When you hear the name “Lincoln”, these 1949-51 “torpedoes” are not usually the cars that come to mind. I myself didn’t even know they existed until I found them in the American Car Spotter’s Guide many years ago. They were Lincoln’s first new postwar designs, which to me seem to be the culmination of stylists’ dreams of the ’30s-’40s: a long, low, streamlined-looking, “World of Tomorrow” car, gliding smoothly and powerfully along the new superhighways that were just being planned. But as always, “the future” has a way of becoming the past, and these rather bulbous cars were superseded by crisper new designs as the ’50s progressed.
Our first example is a 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Coupe offered by Raleigh Classic Car Auctions. Here’s the full description:
1950 LINCOLN COSMOPOLITAN
This beauty is extremely original and the actual miles of 27,823 are verified by the title work. It is unusually well optioned for the day including automatic transmission, halo vinyl roof, power windows, back up light, dual exterior mirrors, locking gas filler door, working factory clock and radio and full fender skirts. This is likely the lowest mile, original condition, highly optioned example to be found.
This generation of Lincolns offered two different bodies. The cheaper Mercury-like base models, which were just called “Lincoln,” used a smaller body with a 121-inch wheelbase. The much more expensive top-of-the-line Lincoln Cosmopolitan used a bigger body with a 125-inch wheelbase. I prefer the Cosmopolitan, with its distinctive streamlined roof and one-piece windshield.
The headlights are “Frenched” (recessed), for a smooth, distinctive look. In this photo the Lincoln looks like a sad puppy dog who feels guilty for doing something wrong, but I like its styling nonetheless.
The styling theme is echoed at the rear where we see recessed round tail lights with chromium tri-bars.
This example is originally from St. Louis.
Inside, comfort and roominess is king!
Behind the Lincoln wheel. There’s a new instrument panel design for 1950. This car’s automatic transmission came from GM: Lincoln now offered optional Hydra-Matic transmission.
Each of those speedometer numbers is individually molded, not just sprayed on. Making the zeros smaller–I love little artistic details like that!
Every finely-crafted detail of this car is worthy of the luxury class. The power windows are hydraulic.
The heavy flathead V-8 (337 cubic inches; 152 HP) actually came from Ford’s F7/F8 truck series. But according to the book Great American Automobiles of the ’50s by Richard M. Langworth and Chris Poole, “21 major revisions to improve idling, valve and camshaft wear, and cylinder head durability [made] the Lincoln unit a strong, refined, reliable engine admirably suited for luxury car duty.” Lincoln advertisements called this engine “airplane-type”.
There it is–a beauty! It sold for $21,500 in December 2025.
Here’s our next example, from the same auction house. A base model 1951 Lincoln coupe–another excellent, low-mileage original. Makes me wonder–did both Lincolns come from the same collection?
1951 LINCOLN 2 DOOR
Total production of the2-door Lincoln was 4,482 in 1951, and this Club Coupe is a 18,787 actual mile example from new. The car is equipped with a 337ci V8 engine and optional Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. It retains its original Luxor Maroon paint and Brown striped interior. Options include whitewall tires, full wheel covers, radio and a heater.
The Lincoln body was still narrower than the big Cosmopolitan, with a divided windshield. Both models got a refined grille for ’51, with fewer “teeth” than before.
Base Lincolns had a different rear-end design than the Cosmopolitan — on the Cosmopolitan, the fenders and rear deck were one smooth shape. The Neo-Art Deco ribbed chrome trim under the taillight was exclusive to the base cars.
I mentioned 1930s styling–you could almost imagine this as a VW Beetle that has been severely stretched horizontally.
Front compartment view.
Those star-like knobs on the dashboard are exquisite!
This car also has 4-speed Hydra-Matic from GM. Lincoln did not get its own automatic transmission until 1955.
A stunning hood ornament in chrome and gold.
Same engine as in 1950, but with 2 more horsepower.
This 1951 base-model coupe ended up selling for $43,000–quite a bit more than the ’50 Cosmopolitan!
If a person from our time (who is used to driving modern vehicles) were to get behind the wheel of one of these early ’50s Lincolns, what would he think of it? Remember, these are cars weighing well over 4,000 lbs. with no power steering, no power brakes, no ball-joint suspension, and bias-ply tires that don’t track like radials do. The feeling of driving this old Lincoln must be extraordinary and would require some getting used to.
To me, this car is probably at its best driving along the “Blue Highways” (a term I picked up from a book by the same name, about traveling across America by skipping the Interstates and driving the old county, state, and U.S. highways–drawn in blue on paper road maps). Yes, I can see myself guiding that big wheel–cradled on cushy seats and soft suspension, windows down with the soft burble of the flathead V-8 in the background as the passing scenery goes by. Talk about a time machine!
In 1952, a new Lincoln was introduced. It certainly is an attractive, clean design–but I have the same problem with this car as I do with the non-Cosmopolitan 1949-51 Lincolns: it’s too easily mistaken for a Mercury. Not that there’s anything wrong with the Mercury–but a luxury make should be unique and distinctive with its own aura of richness. If you compare this to what Cadillac was offering in 1952, you’ll see what I mean.
1956: Lincoln finally found the winning formula. A long, sleek, distinctive car that wouldn’t be mistaken for anything else. Sales rebounded accordingly.
1958: Same strategy as ’56, but even more so! Much to the disappointment of company planners, sales were below expectations.
1961: Time for a whole new concept. Within ten years the most rounded car becomes the most angular. However there were not just styling changes but many engineering advances too. It seems that a Lincoln owner who traded every few years got a car so different in character from his previous one. Auto evolution really moved fast in those days!
Further CC reading:
Car Show Classic: 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Coupe–Cadillac Thanks You, In More Ways Than One by Paul Niedermeyer
That’s practically a factory lead sled!
Inspired many 1950s cars, I think.