1955 Lincoln Capri Sport Coupe

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Lincoln leaped about 25 years ahead of its time in 1952, downsizing a high-priced car under the slogan “Designed for Modern Living.” 

The new Lincoln rode on a 123-inch wheelbase and had slab sides, with projecting headlights, raised fender crowns, and a pronounced rear fender line. The grille was almost completely involved on the bumper. Under the hood was an all-new 160-horsepower, 317.5-cubic-inch OHV V-8, and there were also significant improvements underneath, with the first ball-joint front suspension and a completely redesigned frame. 

The Capri was the top-of-the-line model and offered four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, and convertible body choices. Total Lincoln sales for 1952 jumped to 27,271 units, five times the previous year’s sales. 

The 1955 model year was the last for the ’52 design cycle. There were some styling changes (taillights, grille), the engine was bumped up to 341 cubic inches and 225 hp, and Lincoln got its own “Turbo-Drive” automatic transmission. While overall sales dropped to 27,222, Capris accounted for 87 percent of those (23,673). 

This survivor car runs well and drives straight; it could be the solid foundation for a restoration, or perhaps you could proudly display the patina that only time and travel can create. 

Highlights 

• Two-owner car 

• Five-digit odometer shows 16,385 miles, believed to be original, however the true mileage is unknown  

• Finished in Brunswick Blue paint over two-tone blue interior 

• Powered by a 341 cubic inch V8 rated at 225 horsepower and 332 lb-ft torque 

• New Lincoln Turbo-Drive automatic transmission 

• Mechanical repairs and brake upgrade (totaling $8,000) two years ago, including: 

  • Fuel tank refurbished and resealed by Master Radiator  

  • New soft fuel lines 

  • Hard fuel line from fuel pump to carburetor 

  • Fuel pump rebuilt 

  • Carburetor rebuilt 

  • Radiator re-cored by Master Radiator  

  • New radiator hoses 

  • New thermostat  

  • New belts 

  • New valve cover gaskets 

  • New spark plugs 

  • New plug wires 

  • New distributor and cap 

  • New points and condenser  

  • New mufflers 

  • New front disc brake conversion kit with master cylinder and power booster 

  • New rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders 

  • New brake hoses 

  • New front hard brake lines 

  • New front suspension and steering bushing and bumpers 

  • Power steering pump rebuild and seals 

  • New power steering lines 

  • New 6-volt battery 

  • New shocks all around 

  • New rear suspension bushings and bumpers 

  • New rear axle seals and gaskets 

Features 

• Two-door sport coupe

• Four-way power front bench seat

• Power steering

• Power windows

• Power brakes

• Push-button Lincoln AM radio with “superheterodyne receive,” dual speakers, and vacuum-operated antenna

• Two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring

• Dual unit heating system

• Rear window defroster vents

• Horizontal needle speedometer with oil, fuel, amp, and temperature gauges 

• Manual vent windows

• Sears Allstate 8.00 -15 bias ply tires

• Original front floor mats

• Wheelbase: 123 inches

• Overall length: 215.6 inches

• Width: 77.4 inches

• Height: 64.2 inches

• Curb weight: 4,305 pounds

• Original MSRP: $3,910, or about $45,837 today

Known Imperfections

• Tires are in good shape but are more than seven years old 

• Vacuum-operated power antenna needs to be resealed 

• Vacuum-operated wiper motor needs to be resealed   

• Under-dash vacuum line needs to be replaced

• Power seat motor gear needs to be replaced (new gear included) 

• Driver’s side rear lower quarter sheet metal needs attention 

• Transmission leaks after it sits (consigner suspects a double-lip front seal is required)  

• Numerous paint chips, scrapes, and small dents on the body 

• Rust along bottom rocker panels on both sides 

• Notable rust on driver’s side rear fender 

• Driver’s side rear fender skirt has been removed and is in the trunk 

• Pitting on chrome, particularly on emblems, door handles, and side mirrors 

• Corrosion in engine bay 

• Hubcaps are worn 

• Tire sidewalls are discolored 

• Rubber gasket beneath rear emblem is detached 

• Leather upholstery is cracked and worn 

• Cloth portion of upholstery is worn 

• Carpet is stained 

• Driver’s side rear seat armrest is missing 

• Rubber seal strip missing from trunk 

Included 

• Spare tire 

• Jack 

• Replacement belts 

• Oil 

• Antifreeze 

Ownership History 

The consigner’s late husband purchased this 1955 Lincoln Capri from the original owner in 1989. 

Additional Notes  

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. 

Contact: Craig Zimmerman Phone: 586.707.5811 email: cszimmerman@hagerty.com