The Cosmopolitan was a luxury car from Lincoln (who else?) produced from 1949 to 1954. Like other U.S. automakers, it was a fresh, new car that emerged in the days following World War II. It was a big, bulbous auto that used a flathead V8 from the Lincoln-Mercury side of FOMOCO. The seller’s example from 1950 is a project that was never restored, though his/her father bought it two decades ago for that purpose. Located in Golden, Colorado, it has its original paint and sports the “suicide doors” that Lincoln became famous for. It’s available here on craigslist for $6,500.
First-generation Cosmopolitans were offered from 1951 and were the first offered by the formation of Lincoln and Mercury into one division of Ford. The modern era of automobile styling had arrived, and things like running boards were gone and the headlights were now recessed into the sheet metal. A 337 cubic inch engine resided under the ample hood, and the seller’s car came with the optional 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission (from General Motors!). Later customizers would find the shape of the Cosmopolitan intriguing, and many would be turned into “lead sleds” after their regular service was done.
Although other body styles were offered, the seller’s 1950 4-door sedan was one of 8,332 assembled that year. Dad bought this car in “fair” condition in 2004, and it has not improved since. It was running at the time with 85,000 miles, but was parked with the goal of restoration in mind. We’re told it’s “very” original, with the interior having suffered the most over the past 20+ years. Rust has never been an issue, which will help make the rebirth a little less expensive.
To help get things rolling, the seller has newer seats to replace the ones that are worn out. The tires are shot after decades of sitting, so the car moves around on dollies, which the seller will throw in with the deal. Some examples of other Cosmopolitans are on display, helping the seller conclude that the asking price for this project is more than fair. Thanks for the tip, Mike F. Lead Sled anyone?
Easy to see why it would’ve been a choice as a lead sled back in the day, with the headlights and taillights looking the “Frenched” part already-BlueDots would be a natural fit here.
All that what it is, it’d be a shame not to bring this back to its original condition-you just don’t see these anywhere.
GLWTS, here’s hoping it goes to a good home.
They always looked to me like they’d been intended to be glassed over, like a pre-67 VW bug.
This is not a Cosmopolitan, but a Lincoln EL series, also referred to as the “baby Lincoln.” The Cosmopolitan has a 4″ longer wheelbase and a different greenhouse than the EL.
yes cosmo had a one piece windshild
Exactly right. And it had large chrome flairs over the front wheel openings.
It also had a completely different more modern body. The EL looks like it shares a lot of sheet metal with Mercury. There’s a turnkey Cosmo on Hemmings for 29k, and a nearly complete lead sled tribute. These are the only actual 50 lincoln listings on Hemmings. BTW, there;s a V-8 equivalent of the V-16 limo shown the other day in about the same shape asking 65k. That V-16 seems stalled on $60,600.
Lead sled or restomod or bone stock, it doesn’t really matter to me. This is not the Mona Lisa, so do whatever your heart desires with it, as long as you don’t send it to the crusher. Anything is better than that.
At least it looks like they didn’t park it under the trees in the back yard. As they were “going to get to it,” next year. Sometimes the dreams become unobtainable, when the reality sinks in.
It’s cool looking, but looks to need everything. Probably a hard sell in this market where nice, turn key examples of other makes and models from the same era are only slightly more expensive.
Steve R
If I were in the US and wealthy, I would snap that up and have it delivered to ICON. That would make a very slick derelict. It is a perfect platform.
“Bulbous” is an excellent descriptor. “Desirable” is not.
Hope someone likes it, and saves it. Not me.
Definitely a solid candidate for a sled.
THANK you, Todd J., for pointing-out what I saw instantly — that this is NOT a Cosmopolitan. To Russ Dixon, I believe that the first year for the “Cosmo” [“Topper”, anyone?] was 1949 and not 1951(it indeed would be amazing, if this were a 1950 Cosmopolitan, with the first year being 1951! — smile). The Cosmopolitan was the only TRUE Lincoln during the 1949-1951 years: the others were a smaller car, essentially a Mercury body with a Lincoln front clip and Lincoln tail lamps (hence the “lead-sled” allusions here): you’d never make a “lead sled” out of a Cosmopolitan, which is an entirely different car, classically Lincoln. Sadly, 1952 saw Lincoln reduced to being a gussied-up Ford/Mercury.
THANK you, Todd J., for pointing-out what I saw instantly — that this is NOT a Lincoln Cosmopolitan. To Russ Dixon, I believe that the first year for the “Cosmo” [“Topper”, anyone?] was 1949 and not 1951(it indeed would be amazing, if this were a 1950 Cosmopolitan, with the first year being 1951! — smile). The Cosmopolitan was the only TRUE Lincoln during the 1949-1951 years: the others were a smaller car, essentially a Mercury body with a Lincoln front clip and Lincoln tail lamps (hence the “lead-sled” allusions here): you’d never make a “lead sled” out of a Cosmopolitan, which is an entirely different car, classically Lincoln. Sadly, 1952 saw Lincoln reduced to being a gussied-up Ford/Mercury.
It could also be related to “Cosmo Kramer” from Seinfeld !! I remember these as a friend of the family had one and it had “power windows’ that gave plenty of entertainment to kids until the hydraulic system leaked out its’ fluid—which was the end of that fun.
In 1964, after my beloved ’51 Merc was destroyed by a drunk driver, I found a 1951 Lincoln EL, or baby Lincoln like this. It had better looking grill and tail lights than the 49 – 50 models and was jet black. A beautiful car with Merc highlights, and the bigger engine ran like a dream. It was smooth and comfortable as any top of the line luxury car. It is on the top of my list for cars I wish I had kept.
Hello, Lion! I always preferred the 1951 Mercury, to the 1949-1950 Mercurys. So sorry that you lost yours!!!
Hello Harrison. Yes, I’ve owned several ’49 – ’51 Mercs and Monarchs but the 1951 body was the best design in my opinion too. Also had a ’51 EL Lincoln. That was my favourite.
Hello, Lion! I was going to buy a 1953 Mercury (whose looks I like even better than the 1951). But I am particularly short from the waist to my shoulders, and I needed a Webster’s unabridged dictionary under me, in order to see out over the hood! So, sadly, I had to pass it by…
An old family friend had one of these– a drop top model that he’d
just bought for a song in 1970. It
Had the 337 cube V-8 and the Hyrdamatic drive system from GM. It was a VERY deep Maroon
with a tan leather interior and a cream top. And yeah, it was a Mercury based car too. He wanted a grand for it and I might’ve done it if I weren’t buying my ’66 Cadillac Calais 4-door hardtop from my parents back then. Thinking back, I’d just
dumped a ’59 Lincoln premier due to a vapor lock issue that cost me a date with a really nice girl. She dumped me after the car left us stranded. This car? Yeah, I like it enough to try and
preserve it if possible, but the
shipping costs will add at least 5K more than the purchase price.
Especially here in Florida where
everything is expensive. If I only
the cash to buy it, and a place to
build it.