Vehicle Description
Remember when Lincolns were the cars of choice for the most
grueling races of the 1950s? Yes, Lincolns! Cars like this 1954
Lincoln Capri were renowned for their big horsepower, tidy
handling, and bulletproof construction, making them a favorite
among competitors in the grueling (and deadly) Carrera Panamericana
cross-country races held in Mexico.
Of course, this handsome Capri sedan was never a race car, but the
same virtues that made it popular with racers also serve it well on
the streets. The tidy proportions bely the massive luxury machines
Lincoln would become later in the decade, but the upscale design
and ornamentation leave no doubt that this was a top-of-the-line
car in 1954. The Ivy Green paint is a refreshing change from the
pastels and plain black sedans of the period, and helps the car
stand out without being undignified, which wouldn't suit a Lincoln
at all. Finish quality is excellent and it's just a quick polish
and wax away from being truly spectacular. It's got a great shine
and the bodywork underneath is laser-straight, suggesting it has
never been wrecked or rusty, and all four doors close with that
incredibly solid ker-chunk sound that is always so reassuring.
Plenty of chrome and stainless trim ensures nobody will mistake
this for anything but a Lincoln, and it remains in first-class
condition throughout, including the wonderful taillight housings
and ornaments ahead of the rear wheels.
We have a lot of reasons to believe the interior is original, from
the handsome patterned cloth upholstery to the ornate tri-tone door
panels that blend into the dashboard. It's possible that the
carpets have been replaced at some point, but even they have some
patina that makes everything look consistent. It's loaded with
power options, which should be expected on a car of this stature,
including a power seat, power windows, and cold A/C, which appears
to be an early add-on unit under the dash and not built into the
trunk the way the factory would have done it. Either way, it's
effective and most of the hardware tucks neatly out of sight.
Sliding levers for the ventilation controls, an array of simple
gauges, and an AM radio built into the dash instead of simply
jammed into a slot all give it a very neatly finished look. We
especially like the patterned applique that covers the glove box
and wraps into the door panels, making the Capri feel light-hearted
and not at all frumpy like most luxury cars of the period. And you
do get a giant truck with an original mat and full-sized spare with
jack assembly.
The 317 cubic inch V8 was all-new in 1954 and with overhead valves,
power was way up over the flathead before it. The unusual exhaust
manifold arrangement makes it easy to spot, and it appears to be
mostly original under the hood, including the gold air cleaner and
valve covers. You'll find both power brakes and power steering on
the options list, and someone has insulated the fenders and air
intake to make the ventilation system that much more effective. In
1954, Lincoln was buying Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions from
GM, and that's what's in this car, which means it's reliable and
parts are easy to find. A single exhaust system gives it a nice V8
burble and with a fat front sway bar, you'll find that it handles
rather well for a luxury sedan, which is why they were so popular
with racers on rough roads. No critical rust issues underneath and
it sits on a recent set of 225/75/15 whitewall radials that look
good and have plenty of life left in them.
An unusual car that offers one of the best driving experiences of
the period, this Capri also brings plenty of luxury to bear,
turning it into one heck of a bargain today. Call now!
