Vehicle Description
This was a low-mileage, four-owner motorcar that has just completed a two year complete concours restoration on an original “barn-find”. We bought the car in nice condition and have since invested in a complete restoration including: bare metal repaint in the original black, chrome plating, fully rebuilt engine and transmission, rebuilt or replaced hydraulics throughout, chrome plating, partial new interior and new convertible top. This is a concours quality restoration of a 50k mile motorcar. Our goal is for this to be the best example extant.
HISTORY: This 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Convertible comes to us as a magnificent four-owner icon. This car was bought on April 2, 1949 at the Adams-Bailey Co Lincoln Dealership located in Battlecreek, Michigan. Can you imagine the amazement for the dealership to receive a ’49 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Convertible to sell? We do not know if this was custom ordered by the original owners. This was bought new by the family that owned, amongst other things, the American Stamping Company located at 310 E. Burnham in Battlecreek, Michigan.
This was evidently owned afterward by a Doctor in Battlecreek and perhaps one other owner. It is in the 1950’s that the ownership chain is fuzzy.
By the early 1960’s a large collector of cars, Joe Evans also from Battlecreek, that owned Automotive Parts Stores and a wrecking yard, acquired the Cosmo Convertible. He held onto the car for the next 40 years! During his ownership the car was maintained totally original except some repair work and maintenance to prevent any damage from extensive storage.
This car never left Battlecreek until the Spring of 2005 when Mr. Evans sold the car to Stephan Paradine from Lake Station, Indiana. Mr. Evans was by then very elderly, in a walker and nearly blind. The car was still entirely in it’s original livery: original top, paint, interior, etc. It had amassed a mere 47,960 miles in the previous 55 years. The engine had never been rebuilt, repainted, etc. The engine number is 9EH 035769.
Mr. Paradine started a very sympathetic restoration. He was not out to restore the car. But instead, he wanted to make cosmetic and mechanical improvements to make it a fun car to drive and take to shows.
He had Broadway Glass and Trim in Merriville, Indiana re-trim the leather from the original dried out dark brown to the present two tone brown leather. The top was replaced using the original glass and frames for the unique rear windows in the correct tan Harrtz cloth convertible top.
The original black paint was chipped and had some door dents (but absolutely no signs of accidents or major rot issues).
PRESENT CONDITION: We have since taken the Cosmo down to bare metal. The panel alignment and paint quality is absolutely fantastic. We used the same restoration shop as the many cars we've taken to Pebble Beach over the years. No corners were cut on the restoration.
The engine had never been rebuilt, nor had it ever been painted. If you look carefully at the photos you will see that the original engine looked terrific for a 60+ year old car that had never been apart! The car drove well, had good oil pressure but needed a top end ring replacement. The four-speed hydromatic automatic transmission shifted well. We have just completed a thorough rebuild of the engine, transmission and all major components.
We re-carpeting the car in the same manner that Cosmo's were produced. The carpet was all hand-made out of two differing materials and placed together to provide the stripped look that is so unique. And it is just gorgeous!!
We had a complete new convertible top in the correct pattern and material. Notice the very unique rear windows that look stunning. The power top works perfectly. We rechromed many of the accessories. The only remaining chrome issue is the hood orniment. We weren't able to find a suitable orniment in time to have it plated. The original orinment was poorly plated once and remains on the car. Otherwise it is in gorgeous condition.
This car has never been shown at events or AACA shows. This is a natural car to participate in such events because of its rarity. So few people can say they’ve seen a gorgeous 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Convertibles in person! Even in 1949 most people would never see one!
Most car aficionados have never seen one of these gorgeous cars. We believe they are highly under-rated, likely due to their scarcity when new- and even more so today.
There were about 1,200 of the Cosmopolitan Convertibles made in 1949. Of the 1,200, approximately 12 are known extant. This is about as rare as we get for a top-of-the-line late 40’s dream car. A 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Convertible was used by President Truman supplementing the famous Bubble Top exhibited at the Henry Ford Museum.
This is an extremely rare opportunity to own a top-of-the-line Lincoln for 1949. This Lincoln has the powerful 337 cu in flathead V-8 engine with 152 BHP at 3,600 RPM and the ever smooth and dependable four speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It has a 125 inch wheelbase and a total length of 220.5 inches.
We assume that you have never had an opportunity to drive one of these rare gems. They absolutely surpass their contemporaries. We’re Packard nuts and a 1949 Packard Custom doesn’t even come close to this in terms of design or performance. This car is way ahead of it’s time. For more details please contact Harry at 951.901.5088.
