Hi, Meanwhile in Finland =) Not yet sure, what she will be when finished, but hopefully something like those road race cars in Mexico. Body needs only minor welding. The biggest challenge is perhaps with electronics and interior. I bought this baby couple of months ago and it will be ready when it will be. No sooner. Currently finishing frame. Engine is also ready for reassembling. Problem to find proper timing chain though. Original is not usable anymore. Engine is actually 341 cid from 1955. Don't know, when it was changed. Any comments and hints are more than welcome =) Cheers, -a- ps. this project is active also in FB at https://www.facebook.com/Lincci1952/ with many pictures and stuff. Commenting is mainly in Finnish, sorry about that
I have to say, it looks like she ended up in very good hands. Like the color choice on the motor. Is that going to be the body color also?
Thanks guys. Green is original colour and currently my plans are to have same green in body also. "to compete in the LCPA"... hmm... sorry, but i didn't quite got this. needs google or help from You some racing thing there in usa or restoration competition or... ??
La Carrera PanAmericana is a grueling, 7 day cross-country road race in Mexico. Lincoln famously dominated the stock car class for years in the early fifties.
Ah true. Should have known that one! Sorry, no possibility to compete in such race. I'm located in the wrong part of universe maybe racing clone is enough =)
For motor parts go to Ford Large truck(F-7 or F-8) & Industrial for 1952-1964 ECU series engines(279/302/317/341/336/341/368). The Lincoln engine was taken from the Truck/Industrial Ford Division to be used in the cars, so the parts are usually still available at parts suppliers for trucks & heavy equipment. Hope this helps! I also have a '52 Cosmopolitan Sport Coupe. Very durable vehicle!! I hope that your Hydramatic transmission is in good shape, as finding someone to do repairs on them is getting difficult, but with proper service they are very strong! Lincoln used the same Engine Block '52-'57; the Hydramatic trans '52-'54, same front suspension '52-'57, 11" brakes '52-'53, 12" brakes '54-'57( also changed wheels: '52-'53 wheels only fit '52-'53/ '54-'57 wheels will fit all). A good up-grade is to put '54-'57 wheels, brake drums & backing plates on '52-'53 cars for Very Good brakes & unless measured, will not be even noticed at a Concourse. Questions? : PM me
oooooh those Carrrera Panamericana cars.... I heard there is a Mercury up in Colo. that was raced there in the day, being refurbished for the modern races. Love your Cosmo!
Rear end is installed. Needs new brake lines. New pinion shaft seal (hopefully correct term?) was sold in ebay/germany for Jeep Grand Cherokee. same measurements than in Linc. nice and no leaks! Front needs new springs. New power steering box is from 1955 Linc. Original was manual and destroyed by some previous owner.
New front springs from .... hmm... not actually sure, from what are these. were found from friends garage. may need some cuttin...
I have long been an admirer of the '52/'54 Lincoln Coupes....but oddly for me, have never bought one. Thanks for posting this thread. Nice workmanship! I am enjoying it and will watch for more photos as it progresses. Ray
DEAN66... Very nice work ! These cars are even rare today here in the U.S. so I know you'll probably have the only '52-'54 Lincoln on Cruise Nights in Finland !! We should all give you an A+ for tackling this build in the first place...thanks for saving a cool piece of American Iron while you're miles & oceans away from Detroit !!! Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Jonnie King: '52s were rare to begin with due to a very late "Start of Build Date"(late Feb/ early March) for the model year due to some 'internal adjustments'(delays) at Ford. If I had his serial # I could give him the actual 'build date' with reasonable accuracy from the mfg's manuals.
Is it *52LP13779* ... this is located at frame top quite near right side of front seat.. Love to have Your support! Thanks!
There should be a "Data Plate" riveted to the vertical forward door jamb on the right(passenger) side. There should be a sequence beside "serial no": #52LP13779 #. [ In the sequence to the left should be a letter 'H' between the '9' & the '#'] Below this line should appear "style" with "BD60C" under it("BD60C" verifies it as a Cosmopolitan Sport Coupe), followed by 'body specif.' with a sequence:"___-__-___-_'.(that is 3 figures, followed by 2 figures, followed by 3figures, & finally 1figuire. With this final sequence I will be able to furnish you with the scheduled build date, original body color, trim color, & when this car was scheduled to roll off the assembly line on that given day. So far I can verify that you have a 1952(the '52' in the serial), built at the Lincoln Plant(the 'LP' in the serial),& that it was the 13,779 Lincoln built at that plant that year( probably rather late in the year, but I won't know that until I see the rest of the 'data plate' information.) It's so nice to have factory manuals!! I hope this helps!! Good Fortune with this beautiful vehicle!!!
Thank You, Sir! all this data is good to know at that plate, there is following: style = BD60C body specific. = 13L-60-D-23-40 not able to took proper picture due current position of body =)
The Information that I was able to furnish: "13L" : original paint was 'Lakewood Green' Lacquer paint(lacquer was only used at the Detroit, Michigan plant). "60" original 'trim'(upholstery) was Green Frieze Cloth. "D23" : this car was scheduled to be completed off the assembly line April 23,1952(I was originally incorrect about when I thought the car was produced). "40" : this car was the 40th job scheduled off the assembly line for that particular day of the month(April 23,1952 in this case). A further note: the serial numbers( in your case : #52LP13779H# actually indicates that this car was the 8,779 Lincoln produced at this plant, as I'd forgotten that the serial numbers for Lincolns started with #52LP5001H# at each plant ; for further : example Los Angeles was #52LA5001H#, St Louis was #52SL5001H#). I hope this helps!
coolbreezel340: NOT a Capri : COSMOPOLITAN! May not make a difference to you, but does to the owners. It's kind of calling every Cadillac an Eldorado.
Those cars were beautiful new and have aged very well. I've had a couple of opportunities to buy one over the years, but they always appeared the same time money dissappeared. My Irish luck!
If one shows like that, don't gamble :It's cheaper in the long run to replace the whole set with new than have to re build the motor again when another one breaks(as well as any collateral damage due to the failure!!!!). A new set based on diameter, pin diameter, pin height(distance from pin centerline to top of piston) & weight may require rebalancing the crank, rods(recondition them while they are accessible), & pistons, especially if the pistons aren't the same weight as the originals. (It's a good idea to balance an engine anyway, as the factory wasn't nearly so critical about such things 65+/-yrs ago as we are today, & it's relatively cheap insurance for a smooth running & long lasting engine.)
True, would be cheaper in the long run. But I have to live today and currently i can't afford to buy whole set =/ Well, let's try welding this one and be prepared for "i told You so" comments later no worries mates! this will eventually work out fine! i'm sure of it i will keep You all informed =)
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