Vehicle Description
1954 Lincoln Capri Convertible
The Lincoln Capri is an automobile that was sold by the Lincoln
division of Ford Motor Company from 1952 until 1959. A full-size
luxury car, the Lincoln Capri derives its name from an Italian
island in the Gulf of Naples. Introduced as a premium trim variant
of the two-door Lincoln Cosmopolitan, the Capri was introduced in
1952 as a stand-alone model line serving as the premium Lincoln.
With the introduction of the Lincoln Premiere, (and Continental),
the Capri replaced the Cosmopolitan as the standard Lincoln product
line. Competing against the Cadillac Series 62, Chrysler New
Yorker, and Packard Pacific, 14,342 Capris were sold in its debut
year, and nearly double that, 26,640, in 1953. It readily outsold
its stablemate, the Cosmopolitan, each year until the
Cosmopolitan's demise. The Capri had a new Lincoln 90 degree V8
engine. It was not offered in an extended length limousine, and the
listed retail price was US$3,665 for the convertible, ($40,388 in
2022 dollars), which was a significant price reduction of luxury
sedans the company had produced in the past and very close in price
to competitor vehicles of the same time. The exclusive Lincoln
Continental had been discontinued in 1948 making the Capri the
flagship product while design and research had started on the
eventual return of the Continental name with the 1956 Continental
Mark II.
For consignment, some big chrome, big trimmings, nicely scaled
proportions and wrap around glass...we give you Lincoln's
generation 1 of the Capri. This 1 of 1,951 built and restored in
the 1980's example is still looking nearly showroom fresh to this
day with its extensive use of chrome, nicely applied paint, and a
top that lowers with the flick of a switch. Add in factory
installed power steering, power brakes, a power adjustable front
seat along with the optional spotlight and fog lamps and we are
living large in 1954 style. Let's not forget the upgrade to an 8
volt electrical system for much easier starting and the large
engine bay being graced with a 317ci Y block 8 cylinder. You too
can own a snappy boulevard cruiser/head turner right out of the
early 1950's when Detroit was definitely king.
Exterior
Leading the way is an imposing dual tier chrome front bumper.
Vertical struts with imposing dagmar toppers point forward and the
bumper and even the marker lenses wrap around the sides. The hood
cascades downward and has a large chrome V and multi-colored
Lincoln crest that edges the front of the hood. Simple single
headlights grace the front of each quarter and the long lean hood
gracefully makes its way back to approach the beginnings of a
wrap-around windshield. The windshield and passengers
compartmenthas thick chromed surrounds and gives up a brief look at
the bubble windows yet to come. On either side is a large trim
spear running the length along with Lincoln badging in your
grandmother's pen. On the back are fender skirts with some
stainless trimmings to simulate motion in static form. Added to the
wow factory are scriptCapri badging along with some tasteful rocker
molding in stainless bridging the gap between the front and rear
tires. On back, a large rear bumper cradles the chrome trimmed
cathedral style taillights and small chrome dagmars are on just
above the black paintedLincoln embossing within the bumper. All is
bathed in Parklane Green with straight steel, but showing several
areas of rust bubbling on the sides near the rockers, evidence of
filler on the rockers, and a few minor chip offs throughout. A like
new black canvas convertible top compliments the pale green nicely
and shows with no tears or wear, including the clear plastic rear
window. Rounding out our exterior tour are 15-inch steel wheels
with standard Lincoln covers and bright white uber white white wall
radials in 235/75R15 format.
Interior
A swing of the doors allows us to view the duo of color and
materials making up the panels These also sport swoop spear shaped
chrome trim for an accent as well as shiny cranks and power window
actuators, a dark green painted steel sill, ivory white vinyl and
painted inserts, and smooth vinyl in dark green. Inside, on the
sprawling benches, (a split back up front), are nicely done dark
green leather lower cushions that work their way a quarter up the
backs before changing over to a ivory white stitched and piped
leather. A wide rear bench awaits the passengers, and it is
beautifully preserved in the same pattern as the front bench, but
holds a central fold down armrest and broad white padded outboard
armrests. A full metal dash painted dark green and ivory has a
single broad eyebrow bump up in front of the driver. Here we note
the gold tinted gauge cluster which is nice and clean along with
the heater slides, a few knobs and pulls and the factory AM radio.
An original ivory rimmed steering wheel with nice chromed horn
rings and center is fronting the futuristic dash. Plush deep pile
dark green carpeting floods the floors and adds the perfect
compliment to the white and dark green interior.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in a well restored presenting engine bay is a copper
painted Y block V8 in 317.5ci displacement. It is topped with a
copper air cleaner assembly covering the factory 4-barrel
carburetor. An engine cross over exhaust feeds down to join into a
single pipe providing the exhale and Lincoln Eight decaled copper
valve covers bring the bay together nicely. On the back of this
copper Y block is a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission which
sends the ponies rearward to the rear axle with a 3.31 ratio.
Undercarriage
Solid steel framing and floor pans underneath have a nice coating
of factory undercoating. Single stock style exhaust with dual
mufflers snakes its way rearward, past independent coil springs
upfront and to the rear leaf springs. Power drum brakes are on all
4 corners and power steering has been optioned on to make turning a
breeze. It is mostly rust free with the majority of the flaws being
patina and surface rust on the usual suspects.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and off to the test track where I could play with
all the buttons and knobs to my heart's content. And they all
worked save for the radio as the fuse has been pulled,but our
consignor notes this unit does indeed work! Fine smooth
acceleration, a smooth idle, good braking, and fantastic cornering
for a large car, this is a real 1950's treat with the top down.
Those 50's automotive stylists were so kewl.
An older restoration still holding up well today sporting a literal
ton of chrome trimmings, fantastic mid-50's styling and a powerful
Y block V8 under the hood. The beginnings of curved bubble style
glass and large cruiser that can go all day on a turnpike road and
turn plenty of heads while doing so. Isn't it time to open the
checkbook and enjoy the life of excess that the other half
lives.
54WA24092H
54-1954
WA-Wayne, MI Assy Plant
24092-Sequential Unit Number
H-Lincoln Line
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.