Lincoln Cosmopolitan

Lincoln Cosmopolitan
Overview
Manufacturer Lincoln (Ford)[1]
Production 1948–1954
Body and chassis
Class full-size luxury car
Layout FR layout[1]
Chronology
Predecessor Lincoln EL-series
Successor Lincoln Premiere (sedan)
Lincoln Capri (coupe)

The Lincoln Cosmopolitan is a full-size luxury car that was sold by Lincoln from the 1949 through the 1954 model year.[1] All Lincolns were manufactured at Lincoln Assembly, Dearborn, Michigan, while some were sent in "knock-down kits" to regional factories at Maywood Assembly, Maywood, California, Edison Assembly, Edison, New Jersey, or St. Louis Assembly, St.Louis, Missouri, and assembled locally.

In 1950, under the Harry S. Truman presidency, legend has it that Truman held a grudge with General Motors because they would not give him use of their cars during his run for the 1948 presidential election; thus, he chose Lincoln for the presidential state car.[2] The White House leased ten Cosmopolitans, built by the Henney Motor Company for Lincoln, and modified by the Hess and Eisenhardt Company. The cars were modified with extra headroom to accommodate the tall silk hats popular at the time, and were painted black. Nine of the automobiles had enclosed bodies, while the tenth was an armored convertible especially for President Truman. The tenth Cosmopolitan was 20 feet (6.1 m) long, 6.5 feet (2.0 m) wide, and weighed 6,500 pounds (2,900 kg), 1,700 pounds (770 kg) heavier than a stock Cosmopolitan. All ten cars were outfitted with 152-horsepower (113 kW) V8 engines "with heavy-duty Hydra-Matic transmissions."[3] In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower had the Cosmopolitan convertible fitted with a Plexiglas roof that became known as the "Bubble-top"; it remained in presidential service until 1965.

1949–1951

Generation one
Overview
Model years 1949–1951
Assembly Maywood Assembly, Maywood, California, United States[1]
Lincoln Assembly, Dearborn, Michigan, United States[1]
Edison Assembly, Edison, New Jersey, United States
St. Louis Assembly, St.Louis, Missouri, United States[1]
Designer Eugene T. "Bob" Gregorie
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe[1]
2-door Capri coupe[1]
2-door convertible[1]
4 door sedan[1]
Powertrain
Engine 337 cu in (5.5 L) 2-bbl. Flathead V8[1][4]
Transmission 3-speed manual[1]
4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 125.0 in (3,175 mm)[1][4][5]
Length 1949: 220.5 in (5,601 mm)[1][4]
1950: 221.2 in (5,618 mm)[1]
1951: 222.5 in (5,652 mm)[1]
Width 1949–50: 77.8 in (1,976 mm)
1950–51: 78.2 in (1,986 mm)[6]
Height 1949–50: 62.7 in (1,593 mm)
1951: 62.6 in (1,590 mm)
Curb weight 4,400–4,800 lb (2,000–2,200 kg)
Chaim Weizmann limo 1950
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible
1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan convertible rear

1949 was significant to the Ford and Lincoln lines due to the introduction of the 1949 Ford and the 1949 Mercury Eight, which became very popular with customizers who created "Lead sleds" from it. All were brand new bodies.

The Cosmopolitan featured a four-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission supplied by General Motors or a base three-speed manual and a 5.5  liter (337 cubic inch) 152 hp V8[7] as well as an "aerodynamic" hood ornament. Like the Continental of the 1960s, the Cosmopolitan featured suicide doors, which opened from the B-pillar. In 1949, new coil springs were added to the front.[8] The headlights and tail lights on the Cosmopolitan reflected a new styling trend appearing on customized vehicles called "frenching" where various items were recessed into the bodywork, along with a new styling appearance called "ponton".

In 1951, power window and seats were standard.[4]

1952–1954

Generation two
Overview
Model years 1952–1954
Assembly Maywood Assembly, Maywood, California, United States[1]
Edison Assembly, Edison, New Jersey, United States
Wixom Assembly, Dearborn, Michigan, United States[1]
Wayne, Michigan United States[1]
St.Louis, Missouri, United States[1]
Designer Bill Schmidt
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe[1]
4-door sedan[1]
Related Lincoln Capri
Powertrain
Engine 317 cu in (5.2 L) Lincoln Y-block V8[1]
Transmission 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123.0 in (3,124 mm)[1][4]
Length 1952: 214.0 in (5,436 mm)[1]
1953: 214.1 in (5,438 mm)[1]
1954: 215.0 in (5,461 mm)[1]
Width 77.5 in (1,968 mm)
Height 62.6 in (1,590 mm)
Curb weight 4,300–4,400 lb (2,000–2,000 kg)

When it was restyled in 1952, it was paired with a new full-sized model named the Lincoln Capri. The engine was replaced with the new OHV 317 cu in (5.2 L) Lincoln Y-Block V8. Front leg room was 42 inches (1,067 mm).[4] Bodies were brand new again.

Powered by the 317 cu in (5.2 L) Lincoln Y-block V8, Lincolns won the top four spots in the Stock Car category of the Pan American Road Race in both 1952 and 1953.[1] In 1954 (its final year) Lincolns took first and second place.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Kowalke, Ron (1997). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause publications. ISBN 0-87341-521-3.
  2. ↑ Huffman, john Pearley (2009-01-19). "The Secret Seven: The Top Presidential Limousines of All Time". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  3. ↑ "President Gets New Convertible". Popular Science. Harlan, Iowa: Bonnier Corporation. 157 (3): 158–159. September 1950. ISSN 0161-7370. OCLC 488612811.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
  5. ↑ "Directory Index: Lincoln/1951_Lincoln/1951_Lincoln_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  6. ↑ "Directory Index: Lincoln/1951_Lincoln/1951_Lincoln_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
  7. ↑ "Directory Index: Lincoln/1949_Lincoln/1949_Lincoln_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  8. ↑ "Directory Index: Lincoln/1949_Lincoln/1949_Lincoln_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-12-31.
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