In 1949, Lincoln introduced the Cosmopolitan. The 1949 Lincolns were the company’s first new offering following World War II, and they were also the first Lincolns to be built that didn’t feature running boards. This car is a nice example in need of some minor restoration work, and you will find it listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Pueblo, Colorado, and is listed for sale with a clear title. At the time of writing the bidding has reached $4,250, although the reserve has not been met. There is also a BIN option of $12,900. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder Ikey H for referring this classic through to us.
The car presents well, with no obvious major issues with the body itself. The biggest issue to be addressed is the fact that the rear window is cracked. The body does have a few minor dings, but there is no sign of any real rust problems. One of the styling features that I’ve always liked on the ’49 Lincolns is the “frenched” headlights. To me, it’s just a really classy look. The rear suicide doors are also quite cool.
To me, it appears that the interior is going to be the place where the new owner is going to be spending the bulk of their time and money on this restoration. The front seat is going to require a new cover, while the carpet is also pretty tired, and will need to be replaced. There are also a few minor items, such as armrests, that will need some work, but there is nothing major there. The car features power windows and a power seat. The owner states that the windows may require some tweaking and adjustment, but that it should be fairly straightforward.
The rear seat still features its original cover, although it will at least need a good clean. Quite honestly, it is going to be very hard to get the new cover on the front seat to be a perfect match for the rear, so it may be a wise move to do both seats at the same time. Once again, you can see that the armrests will need restoration, and the headliner will need to be cleaned. Due to the age of the material, combined with the risk of the material stretching, I would probably get a professional to do this.
Powering the Cosmopolitan is the 337ci flat-head V8. There was a choice of two different transmissions in the Cosmopolitan, and in this case, it is the 3-speed manual transmission. The owner states that the car runs and drives and that the engine feels good, and doesn’t blow any smoke. The car still retains its original 6-volt electrical system, and also is fitted with a fairly new battery.
This Lincoln Cosmopolitan is a clean car that appears to need relatively little work to return it to its former glory. The vast majority of the work is going to be dedicated to restoring interior trim, but this work is not urgent and could be completed as time and money allow. What is interesting about the ’49 Cosmopolitans is the fact that although the Sports Sedan had the highest build total by a substantial margin (18,906 built), it is the significant rarer Convertible (1,230 built) that is seen more often in the market. The high build numbers do impact on the value of the Sports Sedan, with good examples selling for prices in excess of $15,000, while a Convertible will sell for more than twice that price. Still, even at the BIN price, this Lincoln could be worth a look.
That is one classie looking ride. I think the thing I like about suiside door cars is with the back door handle close to the front door handle it tricks the eye into see this as a to door at a glance it’s only after you’ve paused that you see the back doors. There sure can’t be many of these around and the ones you’ll find won’t look like this one, price seems fair what a unique car to have. Very nice find.
No doubt, best car one could buy in ’49. I never could get past that front end styling. Sure was some sad, frowny faced post-war styling from many makes, I wonder why that was? The wide whites, while stylish in ’49, look corny today and would have to go. Just no clown wheels, please!
Someone is going to luxo-rod this puppy to the nth degree.
The suicide doors almost dare you to go there.
I know that’s what I would do
Elegant art-deco dashboard is winning big…btw.
These always looked to me like some prehistoric armored fish (because of the recessed headlights and frowning grille), but in a good way. This car has huge presence and I love the colors.
These were unique to say the least. Sorry, but the headlights look like they’re pointing in two different directions. But that wouldn’t stop me from owning one. There was a story about a farmer in the region, who passed away, leaving a similar Lincoln car with only 17K miles on it. The youngest boy–who was always running a few bricks short–decided that no ONE was going to get that car but him. There was a garage made of concrete that the car was always parked in. The ‘boy’ took and cemented the entire building shut. It stayed that way for over 60 years before the boy got committed to the rubber room. They jack-hammered the door out and retrieved the car. I understand that the tires were even cemented in, up to the rims, making retrieval difficult but not impossible. I was quite disappointed that the retrieval occured when I was in Las Cruces for a couple of weeks. I was hoping to be there, camera in hand, when the tomb was opened…
I hope it was better than the Tulsa Plymouth.
I like this just the way it is. I like the wide whitewalls, and the headlights are interesting.
Wow, I have never seen this model before now. Is that the factory stance?
Inspiration?
Right on the money!
Beautifully Fugly ! I would love it in my garage.
those look like aftermarket correct for the period seat covers on the rear seat, would it not had a beadford cord type material both front and rear or leather which the front seat appears to be. Love the roof line and three piece rear window, has a hardtop look to it. Also the sunken headlights and frowny grill has always fascinated me as the heavy slash of chrome on the front fenders. Way Cool Car!!
Glenn,
You are correct, the rear seat is covered with aftermarket seat covers, likely put on when new by the selling dealer.
Not a Ford fan but….
This is a very cool car 😘
These look as good as a 4 door as most do as a 2 door. These actually looked a little odd as a 2 door.
My first car, a high school graduation gift was a 1951 Ford 2 dr custom. I loved the simple V8 flathead, it had come a long way since 1932. I remember my Dad telling me they would put 3 duces on the engine and it would fly. I only had the car for 2 years but, I did upgrade to 12 volt negative battery system from the 6 volt positive. All I did was change the battery generator and light bulbs, I kept the 6 volt starter, you just bumped the starter button and it was running. I wish I had the money to bid, $10,000 would be a great price for this one. I would go all out with a 400 hp 302 with correct tranny, rearend and air ride suspension. Maybe next year, when I am debt free.
3-speed standard shift has to be rare in an expensive luxury car in 1949 that also offered optional Hydra-Matic. If you could afford one of these in 1949, you could afford the Hydra-Matic option. And most Lincoln buyers wanted the latest thing.
Packards of this era were available with a manual transmission
I have to admit to not being aware of these particular models, but when I opened my Barnfinds email I was immediately drawn to the pic and the write-up. What a beautiful car! ‘Grouper’ design inspirations aside, I love the front end. Looking at the ad and the many supplied pics, I am curious about the wheels…in the side views they almost look too large relative to the wheel arches? Also love the colours and that dashboard. Ohhh, I wish I had the money and didn’t live on the other side of the world!
They even offered a semi fastback version in 1949 called the Town Sedan.
The original design was to have concealed front headlamps. But they were having problems with them so they dropped the idea. But being so close to production at the time, they placed tubes into the headlamp nacelles and called it a day.
The grille is similar to the lower part of the 1946-48 Lincoln grille. But, on the whole, the 1949 Lincoln was affectionately known as the “Water Buffalo”.
In 1949 Lincoln also offered a Cosmopolitan 4 door fastback sedan. Didn’t sell well and was gone for 1950.
And it is missing its rear fender skirts, which were standard on all 1949-51 Lincoln and Lincoln Cosmopolitan models.