Presidents’ pick
Lincoln has proud history as classy car
Lionel Kuran, a longtime member of the th Khartum Shriners, was originally looking for a Studebaker when he discovered this beautiful 1953 Lincoln Cosmopolitan for sale back in the early 1970s.
With its clean styling, fine fit and finish, performance and good handling, the 1952 to 1954 Lincolns have received \'Milestone Car\' status by the Milestone Car Society.
One of only 6,562 produced, this unrestored 1953 Lincoln is finished in two-tone Esquire green with an Empire green top.
Comfort items include a four-way power seat, power windows, AM radio and tinted glass.
The Lincoln was noted for its ability to effortlessly cruise the turnpikes at speed, in relative comfort, and still deliver respectable fuel economy, something few other luxury cars of the day could accomplish. Under the hood, the car features the factory original 317.5 cubic-inch Lincoln V-8 with a four-barrel carburetor.
Engineer and entrepreneur Henry M. Leland formed the Lincoln Motor Company in 1917 during the First World War and began building Liberty aircraft engines. Following the war, the factory was retooled for the production of luxury Lincoln automobiles. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, the Lincoln automobile was directly intended for upscale buyers looking for a quality automobile that offered the latest in motoring advancements. After producing only 150 cars, Lincoln encountered severe financial problems and was forced into bankruptcy in 1922.
Purchased by Henry Ford for $8 million, about half the company’s estimated worth, Lincoln was a great addition as a luxury flagship for Ford. Under Ford, Lincoln flourished and took its place as one of America’s top-selling luxury cars along with Packard and Cadillac. Long favoured as official state limousines for the U.S. president, Lincolns have served as presidential carriers from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1939 model to the Bush administration’s limo retired in 2004.
The Lincoln wasn’t always just a luxury transport. In fact, the early 1950s saw the Lincoln take centre stage as a leader in both style and performance. For 1952, the Lincoln was all new from top to bottom. From its new rigid X-braced frame and ball-joint suspension, to its lean, new jet-age body, the Lincoln bore no resemblance to previous models. Also proving it wasn’t just another pretty face, the Lincoln finished in the top four spots of the Pan-American Road Race event in 1952.
In 1953, Lionel Kuran of Winnipeg was working as a high school principal when he spotted a new Lincoln at Smith Motors in Portage la Prairie. “It was a beautiful two-tone blue,” says Kuran. Earning $190 per month, Kuran was quickly discouraged by the Lincoln’s $5,400 list price, but he never forgot about the car. Kuran later went on to work for the province helping to open up its northern regions with airports, highways and other needed infrastructure. His favourite car quickly became the Studebaker and he owned several up to the company’s closure in 1966. In the early 1970s Kuran became a member of the Khartum Shriners and he and fellow member Stu Morton began establishing a vintage cars unit within the Shriners. “I heard of a ’50 Studebaker Starlite coupe for sale in Medora just southwest of Souris, Manitoba so I went to have a look at it,” says Kuran.
In Medora, Kuran met Robert Tweed from the Chrysler and Massey Ferguson dealership and after briefly looking at the Studebaker he bought it for $50. When Tweed asked what he wanted the car for, Kuran told him of the vintage car unit. “Tweed said, ‘Lionel, you want class for that and led me to another garage door,’” says Kuran. As Tweed lifted the door, Kuran cast his eyes on a 1953 Lincoln. A Cosmopolitan sport coupe model with 97,000 original miles showing on the odometer, it was one of 6,562 produced. A rust-free car that had never been driven in the winter, it fired right up and after a short spin Kuran drove it home.
Riding on a 123-inch wheelbase, it’s finished in two-tone Esquire green with an Empire green top and a contrasting two-tone brown and tan nylon frieze upholstering. Added comfort items include a four-way power seat, power windows, AM radio, tinted glass and windshield washers.
Under the hood, there’s a 317.5 cubic inch Lincoln V-8 engine with four-barrel carburetor that cranks out 205 horsepower at 4,200 r.p.m. backed by a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.
The Lincoln was noted for its ability to effortlessly cruise the turnpikes at speed, in relative comfort, and still deliver respectable fuel economy. Something few other luxury cars of the day could accomplish. Now 35 years and 30,000-miles later, other than some careful maintenance and a 1981 repaint by Harry Hiebert in Altona, Manitoba, the Lincoln is still an unrestored original and that’s how Kuran wants to keep it.
With its clean styling, fine fit and finish, performance and good handling ability, the 1952 to 1954 Lincolns have received “Milestone Car” status as awarded by the Milestone Car Society. With few, if any, trim parts reproduced they’re not easily restored, so if you do come across one, ensure it’s complete and in reasonable condition.
Today the Lincoln continues as the Ford Motor Company’s luxury vehicle, and over the past few years the name has even found its way onto a few special truck and SUV models. While still regarded as the sedan of choice for many buyers, the Lincoln remains true to its roots, delivering style, comfort and performance for the discerning buyer.
larry.dargis@freepress.mb.ca
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