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1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan

89 messages,  Last post on Feb 10, 2013 at 4:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lincoln, Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 6 of 10

#45 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? [andre1969] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 06, 2008 (8:04 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Oct 06, 2008 7:58 am)
Most automotive stylists would agree with you I think. Good design is often not a matter of how "pretty" the car looks, or interesting, but rather how harmonious and coherent the entire design is. A car can have an attractive front end and a pleasing back end but the two clash with each other, or are not connected by the lines of the car.
 
But I like the Lincoln design as well. I'd call it "period attractive" for sure.

#46 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? [hpmctorque] by toemoss71

Oct 06, 2008 (8:05 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 05, 2008 10:34 pm)
No question that all the Ford products of 1949 were a departure from the 1948 models. Fenders were more integrated into the body, running boards disappeared, and this resulted in the "slab side" smooth look. The Cosmo, IMHO, was innovative as it used these features in addition to the largest and most powerful motor available at 160HP; Ford & Merc used the same basic flathead motor with enhancements. Because of the body changes, it also featured more interior room than previous Lincolns. The Cosmo seems to have a low & sleek profile for such a large car.
 
Granted without hesitation that the GM cars were using overhead valve V-8's instead of the flathead design, and this is the only true drawback I can see to the Ford/Mercury/Lincoln offerings for '49-'51.
 
'49 was a year of big changes for Ford in their body designs. And an interesting side note is that the '49 models for Ford were the last ones personally approved by Henry Ford himself.

#47 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? [toemoss71] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 06, 2008 (8:12 am)

Replying to: toemoss71 (Oct 06, 2008 8:05 am)
Aside from the OHV engines, GM had a much better automatic transmission as well, (starting in 1941!) and pioneered the 2-door hardtop design. I'd say that in '49 at least GM had quite a good edge on Ford. Also one-upped them with the '53 Corvette
 
'55 was a good year for Ford-GM head to head competition IMO. After that, GM slapped Ford silly until the Mustang. Maybe not in sales, but in design, quality, etc, no doubt in my mind at least.

#48 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Oct 06, 2008 (3:17 pm)

"...GM had a much better automatic transmission as well..."
 
Lincoln used GM's 4-speed Hydra-Matic, an excellent transmission, in its '50-'54 models. Buick introduced Dynaflow in 1948 (ultra smooth but very inefficient in terms of gobbling power and poor gas economy), and Chevy made its Powerglide available in its '51 model.
 
Ford Motor Co. introduced Fordomatic and Mercomatic (the same torque converter 3-speed design), but I think Lincoln first adopted this (Lincomatic?) transmission for its '55 model. The Ford automatics were okay - more efficient than Dynaflow and Powerglide, although less rugged, and definitely neither as rugged nor efficient as Hydramatic, but smoother. You definitely felt the shifts with the old Hydramatics, kind of like the old Benz automatics.

#49 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 06, 2008 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 06, 2008 3:17 pm)
Yes old Hydros were rugged. Many of them are still working without rebuilds.
 
Really? Ford used a GM product? I never knew that. Any info on that somewhere?

#50 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? (Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Oct 06, 2008 (3:34 pm)

Here's one source, from the "Old Car Manual Project"...
   
    
  "updated November 30, 2002
  
    
 
Hydramatic Transmission Manual for the 1949-1950 Lincoln
 
Hydramatic transmissions (built by General Motors) were used for years in Lincoln cars. This rare factory service manual covers the Hydramatics used in the classic '49 and '50 Lincoln cars.
 
Contributed by Mike Schmitt.
 
INDEX:
 
Operating Instructions
 
Fluid Service, Manual Linkage
 
Throttle Linkage
 
Band Adjustments (External)
 
Valve Control Assembly - Disassembly
 
Front and Rear Servos
 
Reverse Anchor, Bracket Assembly & Shims Remove, Install
 
Transmission-Remove
 
Trouble Diagnosis"

#51 of 89 Hydramatic Lincoln ((Mr_Shiftright) by hpmctorque

Oct 06, 2008 (3:40 pm)

from Wikipedia...
 
"Starting in 1948 Hydramatic became optional for Pontiacs, although Buick and Chevrolet chose to develop their own automatic transmissions. One million Hydramatics had been sold by 1949. In the early 1950s various manufacturers that did not have the resources to develop an automatic transmission bought Hydra-Matics from GM. Users included:
 
1950-1956 Hudson
1950-1956 Nash
1951 Frazer
1951-1955 Kaiser
1954-1955 Willys
1949-1954 Lincoln
In 1952 Rolls-Royce acquired a license to produce the Hydra-Matic under license for Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles. It continued production through 1967..."

#52 of 89 Re: Hydramatic Lincoln ((Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 06, 2008 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 06, 2008 3:40 pm)
I knew about all the others but not Lincoln. Surprising!
 
The Rolls cast their own case for the Hydramatic. Probably was the best part of the car, next to the upholstery.

#53 of 89 Taillights - '49 & '50 vs. '51 by toemoss71

Oct 09, 2008 (10:04 am)

I must confess to liking the taillights on the '49 & '50 Lincoln Cosmos MUCH more than the '51. Something about that set-in (almost frenched) circular taillight with the divider into threes that just looks too cool for words, especially when combined with the rounded rear fender.

#54 of 89 Re: Why a 1949-1950 Lincoln? (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque] by isellhondas

Oct 11, 2008 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 06, 2008 3:17 pm)
Not to be too picky but Powerglides were available in 1950 Chevrolets.
 
Ford followed up the next year with it's Fordomatic.

Messages Page 6 of 10

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