1954 Lincoln Capri

The Lincoln Capri was built from 1952 to 1959 and its name was derived from an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples. It was the company's top-of-the-line model at the time of its introduction and straddled the line between luxury and performance. Power was initially from an overhead valve V8 engine displacing 317.4 cubic inches and delivering 160 horsepower at 3,900 RPM. Body styles included a hardtop coupe, sedan, and a convertible. The only other model in the Lincoln lineup in 1952 was the Cosmopolitan, wearing a new design that was lean and modern with an integrated grille and bumper, a wraparound windshield, and large vertical taillights.

The Cosmopolitan and Capri would continue to form the entirety of Lincoln's lineup through 1954. The A Holley four-barrel carburetor replaced the previous two-barrel unit in 1953, bring horsepower to 205 hp. 1953 was the second year in a row that Lincolns placed in the top four sports at the Pan American Road Race. They would take first and second place at the 1954 Pan American Road Race.

The 1954 Lincoln Capri body styles remained the hardtop coupe, sedan, and convertible, with 14,003 of the hardtop and 13,598 of the sedan produced. 1,951 examples of the convertible were built.

Both the 1954 Cosmopolitan and the Capri were very similar, with the most distinguishable feature being the nameplate. If it was a convertible, then it was the Capri, as a convertible was not part of the Cosmopolitan lineup. Another difference between the two was the chrome rocker panels and roof trim of the Capri being different than the Cosmopolitan.

The Lincoln Capri was replaced by the 1961 Lincoln Continental.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe

The Carrera Panamerica (Mexican Road Race) was organized in 1950, to promote Mexican tourism. Conducted under International Automobile Federation Rules, the Carrera Panamericana endurance run annually attracted many famous international drivers. The race lasted five days and covered 1,908 miles.

The Lincoln Capri, named for the Italian island in the Gulf of Naples, was a popular full-size luxury car built by Ford from 1952 through 1959. In a daring leap of faith, Lincoln entered the Carrera Panamericana with its 1952 race-prepared Capri pitching itself as a contender in a road race inhabited largely by small exotics. Powered by an 8-cylinder, 319.6 cubic-inch engine capable of 205 hp, the 4,250-pound behemoth could comfortably cruise upwards of 90 mph. In 1952, Lincoln captured the first four placed in the Big Stock Car Class, and repeated this remarkable achievement the following year. In 1954, there were 13 Lincoln Capris racing the Carrera Panamericana and the marque once again secured first and second - with this Lincoln Capri Custom Coupe arriving first in the Big Stock Car Class and ninth overall, only five minutes behind an OSCA Morelli in a field dominated by Ferrari and Porsche. This amazing feat was achieved by Ray Crawford and Enrique Iglesias who between them finished the race in 20 hours, 40 minutes and 19 seconds with an average speed of 92.22 mph.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 54LA7967H

Many people agree that the Carrera Pan Americana race was one of the most grueling road race ever conceived. The race was open to stock production vehicles. A few marque's took advantage of this difficult course to prove their vehicles stamina and toughness. Finishing the race was a major accomplishment but to win was an accomplishment to the highest degree. The Ford Motor Company entered several of their cars into the competition and proved they were the most capable in the pack, by winning first, second, and third place.

The stock Capri two-door hardtops were sent directly to Bill Stroppe in Long Beach where they were modified to meet the demands of the Carrera Pan Americana. The cars were powered by an overhead valve V8 engine featuring a Y-block design.

This 1954 Lincoln Capri Pan Americana Road Racer was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held at Meadow Brook. It is powered by a 317 cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine that is capable of producing over 200 horsepower. There is a GM Hydramatic automatic gearbox and hydraulic drum brakes. This car is a replica built to the highest of standards and nearly identical to the originals. It is finished in two-tone with exterior rock guards protecting the headlights. On all four corners are reinforced steel wheels. In the rear luggage compartment is a special aluminum fuel cell with an exterior 'quick-fill' cap.

At auction this car was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $40,000 - $60,000. Bidding was lower than expected, and the buyer got a bargain, buying the car for $27,500 including buyer's premium.

In 2008, this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $30,000-$35,000. It was offered without reserve. The lot was sold for $12,100 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe

This 1954 Lincoln Capri placed first and second in one of the most famous races of the 1950s, the Pan American Road Race. This car raced in the 1968 running of this race. The car is powered by a 318 cubic-inch V8 engine capable of producing 160-205 horsepower.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 54WA21419H

For 1954, the Capri was Lincoln's top-of-the-line model and represented the company's efforts to capitalize on the slow decline of Packard and its challenge to Cadillac during the mid-1950s. Life magazine declared the Capri the safest car of the year.

This example is painted in glossy two-tone green with polished brightwork complemented by light green steel wheels, bright wheel covers and Coker Classic wide whitewall tires. Inside, there is a unique perforated metal dash treatment. There is a GM Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission and a 205 horsepower Lincoln V8. Passenger amenities include a clock, heater/defroster, power seat, power windows and a pushbutton-operated AM radio.

This Lincoln Capri shows approximately 36,000 miles. In 2009, it was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $30,000 and offered without reserve.

by Dan Vaughan

The Lincoln Capri was powered by an eight-cylinder 430 cubic-inch engine which was matted to a three-speed automatic gearbox. The Life Magazine hailed the Capri as the safest vehicle produced in 1955.

The Lincoln Capri was entered in the grueling Mexican Road Races and was able to sweep the top five places in the International Standard Class. The following year, they captured the first four spots. In 1954, they claimed the first and second spots.

by Dan Vaughan

Replacing the Cosmopolitan as Lincoln's top of the line series, the Lincoln Capri debuted in 1952 with modern squared-off styling. Available in three body styles, the design was similar to the Mercury models at the time. A full-size model, the Capri rode on a 123.0-inch wheelbase, had an overall length of 214 inches, a width of 77.5 inches and a height of 62.6 inches. Designed to compete with the Packard Series 400 and the Cadillac Series 62, the Capri hit the automotive market with a bang, selling 14,342 models in its first year. The following year it nearly doubled sales with a total of 26,640 sales in 1953. The Capri quickly sold out its sibling, the Cosmopolitan each year until the end of that model. Today these Lincolns are highly regarded, especially for their excellent performance in the grueling Carrara-Panamericana (Mexican Road Race).

The Capri could hit 0-60 mph in 14.8 seconds, and achieve the quarter mile in 21.3 seconds according to the 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics in the fall. Fuel economy was recorded at 21mpg at 40 mph. The two-door hardtop Capri coupé weighed 4,305 pounds, the two-door convertible weighed 4,415 pounds and the four-door sedan tipped the scales at 4,275 pounds. Lincoln contracted Earle MacPherson, the father of today's strut-type suspension, to improve the control-arm front suspension. The Capri featured newly designed ball joint front suspensions, jumbo drum brakes and recirculating-ball power steering. The result was reduced steering effort, quelling brake drive and improved tracking of the front wheels. Lincoln's top-of-the-line Capri was priced between $3,331 and $4,031.

The Capri had the distinction of being one of the first vehicles ever to offer an optional automatic headlight dimmer. The output increased to 205 for 1953 thanks to a higher compression ratio, larger intake valves and a four-barrel carburetor. This increase allowed Lincoln to earn the title as the first manufacture to offer more than 200 hp in a volume-production sedan. Lincoln rolled out a new 225 hp 341 cu in (5.6 L) Lincoln Y-Block V8 engine in 1955. This new engine had greater displacement and at 8.5:1 it had a higher compression than before and a four-barrel carburetor joined to a standard 3-speed Turbo Drive automatic transmission. The Lincoln V8 pumped out more horsepower per cubic inch (0.64) than any of its competitors. Extensive sound deadening enhanced refinement and for the first time air conditioning was finally an optional blessed relief.

Sales for 1954 peaked at 29,552, then fell slightly to 23,673 models in 1955, amounting to 87% of Lincoln's total output for the year. During 1952 and 1953, Lincolns claimed the top four spots in the Stock Car category of the Pan American Road Race thanks to the 317 cu in (5.2 L) Lincoln Y-block V8s. winning driver Chuck Stevenson used the Ferrari team's road markings, to direct him through the curves and straightaways and achieved 91.2-mph average over 1938 miles in Mexico. Lincolns took first and second place in 1954 with four Capris. Some enthusiasts dubbed the Capri the 'Pullman of the highway', and other claimed that driving the vehicle was 'the nearest sensation to flying'.

The second generation of the Lincoln Capri rolled out in 1956 with an entire division-wide revamp. A new 285 hp 368 cu in (6.0 L) Lincoln Y-Block V8 engine and a brand new 12-volt electrical system was introduced this year. The electrical system was introduced to handle the array of new power accessories introduced. The Capri became Lincoln's entry-level model while the Premier moved up to the upper level model. The convertible was removed from the model range at this time. Sales took quite a hit in 1956 and the number swooped dramatically to 8,791 units, but thankfully returned in 1956 with total numbers of both Capri and Premier models rising to 50,322 units sold.

New this generation was the option of four-way power seats. Boosting output to 300 hp was a new camshaft and higher 10:1 compression. Despite the introduction of a 4-door landau hardtop, sales fell once again to 5,900 units. 1957 brought with it a face-lifted design that featured more dramatic fins. Total production for 1957 was 41,123 units with both Capri and Premier models.

In 1958 Lincoln introduced the third generation of the Lincoln Capri. Much like the Lincoln-Zephyr and the original Continental, these first Lincolns were constructed on a unibody platform. They were produced at the new Wixom, Michigan plant. For this year Lincoln's shared its body with the Continental, though they were still a separate make. The higher-model full-size Continentals featured differences in trim level and roof treatment along with a reverse-angle power rear 'Breezeway' window that retracted into the rear of the backseat. Unfortunately Lincoln was hit hard in 1958 through 1960, losing over $60 million, and was even further impacted with the economic recession in the U.S. and the 1958 full-size model selling poorly in all models.

Even larger than Cadillac's at the time, the '58 Lincoln Capri was one of the largest cars ever made. Even though this era was the time of excess styling, some considered the scalloped fenders and canted headlights to be somewhat flashy. The longest Lincolns ever produced without federally mandated 5 mph bumpers, the 1958 landau sedan measured 229 inches long and 80.1 inches wide. Everyone applauded the arrival of the all-new 375 hp 430 cu in MEL V8 engine. Setting a record that continues to this day, the front of the Capri measured 63.1 inches shoulder room, and 63.0 inches rear.

Well-received, sales of the landau sedan made up nearly half of 1958 sales at 3,014 models produced. Optional extras included the AM radio priced at $144, seat belts for $25 and heater and defroster for $110. Even though sales rose to 7,929 units for 1959, the Capri was put to rest for 1960.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Capri

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/
collectible_classic/1105_collectible_classic_1952_1955_lincoln_capri/viewall.html

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1952-1954-lincoln-capri.htm

http://vintagemotorcarsusa.com/Details_new.php?id=230

by Jessican Donaldson