Lincoln Capri

Lincoln Capri

1953 Lincoln Capri sedan
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Production 1952–1959
Class full-size luxury car
Layout FR layout
Model years 1958–1959
Assembly Wixom, Michigan, USA
Body style 2-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door hardtop
Engine 430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL V8
Transmission 3-speed Turbo-Drive automatic
Wheelbase 131.0 in (3,327 mm)
Length 1958: 229.0 in (5,817 mm)
1959: 227.1 in (5,768 mm)
Width 80.1 in (2,035 mm)
Height 1958: 56.5 in (1,435 mm)
1959: 56.7 in (1,440 mm)
Curb weight 4,900–5,200 lb (2,200–2,400 kg)
Designer John Najjar

The Lincoln Capri was a full-size automobile sold by Ford's Lincoln luxury division. It was introduced for the 1952 model year and discontinued soon after the 1959 model year.

Competing against the Cadillac Series 62 and Packard Series 400,[1] 14,342 Capris were sold in its debut year,[2] and nearly double that, 26,640, in 1953.[3] It readily outsold its stablemate, the Cosmopolitan, each year[4] until the Cosmopolitan's demise.

The Capri was named the safest car for 1955 by Life. It shared body designs with the Ford Victoria. In 1955, the Capri featured a new 225 hp (168 kW) 341 in³ (5.6 L) V8 (with greater displacement and, at 8.5:1, higher compression than before),[5] featuring four-barrel (four-choke) carburetor,[6] mated to a standard (Ford-built)[5] 3-speed Turbo-Drive[6] automatic transmission. Air conditioning became standard equipment on all Lincolns (except the Capri convertible) in 1955,[6] but heater, defroster, and radio remained optional.[7]

Riding on a 123" (3124 mm) wheelbase and measuring 215.6" (548 cm) overall,[8] the 1955 Capri was offered as a two-door hardtop coupé (weighing 4,305 lb {1,950 kg}),[8] two-door convertible (weighing 4,415 lb {2,000 kg}),[8] or a four-door sedan (weighing 4,275 lb {1,940 kg).[8] The Capri was also one of the first vehicles to feature an automatic headlight dimmer. [9] It sold 23,673 copies,[10] amounting to 87% of Lincoln's total output that year,[11] actually down from 29,552 in 1954.[12]

For 1956, the Capri shared a division-wide restyling[13] and gained the new 285 hp (213 kW) 368 in³ (6 L) V8[13] (with four-barrel {four-choke} carburetor and 9:1 compression),[14] as well as all-new 12-volt electrical system to cope with the proliferation of power accessories.[13] The Capri moved down-market, becoming Lincoln's entry-level model.[13] In addition, the convertible disappeared from the model range, which already lacked for a four-door hardtop.[13] Sales dropped dramatically, to only 8,791 in 1956.[15]

A new camshaft and higher 10:1 compression boosed output to 300 hp (224 kW),[16] Even so, sales declined again, to 5,900 units (despite the addition of a 4-door landau hardtop).[17] Heater and radio remained optional.[18]

The 1958 Capri was longer and heavier than ever, on a 131" (3327 mm) wheelbase, 229" (582 cm) long overall, and up to 4,810 lb (2181 kg) in the landau sedan. The all-new[19] 375 hp (280 kW) 430 in³ (7 L) V8 was a welcome addition. Sales were up, also, to 6,859, the landau sedan making up almost half, at 3,014 copies.[10] Heater and defroster (at US$110), AM radio (US$144), and seat belts (US$25) were all optional.[20] One rare option was an FM radio[21] for $129(had to have the AM also[22]). Brakes were 11" drums.[21]

Despite an increase in sales in 1959, to 7,929 units,[23] the Capri was not renewed for 1960.

Notes

  1. ^ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.666.
  2. ^ Flory, p.440.
  3. ^ Flory, p.515.
  4. ^ Flory, pp.439-40, 514-5, 589-90, & 666.
  5. ^ a b Flory, p.663.
  6. ^ a b c Flory, p.664.
  7. ^ Flory, pp.664-5.
  8. ^ a b c d Flory, p.666.
  9. ^ "1956 Lincoln Capri Coupe performance data, specs & photo". Automobile-catalog.com. http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/lincoln/full-size_lincoln_4gen/lincoln_capri_3gen_coupe/1956.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  10. ^ a b Flory, p.904.
  11. ^ Flory, p.982.
  12. ^ Flory, p.590.
  13. ^ a b c d e Flory, p.742.
  14. ^ Flory, p.743.
  15. ^ Flory, pp.666 & 742.
  16. ^ Flory, p.822. The new cam did not, however, increase compression, contrary to Flory's misapprehension.
  17. ^ Flory, p.824.
  18. ^ Flory, p.822.
  19. ^ Flory, p.902.
  20. ^ Flory, pp.903-4.
  21. ^ a b "Directory Index: Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Lincoln/1958_Lincoln/1958_Lincoln_Brochure/1958%20Lincoln-12.html. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
  22. ^ Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5. 
  23. ^ Flory, p.984.

References

Type 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Entry-level luxury car Lincoln-Zephyr WWII Lido Versailles
Full-size Capri Continental Continental
Premiere
L-Series K-Series H-Series Cosmopolitan
Personal luxury car Mark III Mark IV Mark V
Limousine Custom Continental Mark III–V
Halo car Continental Continental Continental Mark II Continental Mark III–V