Cruisin Classics is pleased to present to you this 1955 Lincoln
Capri. Lincoln produced the Capri from 1952-1959 and it was their
top-tier luxury offering before the introduction of the Premiere in
1956. These Lincolns were built with heavy-gauge steel and rigid
structural engineering and they are known for a heavy regal stance
with clean stretched lines rather than the excessive fins of their
competitors. This particular Capri is a true one-family-owned
survivor car with only 17,784 actual miles! We got the car from a
gentleman whose grandfather owned a Lincoln-Packard dealership in
Dayton Ohio. When he closed the dealership in 1955 he gave each of
his children a brand new car, and this car went to our gentleman's
mother. She already had a car though, so she let her step-brother
drive the car for years until his passing. The car then sat in a
garage for about 30 years until it was given to her oldest son, who
left it in a different garage for another 20 years. Finally, a
younger brother purchased the car and brought it back to being a
running driving vehicle again (he's the gentleman who brought it to
us). The car did not undergo a restoration, it was only treated to
service that made it a safe road-worthy vehicle - it is a real
survivor. Let's dive a little deeper into this very special
Lincoln...
This Capri is still dressed in it's original coat of Sunstone
Yellow with an Ermine White top. The paint is now faded in areas
and the car has its fair share of small paint chips and
imperfections - largely caused by kids parking their bicycles next
to it in the garage for decades (according to our gentleman). It
does still present well, despite the small demerits, and we'd call
it driver-quality. The car is loaded with brightwork and chrome
that is in good condition overall, but some pieces are beginning to
show some pitting. Looking at the car from the front you'll see a
chrome aircraft-inspired hood ornament, a knight's crest badge,
LINCOLN block lettering above the hood lip, round headlights in
bright bezels, a chrome trimmed horizontal bar grille, and a
wrap-around chrome bumper with dagmars and integrated turn signals.
Moving around to the side of the car, even more brightwork comes
into focus - windshield surround, wiper arms, drip rail molding,
window trim, belt molding, dual side mirrors, rocker molding,
gravel guards, and a tip to tail body side molding spear. The
fenders sport "Lincoln" badging while the rear quarters have
"Capri" and "V" badging. Topping off the chrome on the C-pillar
area is a knight's head badge that follows the regal theme. The car
sits atop body-color steel wheels with full Lincoln hubcaps with
knight's head centers. The wheels are wrapped in Coker Classic wide
white 4-ply tires in good condition. Partially obscuring the rear
wheels are fender skirts that fit well and add to the brightwork on
the lower quarters. At the rear of the car are understated rounded
fins with large chrome taillights, a hidden gas fill behind the
license plate, and a knight's head trunk ornament with a keyhole
hidden underneath the knights visor (very cool!). There is also
another wrap-around chrome bumper with dagmars and integrated dual
exhaust tips. At some point in its life this Lincoln may have been
used to haul things, as a trailer hitch is present beneath the
bumper.
Under the large hood of this Lincoln is a very original-looking
engine bay that is home to a 5.6 liter 341ci V-8. The block is
topped off with a 4-barrel carburetor, gold valve covers with
"Lincoln V-Eight" call-outs, and a gold air cleaner. The engine is
mated up to a correct Turbo-Drive 3-speed automatic transmission
that sends power to the rear wheels. Other highlights include power
steering, power drum brakes, a Ford generator, cast exhaust
manifolds, and an electric pusher fan ahead of the radiator that
helps the mechanical fan keep things cool on hot summer days. The
engine fires right up from cold and runs nice and smoothly, just as
it should.
Open the drivers door to find a very original yellow, white, and
black interior. The door panels are a mix of yellow and white vinyl
with chrome accents and they offer armrests, vent window cranks,
and switches for the power windows (which all work!). The front and
rear bench seats are white and light yellow leather that has become
very checked/cracked with time and there is a small tear that has
developed on the drivers seat. The front seat is 4-way power
operated - the up/down operation is fine, but it does not adjust
forward and backward (you can hear the motor spin the gear, but
nothing happens). Overhead is a tight white vinyl headliner and
underfoot is worn black pile carpet that looks original. Ahead of
the driver is a crack-free 2-spoke steering wheel with a working
horn ring. The wheel is on a fixed column that is also home to the
shifter for the automatic transmission. Ahead of the wheel is a
black and yellow painted dash that is home to gauges for oil, fuel,
battery, and temp as well as a 130 mph speedometer. Next to the
gauges is a switch for the wipers and a non-working clock. The
wipers work, but they are vacuum-operated and operate slowly. Below
the gauges are controls for the heat, fan, and directional
controls, but these are unfortunately inoperative. On the lower
portion of the dash are a control for the working power antenna and
the original AM radio (inop.). Under the dash to the driver's right
is a toggle switch that operates the electric fan on the radiator.
To the right of that, mounted on the lower dash is a button for the
"Multi-Luber" system. According to the owners manual, you just
press this button once a day and the automatic chassis lubricating
system provides proper, uniform lubrication for front suspension
and steering system fittings. There is a green light next to the
button that is supposed to let you know when the process is
complete. On the right side of the dash, ahead of the passenger is
a glovebox that contains the original owners manual and stereo
manual. Around back in the trunk is a full liner made of plaid
vinyl, a bias-ply wide white wall spare tire, a period jack, some
miscellaneous parts and quite a few cans of chassis lubricant (for
the aforementioned system).
If you're looking for a cool luxury cruiser from the '50's, you
should take a look at this Lincoln! It is not often that you find a
one-family-owned 50's survivor car with only 17,784 miles! Though
it may have some areas for improvement, it is a solid running,
driving car that you can hop in and take for a cruise today! Give
our friendly staff a call today before someone else beats you to
it!
ENGINE
5.6 liter 341ci V-8
4-Barrel Carburetor
Gold Valve Covers with "Lincoln V-Eight" Call-Outs
Gold Air Cleaner
Power Steering
Ford Generator
Cast Exhaust Manifolds
Electric Pusher Fan Ahead of the Radiator
EXTERIOR
Original Sunstone Yellow and Ermine White Paint
Chrome Wrap-Around Bumpers with Dagmars
Tons of Chrome and Brightwork
Correct Badging
Fender Skirts
Body-Color Steel Wheels with Full Lincoln Hubcaps
Coker Classic Wide White Wall 4-Ply Tires
Dual Exhaust
Trailer Hitch
INTERIOR
Original Yellow, White, and Black Interior
Working Power Windows
Yellow and White Leather Bench Seats (Worn)
Power Adjustable Front Seat (only up/down, front/back is inop.)
Tight White Vinyl Headliner
Worn Black Pile Carpet
Original Steering Wheel with Working Horn Ring
Column Shift
B...for more information please contact the seller.
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