BF Classified: 1953 Lincoln Capri Special Custom Coupe

• Seller: David B rill (Contact)
• Location: Prospect, Connecticut
• Mileage: 5,000 Shown
• Chassis #: 53WA19398H
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: 317 cui V8
• Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic

Despite the fact that the Korean War was still raging, Lincoln used the line “Created for Today’s More Livable World” in regard to its Capri, which was new for the 1952 model year. This gorgeous example is a Palace Green (with extra metal flake) 1953 Lincoln Capri Special Custom Coupe, and it’s located in Prospect, Connecticut. The seller has it priced at $15,500, and it’s listed here as a Barn Finds Classified! 

Gor-geous, man, what a beautiful car. The deep green paint is called Palace Green, and it was repainted at some point during a restoration an unknown number of years ago. The restorer took a slight liberty with the paint; they added a bit more metal flake than would have been factory-correct, and it really makes it pop in sunlight. Unfortunately, the seller scheduled the photos, and it ended up being overcast that day. They do provide a couple of detailed photos in the gallery that show the paint, and you can really see it sparkle.

The first-generation Lincoln Capri was made for model years 1952 through 1955, and if you want a decidedly 1950s-looking Capri, this is the generation you want. The following cars are also 50s-looking, but in more of a space race/Sputnik way than a nice, flowing, easy-on-the-eyes way. Here’s what the trunk compartment looks like, by the way. Very nice, just like everything else looks. The underside looks like the Brooklyn Bridge; those 1950s chassis are as interesting as it gets.

It’s an often-heard sad story regarding this car’s current owner. He bought it, partly due to just how nice it looked and that gorgeous green paint scheme. Then life happened, some health issues popped up, and the car was barely used, only about 100 miles in the last eight years. I hate to hear that, and I hope they’re doing well. It’s painful to have to sell a beloved vehicle, as most of us know. The interior looks like it could have been used for a brochure. I don’t see anything at all going on inside that causes one eyebrow hair to raise, let alone an entire eyebrow. With power windows and a front 4-way power leather bench seat, and of course, power steering and power brakes, this is one very nice-driving car. As expected, the leather back seat looks perfect as well.

Clean and nice, the engine is a Lincoln 317.6-cu.in. OHV V8 with 205 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a (are you sitting down?) GM-sourced Hydra-Matic automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels; the seller says one of the first chores the current owner tackled was the incorrectly routed dual exhaust. It was too close to the fuel line, and it vapor-locked frequently. They rerouted it correctly, as seen in the engine photo, and it’s now a single exhaust. But they kept the existing exhaust pipe in case the next owner wanted to give it another try. There are said to be a few electrical issues for the next owner to sort out, but the major systems work (headlights, tail lights, starter, power seat, power windows, etc.). Please check out the extensive photos the seller has provided and let us know your thoughts on this beautiful Lincoln Capri!