Lincoln Cosmopolitan For Sale

Choose by era, body style and whether you want an original or a custom. The 1949–1951 cars are the senior Lincolns, with a 337 flathead V8, rear-hinged rear doors on the four-door sedans, fender skirts and a one-piece windscreen. The fastback Town Sedan was not offered for 1950, the two-door Capri arrived in mid-1950, and 1951 brought full-length side chrome and a revised grille.

The 1952–1954 cars share one body with the Capri, offered as a two-door hardtop and four-door sedan, with a 317 overhead-valve V8 and the Hydra-Matic.

A lead sled is a custom car built from a large 1940s or early 1950s car, and the smooth 1949–1951 Cosmopolitan became a popular base. The name comes from the body solder customisers used to fill seams and reshape panels. Typical changes include a chopped roof, a lowered stance, shaved badges and handles, and frenched headlamps and tail lamps. Many builds also add a modern V8, an automatic gearbox, disc brakes and air suspension, so each car should be judged as an individual build.

On an original car, confirm that it is a Cosmopolitan rather than a standard Lincoln. The longer wheelbase, the thick stainless trim over each front wheel opening and the thinner roof pillars are the main clues. Check the engine, gearbox and the electro-hydraulic windows and front seat. On a custom, find out who built it, how the roof and body work was done and which components it uses. On any car, inspect the frame, floors and lower panels for rust and previous repairs.

On restomod and pro-touring cars, judge the quality of the components and workmanship. PTTM can share the information available on a car and discuss any further inspection.

Body style, originality and build quality set the starting point. An original convertible, a Town Sedan or a Capri sits in a different market from a four-door sedan, and a well-documented custom from a known builder is valued differently from an unfinished project. Within any car, value reflects condition, documentation, factory or custom equipment and colour.

Unrestored survivors, restored cars and professionally built customs and restomods are each valued on different terms. Compare the whole car and its records alongside the price, and PTTM can help you define a realistic search.

Registration or title documents that match the car are the foundation. Original paperwork such as a dealer invoice, owner’s manual or service records adds weight where it survives. For a custom, the builder’s records, parts invoices, drivetrain specifications and photographs of the build show how the car was made. Restoration invoices and photographs show what has been done since. Imported cars should carry their import papers, and PTTM’s Registration Service can guide European registration.

Yes, PTTM can assess your current car and discuss a trade-in towards a Lincoln purchase. Send us its make, model, year, mileage, photographs and available history, along with details of the car you are interested in. Trade-ins are not automatic: each proposal is considered individually, based on condition, documentation and market demand.

Possible structures include equal-value exchanges and trades with a cash adjustment on either side, agreed transparently in advance.

The Cosmopolitan has a strong presidential history. The White House leased ten Cosmopolitans, prepared by Henney and Hess and Eisenhardt, including an armoured convertible that was fitted with a Plexiglas bubble-top roof in 1954 and stayed in service until 1965. Lincolns of the 1952–1954 generation also took the top four Stock Car places in the Carrera Panamericana in 1952 and 1953. Only 7,302 Town Sedans were ordered. Individual cars stand out through originality, documentation, rare options and condition, and a well-sorted driver can be as rewarding as a concours restoration.

It depends on how you plan to use the car. An original Cosmopolitan is a large, comfortable car for relaxed touring, and the convertible adds open-air driving. A lead sled custom offers period custom style, and builds with a modern V8, automatic gearbox, disc brakes and air suspension are easier to use regularly. PTTM offers both, from factory-correct restorations to custom builds. Tell your sales advisor how and how often you plan to drive, so we can recommend suitable cars or discuss a project.

Yes. Our Personalized Car Search service can look beyond our current inventory. Tell us your preferred year and body style, whether original or custom, and colour, condition and budget.

We identify suitable cars and help assess their condition, history and authenticity. Original convertibles, Town Sedans, Capris and well-documented customs from known builders can take longer to find, and we will give you an honest expectation of timing. Search terms are agreed before we begin, and you are never obliged to proceed with a car we present.

Yes. PTTM works with buyers across Europe and overseas and can coordinate transport to your country. Within Europe, cars travel by road with our own trailers or trusted partners. Intercontinental deliveries normally go by sea freight, and air freight is available on request. We confirm the transport method, insurance, costs and estimated timing for your destination before you commit. Import requirements vary by country, so share your destination when enquiring and we can explain the options.