Here’s a prospective race car. Oh, sure it doesn’t look speedy – but it’s got possibilities, and the right race for this car is La Carrera Panamericana. Hard to believe? Spend five minutes with this video, and check out these stage results from last year’s race – and the cars entered. Want to beat those Studebakers? You can: this 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan is advertised here on facebook Marketplace for $5000 – but it’s been listed for weeks, and I bet that price is becoming less firm by the day. Best to bring a trailer to retrieve it from Fayetteville, Ohio; it runs, but driving it across a few states in winter is probably better pursued after a thorough once-over. Ted sent this tip over to us – thanks!
The Lincoln Cosmopolitan was introduced in 1949 as Ford’s “senior” luxury car. It was crafted in the era’s new “ponton” style with smooth lines including frenched-in headlamps. Sales were strong at the outset, but diminished over the years until the upscale Capri – launched in 1952 – finally killed the Cosmopolitan nameplate. In the engine bay is Ford’s 337 cu. in. V8, made with hydraulic lifters for Lincoln and good for 152 bhp. It’s got plenty of torque, too, coming in at 265 ft-lbs. But these were the days when size was the key to horsepower – it’s a big, heavy lump at 850 lbs. Stock and performance parts are very scarce though I did find these pricey high-compression heads. Meanwhile, the gearbox is a four-speed HydraMatic, which the seller notes is possibly slipping when cold.
Suicide doors show off the capacious interior; ok, that smooth bench seat isn’t going to provide any lateral support against g-forces around corners. And the upholstery is a melange of colors and patterns. The door panel is missing from the driver’s side, but who needs that. The floor is lightly rusted – I’ve seen worse. Oh, and I’m not sure any of the hubcaps match.
The Cosmopolitan was the first Lincoln with a V8, and the first post-war clean-sheet design. Bob Gregorie was responsible for its styling, which was echoed up and down the whole Ford line-up. We mentioned that the new Cosmopolitan sold well at first, but the distinctive look of Cadillac outsold Lincoln by 3X in 1950, and along with the introduction of the Capri, contributed to the nameplate’s decline. What do you think about this car as a La Carrera prospect? How about a daily driver? Or a hot rod?
You know, I simply can’t understand how people could call my ex- 1950 Packard ugly and bulbous, and somehow praise the look of a similar era Cosmo? Or any late 40s/early 50s car, for that matter. Regardless, these were fantastic cars, and I believe this was the best motor you could have, from semi trucks to drag racing. The OHV motor in 1952 Lincoln ( 1954 for Ford) changed everything, but I bet in 1950, this car passed everything in sight, including grandpas Packard.
Can’t beat the styling, especially for that period. Clean design, big engine. What more could you want. Still looks good today.
I always preferred the EL series (the “baby” or “junior” Lincoln) to the Cosmopolitan. I thought the proportions and overall “look” of the EL was better, it was of course very similar to the Mercury except for a slightly extended wheelbase from the cowl forward. The EL also has the same 337 cu. in. flattie.
I’m no lincoln expert, but I was under the impression the Cosmo was the “baby” Lincoln. This looks just like an EL. I guess I just need to see them side by side. I do love the custom look of these.
So weird I almost like it! ALMOST! no.
The Lincoln Cosmopolitan was not the first Lincoln with a V8
Lincoln’s started life, in 1921, with a V8 engine and, up until modern times, was always powered by V8’s.
No sir, Lincolns were NOT always powered by V8s. From the mid-1930s through 1948, the only Lincoln engines you could get were the V-12s.
And the good folks of Studaker fame (Bourke) helped with the design on the kitchen table of the Ford designer.
‘George Walker, part of the Ford design team, called on Robert Bourke. ‘Robert Bourke, of Studebaker fame, lent resources and advice to Caleal. Bourke said he had a major hand in the Ford design, including its distinctive spinner-nose grille. Holden “Bob” Koto, one of the Studebaker staffers who helped Caleal with the mold and cast of the theme model, was given credit by Bourke for portions of the design.’
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-must-read-who-designed-the-1949-ford.770745/
I bought a 1951 EL Lincoln sedan in 1964 from an old fellow who would not budge on his (rather high) price. The car was gorgeous and drove like a charm. I thought it was a way better looking than the Cosmopolitan, but then I had owned a few ’51 Mercs prior to the Lincoln. It being already 13 years old I felt I needed something newer so I sold it and bought a 1960 Buick. Big mistake! I’m sure the Lincoln would have outlasted that lemon.
Somewhere around 1974 I was renting a small house in Everett, Washington. Across the street was a Lincoln Cosmopolitan. At the time I was driving a 1965 Lincoln Continental and loved Lincoln cars. No one lived at the house where the Cosmopolitan was parked so I took down the address contacted the water company to see who last had water there. I got the name of a man, looked up his name in the phone book (remember those) and called him. He was quite intrigued by how I got his name and number but said the car had been his late mothers and he had plans to put it back on the road. I don’t know if he did or not, but I sure liked that Cosmopolitan.
God Bless America
In the Facebook views, there are two different motors pictured, and one set of pictures have a matte finish and Lincoln hubcap, while others have shiny paint and moon caps.
Wish I had the money and space. I would snag this one. Not a lot of cars from this era attract me, but I think the suicide doors make me want it. I also have fond memories of a yellow Cosmopolitan convertible that used to visit our middle-class neighborhood. It belonged to the wealthy sister of one of our neighbors. Every time she would come for a visit, that long, yellow beast would hang out of the driveway into the street when she parked it. I always made sure to ride by on my bike while it was there.
Michael, in the 80s we were sitting in a restaurant in Edmonton, Alberta when I saw a yellow Cosmo go by. When we finished our meal the car was parked just down the street and I just had to have a closer look. When I told the owner that I had an EL sedan back in the 60s he opened the driver’s door and invited me to sit behind the wheel. What a treat ! Old car guys, eh.
There was a guy at the church my mother used to take us to that had one of these. I never liked it as I thought it was just an old ugly car. Not realizing at the time it was a Lincoln. I did however admire the suicide doors. He always parked it in such a way he could just drive right out of the parking lot as it had no reverse, appearently.
Have not seen those brushed aluminum discs in eons! The always added something to 50s Lincolns & Mercurys