Until I reviewed the listing for this 1954 Lincoln Cosmopolitan, I hadn’t given Lincolns of this era much consideration – it seems that when the name Lincoln is mentioned, I automatically think of Elwood Engel’s magnificent “Continental” design (’61-’69). In this mid-fifties era, however, a Lincoln did not seem like much more than a gussied-up Mercury. Still, this Liberty Township, Ohio discovery, courtesy of Ted, has a very cool fifties vibe so let’s look it over. Potential buyers can find it here on Facebook Marketplace, where it’s available for $15,000.
Lincoln’s lineup in ’54 consisted of the Custom, the Cosmopolitan, and the Capri, which bequeathed its top-rung status to the Capri in 1952. Body styles included a two-door hardtop and four-door sedan. These are not common automobiles; Lincoln knocked out only 5,400 Cosmopolitans in ’54, with just about 3,000 being two-door hardtops. Unfortunately, the listing for this Cosmo is very light, so, as is often the case, the images do the talkin’. I dig green, and in this case, either shade is fine with me – though I’ll admit I’m not a big fan of typical fifties’ two-tone paint jobs. This Lincoln’s finish has gone a bit flat in places, but it’s still quite presentable, as are the stainless trim pieces and the chrome-plated bits. Best of all, no rust is observed.
At first glance, the interior’s upholstery, where it’s not torn away on the front seat backrest, looks like fifties beach chair material – and then it’s obvious that the stripes belong to add-on seat covers. Still, it’s a great departure from today’s somber tones, and what lies beneath is more fitting for a car of Lincoln’s stature. As to its overall condition, there’s no way to know unless the ripping continues. The headliner is not gravity-bound – always an encouraging sign and the dashboard does not appear to be padded, so that’s one less replacement concern. No power windows on this car; they literally need to be wound up and down.
Said to “run and drive“, this Cosmopoliton makes use of a 205 gross HP, mostly Lincoln only, 317 CI Y-block V8 engine. How well it runs with its GM-sourced Hydramatic automatic transmission is not disclosed. The lone engine image shows what appears to be a complete powerplant, minus the air cleaner assembly. However, I’m not certain about the originality of that carburetor, and the brake system has been converted to a dual-circuit arrangement – always a sound move. The listing claims “driven 10K miles,” which means, I guess, that that’s how far the current owner has driven this car – the actual mileage recording would be more valuable information. Oh, and note the aqua color firewall. Is that indicative of this Lincoln’s original hue? It matches that of the roof.
While this Cosmopolitan is certainly a valuable find, the laconicness of the listing is probably going to make for a tough $15,000 sale. Going forward, assuming that a sale is transacted, maintaining this car as stock and original would be my preference – it’s just too untouched to mess with. But that’s just my view, what’s yours?
Isn’t this what you’d call a “Road Race” Lincoln? Cars like this did very well in the Carrera Panamericana in the early and mid 50s. That deserves a mention.
Andy, `54 was the last year for the Mexican road race. Many spectator’s lives were lost, etc. It just wasn’t worth it.
A little pricey but a real nice drive and have fun car. What about the 48/50 F1 pickup in the background?
One of my absolute favorite movies is Moonshine Highway. The star was a ’54 Lincoln. If you’ve never see it, and like old cars ( was that last sentence really necessary?) I think you’ll like the movie too. Mostly for the chase scenes and all the cars they used.
Interesting you mention that movie. The `54 Lincoln used in it had an Olds 455 under the hood–not the original (and legendary) 317 V8. It sure sounded good in that film. And I just knew there had to be a `55 Chevy somewhere in those chase scenes! There always is.
Now Ill have to go and watch the movie again and look at the underhood shot when Hooch is looking at it. Don’t forget about the mint green ’57 Chevy sedan the feds had too. Love that opening scene.
That looks like the correct, original carburetor. Mercury in those years had carbs like that, too. An odd, two-level design, I never owned one nor understood how they worked.
You nailed it. We had ’50s Ford trucks on the farm, and the F-600s had Mercury engines. We had two with the 317 and that carb. Never required any maintenance that I remember. Probably because ethanol gas wasn’t a thing.
Called a Teapot.
Always interesting to me, was, that Lincoln for 1955 remained with their essential 1952-’54 look, and did not share the drastic face-lifting that both Ford and Mercury did on this same basic body shell — which made the new ’55 Lincoln look very “last year” when it came out. But their complete re-do for ’56 made up for that. These Lincolns always impressed me also as fancy Mercurys — and I tended to love the ’53 Mercury especially. But Lincoln and Mercury looked similar beginning in 1949. I’d be apprehensive about that missing air-cleaner…
Very nice looking Lincoln! I like the color combination. Why can’t Lincoln build a car today?
Yuck! A Merc was nothing but a trimmed out Ford and a Lincoln was nothing but a trimmed out Merc. So, it’s a Ford!
Never cared for these. The 61 thru 68, yes. All of the rest, no!
Only on Barn Finds would I encounter the descriptor “laconicness”. I am proud to be a peripheral associate of literate writing. Thank you. Oh and the Lincoln is too cool.
I liked them then, as a 13 year old, and still do. Always a fan of the smaller, tighter looking, luxury car, First generation of the Cadillac Seville, Cadillac 60 Special of 1941, and this baby.
Unfortunately I’d be one to upset the purist crowd…a little.
My vision is a modern(er) Lincoln sourced drivetrain front to back. A little tasteful Lincoln updates in the interior, Lincoln brakes, wheels, electrical updates, clean up the paint or new Lincoln hue and done.
Just drive with Lincoln confidence and enjoy!
Don’t like the two-tone paint scheme?
I love it, and the tri-tones seen on Packards is even sweeter. It’s sad that most cars today look the same, especially with the same, drab, monochromatic colors. Yuck.
Did these cars not come with an air-filter? Or am I not seeing it?
It was always interesting to me that only Lincoln of the “Big Three” manufacturers brands did not go to the new styling trend of ” wrap around” windshields. Lincoln waited until the all new 1956 bodies.
Always thought these looked like someone had taken the headlight bezels off. That Lincoln Y-block is the foundation for the Ford FE engine. The FE engine has the same bore center spacing as the Lincoln Y-block. Just as the Ford Y-block has the same bore center spacing as the Windsor/Cleveland engines. The MEL engine has the same bore spacing as the later 385 series engines.
I am the one who bought the car. The pictures and the You Tube video simply do not do the car justice. It like driving a cloud that keeps want to go faster and faster. I was pleasantly surprised to have the two way adjustable power seat. it is a very nice feature for a car from 1954. I plan on keeping it as original as possible , with maybe a few reliability modern updates.
The Lincoln is so nice, that i am planning to sell of most if not all of my other vintage cars.
Greg:
Congratulations and enjoy!
JO