white uber white white wall radials in 235/75R15 format.

Interior
A swing of the doors allows us to view the duo of color and materials making up the panels  These also sport swoop spear shaped chrome trim for an accent as well as shiny cranks and power window actuators, a dark green painted steel sill, ivory white vinyl and painted inserts, and smooth vinyl in dark green.  Inside, on the sprawling benches, (a split back up front), are nicely done dark green leather lower cushions that work their way a quarter up the backs before changing over to a ivory white stitched and piped leather.  A wide rear bench awaits the passengers, and it is beautifully preserved in the same pattern as the front bench, but holds a central fold down armrest and broad white padded outboard armrests.  A full metal dash painted dark green and ivory has a single broad eyebrow bump up in front of the driver.  Here we note the gold tinted gauge cluster which is nice and clean along with the heater slides, a few knobs and pulls and the factory AM radio.  An original ivory rimmed steering wheel with nice chromed horn rings and center is fronting the futuristic dash.  Plush deep pile dark green carpeting floods the floors and adds the perfect compliment to the white and dark green interior. 

Drivetrain
Under the hood in a well restored presenting engine bay is a copper painted Y block V8 in 317.5ci displacement.  It is topped with a copper air cleaner assembly covering the factory 4-barrel carburetor.  An engine cross over exhaust feeds down to join into a single pipe providing the exhale and Lincoln Eight decaled copper valve covers bring the bay together nicely.  On the back of this copper Y block is a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission which sends the ponies rearward to the rear axle with a 3.31 ratio.  

Undercarriage
Solid steel framing and floor pans underneath have a nice coating of factory undercoating.  Single stock style exhaust with dual mufflers snakes its way rearward, past independent coil springs upfront and to the rear leaf springs.  Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners and power steering has been optioned on to make turning a breeze.  It is mostly rust free with the majority of the flaws being patina and surface rust on the usual suspects.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and off to the test track where I could play with all the buttons and knobs to my heart's content.  And they all worked save for the radio as the fuse has been pulled, but our consignor notes this unit does indeed work!  Fine smooth acceleration, a smooth idle, good braking, and fantastic cornering for a large car, this is a real 1950's treat with the top down.  Those 50's automotive stylists were so kewl.

An older restoration still holding up well today sporting a literal ton of chrome trimmings, fantastic mid-50's styling and a powerful Y block V8 under the hood.  The beginnings of curved bubble style glass and large cruiser that can go all day on a turnpike road and turn plenty of heads while doing so.  Isn't it time to open the checkbook and enjoy the life of excess that the other half lives.
54WA24092H

54-1954
WA-Wayne, MI Assy Plant
24092-Sequential Unit Number
H-Lincoln Line

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.